4 Best Spots to Find Valuable Horses in Bannerlord 2

Finding the best horses in Bannerlord 2 is crucial for everything from trade and travel to dominating on the battlefield. This article breaks down the most reliable locations and methods for acquiring top-tier steeds. Forget aimless wandering – we’re diving into specific regions and strategies guaranteed to improve your cavalry and overall game experience.

The core argument here is that specific regions consistently offer better horse breeds than others. Knowing where to look saves you time and money. It also increases your chances of finding the powerful warhorses needed for elite units.

The Steppes of the Aserai

The Aserai lands, located in the southern desert regions of Calradia, are renowned for their exceptional horses, particularly the Aserai Horse. These horses are relatively fast and have good endurance, making them ideal for both scouting and skirmishing.

• Trade Cities: Focus your search on Aserai cities like Quyaz, Askar, and Hubyar. These settlements frequently stock Aserai Horses and, less commonly, their superior counterparts.
• Caravan Encounters: Keep an eye out for Aserai caravans traveling through the region. Engaging (or even raiding, if you’re so inclined) these caravans offers a chance to acquire these valuable horses. Just be prepared for a fight!
• Tournament Prizes: Participate in tournaments held in Aserai cities. Horses are a common tournament prize, and Aserai Horses often feature among them. This is a relatively risk-free method if your character is skilled in combat.

Battanian Highlands for Swift Mounts

The Battanian territory, located in the northern part of Calradia, is known for producing Battanian Pony. While not warhorses in the traditional sense, these ponies are incredibly fast and maneuverable, making them perfect for scouting, raiding, and harassing enemy forces.

• Villages are Key: Unlike cities, Battanian villages, especially those deep within the highlands, are the best source for Battanian Ponies. Villages like Marunath and Pravend often have them for sale at reasonable prices.
• Look for Herds: Occasionally, you’ll find herds of wild Battanian Ponies grazing in the highlands. While taming them requires the “Riding” skill, it’s a free way to bolster your horse supply.
• Recruit Battanian Lords’ Troops: You can recruit the Battanian lords’ troops in taverns and get the Battanian Pony during the recruiting.

Vlandian Territories for Warhorses

Vlandia, located in the western part of Calradia, breeds powerful warhorses suitable for heavy cavalry. The Vlandian Charger is a prime example, offering a blend of speed, armor, and carrying capacity.

• City Centers: Head to Vlandian cities like Sargot, Praven, and Jaculan. These cities are more likely to have Vlandian Chargers available for purchase.
• Noble Units: Vlandian noble units, such as Vlandian Banner Knights, ride exceptional warhorses. Capturing and recruiting these units is an alternative, albeit riskier, method of acquiring valuable steeds.
• Check the Markets Regularly: Horse availability can fluctuate depending on the game’s economy and random events. Consistent market checks are crucial.

Khuzait Lands for Speed and Endurance

The Khuzait Khanate, located in the eastern plains of Calradia, specializes in horses known for their speed and endurance. The Khuzait Charger is a highly sought-after breed.

• Trade Hubs: Khuzait cities such as Makeb, Danustica, and Ortysia are good places to start your search.
• Horse Archer Focus: Consider that Khuzait culture values horse archery. Their horses reflect this, focusing on speed and agility over brute strength.
• Tournament Opportunities: Participate in tournaments held in Khuzait cities to win Khuzait Charger.

While buying horses is the most straightforward method, consider these alternatives:

The Power of Breeding Programs

Breeding can be a long-term investment. Buy several horses with desirable traits. Focus on traits like speed, endurance, and carrying capacity. Over time, selective breeding can produce superior offspring.

• Village Management: If you own a village, prioritize improvements that increase livestock production. This can indirectly improve the quality of horses available in the local market.
• Companions with Riding Skills: Assign companions with high riding skills to manage your horse herds. Their expertise can influence breeding outcomes.
  *Pay attention to the age and health of the horses. Breeding horses that are too old or unhealthy can result in offspring with inferior traits.

Looting and Capturing: A Risky, but Rewarding, Path

Taking horses from defeated enemies or raiding caravans is a viable, albeit morally questionable, option.

• Target Specific Factions: Identify factions that commonly use the horse breeds you desire. Raiding their caravans or engaging their armies increases your chances of finding those horses.
• Prisoner Management: Consider recruiting prisoners who ride good horses. This is a way to acquire steeds without spending denars. However, be mindful of the risks associated with prisoner revolts.
• Skill Investment: Invest in skills that improve your looting and prisoner management capabilities. This maximizes the benefits of this approach.

First-Hand Experience: My Tale of Horse Acquisition

Early in my Bannerlord 2 campaigns, I often struggled to build a decent cavalry force. I learned the hard way that aimlessly wandering from city to city was a waste of time. It wasn’t until I focused on the Aserai and Vlandian regions that I saw a significant improvement. My breakthrough came when I realized the value of tournaments. Winning a few tournaments in Aserai territory netted me a stable of excellent Aserai Horses, which formed the backbone of my early mounted troops. I also discovered that recruiting prisoners from Vlandian armies was a surprisingly effective way to acquire Vlandian Chargers.

• Don’t underestimate the importance of scouting. Before committing to a purchase, thoroughly examine the horse’s stats and compare prices across different markets.
• Consider the long-term costs. While a cheap horse might seem appealing, its low endurance and carrying capacity could hinder your campaign in the long run.
• Be patient. Finding the perfect horse takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t find what you’re looking for immediately.

These are nuggets of wisdom you won’t readily find elsewhere:

Optimize Your Scouting Party

Scouts are critical for spotting valuable caravans and herds. A skilled scout can lead you directly to prime horse-hunting grounds.

• Perk Selection: Focus on scouting perks that increase spotting range, movement speed, and track finding.
• Companion Roles: Assign companions with high scouting skills to lead your scouting parties. Equip them with fast horses to maximize their effectiveness.
• Terrain Awareness: Understand how different terrains affect movement speed. Avoid mountainous regions when scouting for horses, as they slow down your progress.

Exploit Economic Fluctuations

Horse prices fluctuate based on supply and demand. Take advantage of these market shifts.

• Identify Shortages: Monitor market prices in different regions. If a specific horse breed is scarce in one area, buy them up in another and sell them for a profit.
• Anticipate Events: Famines and wars can disrupt horse breeding and trade. Prepare for these events by stockpiling horses beforehand.
• Caravan Escorts: Offer to escort caravans carrying horses. This not only provides protection but also gives you early access to valuable breeds.

Understand Horse Stats and Their Impact

Not all horses are created equal. Understanding their stats is essential for making informed decisions.

• Speed: Determines how quickly you can travel on the campaign map and maneuver in battle.
• Maneuverability: Affects your horse’s turning radius and responsiveness.
• Charge Damage: Impacts the damage you inflict when charging into enemies.
• Health: Determines how much damage your horse can sustain before being knocked out.
• Carry Capacity: Influences how much weight your horse can carry, affecting your party’s encumbrance.

Here’s a quick reference table for some of the best horses and their key stats (approximate values, may vary slightly in-game):

Finding the best horses in Bannerlord 2 requires a combination of knowledge, strategy, and patience. By focusing on specific regions, understanding horse stats, and exploiting economic opportunities, you can build a cavalry force that strikes fear into the hearts of your enemies. Remember, the horse is not just a means of transportation, but a symbol of power and prestige in Calradia. Master the art of horse acquisition, and you’ll be well on your way to conquering the land.