This article provides five proven methods to boost settlement prosperity in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. Focusing on practical advice and unique perspectives gleaned from extensive gameplay, this guide helps you transform struggling towns and castles into thriving economic hubs.
Settlement prosperity in Bannerlord 2 is crucial for revenue generation, militia strength, and overall regional stability. A prosperous settlement attracts skilled workers, generates higher tax revenue, and contributes to a stronger local economy. Ignoring this aspect can lead to rebellion, poverty, and ultimately, the loss of valuable territory.
Security is Paramount: Keeping the Peace
One of the most significant, and often overlooked, factors influencing prosperity is security. Constant raids, bandit activity, and war decimate trade and discourage villagers from traveling to your settlement.
- Garrison Size and Composition: Maintain a sufficient garrison size to deter bandits and hostile lords. While quantity has a quality of its own, prioritize quality troops in smaller numbers for faster response times and higher battle effectiveness. Experiment with different troop compositions to find the optimal balance between cost and effectiveness. I’ve found that a mix of archers and heavy infantry works well.
- Patrolling the Area: Regularly patrol the surrounding area with your party, hunting down bandit parties and looters. This not only increases security but also improves relations with nearby villages, boosting their willingness to trade. Assigning a companion with high scouting skill to patrol is also very beneficial.
- Dealing with Factions at War: During wartime, be proactive in defending your territory. Intercept enemy raiding parties and engage enemy armies before they can reach your settlements. Consider temporarily relocating your family to safer locations.
Managing Governance: Choosing the Right Policies
Settlement governance plays a pivotal role in shaping its economic destiny. Implementing the correct policies can drastically impact prosperity, loyalty, and overall development.
- Prioritize Prosperity-Boosting Policies: Policies like “Fairgrounds,” “Town Charters,” and “Land Development” directly increase prosperity. Carefully review the effects of each policy and choose those that best suit your settlement’s needs and your overall kingdom strategy.
- Balance Loyalty and Security: Policies that increase loyalty, such as “Royal Guard” or “Bread and Games,” can prevent rebellions, indirectly contributing to prosperity by maintaining stability. A happy populace is a productive populace.
- Be Aware of Cultural Preferences: Different cultures have different preferences for policies. For example, Battanian settlements might benefit more from policies that favor forest production. Understanding these nuances is crucial for optimal governance.
Beyond the fundamentals, advanced strategies can unlock even greater prosperity for your settlements.
Infrastructure Development: Investing in the Future
Infrastructure is the backbone of a prosperous settlement. Investing in the right building projects can significantly enhance its economic output and overall quality of life.
- Prioritize Essential Workshops: Workshops like breweries, tanneries, and potteries produce goods that are in constant demand, generating a steady stream of revenue. Build workshops that utilize locally sourced resources for maximum efficiency and profit.
- Upgrade Existing Structures: Regularly upgrade your settlement’s existing structures, such as walls, training fields, and granaries. These upgrades not only improve defense and security but also enhance the efficiency of various services.
- The Hidden Gem: Aqueducts: These structures drastically increase settlement growth, and consequently, prosperity. A growing population translates to a larger workforce and increased demand for goods and services.
Leveraging Trade: Becoming a Regional Hub
Trade is the lifeblood of any prosperous settlement. Strategic trade practices can transform a struggling town into a bustling economic center.
- Improve Caravan Security: Ensure that caravans traveling to and from your settlement are well-protected from bandits and looters. Investing in caravan escorts or clearing out nearby bandit hideouts can significantly increase trade volume.
- Lower Trade Tariffs (Carefully): While tempting to maximize revenue through high tariffs, exorbitant taxes can stifle trade and discourage merchants from visiting. Strike a balance between revenue generation and fostering a vibrant trading environment. Lowering trade tariffs can incentivize more merchants to visit, ultimately boosting prosperity.
- Establish Trade Agreements: Form trade agreements with nearby settlements to establish preferential trade routes. This can increase the flow of goods and resources, stimulating economic growth.
The Governor Factor: Choosing the Right Steward
The governor you assign to a settlement can make or break its prosperity. A skilled and knowledgeable governor can effectively manage resources, implement sound policies, and foster economic growth.
- Prioritize Stewardship Skill: Look for governors with high stewardship skill, as this directly impacts tax revenue, construction speed, and overall economic management.
- Matching Culture (Sometimes): While not always necessary, assigning a governor of the same culture as the settlement can improve loyalty and reduce unrest. However, prioritizing stewardship skill is generally more important.
- Companions with Relevant Perks: Some companions have specific perks that can boost prosperity or reduce construction costs. Carefully review the perks of potential governors before making a decision.
Beyond the immediate benefits, settlement prosperity plays a crucial role in long-term campaign success. A strong and prosperous kingdom is better equipped to withstand wars, suppress rebellions, and expand its territory.
I’ve found that focusing on developing a few key settlements into economic powerhouses is more effective than spreading resources thinly across numerous smaller holdings. These “core” settlements can then serve as economic engines, funding your war efforts and supporting the development of surrounding territories. The choice of location is very important, and you can use the encyclopedia to identify cities with good production, and/or access to multiple village productions.
A great tactic is to move high-level workshops to your core cities (Brewery and Smithy are my favorites), which will increase the prosperity and, in turn, the tax revenue and market income.
The game also penalizes you heavily if you hold too many fiefs, so choose wisely and always consider the long-term effects on your kingdom’s economy.
| Governor Skill | Impact on Prosperity | Impact on Tax | Potential Perks |
|---|---|---|---|
| High Stewardship | Significant Increase | Higher Revenue | Reduced Construction Costs, Increased Trade Income, Loyalty Bonus |
| Low Stewardship | Stagnant or Decreasing | Lower Revenue | Increased Garrison Size (If the Character has High Tactics) |
This table illustrates how a Governor’s stats can make all the difference.
Improving settlement prosperity in Bannerlord 2 is a multifaceted process that requires careful planning, strategic investment, and effective governance. By focusing on security, infrastructure, trade, and the right personnel, you can transform your settlements into thriving economic hubs, bolstering your kingdom’s power and ensuring its long-term survival.
This article solves 3 problems:
- Lack of clear strategies for improving settlement prosperity.
- Difficulty understanding the various factors that influence prosperity.
- Absence of practical advice for managing settlements effectively.