5 Proven Ways: Bannerlord 2 How to Deal with Rebellions

This article tackles the frustrating issue of rebellions in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. It presents five concrete methods, supported by personal experience, to not only quell existing rebellions but, more importantly, prevent them from sparking in the first place. Implementing these strategies will lead to a more stable and prosperous kingdom.

Rebellions in Bannerlord 2 are often a symptom of deeper problems within your settlements. While chopping heads and sending armies to quell the unrest might provide a temporary fix, it’s crucial to understand the underlying reasons why your people are unhappy. Ignoring these root causes will lead to a perpetual cycle of rebellion and suppression, draining your resources and manpower.

Loyalty is Key

Low loyalty is the primary driver of rebellion. A settlement with low loyalty is a ticking time bomb, waiting for the right moment (usually a time of war or internal strife) to explode. Several factors contribute to low loyalty.

• Culture: Settlements governed by someone of a different culture will naturally have lower loyalty.
• Prosperity: Low prosperity leads to unhappiness and resentment.
• Security: Raids and bandit activity reduce security and, consequently, loyalty.
• Governors: Incompetent or culturally mismatched governors can exacerbate the problem.
• Recent Conquest: Newly conquered settlements are particularly prone to rebellion.

Prevention is always better than cure. Here are actionable steps to minimize the risk of rebellions in your settlements:

1. Appoint Culturally Appropriate Governors

This is perhaps the most straightforward and effective method. Having a governor of the same culture as the settlement provides a significant loyalty boost. Check the settlement’s culture in the town menu and then find a companion with matching culture to act as governor. Companions can be found in taverns throughout Calradia. If you’re lucky, your family members may have the appropriate culture.

2. Increase Settlement Prosperity

Prosperity directly impacts loyalty. A wealthy and thriving settlement is a happy settlement. Here are a few ways to boost prosperity:

• Improve Infrastructure: Construct buildings like aqueducts, mills, and irrigation that increase food production and sanitation.
• Reduce Bandit Activity: Patrol the area around the settlement to eliminate bandit parties.
• Promote Trade: Ensure safe trade routes to and from the settlement. High trade improves overall prosperity.
• Resolve Issues Quickly: Address any issues or quests within the settlement that are affecting its prosperity.

3. Enhance Security and Garrison

Security directly correlates with loyalty. A well-defended settlement is less likely to experience unrest.

• Maintain a Strong Garrison: Keep a sufficient number of troops stationed in the settlement. The ideal size depends on the settlement’s size and strategic importance.
• Build Walls and Defenses: Upgrade the settlement’s walls and defenses to deter raiders and invaders.
• Patrol the Region: Regularly patrol the area around the settlement to eliminate bandit activity and deter enemy armies.

4. Use “Daily Needs Met” and “Festivals and Games” Governor Perks

These governor perks, particularly “Daily Needs Met,” are incredibly powerful for maintaining loyalty. “Daily Needs Met” increases loyalty as long as the settlement has sufficient food. “Festivals and Games” provides a temporary but significant loyalty boost. Level up your governor’s stewardship skill to unlock these perks.

5. Override Default Governor Behaviors

This aspect is often overlooked. Governors have default behaviors that can be detrimental to loyalty.

• High Tax Rate: You can set tax rate from very low to high. A higher tax rate may make people unhappy with the party.
• Construction Focus: Governors will automatically begin construction projects. While helpful in the long run, these projects can temporarily decrease loyalty due to disruptions. Manually manage construction to avoid sudden loyalty drops.
• Recruitment: Governors will attempt to recruit troops. Excessive recruitment can strain the settlement’s economy and negatively impact loyalty. Limit recruitment based on the settlement’s prosperity.

In my Bannerlord 2 playthroughs, I’ve found that focusing on the long-term stability of a settlement is far more rewarding than chasing short-term gains. For example, while raiding villages might provide immediate wealth, it severely damages relations with potential recruits and trade partners, ultimately hurting the long-term prosperity of your kingdom.

• Strategic Clan Placement: Carefully consider where you assign clans to rule. Give new or weaker clans settlements far from the border, and experienced/stronger clans settlements that are on the border. This will protect your weaker clans and give your stronger clans opportunity to fight/gain renown.

• “Bread and Circuses” is NOT enough: While having enough food increases happiness, don’t neglect the other things that increase settlement prosperity. The happiness and prosperity of your fiefs are essential in order to collect more taxes from them, as well as in order to improve your fiefs.

• Tournaments: When war is not raging, tournaments are a great way to spend time and make money. You can visit fiefs (cities and castles) and compete in tournaments, making money and improving your skills.

• Prioritize food production, especially in newly conquered settlements: Food shortages are a surefire way to trigger unrest. Invest in farms and granaries immediately.

Kingdom policies can also influence loyalty and rebellion risk. Policies like “Forgiveness of Debts” and “Royal Guard” can provide loyalty boosts, while others like “Landowners Rights” can have negative consequences. Carefully consider the impact of each policy before enacting it. You can check the policies in the kingdom decision in Clan.

Despite your best efforts, rebellions may still occur. Here’s how to deal with them swiftly and effectively:

1. Immediate Military Response: Mobilize your forces and quickly crush the rebellion. A swift and decisive response sends a message that dissent will not be tolerated.
2. Address Grievances: After quelling the rebellion, investigate the underlying causes. Implement the preventative measures outlined above to address the root causes of the unrest.
3. Grant Concessions: Consider granting concessions to the rebels, such as reducing taxes or pardoning their leaders. This can help to pacify the population and prevent future rebellions.
4. Change the Governor: If the current governor is unpopular, replace them with someone more trusted by the local population.
5. Execute the Leaders (Use Judiciously): While harsh, executing the rebellion’s leaders can deter future uprisings. However, use this option sparingly, as it can negatively impact your reputation.

Dealing with rebellions in Bannerlord 2 is a complex challenge, but by understanding the root causes and implementing the preventative measures outlined above, you can significantly reduce the risk of unrest in your settlements. Remember, a stable and prosperous kingdom is built on the loyalty and well-being of its people.