Naval professions in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord 2 aren’t officially implemented, but that doesn’t mean you can’t strategize for potential seafaring content. This article provides five pro tips to prepare you for the introduction of naval professions, focusing on skills, resources, and tactics that will give you a head start when the tides turn. We’ll explore how to leverage current game mechanics to build a foundation for future naval dominance in Bannerlord 2: The Introduction of Naval Professions.
Even without ships and sea battles, many skills in Bannerlord 2 are directly applicable to naval professions. Focusing on these now will put you ahead of the curve.
Leadership: Commanding Crews and Fleets
Leadership is paramount, as it directly translates to your ability to manage larger crews and control your fleet. A high leadership skill allows you to command more troops, crucial for boarding actions or defending your vessels. Invest in perks that boost troop morale, reduce wages, and improve party size. Look for perks that provide benefits like increased morale after victories or reduced desertion rates. These will be vital when managing potentially unruly sailors.
Tactics: Strategic Thinking for Naval Engagements
Tactics is all about outsmarting your opponents. While current battles are land-based, understanding formation, terrain advantages, and exploiting enemy weaknesses is transferable. Practice using different formations, flanking maneuvers, and combined arms tactics. Think about how these could be adapted for naval warfare. For example, a “shield wall” formation could translate to a defensive posture for protecting your flagship, while a flanking maneuver could become a way to board an enemy ship from an unexpected direction.
Stewardship: Managing Resources and Supplies
Stewardship focuses on efficient resource management and maximizing income. This is essential for maintaining a fleet. High stewardship will enable you to afford larger crews, better equipment, and more ships. Invest in perks that reduce garrison costs, increase workshop production, and improve trade profits. These will provide you with the economic backbone necessary to support a naval presence.
Trade: Establishing Naval Routes and Supply Lines
Trade skills are crucial for establishing profitable trade routes, which will be essential for a naval empire. Invest in perks that increase trade profits, reduce caravan costs, and improve relations with towns. Consider the geographical locations of towns and identify potential naval trade routes. Building relationships with coastal towns will be particularly important, as they will likely be key ports for your naval operations.
Engineering: Constructing and Maintaining Ships
While shipbuilding isn’t currently in the game, improving your engineering skill will give you a head start on building and repairing ships. Focus on perks that reduce construction costs, increase siege engine effectiveness, and improve settlement prosperity. Understanding the principles of construction and resource management will be vital for efficiently building and maintaining your fleet.
Building a fleet requires significant capital. Focus on generating wealth through various means to prepare for the high costs of naval warfare.
Investing in Productive Enterprises
Workshops are an excellent source of passive income. Identify towns with high raw material production and establish workshops that process those materials. For example, a brewery in a grain-producing town or a smithy in an iron-rich area. Diversify your investments to mitigate risk and ensure a steady flow of income.
Engaging in Lucrative Trade
Trade between towns with high demand and low supply is a reliable way to make money. Monitor market prices and identify profitable trade routes. Consider investing in caravans to automate your trading operations. Be mindful of bandit activity and protect your caravans with a strong escort. As mentioned before, focus on coastal cities as potential trading hubs.
Participating in Tournaments and Arena Fights
Tournaments and arena fights offer a quick way to earn money and improve your combat skills. Bet on yourself and win to maximize your profits. Choose weapons and armor that suit your playstyle and practice your combat skills in the arena. Winning tournaments also improves your renown and reputation, attracting more followers and opportunities.
Completing Quests and Contracts
Quests and contracts provide a steady stream of income and reputation. Accept quests from lords, townsfolk, and guild masters. Look for quests that offer high rewards and align with your skills and interests. Completing quests also improves your relations with the quest giver and their faction, opening up new opportunities and alliances.
Think about how existing game mechanics could translate to naval combat. This proactive approach will help you adapt quickly once naval professions are implemented.
