The crafting system in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord adds a fantastic layer of depth, allowing you to forge powerful weapons and armor. However, many players quickly run into the frustrating reality of crafting material scarcity. This article tackles the most common Bannerlord 2 crafting material scarcity pain points and provides concrete solutions to get you back to the forge. We’ll cover effective acquisition methods, smart resource management, and some often-overlooked strategies.
One of the biggest hurdles is simply finding enough of the right materials. While random encounters and trading can yield some results, relying solely on them is inefficient.
Target Specific Regions and Cultures
Different regions and cultures in Calradia specialize in producing certain goods. Understanding these regional specialties is key to targeted resource gathering.
- Vlandians: Known for their high-quality iron and steel. Look for villages near Vlandian cities for charcoal, iron ore, and wrought iron.
- Battanians: Excel in producing hardwood. Their forests are your best bet for locating hardwood villages, and also for locating villages that trade in hardwood.
- Empire: Generally, a good source for a variety of resources. Look for villages specializing in textiles and leather.
- Khuzait: These are horsemen, so you can find many villages near Khuzait cities that offer resources related to animals such as leather.
- Aserai: This is an inland desert region that is known for their agriculture and also the production of pottery and related resources.
- Sturgia: This is a cold and rugged region where you can find fur and hardy resources.
The in-game encyclopedia (accessible by pressing ‘N’) is your friend. Use it to research which villages produce specific materials. Search for the material you need, then click the “Villages Producing” tab. This will show you the locations of all villages that produce that item, saving you countless hours of aimless wandering.
Looting Strategically
While morally questionable (depending on your character), looting after battles can be a significant source of crafting materials. Focus on looting armies from factions known for their craftsmanship. Battanian armies, for example, often carry hardwood and ironwood, while Vlandian armies may have higher-quality iron and steel.
Don’t just blindly take everything. Over-encumbrance will slow you down and make you vulnerable. Prioritize materials you need most, based on your current crafting projects.
Investing in Workshops
Workshops can provide a passive income stream and, more importantly, a steady supply of crafting materials. Strategic placement is crucial.
- Wood Workshops: Place these in towns near Battanian territories known for hardwood production.
- Ironworks: Place them in Vlandian towns that are known for high-quality iron.
- Tanneries: Place them in towns where raw hides are cheap and abundant, which may be located near the Khuzait or Aserai.
Monitor workshop profitability regularly. Economic conditions change, and a once-profitable workshop can quickly become a drain on your finances. Be prepared to adjust your workshop types as needed.
Acquiring materials is only half the battle. Efficient resource management is just as important to overcome Bannerlord 2 crafting material scarcity pain points.
Refining Raw Materials Efficiently
Refining raw materials, such as turning iron ore into iron, is a core part of the crafting process. Level up your Smithing skill to unlock perks that increase refining efficiency. These perks can significantly reduce the amount of raw materials needed to produce refined products.
Always use the correct refining recipes. Experiment to find the most efficient way to create the materials you need. Sometimes, a less direct route may be more cost-effective in terms of raw materials.
Prioritize Crafting Projects
Before you start crafting, plan your projects carefully. Focus on crafting weapons or armor that will significantly benefit your character or companions. Avoid wasting materials on low-tier items that you won’t use.
Consider crafting items to sell. Certain weapon types, especially those with high damage and speed, can fetch a good price on the market, allowing you to reinvest in more crafting materials.
Skill Tree Specialization
Focus your Smithing skill development on a specific crafting style. The Smithing skill tree is vast, and trying to master everything at once will spread your skill points too thin. Choose a specialization, such as blade-making or spear-making, and focus on unlocking the perks that will benefit that style. This will make you more efficient at crafting those specific items, reducing material waste.
Sometimes, the best solutions are the ones you don’t immediately think of.
Exploiting Tournament Rewards
Tournaments are a great way to earn money and improve your character’s skills. However, they can also be a source of crafting materials. Some tournaments offer weapons as rewards. These weapons can be broken down into their component parts, providing you with a free source of crafting materials. Focus on tournaments in regions known for high-quality weaponry.
Trading with Caravans
Caravans travel between cities and villages, buying and selling goods. Keep an eye on caravans that are traveling from regions known for producing specific crafting materials. You can often buy these materials from caravans at a lower price than you would find in the cities themselves.
Managing Your Smithy’s Fatigue
Smithing is tiring work in Bannerlord. Fatigue impacts your smithing success chance, potentially wasting valuable materials if you attempt complex crafts while fatigued.
Rotate your smithing duties between multiple characters. Companions with decent Smithing skills can take over when your main character is fatigued. Ensure they have appropriate perks to reduce material waste.
I’ve spent countless hours in Bannerlord perfecting my smithing skills, and I’ve learned a few things the hard way.
Don’t underestimate the importance of charcoal. It’s a seemingly simple material, but you’ll need tons of it to refine ore. I once ran out of charcoal mid-project and had to travel halfway across Calradia to restock. Now, I always keep a large surplus on hand.
Experiment with different weapon designs. Some designs are simply more material-efficient than others. For example, I’ve found that certain types of two-handed swords require less refined metal than others while still offering comparable stats.
Be patient and persistent. Smithing is a grind, especially in the early game. Don’t get discouraged by failures. Keep practicing, keep experimenting, and eventually, you’ll become a master smith.
Table: Material Sources and their Reliability
| Material | Source | Reliability | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iron Ore | Villages (Vlandia) | High | Look for villages with “Iron Mine” prosperity bonus. |
| Hardwood | Villages (Battania) | High | Focus on villages in forested areas. |
| Charcoal | Villages (Near cities) | Medium | Produced in villages near cities that have workshops and are known for wood. |
| Wrought Iron | Trading, Looting | Medium | Buy from traders or loot from Vlandian troops. |
| Steel | Trading, Looting | Low | More difficult to find in large quantities. |
| Fine Steel | Trading, Looting, Workshops | Very Low | Most challenging material to acquire. |
Overcoming Bannerlord 2 crafting material scarcity pain points requires a multi-faceted approach. By targeting specific regions, managing resources efficiently, and utilizing unconventional strategies, you can keep your forge stocked and create powerful weapons and armor. Don’t give up! With patience and persistence, you’ll become a master smith and dominate the battlefields of Calradia.