This article highlights three crucial, often overlooked, aspects of naval power in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. We’ll explore how naval strategies can significantly impact your campaign, providing actionable methods to dominate coastal regions, disrupt enemy economies, and secure strategic advantages. By mastering these tactics, you’ll gain a decisive edge in your quest to conquer Calradia.
Many players view ships solely as a means to transport troops across water. While transportation is a vital function, limiting your naval strategy to this single aspect drastically underestimates the potential of a well-maintained fleet. Naval superiority grants control over trade routes, coastal settlements, and, ultimately, the flow of resources within your kingdom. A strong navy can be the deciding factor in a protracted war.
Disrupting Enemy Trade with Naval Blockades
One of the most impactful, yet often underutilized, naval tactics is the implementation of trade route blockades. Identify key coastal cities and ports belonging to your enemies. These locations serve as hubs for trade, generating significant revenue for their faction. By positioning a fleet of warships near these ports, you can effectively cut off their access to trade, crippling their economy.
- To implement a blockade: Assign a skilled commander to a fleet of at least 5-7 warships (depending on the size and strength of the enemy’s naval presence). Position the fleet just outside the port, intercepting any merchant ships attempting to enter or leave.
- Be mindful of potential risks: Enemy warships may attempt to break your blockade. Ensure your fleet is adequately equipped and manned with experienced sailors. Raiding coastal villages near the blockade can replenish supplies and manpower.
- The impact is substantial: A successful blockade will reduce the targeted faction’s income, forcing them to levy higher taxes, hire fewer troops, and ultimately weaken their overall war effort. This disruption can also lead to unrest within their territories, potentially triggering rebellions.
Coastal Raiding: A Double-Edged Sword
Raiding coastal villages and towns is another powerful, though risky, naval tactic. While morally questionable, successful raids can provide a significant influx of resources, prisoners, and morale boosts for your troops. Choose your targets carefully, focusing on poorly defended settlements that offer valuable resources like grain, livestock, or valuable goods.
- Preparation is key: Ensure your raiding party is composed of well-equipped troops experienced in close-quarters combat. Consider including archers for added firepower.
- Execute swift attacks: Land your troops under the cover of darkness and quickly overwhelm the village defenders. Prioritize looting valuable resources and capturing prisoners before reinforcements arrive.
- Manage public perception: Raiding will negatively impact your relations with the targeted faction and may lead to negative opinions among neutral lords. Employ this tactic sparingly and strategically to avoid widespread disapproval.
Securing Strategic Islands and Coastal Forts
Controlling key islands and coastal forts provides a significant strategic advantage in Bannerlord 2. These locations can serve as naval bases, supply depots, and defensive strongholds. By capturing and fortifying these strategic points, you can establish a dominant naval presence and control access to vital waterways.
- Identify strategic locations: Look for islands or coastal forts that offer natural harbors, provide clear lines of sight, and are easily defensible.
- Lay siege with naval support: Use your fleet to blockade the settlement, preventing reinforcements from arriving by sea. Land your troops and begin the siege, utilizing siege engines to breach the walls.
- Establish a garrison: Once captured, garrison the settlement with a sufficient number of troops to deter enemy counterattacks. Construct fortifications and upgrade existing structures to improve its defenses.
In my numerous Bannerlord 2 campaigns, I’ve experimented extensively with different naval strategies. One of my most successful campaigns involved playing as a Battanian warlord determined to conquer the coastal regions of the Empire. I initially underestimated the power of naval blockades, focusing primarily on land-based conquests. However, after suffering heavy losses in a prolonged war against the Southern Empire, I realized the need for a more comprehensive strategy.
I began investing heavily in shipbuilding, constructing a fleet of powerful warships. I then implemented a series of targeted blockades against key Southern Empire ports, effectively crippling their economy. This disruption significantly weakened their war effort, allowing me to capture their coastal settlements with relative ease. I learned firsthand that a well-executed naval strategy can be a game-changer, even for factions not traditionally associated with naval power.
Another valuable lesson I learned was the importance of maintaining a balanced fleet. I initially focused on building large, heavily armored warships, neglecting smaller, faster vessels. This proved to be a mistake, as my fleet was vulnerable to hit-and-run attacks by enemy raiding parties. By incorporating smaller, more agile ships into my fleet, I was able to effectively counter these attacks and protect my trade routes.
The Unexpected Benefits of Naval Ambush Tactics
One tactic I discovered through trial and error was the use of naval ambushes. By positioning a small fleet of fast ships behind islands or in narrow straits, I was able to ambush unsuspecting enemy fleets, inflicting significant damage before they could react. These ambushes not only disrupted enemy trade routes but also demoralized their sailors and instilled a sense of fear.
For example, I once positioned three swift galleys behind a small island near the Aserai coast. A large Aserai merchant fleet, laden with valuable goods, sailed directly into my ambush. My galleys swiftly attacked, disabling several of their ships and capturing a significant amount of loot. This victory not only enriched my coffers but also significantly damaged the Aserai economy.
The Importance of Naval Doctrines
In future updates, I hope that TaleWorlds will include Naval Doctrines. These doctrines could offer different tactical advantages, like enhanced ramming power, increased boarding effectiveness, or superior ship durability. For example:
| Naval Doctrine | Description | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Ramming Focus | Emphasizes the use of ships as battering rams to cripple enemy vessels. Requires skilled helmsmen and durable ships. | Increased damage when ramming, higher chance of crippling enemy ships. |
| Boarding Tactics | Focuses on close-quarters combat and boarding enemy ships to capture them. Requires well-trained infantry and boarding specialists. | Increased boarding success rate, bonus to melee combat on ships, higher chance of capturing enemy vessels. |
| Coastal Defense | Prioritizes the defense of coastal settlements and trade routes. Requires well-garrisoned ports and strategically positioned coastal forts. | Bonus to defense of coastal settlements, increased effectiveness of coastal batteries, reduced cost of naval fortifications. |
This would allow you to customize your naval strategy based on your faction’s strengths and weaknesses, making each campaign more unique and engaging.
Mastering naval warfare in Bannerlord 2 transcends mere troop transport. By strategically employing naval blockades, coastal raids, and securing strategic locations, you can cripple enemy economies, amass wealth, and establish a dominant naval presence. My personal experiences have demonstrated that naval power can be a game-changer, even for factions not traditionally associated with the sea. Embracing these often-overlooked naval tactics will provide a distinct advantage in your quest to conquer Calradia.
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