5 Solutions for Common Bannerlord 2 Gameplay Pain Points

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is an incredibly engaging game, but like any complex sandbox, it has its share of frustrations. This article tackles five common pain points experienced by players and offers practical solutions to enhance your gameplay experience. We’ll explore ways to overcome frustrating sieges, manage unruly clans, handle the early game grind, and address other common issues.

Sieges in Bannerlord 2 can be a slog. The AI often feels predictable, the pathing can be clunky, and attrition can decimate your forces before you even reach the walls. Here are some strategies to turn the tide:

Prioritize Siege Engines

Don’t underestimate the power of siege engines. Catapults and trebuchets can decimate enemy defenses and troop numbers before you even commit to an assault.
* Build multiple of each type: This allows you to focus fire and quickly dismantle specific sections of the wall or key enemy siege engines.
* Manually control your siege engines: While the AI will operate them, you can significantly improve their effectiveness by manually targeting high-value targets. Focus on enemy artillery and sections of the wall where you plan to breach.

Exploit AI Weaknesses

The AI in Bannerlord 2 isn’t always the brightest. Use this to your advantage.
* Create Diversions: Launch small-scale attacks on one side of the walls to draw enemy forces away from your main assault point. This can create openings for your main force to breach the defenses.
* Use Fliers/Archers to your Advantage: Use your archers to pick off enemy archers on the walls. This will reduce the number of casualties your troops take when they reach the walls.

Prepare for Attrition

Sieges are wars of attrition. Prepare accordingly.
* Bring Plenty of Food: A well-fed army is a happy army. Ensure you have enough food to sustain your troops throughout the siege. Variety is also key – different food types provide morale bonuses.
* Recruit Healers: Having skilled surgeons in your party will significantly reduce casualties during the siege.

Maintaining a stable kingdom in Bannerlord 2 is challenging. Clans can be fickle, and their loyalty can waver easily.

Understand Clan Needs

Each clan has its own personality and priorities. Understanding these needs is crucial for maintaining their loyalty.
* Pay attention to their traits: Some clans are ambitious and crave power, while others are content with wealth.
* Address their grievances: If a clan feels slighted or overlooked, they’re more likely to rebel. Address their concerns promptly and fairly.

Strategic Gift-Giving and Favors

Sometimes, a little generosity goes a long way.
* Award Fiefs Wisely: Grant fiefs to loyal clans whose culture matches the territory. This increases loyalty and reduces unrest.
* Offer High-Ranking Positions: Appoint clan leaders to positions of power within your kingdom, such as governors or commanders. This gives them a sense of importance and increases their loyalty.

Diplomacy and Marriage

Marriage is a powerful tool for solidifying alliances.
* Arrange strategic marriages: Marry off your family members to members of powerful clans to forge strong bonds.
* Attend Tournaments and Feasts: These events provide opportunities to build relationships with clan leaders and improve their opinion of you.

My Personal Experience

I found that focusing on a smaller, more loyal group of clans early on was more effective than trying to appease everyone. Giving them key castles and consistently supporting their endeavors cemented their loyalty, which served as a stable base for expansion later. Trying to micromanage every clan’s desires is a recipe for frustration.

The early game in Bannerlord 2 can be a slow burn. You’re weak, cash-strapped, and constantly harassed by bandits. Here’s how to accelerate your progress.

Tournament Hopping

Tournaments are a fantastic way to earn money and renown early on.
* Bet on yourself: Maximize your earnings by betting the maximum amount on yourself in each round.
* Focus on weapons you’re skilled with: Choose tournaments that favor your preferred weapon type.
* Loot the Spoils: Even if you don’t win the tournament, you can loot valuable equipment from the defeated contestants.

Trade and Caravans

Establishing a profitable trade route is crucial for building wealth.
* Identify profitable goods: Research which goods are in high demand in different towns.
* Invest in caravans: Caravans can generate a steady stream of income, but be sure to provide them with a strong escort to protect them from bandits.

Bandit Hunting

While risky, hunting bandits can be a lucrative way to earn money and experience.
* Target weaker parties: Start by hunting smaller bandit groups to minimize your risk.
* Loot their gear: Sell the equipment you loot from bandits to merchants.

First-Hand Experience

I found that specializing in a specific skill early on made a huge difference. Focusing on trade and investing in caravans allowed me to generate a passive income stream, which freed me up to pursue other activities, such as participating in tournaments and hunting bandits. Don’t try to do everything at once.

Bannerlord 2 specific gameplay pain points often revolve around being perpetually at war. You declare peace, only to be back in conflict weeks later.

Understanding War Declarations

Wars often stem from deeper issues.

• Border friction: Constant raiding along borders can lead to escalating tensions.
• Cultural differences: Factions with opposing cultures may be more prone to conflict.
• Ambitions: Factions led by aggressive rulers are more likely to declare war.

Strategies for Peace

Achieving lasting peace requires a multi-faceted approach.
* Strengthen your borders: Build strong garrisons in border towns and castles to deter raiding.
* Improve relations: Send emissaries to factions you wish to make peace with and offer gifts to improve relations.
* Negotiate favorable terms: Be willing to make concessions to secure peace. Sometimes, paying tribute is worth it to avoid prolonged war.
* Eliminate Factions: If possible, eliminate factions to keep them from declaring war. This can be the best strategy for long term peace.

A Unique Perspective

One unconventional strategy is to intentionally weaken a potential aggressor. Launch targeted raids to cripple their economy and military strength before they have a chance to declare war on you. This can deter them from attacking and give you a significant advantage if war does break out.

Bannerlord 2 specific gameplay pain points also include internal faction politics.

Influence is Key

Influence is the currency of politics in Bannerlord 2.

• Accumulate influence: Earn influence by participating in battles, completing quests, and holding fiefs.
• Spend influence wisely: Use influence to propose policies, vote on important decisions, and sway other lords to your way of thinking.

Managing Kingdom Policies

Kingdom policies can have a significant impact on your kingdom’s stability and prosperity.
* Choose policies that benefit your kingdom: Carefully consider the implications of each policy before voting on it.
* Be willing to compromise: Don’t be afraid to compromise on policies to gain the support of other lords.

Addressing Rebellions

Rebellions are a common occurrence in Bannerlord 2.
* Identify the cause: Determine the root cause of the rebellion, such as high taxes or cultural tensions.
* Take swift action: Suppress rebellions quickly and decisively to prevent them from spreading.
* Address the underlying issues: Once the rebellion is suppressed, address the underlying issues that caused it to prevent future uprisings.

The following table can help to understand the different types of troops:

This article solves 5 bannerlord 2 specific gameplay pain points about overcoming frustrating sieges, managing unruly clans, taming the early game grind, addressing the “stuck in war” scenario and dealing with annoying faction politics.