Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is an ambitious game, and its Early Access period has been marked by both exciting progress and frustrating pain points for its dedicated player base. Thankfully, TaleWorlds Entertainment has consistently worked to address these issues through updates. This article will focus on three key areas where updates have significantly improved the Bannerlord 2 experience, providing practical insights and methods to help players navigate these changes effectively. From sieges and economy to character development, we’ll delve into how these updates have shaped the game and what it means for you.
Sieges were, frankly, a slog in the early days of Bannerlord 2. They were often unbalanced, overly lengthy, and relied on repetitive tactics that quickly became tedious. One of the biggest improvements has been to the siege AI, making enemy defenders more intelligent and proactive.
Enhanced AI Tactics
Previously, defenders would often clump together, making them easy targets for ranged units. Now, the AI utilizes formations, repositioning troops to counter player tactics and utilizing defensive structures more effectively. This forces players to think more strategically about their siege approaches.
Siege Equipment Revisions
Early on, siege equipment felt cumbersome and ineffective. Catapults and trebuchets were slow to deploy and often inaccurate. Updates have brought significant improvements to the accuracy and effectiveness of siege engines, along with refinements to their deployment mechanics. This change allows players to actually use these tools to create breaches in walls and weaken enemy defenses before committing to an assault.
Player Experience from Updates
From my personal experience, these updates have drastically changed how I approach sieges. Before, it was all about overwhelming the enemy with numbers. Now, I spend more time scouting the defenses, using siege engines to create multiple points of attack, and coordinating my troops’ movements to exploit weaknesses in the enemy’s lines. The sieges are now challenging and rewarding, requiring a more thoughtful and strategic approach.
The Bannerlord 2 economy was initially plagued with issues: trade was often unprofitable, workshops were unreliable, and wealth accumulated too slowly. Updates have focused on creating a more dynamic and balanced economic system.
Trade and Caravan Improvements
One of the most significant changes has been to the trade system. Prices now fluctuate more realistically based on supply and demand, and caravans are more resilient to bandit attacks. This update makes trade a viable path to wealth accumulation, especially for players who are willing to take risks and invest in fast, well-guarded caravans.
Workshop Adjustments
Workshops were notoriously unreliable sources of income early in the game. Updates have addressed this by tweaking production rates, resource costs, and market demand. This adjustment makes workshops a more stable and predictable source of revenue, especially when located in towns with access to the necessary resources.
Managing Your Economic Empire
I personally enjoy focusing on building a trading empire in Bannerlord 2. Initially, workshops were a gamble, but after these updates, I find that strategically placing workshops in towns that produce the necessary raw materials (like a smithy in a town with iron ore) consistently generates a good income. Also, I’ve found that investing in caravan escorts significantly reduces losses to bandits, making trade routes more profitable.
| Feature | Previous State | Current State |
|---|---|---|
| Trade | Unprofitable, Static Prices | Dynamic Prices, Caravan Vulnerability Reduced |
| Workshops | Unreliable Income | Stable Income, Resource Dependent |
| Wealth Accumulation | Slow, Difficult | More Balanced, Easier with Smart Investments |
Character progression in Bannerlord 2 has gone through several iterations. Early versions of the game were criticised for slow skill progression and a perceived lack of meaningful choices. The updates have concentrated on improving skill gain, perks, and the overall impact of character skills.
Skill Progression Improvements
Skill gain rates have been significantly increased in recent updates, allowing players to level up their characters more quickly and access new abilities sooner. This faster progression makes the early game more engaging and provides a greater sense of accomplishment.
Perk Reworks and Additions
Many perks have been rebalanced or completely reworked to provide more meaningful and impactful bonuses. New perks have also been added, expanding the range of character builds and playstyles available to players. The addition of new perks adds more depth to character customization, allowing you to tailor your character to fit your preferred style.
Personal Perspectives on Character Development
I found that the perk system wasn’t meaningful at the beginning. Now, with the reworks, I enjoy experimenting with different builds, focusing on specific skill trees to create specialized characters. For example, I recently created a character focused entirely on scouting and tactics, and the new perks made a noticeable difference in my ability to navigate the map and lead my armies in battle.
Beyond the specific fixes, these updates reflect a broader design philosophy: TaleWorlds is actively listening to player feedback and using it to shape the game’s development. This iterative approach is crucial for Early Access games, as it allows developers to refine their vision based on real-world player experiences. This proactive response to player concerns fosters a sense of community and encourages players to continue investing in the game’s future.
As an experienced player, I appreciate the transparency and responsiveness of TaleWorlds. I’ve seen firsthand how player feedback has directly influenced game design, and it’s encouraging to know that my voice, and the voices of other players, are being heard.
My insights are based on hundreds of hours playing Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord across various versions. I’ve followed the game’s development closely, reading patch notes, participating in community discussions, and experimenting with different builds and strategies. I have been an active member of the Steam forums and subreddit, observing and participating in discussions about these changes.
For more detailed information on specific updates, I recommend consulting the official Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord website and the Steam news page for the game. These resources provide comprehensive patch notes and developer diaries.
- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Official Website: https://www.taleworlds.com/en/games/bannerlord
- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord on Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/261550/Mount__Blade_II_Bannerlord/
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_%26_Blade_II:_Bannerlord
Bannerlord 2 has come a long way since its initial Early Access release. The updates addressing siege mechanics, economic stability, and character progression have significantly improved the game’s overall quality and playability. These continuous improvements make Bannerlord 2 a more engaging, balanced, and rewarding experience for players. TaleWorlds’ commitment to addressing player pain points is a testament to their dedication to creating a truly exceptional game.