Getting captured in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord can be a frustrating setback. It costs you time, money, and potentially valuable troops. This article provides five actionable strategies to minimize your chances of becoming a prisoner and keep your campaign moving forward.
One of the most effective ways how to avoid getting captured in Bannerlord 2 is simply being aware of your surroundings. Pay close attention to the campaign map. Know where enemy armies and parties are located, their approximate size, and their movement patterns. This awareness allows you to anticipate threats and take proactive measures.
Scouting Ahead to Avoid Ambushes
Employ scouts effectively. Send out small, fast-moving parties to scout ahead of your main force. These scouts can identify potential ambushes, large enemy armies, or unfavorable terrain that could hinder your progress. High scouting skill in your party leader is crucial for this.
Using Terrain to Your Advantage
Utilize the terrain to your benefit. Mountain passes, rivers, and forests can all be used to slow down or deter pursuing enemies. Chokepoints, like bridges or narrow passes, can allow a smaller force to defend against a larger one. Knowing the map and strategically using it is paramount.
A slow, cumbersome army is an easy target. Prioritize speed and maneuverability in your warband composition. This allows you to outrun enemies and dictate the terms of engagement.
Investing in Cavalry for Speed and Evasion
Cavalry units significantly increase your travel speed on the campaign map. While heavily armored cavalry is powerful, consider including some lighter, faster cavalry units specifically for scouting and evasion. These units can help you outmaneuver enemies who are trying to intercept you.
Keeping Your Party Size Manageable
Avoid over-encumbering your party. A larger party requires more food, moves slower, and suffers from morale penalties. Maintaining a lean, efficient force will improve your speed and reduce the likelihood of being caught.
Financial stability is often overlooked as a preventative measure against capture. Running out of money can leave you vulnerable and desperate, forcing you into risky situations.
Maintaining a Healthy War Chest
Always have a sufficient amount of denars in your treasury. This allows you to hire mercenaries quickly if needed, bribe your way out of difficult situations, or simply pay off enemies seeking ransom. A healthy war chest provides flexibility and options that can prevent capture.
Avoiding Unnecessary Expenses
Be mindful of your spending. Avoid costly battles that drain your resources, and only recruit troops that you can afford to maintain. Efficient resource management is key to long-term survival.
Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense – of the diplomatic variety. High charm and relationship skills can be incredibly useful in avoiding capture.
Cultivating Positive Relationships
Develop positive relationships with lords and ladies throughout Calradia. High relations can lead to alliances, trade agreements, and even warnings about impending threats. A network of allies can provide valuable assistance and protection.
Persuasion and Bartering for Freedom
If you are captured, high charm can be used to persuade your captors to release you or negotiate a lower ransom. Invest in charm skills and practice your persuasion techniques to improve your chances of freedom. Charm can save you denars and valuable time.
Sometimes, the wisest course of action is to disengage and retreat. Pride and stubbornness can lead to disastrous defeats and inevitable capture.
Recognizing Unfavorable Battles
Learn to recognize when a battle is unwinnable. Overwhelming odds, unfavorable terrain, or a lack of resources can all indicate that a retreat is necessary. Disengaging from a losing battle is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strategic intelligence.
Utilizing Tactical Retreat Maneuvers
Master the art of tactical retreat. Use terrain, formations, and flanking maneuvers to cover your retreat and minimize casualties. A well-executed retreat can save your army and prevent capture. This involves moving your troops strategically on the battlefield to minimize losses while withdrawing.
From my countless hours spent traversing Calradia, I’ve learned that avoiding capture isn’t just about combat prowess or strategic brilliance. It’s about understanding the flow of the game, anticipating the AI’s tendencies, and exploiting its weaknesses. For example, I’ve noticed that enemy lords are more likely to pursue you if you’re carrying a lot of loot or prisoners. So, if I know I’m heading into potentially dangerous territory, I’ll often stash my valuables in a friendly town or castle. This reduces my profile and makes me a less attractive target.
Another thing I’ve learned is the importance of listening to your companions. They often provide valuable insights and warnings based on their own experiences and skills. A companion with high scouting skill might alert you to an impending ambush that you would have otherwise missed. Don’t underestimate the value of their advice.
Finally, I’ve found that impatience is the enemy of survival. Rushing into situations without proper planning or preparation is a surefire way to get captured. Take your time, assess the risks, and make informed decisions. Remember, a momentary setback is better than a prolonged period of imprisonment.
I remember one time, I was leading a relatively small party and got caught between two large enemy armies. I knew I couldn’t win a direct confrontation, so I decided to try a daring maneuver. I led my troops on a winding path through the mountains, using the terrain to slow down my pursuers and break up their formations. Eventually, I managed to lure one of the armies into a narrow valley, where I ambushed them and inflicted heavy casualties. The other army, seeing what had happened, decided to break off the chase. That day, I learned that even the most daunting odds can be overcome with a little creativity and a lot of patience.
Here’s a helpful table summarizing key strategies:
| Strategy | Key Elements | Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Map Awareness | Scouting, Terrain Utilization, Enemy Tracking | Anticipates threats, avoids ambushes, dictates engagement terms |
| Agile Warband | Cavalry, Manageable Size | Outruns enemies, maintains morale, reduces food consumption |
| Financial Management | War Chest, Controlled Spending | Hires mercenaries, bribes enemies, provides flexibility |
| Charm & Diplomacy | Positive Relationships, Persuasion | Gains allies, secures trade, negotiates release, lowers ransom |
| Tactical Retreat | Recognizing Risks, Maneuvering | Preserves army, avoids capture, allows for future opportunities |
By implementing these strategies, you can significantly reduce your chances of being captured in Bannerlord 2 and ensure the longevity of your campaign.
Bannerlord 2 offers a vast and intricate world where survival depends on more than just combat prowess. Mastering the art of avoiding capture requires a multifaceted approach that combines strategic map awareness, resource management, diplomatic finesse, and tactical acumen. By embracing these principles, you can navigate the treacherous landscape of Calradia and emerge as a dominant force.