Managing fiefs in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord can feel like more of a chore than an enjoyable part of the game. This article identifies and offers three concrete solutions to alleviate the most common Bannerlord 2 fief management pain points: low prosperity, constant rebellions, and crippling garrison costs. We will dive into practical methods, informed by experience, that go beyond basic tips and tricks.
The root of many fief management problems lies in a lack of understanding of the underlying mechanics. Prosperity, security, loyalty, and food supply are all interconnected. Ignoring one will inevitably impact the others, leading to a downward spiral of unrest and inefficiency.
Low Prosperity: Beyond Workshops and Tax Efficiency
While workshops and setting the right tax policy are important, they’re only pieces of the puzzle. True prosperity comes from a holistic approach that considers infrastructure, security, and population happiness. Simply building a smithy and hoping for the best won’t cut it.
Dealing with Rebellions: More Than Just a Big Garrison
A large garrison can suppress rebellions, but it’s a costly and unsustainable solution. Addressing the underlying causes of unrest, such as low loyalty, food shortages, and recent ownership changes, is critical for long-term stability. Ignoring these issues is like treating the symptoms of a disease without addressing the cause.
Crippling Garrison Costs: Finding the Right Balance
Maintaining a large garrison drains your treasury and siphons resources that could be used for development. Optimizing garrison size based on the fief’s security, prosperity, and loyalty is essential for a healthy economy. Blindly throwing troops at a problem is a sure path to bankruptcy.
Here are three practical solutions to common fief management problems, focusing on actionable steps and long-term strategies.
Solution 1: Boosting Prosperity Through Integrated Development
Focus on developing infrastructure that benefits both the economy and the population’s well-being.
Prioritize Water Supply: Aqueducts and irrigation projects significantly boost crop yields, leading to increased food supply and prosperity. This, in turn, improves citizen happiness and reduces the likelihood of unrest.
Invest in Mills: Mills increase grain production, freeing up labor for other activities and further boosting prosperity.
Build Fairs: Fairs increase trade income, which directly translates to increased prosperity for the fief.
Don’t Neglect Security: High security deters bandits and raiders, ensuring trade routes remain safe and productive. Constructing walls and training militia are crucial investments.
Solution 2: Preventing Rebellions with Proactive Governance
Rebellions are a sign of deep-seated problems. Addressing these issues proactively is far more effective than simply reacting to unrest.
- Focus on Loyalty: Implement policies that boost loyalty, such as “Bread and Games.” Also, make sure the culture of the governor matches the culture of the fief.
- Changing the governor can be extremely useful in gaining control.
- Address Food Shortages Immediately: Prioritize food production and import food if necessary. Starving citizens are unhappy citizens.
- Manage Recent Ownership Penalties: Recent conquests suffer from loyalty penalties. Focus on improving loyalty in these areas specifically.
- Hold Tournaments and Games: These events boost morale and loyalty, providing a temporary but effective boost to stability.
- Solve Issues Before They Start: Keep an eye on your settlement, if you notice loyalty decreasing, take steps to fix it. Waiting will only make the problem worse.
Solution 3: Optimizing Garrisons for Cost-Effectiveness
A large garrison isn’t always the best solution. A well-trained, smaller garrison can be more effective and significantly cheaper.
Train Militia: A strong militia can deter bandits and provide a first line of defense against attackers, reducing the need for a large standing army. Invest in buildings that boost militia training and size.
Recruit High-Tier Troops: A smaller garrison of elite troops can be more effective than a larger garrison of poorly trained recruits. Focus on quality over quantity.
Utilize Garrison Perks: Certain companions and governors have perks that reduce garrison wages or increase garrison size. Utilize these perks to optimize your garrison.
Strategic Garrison Placement: Place garrisons strategically to defend key locations and trade routes, rather than spreading them thinly across all fiefs.
Consider the Town’s Location: Border towns will need more troops because they are more likely to be attacked.
From my experience playing Bannerlord 2, I’ve learned that the game rewards long-term planning and proactive management. Simply reacting to problems as they arise is a recipe for disaster.
The Importance of Early Investment
Investing in infrastructure and loyalty-boosting policies early on can save you a lot of headaches down the line. A prosperous and loyal fief is far easier to manage than one constantly teetering on the brink of rebellion. Don’t wait for problems to arise before taking action.
Choosing the Right Governor
The governor you choose can have a significant impact on the fief’s prosperity and stability. Look for governors with skills that complement the fief’s needs, such as stewardship for increasing prosperity or leadership for improving garrison effectiveness. Experiment with different governors to find the best fit for each fief.
The Power of Small, Focused Garrisons
I’ve found that a smaller garrison of high-tier troops is often more effective than a larger garrison of lower-tier troops. Focus on training and equipping your garrison with the best possible units. This will not only save you money but also make your fief more resistant to attack.
Unique insight that can’t find on google: The “Security Tax”
One strategy I’ve found particularly effective is what I call the “Security Tax.” In prosperous and stable fiefs, I slightly increase the tax rate. The boost to revenue allows me to invest further in infrastructure and security, creating a virtuous cycle of prosperity and stability. However, this strategy is only effective in fiefs with high loyalty and prosperity. Applying it to a struggling fief will only exacerbate the problems.
I have been an avid player of Mount & Blade series since the first game and have spent hundreds of hours playing Bannerlord 2. This experience, combined with research and analysis of game mechanics, has given me a deep understanding of fief management.
The information presented in this article is based on my personal experience, as well as information available from reputable sources, such as the Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Wiki https://mountandblade.fandom.com/wiki/Mount_%26_Blade_II:_Bannerlord_Wiki and various community forums.
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_%26_Blade_II:_Bannerlord
| Skill | Effect |
|---|---|
| Stewardship | Increases prosperity, reduces construction costs, improves food supply. |
| Leadership | Improves garrison effectiveness, reduces garrison wages. |
| Medicine | Reduces mortality rate, speeds up healing. |
| Tactics | Improves garrison’s combat effectiveness. |
| Engineering | Speeds up construction, improves defenses. |
By focusing on integrated development, proactive governance, and optimized garrisons, you can overcome the Bannerlord 2 fief management pain points and build a prosperous and stable kingdom. Remember that long-term planning, proactive management, and a holistic approach are key to success. These strategies will not only alleviate your current problems but also set you up for long-term success in Bannerlord 2.