This article provides five concrete tactics to conquer heavily defended cities in Bannerlord 2, focusing on practical methods and offering unique insights based on extensive gameplay. We’ll cover everything from pre-siege preparation to exploiting enemy weaknesses during the assault.
Don’t just rush a city because you think you can. Preparation is paramount to a successful siege. It’s more than just having a large army; it’s about logistical superiority and strategic planning.
Scouting the City’s Defenses
Before even considering an attack, dedicate time to thoroughly scouting the city. Use companions with high scout skill to maximize reconnaissance reports. Pay close attention to the number of defenders, their troop quality, and the layout of the walls. Identify weak points, such as sections with fewer defenders or those with damaged walls from previous sieges. Knowing the enemy’s composition will allow you to tailor your own force accordingly.
Stockpiling Supplies and Building Siege Engines
A long siege can deplete your resources rapidly. Before investing, ensure your army has ample food to last several weeks, ideally a month or more. Prioritize acquiring grain and other staples from nearby villages. Simultaneously, begin constructing siege engines, focusing on battering rams and siege towers. Multiple rams will expedite the wall breach, while towers allow for simultaneous assaults, dividing the defenders’ attention. Onagers and trebuchets are useful for weakening walls and destroying enemy siege equipment but require more time.
Maximizing Party Skills and Morale
Your party’s skills and morale significantly impact siege effectiveness. Invest in engineering skill to speed up siege engine construction and reduce casualties during the assault. High leadership skill boosts party morale, preventing desertion during extended sieges. Recruit companions with high scouting, engineering, and medicine skills to further enhance your siege capabilities. Make sure to win a few battles before the siege to give a morale boost.
Once the preparations are complete, begin the siege. The goal is to create breaches in the walls while minimizing casualties.
Concentrated Fire on Weak Points
Direct your siege engines’ fire on the weakest sections of the walls, as identified during scouting. Concentrate the fire from all available engines on a single point to quickly create a breach. Prioritize destroying towers and ballistae manned by enemy archers to reduce casualties among your own siege engine crews and advancing troops. Avoid spreading the damage out evenly, focus on one area at a time.
Simultaneous Assault with Multiple Rams and Towers
As soon as a breach is created, launch a coordinated assault using multiple rams and towers. Send troops up the towers simultaneously to engage the defenders on multiple fronts. This divides their forces and prevents them from concentrating their defenses on a single breach. A coordinated assault overwhelms defenders, creating opportunities for your troops to gain a foothold on the walls.
Utilizing Fliers to Neutralize Defenders
Flanking maneuvers are crucial in siege warfare. Select a small group of elite troops, preferably those with high athletics and melee skills, and use them to scale the walls at a less defended location. Once over the wall, these troops can target enemy archers and ballista operators from behind, significantly reducing the effectiveness of the enemy’s ranged attacks. This creates a safe passage for your main force to advance through the breaches.
Breaching the walls is only half the battle. The fight within the city can be even more challenging.
Establishing a Beachhead and Expanding Control
Once inside the city, focus on establishing a secure beachhead. Prioritize capturing key strategic locations, such as the main gate and nearby buildings. Use shield walls and formations to protect your troops from enemy fire. Slowly expand your control by pushing deeper into the city, clearing buildings and streets of defenders.
Using Choke Points to Your Advantage
Cities are filled with narrow streets and choke points that can be used to your advantage. Position your troops strategically to control these areas, forcing the enemy to funnel into your lines. Use archers and crossbowmen to rain down fire on the advancing enemy, while your melee troops hold the line. This tactic maximizes your defensive capabilities and minimizes casualties.
Countering Morale Shocks and Maintaining Discipline
Sieges can be demoralizing for both sides. Enemy reinforcements, sudden counterattacks, and the sheer chaos of urban combat can break the morale of your troops. Maintain discipline by issuing clear orders, rallying troops when necessary, and providing leadership. Use companions with high leadership skill to inspire your soldiers and prevent them from routing. A well-disciplined force will hold its ground even in the face of adversity.
Having spent countless hours sieging cities in Bannerlord 2, I’ve learned that adapting to the specific circumstances of each siege is critical. No two cities are the same, and no two defenders will react in the same way.
The Importance of Troop Composition
While a large army is important, troop composition is often more critical. A balanced force consisting of infantry, archers, and cavalry will be more effective than a horde of poorly trained recruits. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for you. For example, I’ve found that heavily armored infantry supported by archers is particularly effective in urban combat.
Adapting to the Enemy’s Tactics
Pay attention to the enemy’s tactics and adapt your strategy accordingly. If they are heavily reliant on archers, prioritize destroying their ranged units. If they are using cavalry to flank your forces, position your troops to counter their maneuvers. Being able to quickly analyze the situation and adjust your plans is key to success.
Managing Casualties and Reinforcements
Sieges inevitably result in casualties. Be prepared to reinforce your troops with fresh recruits or reserve units. Keep a close eye on your army’s numbers and morale, and don’t hesitate to call off the assault if your troops are becoming too exhausted or demoralized. A tactical retreat can be more beneficial in the long run than a costly defeat.
My advice is based on hundreds of hours playing Bannerlord 2, experimenting with different strategies, and analyzing the game mechanics. I’ve also consulted various online resources and player communities to gather additional insights. While I cannot provide specific URLs for every claim, I encourage you to explore the Bannerlord 2 community forums and wikis for more detailed information. For example, the official Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Wiki (unofficial) offers comprehensive information on game mechanics, troop types, and tactics. https://mountandblade.fandom.com/wiki/Mount_&_Blade_II:_Bannerlord
| City | Garrison Size | Troop Quality | Terrain | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marunath | 450 | Mostly Tier 3-4 | Open ground, multiple gate access points | Prioritize siege engines to break down walls quickly. Utilize cavalry flanking maneuvers once inside the city to disrupt enemy formations. |
| Ortysia | 600 | Mix of Tier 3-5, strong archer contingent | Elevated position, limited access points | Focus on destroying enemy archer positions with siege engines. Advance slowly and cautiously once inside the city, using shield walls to protect against ranged fire. |
| Sargot | 500 | Well-equipped Tier 4-5, experienced infantry | Narrow streets, numerous choke points | Utilize choke points to your advantage. Employ heavily armored infantry to hold the line while archers rain down fire on the enemy. Consider using flanking maneuvers to disrupt enemy formations in the narrow streets. |
This table provides examples of different city defense configurations and suggests appropriate tactical approaches. Remember to scout each city carefully and adjust your strategy accordingly.