5 Best Bannerlord 2 Combat Mods for Realistic Battles

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord offers a compelling medieval sandbox, but its combat can sometimes feel a bit arcade-like and lack the grit and realism many players crave. This article dives into five excellent combat enhancement mods that elevate the game’s battles, focusing on improved AI, realistic damage models, and immersive combat mechanics. We’ll explore how these mods address common complaints about the vanilla combat system and provide a more challenging and rewarding experience. If you are looking to tweak your game and have a realistic experience, this is for you.

The core argument for using combat enhancement mods lies in addressing the shortcomings of the base game’s combat. Vanilla Bannerlord 2 can suffer from predictable AI, damage sponges, and somewhat floaty combat. Mods in this space aim to fix these issues, leading to more strategic and immersive battles.

Here are five mods that significantly enhance the combat experience in Bannerlord 2, making battles feel more realistic and engaging.

1. Realistic Battle Mod (RBM)

Realistic Battle Mod (RBM) is arguably the most comprehensive combat overhaul available for Bannerlord 2. It fundamentally alters several aspects of combat, including:

• AI Behavior: RBM drastically improves AI tactics, making enemies more strategic in formations, flanking maneuvers, and target prioritization. This means no more mindless charges; enemies will actively try to outsmart you.
• Damage System: The mod overhauls the damage system to be more realistic. Armor values are reworked, weapon types have distinct advantages and disadvantages against different armors, and headshots are far more lethal.
• Weapon Handling: RBM adjusts weapon speeds and handling to feel more weighty and impactful. This requires players to be more deliberate in their attacks and blocks.
• Stamina System: Stamina management becomes crucial. Sprinting, attacking, and blocking consume stamina, forcing players to manage their energy effectively.

How RBM Transformed My Gameplay

Before RBM, battles felt like a chaotic free-for-all. After installing it, the game became a strategic challenge. I had to carefully consider troop formations, weapon choices, and my own positioning. The improved AI forced me to adapt my tactics, and the realistic damage model made every swing count. RBM truly transformed Bannerlord 2 into a more immersive and rewarding medieval combat simulator.

Installation and Compatibility

Installing RBM is straightforward using a mod manager like Vortex. However, it’s crucial to ensure compatibility with other mods. RBM is a core overhaul mod, so it’s best to place it near the top of your load order and check for compatibility patches if you’re using other mods that affect combat.

2. Bannerlord Tweaks

While not strictly a “combat enhancement” mod, Bannerlord Tweaks provides numerous customizable options that can significantly impact combat.

• Damage Multipliers: Players can adjust damage dealt and received for various combat scenarios (e.g., melee, ranged, mounted).
• AI Aggressiveness: This allows you to tweak the AI’s willingness to engage in combat.
• Stamina Costs: You can customize stamina consumption for different actions.
• Projectile Speed and Accuracy: Bannerlord Tweaks lets you alter the speed and accuracy of arrows and bolts.

My Experience with Bannerlord Tweaks

I personally use Bannerlord Tweaks to fine-tune the difficulty of the game. I find the base game either too easy or too punishing, so I use the mod to create a balanced and challenging experience that suits my play style. The ability to customize individual parameters like projectile speed and damage multipliers allows for precise control over the game’s difficulty.

Usage Tips

Experiment with different settings to find what works best for you. Start by making small adjustments and gradually increase the values until you achieve the desired balance. Remember to save your settings and back them up in case of any issues.

3. Combat AI Improvement Project (CAIP)

This mod focuses specifically on enhancing the AI’s combat behavior.

• Improved Formations: CAIP makes AI armies form more cohesive and effective formations, such as shield walls and spear lines.
• Better Flanking Maneuvers: The AI becomes more adept at flanking enemy formations, creating tactical advantages.
• Smarter Targeting: Enemies will prioritize targets based on threat level, focusing on vulnerable units or high-value targets.
• Realistic Morale System: Soldiers are more affected by casualties and battlefield events, leading to more realistic morale breaks.

Why CAIP is Essential

CAIP is essential because it addresses one of the biggest complaints about vanilla Bannerlord 2: the simplistic and predictable AI. The mod makes battles feel more dynamic and challenging, requiring players to think strategically and adapt to the AI’s maneuvers.

CAIP Personal Takeaway

I found that CAIP significantly reduced the “zerg rush” mentality of the AI, forcing me to use terrain and positioning to my advantage. Battles became less about overwhelming numbers and more about tactical superiority.

4. Bear My Banner

Bear My Banner adds a deeply immersive layer to Bannerlord’s combat experience by focusing on morale and battlefield presence.

• Visible Banners: This is the centerpiece of the mod. Lords and notable warriors will visibly carry their banners into battle.
• Morale Boost: Units fighting near their banner-bearer gain a morale boost, increasing their combat effectiveness.
• Target Priority: The AI will prioritize targeting enemy banner-bearers, making them high-value targets.
• Increased Immersion: Seeing your banner waving amidst the chaos of battle adds a sense of grandeur and immersion to the game.

First-Hand Account

Bear My Banner fundamentally changed how I approached battles. I became more protective of my banner-bearer, positioning them strategically to maximize the morale boost while keeping them safe from harm. The added layer of immersion made victories feel more rewarding and defeats more impactful.

How it Changes Gameplay

This mod encourages players to think about the psychological aspects of warfare. Protecting your banner-bearer becomes a crucial objective, and eliminating the enemy’s banner-bearer can break their morale and turn the tide of battle.

5. Blood Mod

While not directly affecting combat mechanics, Blood Mod enhances the visual realism and brutality of battles.

• Increased Blood Effects: The mod adds more blood splatters and visual effects during combat, making battles feel more visceral and gruesome.
• Persistent Blood: Blood stains remain on the battlefield and on character models, adding to the atmosphere.
• Customizable Blood Amount: Players can adjust the amount of blood to their liking.

Visuals and Impact

The impact of Blood Mod is purely visual, but it significantly enhances the immersion and intensity of battles. Seeing blood fly and stain the ground makes combat feel more dangerous and impactful.

Blood Mod’s Role

Blood Mod complements other combat enhancement mods by adding a layer of visual realism that enhances the overall experience. It’s a simple mod, but it can make a big difference in how you perceive the battles in Bannerlord 2.

The best combination of mods depends on your personal preferences and play style. If you want a comprehensive overhaul, RBM is the way to go. If you prefer to fine-tune the game to your liking, Bannerlord Tweaks is a great choice. CAIP is essential for improving AI behavior, while Bear My Banner adds a unique layer of immersion. Blood Mod enhances the visual realism of battles.

Here’s a table summarizing the key features of each mod:

Enhancing the combat in Bannerlord 2 with mods can significantly improve the overall experience, creating more realistic, challenging, and immersive battles. By carefully selecting and combining mods, you can tailor the game to your liking and enjoy a truly unique medieval combat simulator. This article provides a deep dive into 5 of the best combat enhancement mods available and provides a few insights that might be helpful for new player.