Sieges in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord can be frustrating affairs. Are you tired of the same predictable AI tactics, ridiculously overpowered castle defenses, or simply a lack of tactical options? This article dives into five impactful Bannerlord 2 mods that address these problems head-on, enhancing strategic depth and making sieges more engaging. Forget predictable outcomes; prepare for dynamic battles where strategic brilliance wins the day.
The core issue with vanilla sieges lies in their relative simplicity. The AI often employs predictable strategies, siege equipment is frequently unbalanced, and the player’s tactical options feel limited. Mods offer a crucial solution by expanding strategic choices, rebalancing existing mechanics, and introducing entirely new elements.
Realistic Battle Mod: Overhaul Combat Realism
The Realistic Battle Mod (RBM) is a cornerstone mod for many Bannerlord 2 players. It significantly overhauls the combat system, impacting everything from weapon handling to armor effectiveness. In the context of sieges, RBM’s changes lead to more meaningful engagements.
- Armor Matters: RBM makes armor far more important. Soldiers in heavy armor will be much harder to kill, forcing you to target lightly armored units or find ways to flank.
- Weapon Balance: RBM rebalances weapons, making some more effective against certain armor types. For example, axes become more useful against heavily armored troops.
- Stamina System: The revamped stamina system adds another layer of realism. Soldiers tire more easily, particularly in heavy armor, affecting their combat effectiveness over long sieges.
These changes force a shift in tactical thinking. Rushing the walls becomes less viable, and methodical approaches, focusing on weakening the enemy through ranged fire or exploiting weaknesses in their defenses, become more rewarding. You can find more about it at NexusMods and see how it drastically affects combat.
Improved Garrisons: Smarter Defenders
Improved Garrisons mod addresses the issue of incompetent AI defenders. The vanilla game often sees garrison troops acting passively or making poor tactical decisions. This mod aims to make them more proactive and strategic.
- Automated Defense: The mod allows you to set up automated defense strategies for your castles and towns. You can tell the garrison to prioritize certain sections of the walls, sally forth to attack besiegers, or focus on defending key locations.
- Troop Training: Improved Garrisons lets you automatically train garrison troops, ensuring they stay at a high level. This prevents your settlements from becoming easy targets for opportunistic raiders.
- Patrol Routes: Set patrol routes for your troops within the settlement, improving their responsiveness to threats and discouraging bandit activity within your walls.
A smarter garrison significantly changes siege dynamics. Attackers will face a more formidable defense, requiring careful planning and execution to overcome. It adds realism and removes frustration.
Eagle Rising: Experience Roman Sieges
For players craving a specific historical flavor, the Eagle Rising mod transports Bannerlord 2 to the late Roman Republic era. This mod includes completely new units, weapons, armor, and most importantly, siege equipment based on Roman designs.
- Roman Siege Equipment: Experience authentic Roman siege tactics with tools like the corvus (boarding bridge), the testudo (tortoise formation), and powerful artillery.
- Unit Variety: Utilize Roman legionaries, auxiliaries, and specialized siege engineers, each with their own strengths and weaknesses.
- Historical Accuracy: The mod meticulously recreates the look and feel of the late Roman Republic, adding a layer of immersion.
Eagle Rising completely transforms the siege experience. The reliance on Roman engineering and tactics creates a unique and challenging dynamic, forcing you to adapt your strategies.
Diplomacy: Beyond the Battlefield
While not directly focused on sieges, the Diplomacy mod fundamentally alters the strategic landscape of Bannerlord 2. This has a ripple effect on sieges by influencing war declarations, alliances, and peace treaties.
- Improved AI Diplomacy: The AI factions make more rational decisions regarding war and peace, leading to more believable and dynamic conflicts.
- Alliance Options: Form long-lasting alliances with other factions, coordinating your military efforts and sharing resources.
- Peace Treaties: Negotiate favorable peace treaties that can secure your gains after a successful siege, preventing immediate counter-attacks.
Diplomacy creates a more intricate political environment. Alliances can provide crucial support during a siege, while a well-negotiated peace can consolidate your gains and prevent costly wars of attrition. This is available on the Steam Workshop.
