Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is renowned for its deep strategic gameplay, but the absence of naval trade and warfare has always felt like a missed opportunity. Imagine a world where Calradia isn’t just traversed by land, but connected by bustling sea lanes. This article explores three crucial ways the introduction of naval trade routes could revolutionize Bannerlord 2, offering fresh challenges, deeper economic strategies, and entirely new gameplay possibilities.
Currently, Bannerlord 2‘s trade system focuses entirely on land-based caravans and workshops. While functional, it lacks the scale and complexity that naval trade could offer. Think about the historical significance of maritime trade routes, such as the Silk Road’s maritime extension or the Hanseatic League. Bringing that level of economic dynamism to Calradia could significantly enrich the game world. The absence of naval trade routes limits player options and strategic depth.
Naval trade routes wouldn’t just be about moving goods faster; they’d introduce new economic dimensions to Bannerlord 2.
Establishing Coastal Cities as Trade Hubs
Coastal cities, currently relegated to a minor role, could become vital economic centers. Imagine Sargot, Ortysia, or even smaller coastal towns transforming into bustling ports, driving trade and attracting merchants from across Calradia and potentially even beyond (new factions from across the sea?). These cities would require investment in docks, warehouses, and defenses, creating new avenues for player investment and development.
Diversifying Trade Goods and Resources
Naval routes would allow for the import and export of goods currently unavailable in certain regions. For example, the arid Aserai lands could import timber, while the cold Battanian forests could export furs to warmer climates. This creates complex supply chains and new opportunities for economic manipulation. Players could corner the market on specific goods, disrupt enemy supply lines, or even engage in piracy. This diversification would inject greater complexity and realism into the game’s economic system.
Practical Implementation: Creating Naval Trade Fleets
Players could commission shipyards in coastal cities to construct different types of vessels:
- Trading Cogs: Slow but with huge cargo capacity, ideal for bulk transport.
- Sloops: Faster, lightly armed ships for quicker trading runs, but vulnerable to pirates.
- Galleys: Warships designed to protect trade routes from raiders and rival factions.
Players would then assign merchants to these fleets, setting trade routes between cities and specifying goods to buy and sell. The success of these ventures would depend on factors like ship quality, crew skill, route security, and market demand. Successfully managing these fleets and protecting them from pirates or enemy navies would become a key aspect of gameplay.
Introducing naval combat would drastically alter the strategic landscape of Bannerlord 2.
Coastal Raids and Sieges
Coastal cities would become vulnerable to naval raids. Players could launch attacks from the sea, bypassing land-based defenses and striking directly at a settlement’s infrastructure. Naval sieges could involve blockading ports, cutting off supplies, and bombarding city walls with ship-mounted artillery (if the tech level is right, of course!). This would force players to defend their coastal territories with both land and naval forces.
Controlling Sea Lanes and Strategic Chokepoints
Certain straits and narrow waterways would become strategically important chokepoints. Controlling these areas would allow players to dominate trade routes, levy taxes on passing ships, and project naval power. Alliances and conflicts would arise from the struggle to control these vital sea lanes. Naval dominance would become a crucial factor in determining the outcome of wars.
Personal Insight: The Thrill of Naval Battles
Imagine commanding a fleet of galleys, engaging in ship-to-ship combat with enemy vessels. Boarding actions, cannon fire (again, tech level depending!), and the chaos of close-quarters fighting on the high seas would add a thrilling new dimension to Bannerlord 2‘s combat system. While the game’s engine might need some tweaking to fully realize naval combat, the potential for epic battles is undeniable. As someone who has spent countless hours commanding armies on land in Bannerlord, I’m incredibly excited by the prospect of transferring those skills to the naval arena. The strategic decisions involved in positioning your ships, managing your crew, and choosing your targets would be immensely engaging.
Naval trade routes would also introduce new layers of political intrigue and diplomatic maneuvering to Bannerlord 2.
Factions with Naval Power
New factions could emerge with a strong naval focus, such as pirate lords who dominate the seas or wealthy merchant republics who control trade routes. These factions would have unique strengths and weaknesses, requiring players to adapt their strategies accordingly. The existing factions might also develop their own naval capabilities, leading to new rivalries and alliances.
Trade Agreements and Naval Treaties
Players could negotiate trade agreements with other factions, securing access to valuable resources and markets. Naval treaties could establish rules of engagement for naval warfare, limiting the size of fleets or restricting access to certain waterways. These diplomatic tools would add complexity and nuance to the game’s political landscape.
Smuggling and Piracy
The existence of naval trade routes would inevitably lead to smuggling and piracy. Players could choose to engage in these activities, risking the wrath of powerful factions but potentially reaping huge profits. Pirate factions could emerge as a major threat, disrupting trade and forcing players to invest in naval defenses. As someone who enjoys the morally grey aspects of Bannerlord 2, the prospect of becoming a notorious pirate lord is particularly appealing. The ability to build a fleet of raiders, terrorize trade routes, and amass a fortune in stolen goods would add a whole new layer of gameplay.
Here’s a simplified table illustrating the potential trade dynamics with the introduction of naval routes:
| Region | Exportable Goods | Importable Goods | Potential Naval Trade Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battania | Furs, Timber | Grain, Spices | Access to food and luxury goods, increased revenue from timber exports. |
| Aserai | Dates, Horses | Timber, Furs | Access to vital resources like timber and furs, diversification of the economy. |
| Empire | Wine, Olives | Grain, Horses | Increased trade volume, access to specialized goods, strategic control of key waterways. |
| Sturgia | Iron, Weapons | Wine, Olives | Increased revenue from iron exports, access to luxury goods, expansion of economic influence. |
| Khuzait | Horses, Livestock | Timber, Iron | Access to essential resources like timber and iron, expansion of trade network, stronger economy |
| Vlandia | Linen, Tools | Spices, Horses | Increased revenue from linen exports, diversification of economy, and larger cavalry. |
Here are some frequently asked questions about the potential introduction of naval trade routes in Bannerlord 2:
The introduction of naval trade routes has the potential to transform Bannerlord 2 into an even more immersive and strategically complex game. By expanding economic horizons, adding new dimensions to warfare, and introducing fresh political dynamics, naval trade could breathe new life into Calradia. While the developers at TaleWorlds have not officially announced plans for naval content, the community’s enthusiasm and the clear potential for enriching the gameplay experience make it a highly desirable addition. Hopefully, we’ll see naval trade routes setting sail in Bannerlord 2 in the future.