The key to winning battles in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord isn’t just about having a large army; it’s about how you deploy and command your troops. This article presents five tactical tips to help you master formations and dominate the battlefield.
The game provides a range of formation commands, accessible through the function keys (F1-F6) and number keys (1-9). Each unit type can be assigned to a specific formation, allowing for customized deployments. Understanding these commands is crucial for effective battlefield control.
The F1 Key: Your Tactical Hub
The F1 key brings up the command menu. From here, you can order your troops to:
- Move to a specific location.
- Form a line, shield wall, square, or circle.
- Charge the enemy.
- Retreat.
Number Keys: Selecting Unit Groups
The number keys (1-9) correspond to different unit groups:
- 1: Infantry
- 2: Archers
- 3: Cavalry
- 4: Horse Archers
- 5-9: Custom groups you can define.
Learning to quickly switch between these groups is essential for issuing timely orders.
Practice Makes Perfect: Training Drills
The training grounds in towns are your friend. Use them to experiment with different formations and commands. This low-stakes environment allows you to learn the intricacies of troop control without the pressure of an actual battle.
Different unit types excel in different formations. Understanding these strengths and weaknesses is key to victory.
Infantry: The Backbone of Your Army
Infantry are best used in a line or shield wall formation. The line provides a solid defensive front, while the shield wall offers increased protection against ranged attacks.
- Key Benefit: Absorbing enemy charges and holding the line.
- Consideration: Vulnerable to flanking maneuvers.
Archers: Rain Death From Afar
Archers should be positioned on high ground or behind your infantry line. A loose formation is generally preferred to minimize casualties from enemy archer fire.
- Key Benefit: Dealing damage from a safe distance.
- Consideration: Weak in melee combat.
Cavalry: The Hammer of War
Cavalry are most effective when used in a wedge or line formation to charge into the enemy flanks or rear. Use them to break enemy formations and disrupt their lines.
- Key Benefit: Devastating charges and flanking maneuvers.
- Consideration: Requires open ground to be effective.
Horse Archers: The Mobile Harassers
Horse archers excel at hit-and-run tactics. Use them to harass the enemy, draw them out of position, and inflict casualties before disengaging. Circle formation can be useful for maximizing their mobility.
- Key Benefit: High mobility and ranged damage.
- Consideration: Requires skilled micro-management.
The battlefield environment plays a significant role in combat. Using terrain to your advantage can significantly improve your chances of victory.
High Ground Advantage
Positioning your archers on high ground provides them with increased range and visibility. It also makes it more difficult for the enemy to reach them.
Chokepoints: Funneling the Enemy
Use chokepoints, such as bridges or narrow passes, to funnel the enemy into a confined space. This allows your infantry to hold the line more easily and maximizes the effectiveness of your ranged units.
Flanking Routes: Exploiting Weaknesses
Identify potential flanking routes that your cavalry can use to attack the enemy’s vulnerable flanks or rear. This can disrupt their formations and create opportunities for your infantry to advance.
Combining different formations and tactics can create a synergistic effect that maximizes your army’s effectiveness.
The Anvil and Hammer: A Classic Maneuver
This tactic involves using your infantry as the “anvil” to hold the enemy in place, while your cavalry acts as the “hammer” to smash into their flanks.
- Engage the enemy with your infantry in a line or shield wall formation.
- Position your cavalry on the flanks, concealed if possible.
- Once the enemy is fully engaged, charge your cavalry into their flanks or rear.
Archer Screen: A Ranged Barrage
This tactic involves using your archers to soften up the enemy before your infantry engages.
- Position your archers on high ground or behind your infantry line.
- Order them to fire at will on the enemy.
- Once the enemy is weakened, advance your infantry to engage them in melee combat.
The Decoy: Luring the Enemy into a Trap
This tactic involves using a small force to lure the enemy into a pre-arranged trap.
- Position a small group of cavalry or infantry in a vulnerable position.
- Conceal the rest of your army nearby.
- When the enemy attacks the decoy force, spring your trap and surround them.
In my campaigns, I’ve found that the best formations and tactics often depend on the specific factions involved and the terrain. For example, against heavily armored infantry like the Sturgians, focusing on flanking maneuvers with cavalry is crucial. Conversely, against factions with strong cavalry, like the Khuzait, prioritizing a strong infantry line with spearmen is more effective. Don’t be afraid to adjust your strategies based on the situation. Sometimes, a simple shield wall is all you need; other times, you’ll need to orchestrate a complex flanking maneuver.
One key learning experience was during a siege defense where I underestimated the enemy’s siege engines. My archers were initially positioned on the walls, but they were quickly decimated by catapult fire. I had to quickly reposition them behind the walls and rely on my infantry to hold the breaches. This taught me the importance of scouting the enemy army and adapting my strategy accordingly.
Consider the following table:
| Faction | Strengths | Weaknesses | Effective Tactics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vlandians | Strong Cavalry, Heavy Infantry | Vulnerable Archers | Use archers to target their archers, avoid open field cavalry battles |
| Battanians | Excellent Archers, Guerilla Warfare | Weak Cavalry, Poor Armor | Ambush them in forests, use cavalry to harass them |
| Sturgians | Heavy Infantry, Shield Walls | Slow Movement, Vulnerable Flanks | Flank them with cavalry, use archers to pick them off |
| Empire | Balanced Units, Disciplined Troops | Can be Expensive | Use combined arms tactics, focus on troop quality |
| Khuzait | Horse Archers, Fast Cavalry | Weak in Sieges, Poor Infantry | Force them into sieges, use infantry to hold chokepoints |
| Aserai | Camelry, Desert Warfare | Vulnerable to Heavy Cavalry | Ambush them in the desert, use spears to counter cavalry |
Remember: these are general guidelines, and adapting to the specific circumstances of each battle is crucial.
For more in-depth information on Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord formations and tactics, consider exploring the following resources:
- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Wiki: https://mountandblade.fandom.com/wiki/Mount_%26_Blade_II:_Bannerlord
- YouTube tutorials by experienced Bannerlord players.