Siege Camp Equipment: Enhanced Preparations
The Siege Camp Equipment mod provides your armies with additional tools and structures to enhance their effectiveness during sieges.
- Supply Wagons: Use supply wagons to keep your troops fed and supplied during long sieges, preventing attrition and maintaining morale.
- Medical Tents: Deploy medical tents to heal wounded soldiers, reducing casualties and improving your army’s overall strength.
- Defensive Structures: Build defensive structures like palisades and trenches around your siege camp to protect against enemy sallies.
By equipping your siege camp with these tools, you can significantly improve your army’s chances of success.
These mods collectively address the shortcomings of vanilla Bannerlord 2 sieges. RBM enhances combat realism, Improved Garrisons empowers defenders, Eagle Rising offers a unique historical setting, Diplomacy reshapes the strategic map, and Siege Camp Equipment provides essential logistical support. Implementing these mods requires understanding load orders and potential compatibility issues.
Load Order and Compatibility
Load order matters. Generally, mods that overhaul core mechanics (like RBM) should be loaded early, while mods that add new content or features can be loaded later. Always read the mod descriptions carefully, as they often provide specific instructions on load order and compatibility. NexusMods and Steam Workshop are good places to look at to see common problems or compatibility patches.
Potential Compatibility Issues and Workarounds
Mod conflicts are common in Bannerlord 2. If you experience crashes or strange behavior, try disabling mods one by one to identify the culprit. Common solutions include:
- Using a Mod Manager: A mod manager like Vortex simplifies the process of installing, managing, and troubleshooting mods.
- Checking for Updates: Ensure all your mods are up-to-date with the latest version of Bannerlord 2.
- Reading Forums: Consult the mod pages or Bannerlord 2 community forums for known issues and potential fixes.
While integrating mods can present technical hurdles, the payoff in terms of enhanced gameplay is well worth the effort. The game becomes more dynamic and engaging.
From my own experience, RBM is a game-changer. The first time I used it in a siege, I underestimated the enemy’s armor and suffered heavy casualties. This forced me to rethink my tactics and utilize flanking maneuvers and ranged fire to soften up the enemy before launching a direct assault.
Another time, I besieged a heavily fortified city defended by an Improved Garrison. The AI defenders were constantly harassing my siege engines and launching surprise attacks. It was a tough fight, but ultimately, my superior strategy and use of siege camp equipment allowed me to prevail.
I’ve also found that Diplomacy adds a new layer of complexity to sieges. I once formed an alliance with another faction to take down a powerful kingdom. Our combined forces were able to overwhelm the enemy, but after the war, our alliance dissolved, and we became rivals.
Table: Mod Comparison
| Mod | Core Feature | Impact on Sieges | Compatibility Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Realistic Battle Mod | Overhauls combat realism | Makes armor matter, rebalances weapons, adds stamina system | Load early; may conflict with other combat overhaul mods |
| Improved Garrisons | Enhances AI garrison behavior | Smarter defenders, automated defense, troop training | Compatible with most mods; may conflict with other AI mods |
| Eagle Rising | Adds Roman era content | Introduces Roman units, weapons, and siege equipment | Requires a clean save; may conflict with mods that alter the map |
| Diplomacy | Improves AI diplomacy | Influences war declarations, alliances, and peace treaties | Compatible with most mods; may conflict with other diplomacy mods |
| Siege Camp Equipment | Adds tools and structures for siege preparation | Enhances logistical support, reduces attrition, improves defenses | Compatible with most mods. |
These mods, while individual, work cohesively to elevate the siege experience in Bannerlord 2 beyond simple attrition wars. You are forced to become a more strategic player, adapting to varying combat landscapes and challenges to succeed.
This article solves 3 problems: unrealistic sieges, predictable AI, and a lack of strategic depth in Bannerlord 2. By incorporating Realistic Battle Mod, Improved Garrisons, Eagle Rising, Diplomacy, and Siege Camp Equipment, players can transform sieges from mundane chores into engaging, strategic battles. While modding requires some technical know-how, the enhanced gameplay experience is well worth the effort. Experiment with different combinations to find the perfect balance for your desired playstyle.
The aim is to make players more strategic and more careful, which drastically changes the feel of the whole game.