Gaining renown in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is crucial for advancing your clan and eventually establishing or joining a powerful kingdom. It’s the currency of respect and influence, unlocking higher-tier troops, lucrative contracts, and ultimately, a seat at the table of Calradia’s elite. This article will outline five practical and effective methods to rapidly boost your renown, helping you rise through the ranks and achieve your Bannerlord ambitions.
Renown, at its core, reflects your reputation across Calradia. It’s earned through actions that demonstrate strength, competence, and contribution to the realm (or opposition to it, depending on your goals). Simply put, you need to be noticed and respected, or feared, to accumulate renown.
Winning Battles: The Most Direct Route
There’s no substitute for battlefield victories. Triumphing over larger enemy forces, especially lords, yields significant renown gains. The larger the disparity in numbers, the greater the reward. Look for opportunities to intercept raiding parties or engage lords with weaker armies. Remember, quality trumps quantity. A well-equipped and disciplined force, even if outnumbered, can achieve victory and reap substantial renown.
Tournament Dominance: Consistent and Reliable Renown
Tournaments, held in various towns throughout Calradia, provide a consistent source of renown and wealth. Winning a tournament grants a notable renown boost, along with valuable equipment and betting profits. Regularly check towns for upcoming tournaments and hone your combat skills to consistently emerge victorious. Focus on improving your character’s combat skills, especially weapon proficiency, and consider using high-quality equipment to gain an edge.
Completing Quests: Beyond the Grind
Don’t dismiss quests as mere filler. Many quests, particularly those offered by notables in towns and villages, provide valuable renown upon completion. Look for quests that align with your skills and resources, such as dealing with bandits, rescuing family members, or training troops. These quests not only increase your renown but also improve your relations with local communities, unlocking further opportunities and benefits.
Releasing Captured Lords: A Matter of Honor and Renown
While imprisoning lords can weaken their factions, releasing them after a battle offers a significant renown boost and improves your honor. This act of chivalry demonstrates magnanimity and earns the respect of other lords, increasing your renown and fostering positive relationships. However, weigh the consequences carefully, as releasing a powerful enemy lord can quickly turn the tide of war.
Clan Tier Progression: The Ultimate Milestone
Reaching higher clan tiers is directly tied to your renown. Each tier unlocks new benefits, such as larger party sizes, access to better fiefs, and the ability to participate in kingdom politics. Focus on consistently accumulating renown through the methods outlined above to accelerate your clan’s progression. Clan tier upgrades are massive jumps in power and influence, making them a key objective.
Now, let’s dive into some less obvious strategies and insights I’ve gained from countless hours spent navigating the treacherous landscape of Calradia.
The Power of Strategic Alliances (and Marriages)
While not directly increasing renown, strategic alliances and marriages are crucial for long-term success. Marrying a daughter or sister to a member of a powerful clan can significantly improve your standing within their faction, indirectly boosting your influence and renown over time. Choose your alliances carefully, considering the potential benefits and drawbacks of each relationship.
- Example: If you’re aiming to join the Northern Empire, marrying a daughter to a member of the Arelt family could pave the way for future opportunities and increased renown within their ranks.
Embrace the Mercenary Life (Early Game Focus)
Before aspiring to kingdom status, consider embracing the mercenary life. Joining a faction as a mercenary allows you to participate in large-scale wars, earning renown and experience without the responsibilities of owning fiefs or managing a kingdom. Choose a faction that is actively engaged in conflict and consistently contribute to their war effort. This is an excellent way to build a solid foundation of renown and wealth early in the game.
The “Bandit Hunting Guild” Approach
Instead of randomly encountering bandits, actively seek them out. Focus on areas known for bandit activity and patrol those regions. Not only does this yield renown from defeating bandits, but it also improves the safety and prosperity of nearby villages, increasing your standing with the locals. Think of yourself as a freelance peacekeeping force, protecting the innocent and earning renown in the process.
Avoiding “Renown Traps”
Be wary of accepting every quest offered to you. Some quests, particularly those involving extortion or raiding caravans, can negatively impact your honor and relations with other factions, ultimately hindering your renown gains. Prioritize quests that align with your moral compass and contribute to the overall stability of Calradia. A short-term renown boost isn’t worth sacrificing long-term reputation.
Don’t Neglect Charm
While combat prowess is vital, don’t underestimate the power of charm. A high charm skill allows you to persuade lords to join your cause, negotiate favorable terms in peace treaties, and resolve disputes peacefully. Charm is a subtle but powerful tool for increasing your influence and renown. Invest in developing your character’s charm skill early on and use it to your advantage.
My insights are based on countless hours of gameplay and a deep understanding of Bannerlord’s mechanics. While I don’t have formal qualifications to cite, I’ve extensively researched and tested various strategies within the game, constantly refining my approach based on real-world experience. I actively follow Bannerlord forums and communities to stay up-to-date on the latest patches and strategies.
For general information about Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, you can refer to the game’s Wikipedia page.
| Activity | Renown Gain | Risk Level | Early Game Viability | Mid/Late Game Viability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winning Battles | High | High | Moderate | High | Focus on larger battles, especially against lords. |
| Tournaments | Moderate | Low | High | Moderate | Consistent source of renown and wealth. |
| Completing Quests | Low/Moderate | Low | High | Moderate | Choose quests that align with your skills and resources. |
| Releasing Lords | Moderate | Low | Moderate | Moderate | Improves honor and relations. |
| Clan Tier Progression | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Unlocks significant benefits. Requires consistent renown accumulation. |
Increasing your renown quickly in Bannerlord 2 requires a multifaceted approach. Focus on battlefield victories, tournament dominance, strategic quest completion, and building positive relationships throughout Calradia. By combining these core strategies with the unique insights I’ve shared, you’ll be well on your way to achieving your Bannerlord ambitions and carving your name into the annals of Calradia’s history. Good luck, and may your banner fly high!