Declaring war in Bannerlord 2 isn’t just about clicking a button; it’s a calculated decision with lasting consequences. This article dissects the nuances of initiating conflict, offering practical methods and unique perspectives to help you conquer Calradia. This article solves 3 problems and it will show you:
* How to evaluate your kingdom’s strength.
* The steps to declare war effectively.
* How to mitigate negative consequences.
Before you even think about sending a declaration of war, a thorough assessment of your kingdom is crucial. Rushing into war unprepared is a recipe for disaster in Bannerlord 2. This isn’t just about troop numbers; it’s a holistic view of your kingdom’s strengths and weaknesses.
Kingdom Strength and Stability
Consider these factors:
- Clan Tier: Are you a fledgling kingdom or a dominant force? Your clan tier directly impacts your party size, influence generation, and overall strength. Lower tiers might struggle to sustain prolonged conflict.
- Settlement Prosperity: Are your cities and castles thriving or struggling? Low prosperity leads to lower tax revenue and discontent among your citizens, weakening your war effort.
- Garrison Strength: How well-defended are your settlements? A weak garrison invites sieges and weakens your overall position. Invest in upgrades and recruit quality troops to defend your holdings.
- Party Size and Composition: Do you have enough skilled warriors? A diverse mix of infantry, archers, and cavalry is essential for success on the battlefield. Don’t underestimate the importance of well-equipped companions and their parties.
- Clan Relations: How loyal are your vassals? Disgruntled clans can defect or even rebel, weakening your kingdom from within. Keep them happy with fiefs, positions of power, and regular feasts.
- Current Wars: Are you already fighting another kingdom? Taking on multiple enemies simultaneously can quickly overstretch your resources and lead to defeat. Prioritize one war at a time.
- Food Supply: Is there sufficient food to supply your armies and settlements? Hunger will lead to attrition and make your armies weaker when facing the enemy.
Gathering Intelligence on Enemy Kingdom
Understanding your enemy is just as important as understanding yourself. Knowledge is power, especially in Bannerlord 2.
- Troop Numbers: Estimate the size of their armies. Regularly scout their territory to get a sense of their troop movements and overall strength.
- Settlement Locations: Know where their key cities and castles are. These are your primary targets for conquest. Prioritize strategically important settlements that control trade routes or resources.
- Clan Relations: Identify any internal conflicts within their kingdom. Exploit these weaknesses by offering lucrative deals to disloyal clans, potentially turning them against their former allies.
- Leadership Strength: Assess the skills and personality of their ruler. A weak or unpopular leader can destabilize their kingdom, making it easier to conquer.
- Current Wars: Are they already engaged in other conflicts? A distracted enemy is a vulnerable enemy. Exploit their weaknesses by attacking when they are stretched thin.
- Economic Strength: How wealthy is their kingdom? A prosperous kingdom can afford to field larger armies and sustain a longer war. Target their trade routes and economic centers to weaken their war effort.
Once you’ve assessed your kingdom and gathered intelligence on your enemy, it’s time to formally declare war. This involves several steps and considerations.
Initiating War Through Kingdom Decisions
The primary method for declaring war is through the Kingdom Decisions menu.
- Open the Kingdom Menu: Access the Kingdom menu by pressing the ‘K’ key (default).
- Navigate to ‘Policies’: Select the ‘Policies’ tab.
- Propose a War Declaration: Look for the option to propose a war declaration against a specific kingdom. If no such option appears, ensure you are independent and not a vassal of another kingdom.
- Influence Cost: Be prepared to spend influence. The amount of influence required depends on various factors, including your kingdom’s size and the perceived strength of your target.
- Voting: Your vassals will vote on the proposal. A majority vote is needed to pass the war declaration. Use your influence to sway the vote in your favor, if necessary.
- Consider policy effect: Some policies make it cheaper or more expensive to declare war.
Creating a Casus Belli (Justification for War)
While Bannerlord 2 doesn’t have a fully fleshed-out “casus belli” system like some grand strategy games, having a clear justification for war can improve your kingdom’s stability and vassal relations.
- Border Disputes: Claim disputed territories along your borders. This is a common and easily understood justification for war.
- Trade Disputes: Accuse the enemy kingdom of unfair trade practices that harm your economy.
