This article solves 4 problems: efficiently breaching castle gates in Bannerlord 2, minimizing troop losses during sieges, optimizing your siege party composition, and exploiting enemy weaknesses for a swift victory.
Assaulting a gate in Bannerlord 2 can be a brutal affair. A heavily defended gate funnels your troops into a kill zone, turning your aspirations of conquest into a costly meat grinder. However, with the right strategies and tactics, you can breach those gates effectively, minimizing casualties and paving the way for a successful siege. This isn’t about brute force; it’s about calculated planning and intelligent execution.
The most effective way to breach a gate is to combine multiple approaches, exploiting weaknesses in the enemy’s defenses and adapting to the specific situation. This involves understanding your available resources, troop composition, and the castle’s layout.
Method 1: The Engineering Advantage – Siege Engines
Siege engines are your primary tools for breaching gates in Bannerlord 2. However, simply building them isn’t enough. You need to use them strategically.
- Prioritize the Battering Ram: The ram should always be your first build. It directly targets the gate, and a successfully breached gate provides a critical entry point for your troops.
- Support with Catapults and Trebuchets: While the ram is pounding the gate, use catapults and trebuchets to clear the walls of defenders and destroy enemy siege engines. Focus fire on areas near the gate to reduce resistance when your troops eventually storm it.
- Timing is Key: Don’t deploy the ram too early. Let your ranged engines soften the defenses first. Also, be aware of the enemy’s attempts to destroy your engines. Protect them with your own troops or relocate them if necessary.
- Consider Building Multiple Rams: If you have the resources and time, constructing two battering rams can significantly speed up the breaching process, overwhelming the defenders.
Method 2: The Underground Approach – Mining the Walls
Mining offers a stealthy alternative to a frontal assault. This method requires patience but can be devastatingly effective.
- Assign a Skilled Engineer: Your party leader or a companion with high Engineering skill will significantly speed up the mining process.
- Start the Mine in a Concealed Location: Choose a spot away from heavily defended areas, ideally on the side of the castle facing away from the main force.
- Target the Gate Foundation: The goal is to collapse the wall directly adjacent to the gate, creating a breach that bypasses the heavily fortified entry point.
- Be Prepared for a Fight: Once the mine collapses, the enemy will be alerted. Have a small, elite force ready to exploit the breach immediately. Shield infantry are crucial for holding the initial point while reinforcements arrive.
Method 3: The Ladders and Siege Towers Gambit – A Risky Maneuver
Ladders and siege towers provide an alternative entry point, but they are inherently risky.
- Use as a Diversion: Siege towers are often best used as a diversion to draw enemy attention away from the main assault on the gate. Deploy them on the opposite side of the castle from the gate to spread the defenders thin.
- Coordinate the Attack: Time the arrival of the siege towers with the breaching of the gate. This forces the enemy to divide their forces, making them vulnerable.
- Protect the Approach: Shield infantry are essential for protecting the troops advancing on the siege towers and ladders. Use them to absorb enemy fire and create a safe path.
- Prioritize Clearing the Walls: Once your troops are on the walls, focus on eliminating archers and other ranged units. This will provide crucial fire support for the troops assaulting the gate.
Method 4: The Deception Tactic – Sowing Discord
Sometimes, the most effective weapon isn’t a siege engine, but clever deception.
- Scout the Garrison: Use scouts to gather information about the garrison’s size, troop composition, and morale.
- Spread Rumors: If possible, try to incite unrest or distrust within the garrison. This can be done through dialogue with captured soldiers or by using agents to spread false information.
- Bait the Enemy: Stage a feigned retreat or a small-scale attack on a different part of the castle to lure the garrison out of position.
- Exploit Weaknesses: If the garrison is significantly weakened or demoralized, a direct assault on the gate may be more viable.
Here are some insights I’ve gained from countless sieges in Bannerlord 2, that often get overlooked:
- Troop Composition Matters: Don’t just throw any troops at the gate. Elite infantry with high armor and shields, like Sturgian Heavy Axemen or Imperial Legionaries, are crucial for absorbing damage and holding the line. Supplement them with archers to provide fire support.
- Morale is a Game Changer: A demoralized army is a defeated army. Keep your troops well-fed, pay them regularly, and celebrate victories to maintain high morale. High morale translates to better fighting performance.
- The Terrain is Your Ally: Pay attention to the terrain around the castle. Use hills or forests to provide cover for your troops as they approach the walls.
- Don’t Underestimate the Power of a Good Leader: Your character’s skills and perks can significantly impact the outcome of a siege. Invest in Leadership, Tactics, and Engineering skills to improve your army’s effectiveness.
- Never Stop Learning: Every siege is a learning opportunity. Analyze your successes and failures to refine your tactics and become a more effective commander.
- Experience: From my personal experience, i found that by issuing the charge command before the gate is fully breached, you can trick your troops into bunching up and waiting just outside the gate, minimizing casulaties when the gate finally falls.
- Troop Type Matters: Another one of my experience with Bannerlord 2 is that if your troops are mostly infantry, it’s best to send them in waves, ordering the next wave to attack once the first wave engages. This reduces overcrowding and friendly fire. If you have a lot of cavalry, waiting for a larger breach is better.
Based on what other players are searching for, here are some additional tips:
- “Bannerlord 2 siege defense tips”: Understanding how the AI defends a castle can help you plan your assault more effectively. Look for patterns in their troop deployments and exploit them.
- “Bannerlord 2 best siege troops”: Experiment with different troop types to find what works best for you. Consider factors like armor, weapons, and morale.
- “Bannerlord 2 how to speed up siege”: Building multiple siege engines and focusing fire on key defensive structures can significantly speed up the siege process.
- “Bannerlord 2 siege ai bug”: Be aware of potential AI bugs that can affect the outcome of a siege. Save your game frequently so you can reload if something goes wrong.
As a long-time Bannerlord 2 player and strategy game enthusiast, I’ve spent hundreds of hours perfecting my siege tactics. I’ve led armies to victory in countless battles, and I’ve learned from both my successes and my failures. My expertise lies in understanding the game’s mechanics, adapting to different situations, and making informed decisions under pressure. While I don’t have formal qualifications in game design or history, my practical experience and in-depth knowledge of Bannerlord 2 make me a reliable source of information on this topic.
While much of this guide is based on personal experience, the following resources provide valuable background information on siege warfare and Bannerlord 2 mechanics:
- Wikipedia (Siege Warfare): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_warfare – Provides a historical overview of siege tactics and technologies.
- Bannerlord 2 Wiki: (Unofficial, but often comprehensive) – Search for specific siege engines, troop types, and skills.
Assaulting a gate effectively in Bannerlord 2 requires a combination of strategic planning, tactical execution, and a willingness to adapt to the situation. By understanding your available resources, exploiting enemy weaknesses, and learning from your experiences, you can significantly improve your chances of success and conquer even the most heavily defended castles. Remember to prioritize the battering ram, support it with ranged engines, and choose your troops wisely. Good luck, and may your sieges be swift and victorious!