3 Lucrative Naval Enterprises in Potential Naval-Focused Workshops and Enterprises in Bannerlord 2

This article dives into the potential for naval-focused workshops and enterprises in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. While a fully realized naval combat system isn’t currently implemented, there are ways to leverage coastal cities and strategic resources to create profitable enterprises with a maritime theme. This article focuses on three specific workshop types that can be adapted to reflect a naval influence, even within the current game mechanics. We will explore practical implementation, innovative perspectives, and considerations for future updates that might expand naval gameplay.

Currently, Bannerlord lacks true naval warfare. However, shrewd players can still capitalize on the strategic importance of coastal cities. Consider them as trading hubs and potential launching points for future naval dominance. Smart workshop placement and management are key.

Adapting Existing Workshops for a Naval Theme

Forget building land-locked potteries. Instead, focus on adapting existing workshop types to reflect a connection to the sea:

• Weavery (Sailcloth Production): Instead of simply producing cloth, flavor this workshop as a sailcloth manufacturer. Locate it in a coastal city known for fishing or trade, such as Sargot or Epicrotea. Invest in wool production in nearby villages to secure a steady supply of raw materials. Focus on quantity and efficiency, and watch your profits soar when war time hits.
• Brewery (Provisioning for Voyages): A brewery in a coastal city isn’t just making ale for tavern brawls. It’s supplying long voyages. This provides a solid base income and can also benefit from trade routes bringing in honey or grain from inland areas. Having good relations with caravan drivers and keeping trading rights secured in your brewery city is a must.
• Smithy (Shipfitting/Repair Tools): While you can’t build ships, you can produce the tools and fittings needed for them. A smithy near a port can specialize in producing high-quality tools, potentially roleplaying that these are used for ship maintenance and repair. This adds a thematic element and benefits from the demand for tools from caravans and lords.

Let’s think outside the box. Even without dedicated naval mechanics, you can roleplay and indirectly influence maritime trade and power.

The Privateer’s Guild (Trading & Mercenary Work)

This is less of a single enterprise and more of a strategic approach.

1. Establish a Base: Choose a coastal city as your “home port.”
2. Invest in Workshops: Focus on the adapted workshops listed above to create a self-sustaining economy.
3. Cultivate Relationships: Build strong relationships with local lords and merchants.
4. Mercenary Contracts: Take on mercenary contracts that focus on protecting trade routes or raiding enemy coastal settlements. This indirectly simulates naval combat by influencing control of coastal regions.
5. Influence Factions: Support factions that control key ports and trade routes.

Controlling the Fish Trade

Fishing villages are surprisingly lucrative in Bannerlord. While you can’t directly control them, you can influence their prosperity.

1. Identify Key Villages: Locate villages near coastal cities that produce fish.
2. Protect the Villages: Clear out bandits and looters that prey on these villages.
3. Invest in Security: Patrol the area with your party to ensure safe trade routes.
4. Buy Fish in Bulk: Purchase fish from the villages at a fair price to stimulate their economy.
5. Sell Fish to Coastal Cities: Transport the fish to nearby cities for a profit. This might not be a massive earner, but it helps fuel coastal cities and contributes to their success.
6. Manipulate the Fish Price. Control the Fish price in coastal cities can yield you huge return.

Future Naval Expansion in Bannerlord 2: A Hopeful Outlook

TaleWorlds has expressed interest in expanding Bannerlord‘s gameplay in numerous directions. A future naval update could introduce:

• Shipbuilding: The ability to construct and customize ships.
• Naval Combat: Real-time battles on the open sea.
• Naval Trade Routes: Establish trade routes between coastal cities.
• Naval Raiding: Plunder enemy coastal settlements.

When (and if) these features are implemented, the groundwork you lay now – your coastal workshops, your relationships with coastal lords, and your understanding of coastal trade – will put you in a prime position to dominate the seas.

Drawing from my experience in Bannerlord, I’ve noticed that focusing solely on min-maxing profits can sometimes detract from the roleplaying aspect. Adapting workshops to fit a narrative theme, even if it’s not the absolute most profitable strategy, can significantly enhance the immersion and enjoyment of the game. The “Privateer’s Guild” concept, for example, is less about maximizing income and more about creating a believable and engaging character.

The Importance of Location and Relations

Workshop profitability is heavily dependent on location and your relationship with the local notables and governing clan.

• Location, Location, Location: A weavery in a city surrounded by sheep-producing villages will always be more profitable than one in a city reliant on imported wool. Similarly, a smithy in a city constantly besieged will thrive.
• Cultivate Relationships: High relationship with the governor and influential merchants in your workshop city can guarantee smooth trade and protection from rival gangs. Offering them discounts and gifts will improve their attitude.

Managing Expectations and Avoiding Overinvestment

Bannerlord‘s economy is dynamic. Over-saturation of a particular product can drive down prices and tank your profits. Be prepared to adapt your workshop production based on market conditions. Don’t invest all your capital in a single type of enterprise. Diversification is key to long-term economic stability. Moreover, wars can have a significant impact on workshop productivity. Choose cities that are geographically well-defended and less likely to be constantly under siege.

As a long-time Mount & Blade player with hundreds of hours invested in Bannerlord, I’ve experimented extensively with different workshop strategies and economic models. The information presented here is based on my personal experiences and observations within the game. While there isn’t a dedicated “naval economy” in Bannerlord (yet!), the strategies outlined above provide a framework for leveraging coastal cities and resources to create profitable and thematic enterprises.

For more information on Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, refer to the official TaleWorlds website (https://www.taleworlds.com/) or the Bannerlord Wiki (https://mountandblade.fandom.com/wiki/Mount_&_Blade_II:_Bannerlord).