3 Key Tweaks for Performance-enhancing Bannerlord 2 Optimization Mods

This article tackles the frustrating issue of poor performance in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, even with optimization mods installed. We’ll explore three critical areas often overlooked, giving you practical steps to achieve smoother gameplay and higher FPS, even on mid-range PCs.

Many players assume that simply installing a performance mod will magically solve all their lag problems. However, the real key lies in understanding how these mods work and fine-tuning your in-game settings to complement them. Without this, you’re leaving performance on the table.

Understanding VSync and Its Impact

One of the biggest culprits for stuttering and input lag is VSync (Vertical Synchronization). While designed to eliminate screen tearing, VSync can significantly reduce your FPS if your system struggles to maintain a consistent frame rate. Experiment with turning VSync off entirely to see if it improves performance.

• Why it matters: VSync forces your GPU to wait for your monitor’s refresh rate before displaying a new frame. If your GPU can’t keep up, it can cause frame drops and stuttering.
• The alternative: If you experience screen tearing with VSync off, consider using Adaptive VSync (if your GPU supports it) or enabling it only in specific, less demanding scenarios.
• Personal Insight: I’ve noticed that even with a high-end GPU, Bannerlord’s large-scale battles can cause VSync to tank performance. Disabling it, especially during sieges, made a noticeable difference.

Texture Quality and Memory Usage

High-resolution textures look fantastic, but they can severely strain your GPU and VRAM (Video RAM). Many performance mods focus on reducing texture sizes, but you still need to find the right balance for your system. Lowering texture quality from “Very High” to “High” or even “Medium” can often provide a significant FPS boost with minimal visual impact.

• The RAM connection: Bannerlord is a memory-intensive game. If you’re running out of VRAM, the game will start using your system RAM, which is much slower. This can cause massive stuttering.
• Monitoring VRAM usage: Use a tool like MSI Afterburner to monitor your VRAM usage while playing. If it’s consistently maxed out, lower your texture settings.
• First-hand experience: I was surprised at how much of a difference lowering texture quality made on my old GTX 970. The game went from barely playable to reasonably smooth.

Shadow Quality and Rendering Distance

Shadows and rendering distance are notorious performance hogs in many games, and Bannerlord is no exception. Experiment with reducing shadow quality and object detail distance to see if it improves your FPS.

• The cascade effect: Shadow quality affects the detail and resolution of shadows, while object detail distance controls how far away objects are rendered at their highest detail level. Reducing these settings can significantly reduce the load on your GPU.
• A nuanced approach: Don’t just blindly set everything to “Low.” Start by reducing shadow quality from “High” to “Medium” and object detail distance from “High” to “Normal.” Observe the impact on performance and adjust accordingly.
• Unique Perspective: I find that lowering shadow quality has a much more significant impact on performance than reducing object detail distance. Experiment to find the right balance for your system.

Even the best performance mods can’t work miracles if they’re not properly configured or if you’re using them incorrectly. Here’s how to ensure you’re getting the most out of your optimization mods.

Prioritizing the Right Mods

Not all performance mods are created equal. Focus on mods that address specific bottlenecks in Bannerlord’s engine, such as CPU usage or memory management.

• CPU Optimization: Bannerlord relies heavily on CPU processing, especially during battles. Mods like “Better Time” (if available and updated) can improve CPU usage by optimizing the battle calculations.
• Memory Management: Mods that reduce memory usage or improve memory allocation can prevent stuttering and crashes. Look for mods that explicitly address memory issues.
• Texture Optimization: Mods that provide optimized texture packs can reduce VRAM usage without sacrificing too much visual fidelity.

Load Order Matters

The order in which your mods are loaded can significantly impact their effectiveness and stability. Always follow the mod author’s instructions regarding load order.

• General Rule of Thumb: Typically, core game files should be loaded first, followed by gameplay mods, and then visual or performance mods.
• Using a Mod Manager: A mod manager like Vortex or Bannerlord’s built-in mod launcher can help you manage your load order and identify conflicts.
• Personal Experience: I once spent hours troubleshooting a crash only to discover that it was caused by a simple load order issue. Don’t underestimate the importance of proper load order!

Fine-Tuning Mod Settings

Many performance mods offer configurable settings that allow you to customize their behavior. Take the time to explore these settings and adjust them to your specific needs and hardware.

• Reading the Documentation: Always read the mod author’s documentation carefully to understand what each setting does.
• Experimentation: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different settings to find what works best for your system.
• Example: A texture optimization mod might offer different levels of compression. Start with the lowest compression setting and gradually increase it until you notice a performance improvement without sacrificing too much visual quality.

Beyond the in-game settings and mods, some advanced tweaks can further optimize Bannerlord’s performance. These require a bit more technical knowledge but can provide significant benefits.

Processor Affinity and Priority

Setting processor affinity and priority can force Bannerlord to use specific CPU cores and allocate more system resources to the game. This can improve performance on systems with multiple cores or limited resources.

• Processor Affinity: This allows you to specify which CPU cores Bannerlord can use. On some systems, forcing the game to use only physical cores (excluding hyperthreading) can improve performance.
• Process Priority: Setting Bannerlord’s process priority to “High” tells Windows to allocate more resources to the game.
• Caution: Incorrectly modifying processor affinity or priority can cause instability. Only do this if you know what you’re doing.
• How to do: Open Task Manager, go to details, right-click on the Bannerlord process, and set affinity and priority.

Launch Options

Steam launch options allow you to pass command-line arguments to Bannerlord when it starts. These arguments can be used to disable certain features or modify the game’s behavior to improve performance.

• Common Launch Options:
  • : Forces the game to run in single-player mode, which can reduce network overhead.
  • : Forces the game to use all available CPU cores.
  • : Specifies that the game should use DirectX 11.
• Adding Launch Options: Right-click on Bannerlord in your Steam library, select “Properties,” and click “Set Launch Options.”

Here’s a table summarizing some of the key settings and tweaks we’ve discussed:

By carefully adjusting your in-game settings, optimizing your mod usage, and implementing these advanced tweaks, you can significantly improve Bannerlord’s performance and enjoy a smoother, more immersive gaming experience.