The clamor for naval combat in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord has been ongoing since the game’s early access launch. With each update, players eagerly anticipate the inclusion of ship battles, coastal raids, and, more recently, the tantalizing prospect of underwater combat. While official news remains scarce, let’s explore the potential avenues for underwater mechanics and how they could realistically integrate into the game, along with some unique considerations drawn from player experience.
Currently, Bannerlord 2 doesn’t offer any native underwater combat features. The most practical avenue for experiencing anything close to underwater gameplay lies in the modding community. Taleworlds Entertainment has fostered a mod-friendly environment, allowing creators to expand upon the base game significantly.
Diving Deep with Existing Mods
Several mods already introduce naval elements that could serve as a foundation for underwater combat:
- Naval Warfare Mods: These mods focus on ship battles and coastal assaults. While they don’t directly implement underwater mechanics, they provide assets like ships, naval units, and water environments that could be adapted.
- Environment and Map Mods: Some mods enhance the game’s water visuals and add underwater environments. These could be leveraged to create visually appealing underwater areas.
- Custom Troop and Equipment Mods: Mods introducing new troop types and equipment could be modified to create specialized underwater units with appropriate weaponry and armor.
Creating Your Own Underwater Combat Scenario
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can attempt to create your own rudimentary underwater combat scenario using the Bannerlord 2 modding tools. This involves:
- Environment Modification: Use the scene editor to create an underwater environment. This could be a submerged ruin, a coastal cave, or even a completely new map designed for underwater battles.
- Troop and Equipment Customization: Modify existing troop types or create new ones with stats suitable for underwater combat (e.g., increased swimming speed, resistance to water pressure). Design or adapt weapons that could conceivably function underwater, such as modified crossbows or spears.
- Scripting (Optional): If you have scripting knowledge, you can create custom events and behaviors for underwater combat. This could involve adjusting movement speeds, adding underwater visual effects, and implementing specialized combat mechanics.
It’s important to acknowledge that Bannerlord 2‘s engine isn’t natively designed for underwater combat. This means that any attempts to create such features will likely be limited by technical constraints and may not be perfectly polished.
Even if a fully-fledged underwater combat system isn’t in the immediate plans, several simplified implementations could add depth to naval gameplay without requiring extensive engine overhauls.
Limited-Scope Underwater Actions
Instead of full underwater battles, Taleworlds could introduce limited-scope underwater actions:
- Underwater Sabotage: Players could send a small group of units to sabotage enemy ships by planting explosives or damaging the hull from below.
- Underwater Reconnaissance: Skilled swimmers could scout enemy coastal defenses or hidden underwater passages.
- Diving for Treasure: Hidden underwater wrecks could contain valuable loot, encouraging players to explore the depths.
These actions could be implemented through scripted events or mini-games, minimizing the need for complex underwater AI and combat animations.
Utilizing Existing Mechanics
Bannerlord 2 already has systems for:
- Swimming: While basic, the swimming mechanic could be expanded with skills and equipment that improve underwater performance.
- Stealth: The stealth system could be adapted for underwater infiltration and assassination missions.
- Ranged Combat: Modified crossbows or throwing weapons could be used for limited underwater ranged attacks.
By building upon these existing mechanics, Taleworlds could introduce underwater elements without completely reinventing the wheel.
Beyond the immediate novelty, underwater combat offers some unique strategic advantages and gameplay possibilities that would greatly enhance Bannerlord 2‘s world.
The Element of Surprise
Underwater approaches would allow players to bypass traditional coastal defenses and strike enemy settlements from unexpected angles. Imagine launching a surprise attack on a seemingly impenetrable fortress by infiltrating its underwater tunnels.
Specialized Underwater Units
The introduction of specialized underwater units, such as divers armed with harpoons or crossbows, would add a new layer of tactical depth to naval battles. These units could be used to disrupt enemy formations, disable ships, or assassinate key targets.
Unique Underwater Environments
The game’s world could be expanded with underwater caves, ruins, and shipwrecks, offering players new opportunities for exploration, treasure hunting, and clandestine operations. Discovering a hidden underwater passage leading to a secret stronghold would be an unforgettable experience.
| Feature | Description | Potential Gameplay Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Underwater Stealth | Ability to approach enemy ships or settlements undetected. | Surprise attacks, infiltration, sabotage. |
| Specialized Units | Divers armed with underwater weaponry. | Disrupt enemy formations, disable ships, assassinate targets. |
| Underwater Loot | Hidden treasures and resources in underwater environments. | Exploration, economic gain, risk vs. reward decisions. |
| Environmental Hazards | Strong currents, limited visibility, dangerous marine life. | Increased difficulty, strategic considerations, specialized equipment requirements. |
| Pressure mechanic | Could be implemented. | Increased realism and difficulty of staying under water for extended periods. |
Having spent countless hours exploring the intricacies of Bannerlord 2, I’ve often found myself yearning for more depth in naval warfare – literally and figuratively. While I understand the engine limitations, I believe that even a simplified implementation of underwater mechanics could significantly enhance the game’s strategic landscape.
My hope is that Taleworlds will consider incorporating at least some form of underwater interaction in future updates or DLCs. Whether it’s through limited-scope actions, expanded swimming mechanics, or the integration of specialized underwater units, the possibilities are vast.
Ultimately, the inclusion of underwater combat in Bannerlord 2 would not only add a new layer of excitement and challenge but also deepen the game’s sense of immersion and realism. It’s a feature that could truly set Bannerlord 2 apart from other medieval warfare simulations.
While fully realized underwater combat in Bannerlord 2 remains a possibility dependent on future development or extensive modding, even limited underwater actions could significantly enrich the game’s strategic depth. The element of surprise, specialized units, and unique environments all contribute to a compelling vision for underwater gameplay. Modding remains the most accessible avenue for exploring these possibilities, but the potential for official implementation should not be dismissed.