- Alliance Obligations: If you are allied with another kingdom that is at war, you may be obligated to join the conflict.
- Revenge: Seek revenge for past grievances, such as raids or insults.
- Liberation: Claim to be liberating oppressed people within the enemy kingdom.
- Protecting Trade Routes: When other kingdoms begin disrupting your access to trade routes, you can declare war to retain economic leverage and continue growing your influence.
Managing Public Opinion
Declaring war can have a significant impact on public opinion within your kingdom.
- War Weariness: Prolonged wars can lead to war weariness among your citizens, resulting in discontent and rebellion. Keep wars short and decisive to minimize this effect.
- Vassal Relations: Some vassals may support the war, while others may oppose it. Manage their expectations and reward loyal supporters to maintain their allegiance.
- Prosperity: War can disrupt trade and damage infrastructure, leading to economic hardship. Protect your trade routes and invest in infrastructure to mitigate these effects.
Beyond the technical steps, declaring war in Bannerlord 2 requires strategic thinking and a nuanced understanding of the game’s mechanics. These are some of the unique perspectives I’ve gained through my own experiences.
Knowing When Not to Declare War
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is knowing when not to declare war. Sometimes, peace is the most powerful weapon. I’ve seen many kingdoms crumble because they overextended themselves in unnecessary conflicts.
- Focus on Internal Development: If your kingdom is struggling internally, prioritize economic development and infrastructure improvements over expansion.
- Consolidate Your Gains: After a successful war, take time to consolidate your gains and integrate new territories before launching another offensive.
- Maintain a Strong Defense: A strong defense can deter potential aggressors and allow you to focus on internal affairs.
- Play the Diplomacy Game: Use diplomacy to forge alliances and non-aggression pacts. A network of friendly kingdoms can provide valuable support in times of need.
- Wait for the Right Moment: Be patient and wait for the right opportunity to strike. A weakened enemy or a favorable alliance can significantly increase your chances of success.
Maximizing the Impact of Your War Declaration
A well-executed war declaration can give you a significant advantage.
- Timing is Key: Launch your attack when the enemy is distracted or weakened. A surprise attack can catch them off guard and give you an early advantage.
- Target Key Settlements: Focus on capturing strategically important settlements that control trade routes or resources. This will weaken the enemy’s economy and morale.
- Exploit Enemy Weaknesses: Identify and exploit any weaknesses in the enemy’s defenses. A well-placed siege or a decisive battle can cripple their war effort.
- Use Guerilla Tactics: Harass enemy supply lines and raid their villages to disrupt their economy and demoralize their troops.
- Recruit Mercenaries: Hire mercenaries to bolster your forces and supplement your own troops.
- Be Flexible: Adapt your strategy as the war progresses. Be prepared to change your plans based on the enemy’s actions and the changing circumstances.
Dealing with the Consequences of War
War has consequences, both positive and negative. Be prepared to deal with them.
- Manage Rebellions: Conquered territories are often prone to rebellion. Appoint loyal governors and invest in infrastructure to maintain order.
- Address War Weariness: Implement policies to address war weariness among your citizens. Host feasts, lower taxes, and offer incentives for joining the army.
- Negotiate Peace: Know when to negotiate peace. A long and costly war can drain your resources and weaken your kingdom. Be willing to compromise to secure a favorable peace treaty.
- Rebuild Your Economy: War can damage your economy. Invest in infrastructure and trade to rebuild your prosperity.
- Prepare for the Next Conflict: The world of Calradia is constantly at war. Be prepared for the next conflict by maintaining a strong army and a healthy economy.
My insights are based on hundreds of hours playing Bannerlord 2, both in early access and after the full release. I’ve experimented with different strategies and tactics, learning from both my successes and my failures.
For general information about Bannerlord 2, I recommend consulting the official Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Wiki (https://mountandblade.fandom.com/wiki/Mount_%26_Blade_II:_Bannerlord).
Declaring war in Bannerlord 2 is a complex decision that requires careful consideration. By assessing your kingdom’s strength, gathering intelligence on your enemy, and strategically planning your attack, you can increase your chances of success. Remember to manage public opinion, deal with the consequences of war, and know when to negotiate peace. With the right approach, you can conquer Calradia and build a lasting empire.