Many players of Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord find the formation control system frustrating. It can feel clunky, unresponsive, and difficult to manage in the heat of battle. This article offers five concrete solutions to address the most common bannerlord 2 formation control pain points, improving your battlefield command and overall gameplay experience.
The issues with formation control often boil down to these key areas: difficulty selecting the right unit type, sluggish response times, problematic positioning, ineffective maneuvering, and confusing command interface. Addressing these points directly will lead to more successful battlefield tactics.
One of the biggest frustrations is cycling through unit types, especially in large battles. The default method can be slow and awkward.
Implementing Number Key Bindings for Unit Groups
Instead of relying solely on the F1-F# keys and then selecting a unit type, re-bind specific number keys to instantly select pre-defined unit groups. Go to Options > Key Bindings and look for “Select Infantry Group,” “Select Archer Group,” etc. Bind these to accessible number keys. For example:
- ‘1’ = Infantry
- ‘2’ = Archers
- ‘3’ = Cavalry
- ‘4’ = Ranged Cavalry
- ‘5’ = All Units
This allows you to instantly grab the group you need and issue commands without fumbling. This saves precious seconds in the midst of combat.
Utilizing the Grouping System Effectively
Bannerlord allows you to create custom unit groupings. Take advantage of this to tailor your army composition for specific scenarios. Before a battle, pause and carefully assign units to groups based on their roles and strengths. Do you want a dedicated flanking force of fast cavalry? Create a group for them. Need a line of heavily armored shield infantry? Group them together.
Units sometimes react slowly to commands, especially when repositioning.
Using Direct Order Mode for Immediate Action
By default, Bannerlord uses a “follow” command system. Units will gradually move to the designated location. Switch to “direct order” mode by holding the ALT key while issuing commands. This forces units to move as quickly as possible to the designated spot, ignoring spacing and formation (temporarily).
Issuing Commands at Reasonable Distances
Units are more responsive when orders are given at a reasonable range. Avoid issuing commands from across the battlefield. Move closer to your troops before giving them new instructions. This minimizes lag and ensures they receive the order promptly. Micromanage smaller groups instead of trying to control the entire army at once from far away.
Poor positioning can lead to devastating losses.
Mastering Terrain Awareness
Bannerlord’s battlefields are diverse, with hills, forests, and rivers. Use the terrain to your advantage. Place archers on higher ground for increased range and damage. Position infantry in narrow chokepoints to funnel enemies. Use forests to screen your flanks from cavalry charges.
Precise Formation Placement Using the Flag
The ‘F6’ key places a flag on the battlefield. You can use this flag to give specific orders to your troops.
- Press ‘F6’
- Move the Flag to a position you want to place the troops on.
- Choose a Unit and give it the order “Move to”.
Staggered Formations for Defense
Instead of a single, straight line, try staggering your formations. Place infantry slightly ahead of archers, with cavalry on the flanks. This provides overlapping fields of fire and makes it harder for the enemy to break through your lines.
Outmaneuvering the enemy can lead to decisive victories.
Flanking Maneuvers with Cavalry
Cavalry is ideal for flanking. Select your cavalry group, use the “move to” command to position them on the enemy’s flank, and then order them to charge. A well-timed flanking maneuver can shatter the enemy’s morale and disrupt their formations.
Using Skirmishers for Harassment
If you have units like mounted archers or foot archers, use them to harass the enemy. Order them to skirmish, which causes them to move around and fire at the enemy from a distance. This can draw the enemy out of position and create opportunities for your main force.
Feigned Retreats
A feigned retreat can lure the enemy into a trap. Order a portion of your forces to retreat, drawing the enemy forward. Then, spring your trap with a flanking maneuver or a volley of arrows. This requires careful timing and coordination, but it can be devastatingly effective.
While the above tips improve the base game experience, mods can significantly enhance formation control.
Popular Formation Control Mods
Several mods on the Nexus Mods website overhaul the formation system. Some popular options include:
- Realistic Battle Mod: This mod improves AI behavior, making them more responsive to commands.
- Improved Banner Formation: This mod adds more formation options and improves unit spacing.
- Better Panning Camera: This mod lets you zoom out more during battles, giving you a clearer view of the battlefield.
Install these using a mod manager like Vortex.
Mod Load Order and Compatibility
Pay attention to mod load order. Incorrect load orders can cause conflicts and crashes. Generally, mods that change core game mechanics should be loaded earlier in the list. Consult the mod descriptions and any included documentation for specific instructions. Some mods may be incompatible with each other, requiring careful selection and testing.
One of the biggest mistakes I made early on was trying to micro-manage everything. I was constantly pausing, issuing commands, and getting bogged down in the details. I realized that it’s better to focus on a few key units or formations and let the AI handle the rest. For example, I would focus on positioning my cavalry for a flanking maneuver, trusting my infantry to hold the line.
Another key lesson I learned was the importance of scouting. Knowing the terrain and the enemy’s composition before the battle is crucial for planning your strategy. I would send out scouts to gather information and then adjust my formations and tactics accordingly. I also learned that sometimes, the best strategy is to simply let the battle play out. Trying to over-control things can sometimes lead to mistakes.
Here are some tips that can help new players:
- Start with smaller battles to get a feel for the controls.
- Experiment with different formations and tactics.
- Don’t be afraid to lose battles. It’s part of the learning process.
- Watch videos of experienced players to learn new strategies.
- Most importantly, have fun!
| Pain Point | Solution | Implementation | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slow Unit Selection | Number Key Bindings | Options > Key Bindings; Assign number keys to unit groups | Instant unit selection, faster command issuing |
| Sluggish Response Time | Direct Order Mode | Hold ALT key while issuing commands | Immediate unit movement, ignores spacing |
| Poor Positioning | Terrain Awareness | Analyze battlefield, position units for terrain advantage | Optimized unit placement, increased effectiveness |
| Ineffective Maneuvers | Flanking Maneuvers | Position cavalry on flanks, charge into enemy lines | Disrupted enemy formations, shattered morale |
| Confusing Command Interface | Formation Control Mods | Install mods like Realistic Battle Mod, Improved Banner Formation | Enhanced AI, more formation options, improved battlefield awareness |
By implementing these solutions, you can overcome the common formation control pain points in Bannerlord 2 and become a more effective commander.