Trading in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord can be a lucrative path to power, but it’s often plagued by frustrations. This article tackles the most common bannerlord 2 trading pain points and offers practical solutions to maximize your profits and minimize headaches. We’ll cover everything from navigating volatile markets to building a thriving caravan network, equipping you with the knowledge to become a wealthy merchant prince (or princess) of Calradia.
One of the biggest frustrations in Bannerlord 2 trading is the unpredictable nature of the market. A town that was buying iron at a premium one day might be flooded with it the next, leaving you stuck with a load of worthless goods.
Predicting Price Fluctuations
The key to mitigating this risk is understanding the factors that influence prices. Wars disrupt trade routes, sieges deplete supplies, and seasonal changes affect agricultural output.
- Pay attention to the news ticker at the bottom of the screen. This gives you hints about conflicts and events that might impact certain regions.
- Scout the towns yourself before investing heavily. Check their prosperity level and recent events to get a sense of their current needs.
- Remember supply and demand. Towns near mines often have low iron prices but high grain prices, for example.
- Utilize the trade skill perk “Artisan Connections”. This perk unlocks more info about the economic state of the settlement, such as village production and caravan arrival.
Diversifying Your Inventory
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Carrying a variety of goods minimizes your risk of being stuck with a large quantity of unsellable items. Aim for a mix of raw materials (iron, wood), agricultural products (grain, olives), and manufactured goods (tools, textiles).
I personally find that focusing on a few key trade routes and specializing in certain goods can be more profitable in the long run, once you understand the dynamics of those markets. However, when starting out, diversification is crucial for learning the ropes and avoiding crippling losses.
Caravans are essential for generating passive income, but they are also vulnerable to bandits and enemy lords. Losing a caravan can be a significant setback, erasing weeks of profits.
Choosing the Right Caravan Leader
The companion you assign as a caravan leader is crucial to the caravan’s success. Look for companions with high Trade skill, as this increases their caravan’s speed, spotting distance, and inventory capacity. Scouting skill is also incredibly important, as it helps them avoid ambushes.
- Level up your chosen companion’s trade and scouting skills! It can be tedious, but it makes a big difference.
- Give your caravan leader good armour and a decent horse. This will increase their chances of surviving encounters with bandits.
- Equip the caravan with fast horses! This will help outrun the bandits, too.
Picking Safe Routes
Avoid sending caravans through dangerous areas. Areas near warring factions or bandit hideouts are high-risk zones. Stick to established trade routes and consider paying for escorts in particularly dangerous regions.
My Personal Caravan Strategy
I’ve found that focusing on a smaller number of well-equipped and highly skilled caravans is more effective than having a large number of poorly defended ones. I prioritize quality over quantity, investing heavily in my caravan leaders and their guards. This reduces losses and maximizes long-term profitability.
A common frustration is dealing with a cumbersome inventory. Sorting through dozens of different goods to find what you need can be time-consuming and annoying.
Using Filters and Sorting Options
Take advantage of the game’s built-in filters and sorting options. You can sort your inventory by type, value, weight, and other criteria. This makes it much easier to find specific items quickly.
Utilizing Stash Locations
Designated stash locations in friendly towns will save you many headaches. Rather than carry everything with you, stash goods in towns where they are in high demand. This reduces your encumbrance and makes it easier to buy and sell efficiently. Also, don’t be afraid to pay a small fee to store items. It is worth it.
Specializing Your Character
Consider specializing your character’s skills. Increasing your character’s trade skill directly increases inventory capacity. Other skills, such as riding, can help you move faster on the map, reducing travel time.
Finding the most profitable trade routes can feel like a treasure hunt. Knowing where to buy low and sell high is essential for making money in Bannerlord 2.
Using the Trade Skill
Leveling up your Trade skill unlocks valuable perks that reveal price information. The “Appraiser” perk, for example, gives you a better estimate of an item’s true value. The “Everything Has a Price” perk is almost essential. It reduces trade penalty with notables by 50%.
Spotting Trade Opportunities
Check villages near towns for resources. Often, villages will sell goods at a much lower price than the town itself. Buy low in the village and sell high in the town.
A Helpful Table for Bannerlord 2 Trading Pain Points Solutions
| Pain Point | Solution | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Market Volatility | Diversify Inventory & Monitor News | Avoid relying on single commodities. Watch for war, famine, and seasonal changes impacting supply and demand. |
| Caravan Losses | Skilled Leaders & Safe Routes | Choose companions with high Trade & Scouting, equip them well, and avoid dangerous areas. |
| Inventory Management | Filters, Sorting & Stash Locations | Use filters to find items quickly. Store goods in strategic locations to reduce encumbrance. |
| Finding Best Deals | Trade Skill Perks & Village Checks | Level up trade to unlock price information. Check nearby villages for resources sold at lower prices. |
| Initial Capital Scarcity | Tournaments, Quests, & Small-Scale Trading | Participate in tournaments for easy winnings. Complete quests. Start with small, low-risk trades to build capital gradually. |
Getting started with trading can be difficult when you have limited funds. It’s hard to buy enough goods to turn a meaningful profit.
Tournaments and Quests
Tournaments and quests are a great way to earn money in the early game. Winning tournaments can provide a substantial cash prize, while quests offer a steady stream of income.
Small-Scale Trading
Start with small, low-risk trades to build your capital gradually. Focus on goods that are cheap and in demand, such as grain or fish. As your capital grows, you can invest in more expensive and profitable goods.
I remember starting with nothing but a broken sword and a dream. I spent hours grinding tournaments and completing simple quests until I had enough money to buy a donkey and a few sacks of grain. It was a slow and tedious process, but it taught me the basics of trading and helped me build the foundation for my trading empire.
As a long-time player of the Mount & Blade series and with considerable time spent in Bannerlord 2, I’ve experienced the highs and lows of trading firsthand. The advice provided here is based on practical experience and is designed to help you overcome the common challenges of trading in the game. I frequently consult resources such as the Bannerlord Wiki (https://mountandblade.fandom.com/wiki/Mount_%26_Blade_II:_Bannerlord) to ensure the accuracy of the information I share.
Trading in Bannerlord 2 can be complex, but by understanding the market, managing your resources effectively, and developing your trading skills, you can build a thriving business and become a dominant economic force in Calradia.