Boarding Tactics: Adapting Troop Formations for Ship Assaults
Practice using troop formations and tactics that could be effective for boarding enemy ships. Consider using a shield wall to advance onto an enemy deck or flanking maneuvers to surprise the crew. Experiment with different troop compositions and equipment loadouts to find the optimal combination for naval assaults.
Siege Weaponry: Utilizing Ballistae and Trebuchets for Naval Bombardment
Siege engines like ballistae and trebuchets could be adapted for naval combat. Imagine using a ballista to target enemy sails or a trebuchet to bombard enemy ships with rocks. Practice using siege engines in sieges to develop your aiming and targeting skills. Think about how these weapons could be modified for use on ships.
Naval Chokepoints: Strategic Locations for Ambush and Defense
Identify strategic coastal locations that could serve as naval chokepoints. These could be narrow straits, islands, or river mouths. Plan ambushes and defenses in these locations to control trade routes and protect your territory. Building forts and castles near these chokepoints will further strengthen your position.
Having played various sandbox strategy games, including Mount & Blade: Warband and Sea of Thieves, I’ve learned the importance of long-term planning and adaptability.
Early Investment: Setting the Stage for Future Success
My experience suggests that investing in skills and resources early on is crucial. In Warband, focusing on trade and establishing profitable enterprises allowed me to amass wealth and build a strong army. Similarly, in Sea of Thieves, mastering navigation and combat early on gave me a significant advantage in naval engagements. Applying this principle to Bannerlord 2 will prepare you for the introduction of naval professions. Don’t wait until naval combat is implemented to start preparing. Begin building your wealth, skills, and relationships now.
Adaptability: Adjusting to Shifting Tides and Unexpected Challenges
Naval warfare is dynamic and unpredictable. Adapting to changing circumstances is essential for survival. Be prepared to adjust your tactics, strategies, and resource allocation based on the current situation. Learn from your mistakes and constantly refine your approach.
Alliance Building: Forming Naval Coalitions and Trade Agreements
Naval warfare is often a collaborative effort. Forming alliances with other factions and establishing trade agreements with coastal towns will be crucial for success. Build strong relationships with potential allies and be willing to cooperate to achieve common goals.
Keep track of official announcements and community discussions to stay informed about upcoming naval content.
Following Official Channels
Regularly check the official Bannerlord 2 website, forums, and social media channels for updates and announcements. Pay attention to developer blogs, patch notes, and community events. This will give you valuable insights into the direction of the game and the timeline for future content releases.
Engaging with the Community
Participate in community discussions and share your ideas and strategies with other players. Join forums, Discord servers, and Reddit communities dedicated to Bannerlord 2. This will allow you to learn from others, exchange tips and tricks, and stay informed about the latest developments.
Analyzing Patch Notes and Developer Diaries
Carefully analyze patch notes and developer diaries to identify clues about upcoming naval content. Look for hints about new skills, equipment, and mechanics that could be related to naval warfare. Pay attention to any changes that could affect your existing strategies and preparations.
In conclusion, while naval professions are not yet implemented in Bannerlord 2, you can still take proactive steps to prepare for their arrival. By focusing on transferable skills, accumulating wealth, mastering relevant game mechanics, and staying informed about future updates, you can position yourself for naval domination when the time comes. The key is to start planning and preparing now, so you’ll be ready to set sail and conquer the seas when naval content is finally introduced.
This article solved 5 problems of how to prepare for Naval Domination in Bannerlord 2: The Introduction of Naval Professions.
Useful table for skill training:
| Skill | Training Method | Transferable Naval Application |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership | Leading troops in battles, commanding large parties | Managing crew, fleet command, morale boosts |
| Tactics | Winning battles with strategic formations | Naval formations, boarding strategies |
| Stewardship | Managing settlements, workshops, caravans | Resource management, fleet maintenance |
| Trade | Buying and selling goods, establishing trade routes | Naval trade routes, supply lines |
| Engineering | Building siege engines, improving settlements | Ship construction, repairs |