This article addresses three common financial pitfalls in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord and offers five strategies to build a prosperous kingdom. Many players struggle to balance income and expenses, leading to crippling debt and a stalled campaign. This guide provides practical, actionable advice to turn your financial situation around.
A solid financial foundation in Bannerlord 2 begins with understanding your income sources. Don’t rely on just one; diversify to weather economic fluctuations and wartime downturns.
Trade: Early Game Goldmine
Trading is a fantastic way to generate income in the early game. Focus on identifying goods that are cheap in one town and expensive in another. Look for items with a significant price difference to maximize your profit margins.
- Iron: Often cheap in regions with mines, and profitable in areas that produce weapons.
- Grain: Essential for cities and garrisons; buying low during harvest and selling high in famine-stricken areas can be lucrative.
- Horses: Always in demand for troops and caravans; breeding and selling them can be a constant source of income.
Pro Tip: Check the encyclopedia in-game for trade good production to get an edge over other traders.
Workshops: Passive Income Generators
Workshops provide a steady, passive income stream. However, choosing the right workshop is crucial.
- Identify thriving towns: Look for towns with high prosperity, as they’ll generate more demand for goods.
- Avoid over-saturation: Don’t establish a workshop that produces the same goods as several others in the same town.
- Consider town resources: A brewery in a town with abundant grain, or a smithy in a town near iron mines, will generally perform better.
My Experience: I’ve found that Wool Weavers and Smithies, placed strategically, offer the most reliable returns. They’re generally less affected by wars and shortages compared to other workshops. I once built three Wool Weavers in a town known for sheep and watched my passive income skyrocket.
Land Ownership: The Backbone of Your Economy
As you gain influence and power, acquiring fiefs (castles and towns) becomes essential. These holdings generate substantial tax revenue, provided you manage them effectively.
- Choose wisely: Consider the prosperity, security, and trade connections of a fief before claiming it. A prosperous town will generate significantly more income than a struggling one.
- Invest in improvements: Construct buildings that increase prosperity, garrison size, and security. This will not only boost your income but also make your fief more resistant to sieges.
- Manage your governor: Appoint a governor with skills that complement the fief’s needs. A governor with high stewardship will increase tax revenue, while one with high security will reduce bandit activity.
Generating income is only half the battle; controlling expenses is equally vital. Overspending on troops, garrisons, and parties can quickly drain your treasury.
Troop Wages: The Biggest Drain
Troop wages are often the single largest expense for any clan. Optimizing your troop composition can significantly reduce your costs without sacrificing combat effectiveness.
- Prioritize quality over quantity: A smaller, well-equipped force of elite troops can often defeat a larger force of poorly trained recruits.
- Utilize cheaper troop types: Supplement your elite troops with lower-tier units for garrison duty and scouting.
- Consider troop perks: Some troops have perks that reduce their wages or increase their combat effectiveness.
My Insight: Experiment with different troop compositions to find a balance between cost and combat power. I found that a mix of heavily armored infantry, archers, and a small contingent of cavalry is generally effective and relatively affordable.
Garrison Costs: Keeping Your Fiefs Secure
Garrisons are essential for defending your fiefs, but they can be expensive to maintain.
- Optimize garrison size: Don’t over-garrison your fiefs. A smaller, well-trained garrison can often defend against smaller raiding parties.
- Use cheaper garrison troops: Fill your garrisons with lower-tier troops, freeing up your elite troops for your warband.
- Invest in town security: Buildings like walls and watchtowers reduce the need for large garrisons.
Party Size and Influence: Balancing Power and Expenses
While a large party size and high influence are beneficial, they come at a cost.
- Reduce party size during peacetime: When not at war, reduce your party size to minimize troop wages and food consumption.
- Manage your influence: Avoid policies that increase party size or require constant participation in clan activities if they strain your finances.
Beyond traditional methods, some unconventional strategies can significantly boost your income in Bannerlord 2.
Banditry (When Necessary)
While not honorable, banditry can be a lucrative, albeit risky, way to generate quick cash.
- Target weak caravans: Look for caravans with small escorts, preferably from factions you’re not at war with.
- Raid enemy villages: Raiding enemy villages can generate a significant amount of loot, but it will also damage your relationship with the village.
- Sell prisoners: Capturing and selling prisoners to ransom brokers or in towns is a reliable source of income.
Important Note: Banditry will negatively impact your reputation and relationships with lords and towns. Use it sparingly and strategically.
Tournament Betting
Participating in and betting on tournaments can be a reliable way to make money.
- Practice your skills: Improve your combat skills to increase your chances of winning.
- Bet wisely: Bet on yourself and other skilled fighters to maximize your potential winnings.
Smithing: A Crafting Powerhouse (but requires investment)
While Smithing can seem daunting, mastering it can lead to massive profits.
- Focus on unlocking high-value weapon recipes: Certain weapon types, especially two-handed swords, sell for enormous amounts.
- Gather resources efficiently: Explore the map for villages near mines to acquire resources cheaply.
- Maximize your smithing skill: Invest skill points and focus to increase your smithing skill, allowing you to craft more valuable items.
Table: Workshop Profitability Comparison
| Workshop Type | Location Considerations | Profitability | Stability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brewery | Towns with high grain production | Medium | Medium |
| Wool Weavers | Towns with abundant sheep | High | High |
| Smithy | Towns near iron mines | Very High (late) | Medium |
| Pottery | Towns with clay resources | Low | High |
| Wood Workshop | Towns surrounded by forests | Low | Medium |
From my extensive experience in Calradia, I’ve gleaned several insights that aren’t readily available in guides:
- Early game focus: Prioritize trade routes that bypass bandit hotspots. The few extra denars you save by taking a shortcut aren’t worth losing a valuable trade caravan. I scout routes thoroughly before committing.
- The power of scouting: Send companions ahead of your party to scout for enemy warbands, looters, and valuable resources. This early warning system can save you money and prevent costly ambushes.
- Investing in companions: Companions with high trade skills can significantly increase the profitability of your caravans. A well-equipped and skilled caravan can generate a steady stream of income, even during wartime.
- Understanding supply and demand: Keep a close eye on the prices of goods in different towns. A sudden spike in price can indicate a shortage, creating a profitable trading opportunity. The in-game encyclopedia is your best friend. https://mountandblade.fandom.com/wiki/Mount_%26_Blade_II:_Bannerlord