5 Solutions for Bannerlord 2 Kingdom Creation Pain Points

Starting your own kingdom in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is a significant undertaking, fraught with challenges. From securing enough land and influence to managing internal and external threats, aspiring rulers face numerous hurdles. This article addresses some of the most common Bannerlord 2 kingdom creation pain points and offers practical solutions to overcome them.

One of the biggest Bannerlord 2 kingdom creation pain points is the initial instability that plagues new kingdoms. You’ll likely face declarations of war from established factions, internal dissent from lords with conflicting interests, and a fragile economy struggling to support your war efforts.

Securing Your First Fiefs Effectively

The key here is strategic expansion, not rapid conquest. Focus on acquiring fiefs that are defensible and economically viable. Prioritize castles over towns initially. Castles are easier to defend with smaller garrisons and can act as buffer zones. Towns, while more profitable in the long run, are magnets for attackers.

Before declaring independence, ensure you control several fiefs, preferably clustered together. This allows for easier reinforcement and supply lines. Consider the terrain; mountainous regions offer natural defenses.

• Prioritize Location: Choose fiefs near friendly settlements for recruitment and resupply.
• Evaluate Prosperity: A prosperous fief means higher tax revenue and less discontent.
• Strengthen Defenses: Invest in castle upgrades as soon as possible.

Managing Clan Relations and Avoiding Defections

Clan relations are crucial for kingdom stability. Lords with negative opinions of you are more likely to defect, weakening your kingdom and potentially leading to civil war.

• Employ Diplomacy: Regularly engage with your lords, attend feasts, and address their concerns. Granting fiefs to clans with strong ties to those regions can significantly boost their loyalty.
• Understand Personalities: Pay attention to clan personalities. Some lords are inherently ambitious and difficult to please, while others are more loyal and content. Focus on nurturing relationships with the latter.
• Use Policies Wisely: Kingdom policies can impact clan relations. Some policies favor certain cultures or clan types, while others may negatively affect them. Choose policies that align with the majority of your vassals’ interests. A good starting policy is “Royal Guard” which buffs garrison size, or “Forging Policy” which increase relationship between you and other Clans.
• Marry Strategically: Arranging marriages between your clan members and those of other influential clans can solidify alliances and improve relations.

Addressing Financial Strain

A fledgling kingdom often struggles with financial stability. War is expensive, and managing expenses is paramount.

• Optimize Taxation: Set tax rates carefully. High taxes can generate discontent, while low taxes may not provide enough revenue. Experiment to find the sweet spot.
• Develop Infrastructure: Invest in infrastructure projects like workshops and irrigation to boost economic output.
• Control Trade: Establish trade routes with neighboring factions to generate revenue.
• Minimize Garrison Costs: Keep garrison sizes lean, especially in secure fiefs. Use militia to supplement defenses. A strong militia can deter raiders and provide early warning of attacks.
• Learn the Smithing Skill: Smithing is an overpowered way to make money, use it and abuse it.

Once your kingdom is established, you’ll face constant threats from rival factions. War is inevitable, but smart strategies can help you survive.

Building a Strong Army

A well-trained and equipped army is essential for defending your territory and expanding your influence.

• Recruit Diverse Troops: Vary your troop composition. Include heavy infantry for frontline combat, archers for ranged support, and cavalry for flanking maneuvers.
• Train and Upgrade: Invest in training and upgrading your troops. High-tier units are significantly more effective in battle.
• Hire Mercenaries Strategically: Mercenaries can bolster your ranks, but they’re expensive. Use them sparingly, especially during short-term conflicts.
• Focus on Quality, Not Quantity: A smaller army of elite troops can often defeat a larger army of poorly trained soldiers.

Strategic Alliances and Non-Aggression Pacts

Diplomacy can be just as important as military might. Forming alliances with other factions can provide valuable support during wars.

• Assess Potential Allies: Choose allies based on their military strength, location, and relations with other factions.
• Offer Mutual Benefits: Alliances should be mutually beneficial. Offer military support or trade concessions to entice potential allies.
• Non-Aggression Pacts: Even if a full alliance isn’t possible, a non-aggression pact can prevent unnecessary conflicts and allow you to focus on other threats.

Dealing with Constant Warfare

War is a constant in Bannerlord. Learning to manage it effectively is key to survival.

• Prioritize Defense: Focus on defending your core territories before attempting to expand.
• Harass Enemy Supply Lines: Disrupt enemy supply lines to weaken their armies and starve their fiefs.
• Raid Enemy Villages: Raiding enemy villages can damage their economy and weaken their ability to wage war.
• Delegate Responsibilities: Entrust capable vassals with leading armies and defending fiefs. Don’t try to do everything yourself.

Beyond the basic strategies, there are less conventional approaches to kingdom management that can provide a significant edge.

The Power of Influence and Intrigue

Most players focus solely on military strength and economic development. However, influence and intrigue can be powerful tools.

• Cultivate Influence: Invest in skills that boost your influence, such as charm and leadership. Influence can be used to sway decisions, recruit lords, and manipulate events.
• Employ Spies and Agents: Use spies and agents to gather information, sabotage enemy operations, and sow discord within enemy factions. A well-placed spy can destabilize an entire kingdom.
• Marriage as a Weapon: Arranging strategic marriages can not only improve relations but also secure alliances and inherit valuable territories.

Going Against Conventional Warfare

Instead of focusing solely on large-scale battles, consider unconventional tactics.

• Guerrilla Warfare: Use small, mobile forces to harass enemy armies and raid their supply lines. This can be especially effective against larger, slower armies.
• Economic Warfare: Target enemy trade routes and disrupt their economy. A weakened economy makes it harder for them to wage war.
• Psychological Warfare: Spread rumors and propaganda to demoralize enemy troops and incite rebellion within their territories.

My Personal Bannerlord 2 Kingdom Creation Pain Points Experience

I’ve sunk hundreds of hours into Bannerlord, and I can tell you that the early game as a new kingdom is brutal. My biggest mistake was always expanding too quickly. I’d grab a town or two, declare independence, and then get swarmed by every faction on the map.

What I learned is that patience is key. Before declaring independence, focus on building up your clan’s strength, securing a solid economic base, and cultivating relationships with potential vassals. Don’t be afraid to start small and grow gradually. It’s better to have a small, stable kingdom than a large, crumbling one. I will say, and it’s just my opinion, declaring independence as an established part of a kingdom, is the best way to go about it. That way, you already have fiefs, troops, and relationships, so you have less Bannerlord 2 kingdom creation pain points.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of a good wife (or husband). A spouse with high steward skills can significantly boost your kingdom’s economy, and a spouse with high medical skills can keep your troops alive.

My experience with Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord stems from countless hours of gameplay, combined with research and analysis of game mechanics and strategies. I’ve spent a lot of time on the official forums and Discord servers. Information on game mechanics is available on the Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Wikipedia page.