5 Tips for Mastering Ship Crafting and Upgrading in Bannerlord 2

This article tackles the often-overlooked naval aspects of Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. We’ll provide actionable steps for crafting and upgrading ships, sharing unique insights that go beyond the standard game mechanics, and offering strategies based on practical experience. Forget tedious grinding – learn how to build a fleet that truly dominates the Calradic coast.

While Bannerlord 2 focuses primarily on land-based warfare, the strategic importance of ships is often underestimated. Controlling coastal regions, facilitating trade, and transporting troops quickly are all vital, especially in sandbox campaigns focused around the Aserai or Battanian territories. Unfortunately, the game doesn’t offer a direct “ship crafting” mechanic in the traditional sense. You can’t sit down at a workshop and build a ship from scratch. Instead, acquiring and improving ships relies on leveraging existing in-game systems.

The first step is securing your initial vessel. Here’s how to do it efficiently:

• Visit Coastal Towns: Head to towns located along the coast. Common locations include Aserai and Battanian settlements. Look for the “harbor” or “docks” district within the town.
• Talk to Merchants: Engage in conversations with the local merchants. They will often offer ships for sale.
• Check Ship Types: You’ll find various ship types available, from smaller fishing boats to larger cargo ships. Consider your initial needs. A smaller, cheaper ship is ideal for starting out, while a larger vessel can hold more troops and goods.
• Negotiate the Price: Merchant prices are not always fixed. Use your charm skill to negotiate a better deal. Don’t be afraid to walk away and check other towns if the price is too high.
• Consider Your Clan Tier: Higher clan tiers might unlock access to larger or more specialized ships. Focus on raising your clan tier through quests and battles.

Unfortunately, Bannerlord 2 doesn’t have a direct ship upgrade system like upgrading weapons or armor. However, you can indirectly “upgrade” your ships in a few ways:

• Increase Crew Size: A larger crew improves the ship’s combat effectiveness in naval battles (which are mostly auto-resolved). Recruit experienced troops to bolster your ship’s crew. Focus on troops with high combat skills.
• Assign a Skilled Companion as Captain: A companion with high leadership and tactics skills will improve the ship’s performance. This is especially crucial for auto-resolved naval battles.
• Use High Tier Troops: High-tier troops such as Legionaries and Fian Champions are much better in sea battles compared to the lower tier troops.
• Purchase Better Ships: As you accumulate wealth, purchase better ships. Look for ships with higher speed, maneuverability, and troop capacity. These are the closest thing to “upgrading” in the current game.

Here’s where naval power really shines: establishing profitable trade routes.

• Identify High-Demand Goods: Check town prosperity levels and trade goods prices. Identify goods that are cheap in one town and expensive in another.
• Use Your Ships for Transport: Use your ships to transport these goods between towns. The larger your ships, the more goods you can transport, and the higher your profits.
• Protect Your Trade Routes: Bandits and pirates can attack your ships. Always travel with a strong escort or patrol the trade route to keep it safe. Consider hiring mercenary companies to protect your ships.
• Invest in Workshops: Establish workshops in coastal towns that produce goods suitable for naval trade. This creates a steady supply of goods for your ships to transport.

Beyond the standard advice, here’s my personal take on using ships effectively in Bannerlord 2, based on hours of gameplay:

• Hit and Run Raids: Small, fast ships are excellent for raiding coastal villages. This is a risky but potentially profitable strategy. Focus on raiding villages that are lightly defended.
• Troop Transport: Ships are crucial for transporting troops quickly across the map, especially during large-scale wars. This can give you a significant strategic advantage.
• The Naval Blockade: If you’re at war with a coastal faction, use your ships to blockade their ports. This will disrupt their trade and weaken their economy.
• River Navigation (Limited): While not a core feature, some rivers are navigable. Explore the map to find these routes, allowing you to bypass land-based enemies.

From my experience, I’ve found that a combination of trade and raiding is the most effective way to build wealth and power using ships. Start with a small fleet of fast ships for raiding, then invest in larger cargo ships for trade. Always prioritize protecting your ships, as losing a valuable vessel can be a major setback.

Unique Insight: Don’t underestimate the morale impact of naval victories. Even auto-resolved battles can boost morale in nearby regions, making it easier to recruit troops and maintain order.

Several skills impact your naval effectiveness, even indirectly:

• Leadership: Affects troop morale and party size, crucial for crewing your ships.
• Tactics: Improves your chances of winning auto-resolved naval battles.
• Steward: Reduces party wages, making it easier to afford a large ship crew.
• Charm: Helps you negotiate better prices when buying ships and goods.
• Scouting: Enables you to spot potential threats to your ships.

Prioritizing these skills on your character and companions will significantly enhance your naval capabilities. Experiment with different skill combinations to find what works best for your playstyle.

While Bannerlord 2‘s ship system is not as detailed as some players might hope, it still offers a valuable strategic layer. By acquiring and “upgrading” ships strategically, establishing profitable trade routes, and leveraging key skills, you can build a naval force that contributes significantly to your campaign success. Remember to adapt your strategies based on your faction, your enemies, and the current state of the game world.
This article offered 5 actionable solutions for the ship related problems.