This article tackles a common frustration in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord 2 – securing elite, noble troops. We’ll ditch the fluff and dive into five actionable strategies, complete with insights gleaned from countless hours leading armies across Calradia. Whether you’re struggling to find recruits or unsure which tactics yield the best results, this guide offers a clear path to building a formidable, noble-heavy warband.
The cornerstone of recruiting noble troops lies in understanding the recruitment system. Noble troops are tied directly to specific cultural regions and, more importantly, to notables (lords and ladies) within those regions. They don’t just wander around villages waiting to be hired. You need to cultivate relationships and know where to look.
- Cultural Connection: Each culture in Calradia boasts its own unique set of noble troop lines. For example, the Vlandians have the Vlandian Sharpshooters and Vlandian Knights, while the Battanians have Fian Champions.
- Notable is Key: The primary method is to recruit from notables with the associated troop type tied to their location.
Finding the right notables is crucial. Here’s how to efficiently pinpoint your recruitment targets:
- Travel to Villages: Visit villages within the cultural region of the troops you desire.
- Check Notable Information: Hover your mouse over the notables in the village (farmers, artisans, headmen, and landowners). The notable’s description will often indicate which troop types they provide. Look for phrases like “recruits Vlandian Pikemen” or “offers Battanian Wood Runners.”
- Prioritize Landowners: Landowners often have the highest tier noble units available for recruitment.
- Use the Encyclopedia (Ctrl + ~ then type ‘encyclopedia’): While not perfect, the encyclopedia can sometimes provide clues about notable locations and troop availability. Search for the specific troop type you want and see if the encyclopedia lists any associated notables.
Once you’ve located the right notables, improving your relationship with them is paramount. A positive relationship directly impacts the number of troops they’re willing to offer.
- Completing Quests: The most common method is completing quests given by the notables. These can range from simple tasks like dealing with bandits to more complex trade missions.
- Favorable Dialogue Options: When speaking to notables, choose dialogue options that align with their values and opinions. Siding with them in disputes or offering assistance can boost your relationship.
- Releasing Them After Battle: If you capture a notable in battle, releasing them instead of ransoming them will significantly improve your relationship with them and, potentially, their clan.
- Winning Tournaments: Winning tournaments in settlements where the notable resides can also improve your relationship.
The prosperity and security of the village or town directly affect the availability of troops.
- Protecting Villages: Defend villages from bandits and looters. A secure village is a prosperous village, and a prosperous village yields more recruits.
- Dealing with Bandit Hideouts: Clearing nearby bandit hideouts will improve security and boost village prosperity.
- Investing in Improvements: If you own the settlement, invest in improvements like irrigation and granaries to increase prosperity.
- Managing Policies: If you control the settlement, enact policies that favor prosperity and security.
This method relies on a combination of scouting and quick decision-making. It’s less about long-term relationship building and more about seizing opportunities as they arise.
- Constantly Scout: Keep a close eye on the map for lords and ladies (particularly those from factions known for noble troops) who have recently been defeated in battle. Their parties will often be significantly weakened and replenishing their ranks.
- Intercept and Recruit: Find these lords and ladies, approach them, and check their recruitment options. Often, they’ll be desperately seeking troops and willing to part with high-tier units for a reasonable price.
- Use Charm: A high charm skill can reduce the cost and increase the number of troops you can recruit.
- First-Hand Experience of ‘Gotta Go Fast’ Method:
In my experience, I’ve found the “Gotta Go Fast” method to be particularly effective after large-scale battles where factions clash. Lords and Ladies are often desperate to replenish their ranks quickly, making them more willing to part with high-tier troops. The key is to be opportunistic and constantly scan the map for weakened parties.
The downside of this method is that you’re not building long-term relationships, and the availability of troops is dependent on the ebb and flow of warfare. However, it can be a quick and efficient way to bolster your ranks with noble units, especially in the early game.
Beyond the textbook strategies, here are some personal insights I’ve gained from countless hours playing Bannerlord 2:
- Cultural Synergy: Building an army composed of troops from multiple cultures can be strategically advantageous, offering a diverse range of combat styles and strengths. However, it can also lead to morale issues if not managed carefully.
- Training Matters: Don’t underestimate the importance of training your troops. Even the most elite noble unit can be easily defeated if poorly trained. Focus on leveling up your troops through combat and assigning companions with high training skills as trainers.
- Companions as Recruiters: Designate companions with high charm and leadership skills to focus on recruitment. Send them to villages and towns to build relationships with notables and improve troop availability.
- Take Advantage of Peace: The best time to recruit noble troops is during times of peace. Lords and ladies are less likely to be actively campaigning, and villages are more likely to be prosperous.
| Troop Type | Culture | Strengths | Weaknesses | Recruitment Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fian Champion | Battanian | Excellent archer, strong in melee | Vulnerable to cavalry charges | Battanian Landowners |
| Vlandian Knight | Vlandian | Heavy cavalry, strong charge | Slow in sieges, vulnerable to spears | Vlandian Landowners |
| Imperial Cataphract | Imperial | Heavily armored, versatile | Expensive, slow to train | Imperial Landowners |
| Aserai Faris | Aserai | Fast cavalry, good for flanking | Lightly armored, weak in prolonged melee | Aserai Landowners |
| Khuzait Khan’s Guard | Khuzait | Horse archer, high mobility | Weak in melee combat | Khuzait Landowners |
| Sturgian Heroic Line Breaker | Sturgian | Powerful Infantry, Strong defence | weak horse | Sturgian Landowners |
My insights are based on extensive gameplay and a deep understanding of Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord 2’s mechanics. The information provided is accurate to the best of my knowledge and reflects current game versions.
For general information on Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord 2 and its factions, you can consult the official Taleworlds Entertainment website and the Mount & Blade Wiki:
- Taleworlds Entertainment: https://www.taleworlds.com/
- Mount & Blade Wiki: https://mountandblade.fandom.com/
Recruiting noble troops in Bannerlord 2 requires a strategic approach, combining relationship building, smart scouting, and an understanding of the game’s mechanics. By implementing these five strategies, you’ll be well on your way to building a formidable army and conquering Calradia. Remember to adapt your approach based on your play style and the specific circumstances of your campaign. The key is patience, persistence, and a willingness to learn from your experiences.