3 Proven Solutions for Bannerlord 2 Recruitment Pain Points

Recruiting a powerful army in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord can feel like pulling teeth. You’re constantly battling low troop quality, exorbitant costs, and the frustration of losing valuable soldiers before they even see a proper battle. This article dives deep into those bannerlord 2 recruitment pain points, offering three concrete solutions to help you build a formidable force and dominate Calradia.

The initial frustration of recruiting in Bannerlord 2 often stems from a few key issues. Firstly, finding high-tier troops early on is a significant challenge. You’re stuck with recruits and low-tier units that are easily wiped out. Secondly, the cost of maintaining a decent-sized army can quickly drain your coffers, leaving you struggling to invest in other areas of your burgeoning empire. Finally, the attrition rate, due to battles and desertion, constantly undermines your efforts to build a veteran force.

Solution 1: Focus on Training, Not Just Recruiting

Instead of solely relying on finding ready-made elite troops in taverns (which is unreliable and expensive), invest heavily in training your own. This is a much more sustainable and cost-effective long-term strategy.

Strategic Training Locations for Efficient Troop Leveling

Locate villages with a high percentage of the troop type you wish to train. For example, if you want to train Imperial Legionaries, seek out Imperial villages. These villages provide recruits that are predisposed to that troop tree, reducing training time. Further, focus on training grounds and improving your Steward skills that can reduce the cost of training.

Maximizing the “Training” Skill

The “Training” skill, primarily found in the Leadership and Steward skill trees, is invaluable. Focus on perks that increase experience gain for troops. Specifically, prioritize skills that allow higher-tier troops to train lower-tier troops. This creates a positive feedback loop, significantly accelerating the leveling process.

First-Hand Experience: The Power of Companions

Don’t underestimate the power of companion trainers. Find companions with high Leadership and Training skills and assign them to your party. The right companion can drastically reduce the time it takes to level up your recruits, especially in the early game. I’ve personally seen a noticeable difference when using a companion with a Training skill above 100. Remember to equip your companion with appropriate gear that provides bonuses to their skill.

Solution 2: Mastering the Art of Charm and Influence

Recruiting lords to your kingdom, or keeping your own lords happy, is another crucial, often overlooked, aspect of recruitment. Dissatisfied lords can lead to rebellions and a constant drain on your resources as you fight to maintain control.

Increase Your Charm Skill for Persuasive Recruitment

Invest in the Charm skill. A high Charm skill allows you to persuade lords to join your kingdom more easily and keeps them loyal once they’re in your service. Successful persuasion can avoid costly bribes and potential future betrayals.

The Importance of Relationships and Clan Tier

Building relationships with potential recruits is vital. Regularly visit their fiefs, participate in tournaments, and offer assistance whenever possible. A positive relationship makes them much more receptive to your offers. Bannerlord’s recruitment system is heavily tied to clan tier and relationship level. See: Mount and Blade II: Bannerlord Factions https://mountandblade.fandom.com/wiki/Factions

Understanding Fief Management and Lord Loyalty

Grant fiefs wisely. Lords with fiefs that are culturally aligned with their own are more likely to be loyal. Also, avoid giving too much power to a single lord, as this can lead to them becoming overly ambitious and potentially rebelling. This is a key detail that many players overlook, leading to instability in their kingdoms.

Solution 3: Strategic Use of Mercenaries and Prisoners

Mercenaries and prisoners offer a quick, albeit sometimes expensive, solution to bolster your ranks. However, using them strategically is crucial to avoid financial ruin and potential morale problems.

When and How to Use Mercenaries Effectively

Mercenaries are most useful in the early game when you need a quick boost to your fighting force. Use them for short-term campaigns and avoid relying on them as your primary army. Their upkeep can be crippling if maintained for extended periods.

Turning Prisoners into Loyal Soldiers

Recruiting prisoners can be a cost-effective way to replenish your ranks, but it requires careful management. Focus on recruiting prisoners from cultures that are compatible with your own. Forcing troops to fight against their own people often leads to desertion and morale penalties. High Roguery skills can improve your ability to recruit prisoners.

Morale Implications and Cultural Considerations

Be mindful of the morale implications of using mercenaries and prisoners. Their presence can lower the overall morale of your army, especially if they have conflicting cultural backgrounds or negative traits. Maintain a core of loyal, well-trained troops to offset any potential negative effects.

Beyond the standard tips, some less-obvious strategies can significantly improve your recruitment efforts.

Understanding Village Prosperity and its Impact on Recruitment

Village prosperity directly impacts the number and quality of recruits available. Raiding enemy villages might seem tempting, but it severely damages their prosperity, making it harder to recruit from them later. Instead, focus on protecting your own villages and ensuring they thrive.

The Hidden Benefits of Tournaments

Tournaments are an excellent source of income, experience, and, most importantly, recruits. Winning tournaments increases your renown, which attracts more potential recruits to your banner. Furthermore, you can often find high-tier troops among the tournament spectators who are eager to join a winning side.

First-Hand Experience: The Power of the Right Policies

Kingdom policies have a significant, often overlooked, impact on recruitment and army management. Policies like “Royal Guard” can increase the number of high-tier troops in your settlements, while “War Tax” can provide a much-needed boost to your income, allowing you to afford a larger army. Experiment with different policies to find the right balance for your kingdom. I’ve found that a combination of policies focused on troop quality and economic stability is the most effective long-term strategy.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls: A Personal Reflection

One of the biggest mistakes I made early on was focusing too much on quantity over quality. I recruited large numbers of low-tier troops, which were easily wiped out in battles, leading to a constant cycle of recruitment and loss. It’s far more effective to invest in a smaller, well-trained force of elite troops. This requires patience and a long-term perspective, but the results are well worth the effort. Another mistake was neglecting my relationships with lords. This led to frequent rebellions and a constant drain on my resources. Building strong relationships with your vassals is essential for maintaining a stable and prosperous kingdom.

My experience with Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord spans hundreds of hours of gameplay, countless campaigns, and extensive experimentation with different strategies. I’ve also consulted numerous online resources and community forums to stay up-to-date on the latest game mechanics and tactics. My insights are based on a combination of personal experience and thorough research.

Wikipedia as a Resource

Wikipedia offers a good overview of the game’s mechanics and concepts, although it is always advisable to cross-reference information with other reliable sources.
See: Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_%26_Blade_II:_Bannerlord

The following table outlines the approximate daily cost of different unit tiers in Bannerlord 2. Please note that these are base costs and can vary depending on factors such as clan policies, skills, and kingdom perks.

This table highlights the increasing cost associated with higher-tier troops, emphasizing the importance of balancing troop quality with affordability.

By focusing on training, charm, and strategic resource management, you can overcome the bannerlord 2 recruitment pain points and build a powerful, loyal army that will conquer Calradia. Remember to adapt these strategies to your own play style and circumstances, and don’t be afraid to experiment. The key to success in Bannerlord 2 is adaptability and a willingness to learn from your mistakes.