Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord arrived with high expectations, and while it delivered on many fronts, some persistent issues plagued the experience. This article zeroes in on three crucial areas where the game has evolved: the infamous siege AI, the grindy smithing system, and the overall lack of late-game content. We’ll explore whether TaleWorlds has successfully addressed these key pain points and offer practical advice to navigate the current game state.
One of the earliest and loudest criticisms leveled at Bannerlord 2 was the underwhelming siege AI. Defenders often stood passively on walls, and attackers mindlessly climbed ladders into kill zones. This resulted in uninspired, predictable battles that lacked tactical depth.
Improvements to Siege Tactics and AI
Thankfully, TaleWorlds has invested significant effort in improving siege warfare. The AI is now more proactive, utilizing formations and flanking maneuvers both on offense and defense. Defenders will now prioritize key defensive positions, repair breaches, and actively harass attackers. Attackers are also more strategic, using siege engines to create diversions and focusing fire on weak points in the walls.
- Impact: Sieges are no longer a simple matter of overwhelming the enemy with numbers. Players need to utilize tactical planning, exploit weaknesses in the enemy’s defenses, and adapt to the evolving battlefield. The AI, while not perfect, presents a much more engaging and challenging opponent.
Practical Tips for Conquering (or Defending) Castles
Here’s how you can leverage these changes to your advantage:
- Scouting is Crucial: Before launching an assault, thoroughly scout the castle’s defenses. Identify weak points, assess the enemy’s troop composition, and plan your attack accordingly.
- Utilize Siege Engines Effectively: Don’t just build siege engines for the sake of it. Coordinate their fire to breach walls, destroy defensive emplacements, and disrupt enemy formations.
- Flanking Maneuvers: Send a small detachment around the flanks to draw enemy attention and create openings for your main force.
- Exploit Chokepoints: If defending, funnel the enemy into narrow corridors or kill zones where they can be easily dispatched.
- Manage Morale: Sieges can be long and grueling. Keep your troops’ morale high by providing them with ample food and water, and by leading from the front.
Smithing in early versions of Bannerlord 2 was notorious for its repetitive, grindy nature. Players had to endlessly craft and smelt items to unlock new weapon parts and improve their smithing skill. This process was tedious and time-consuming, often feeling more like a chore than an enjoyable game mechanic.
Reworking the Smithing System
TaleWorlds has made significant changes to the smithing system, aiming to make it more engaging and rewarding. The learning curve has been smoothed out, and the experience gained from crafting and smelting has been rebalanced. New weapon parts are now unlocked more frequently, and the overall grind has been reduced.
- Impact: Smithing is now a viable path for players who want to craft powerful, custom-made weapons and armor. It’s still a time investment, but the rewards are now more proportionate to the effort required.
Streamlining Your Smithing Operations
Here’s how to optimize your smithing:
- Focus on Specific Weapon Types: Concentrate on crafting and smelting a particular type of weapon (e.g., swords, axes, spears) to maximize your skill gains.
- Target High-Value Items: Crafting and smelting high-value items yields more experience. Focus on items with complex designs and rare materials.
- Utilize Smelting Strategically: Don’t just smelt everything you find. Prioritize smelting items that yield valuable materials and unlock new weapon parts.
- Take Advantage of Orders: Fulfilling smithing orders from nobles and towns can provide a significant boost to your skill and reputation.
- Invest in Smithing Perks: Perks that increase experience gain, reduce material costs, and improve crafting quality will significantly accelerate your progress.
One of the most persistent criticisms of Bannerlord 2 has been the perceived lack of meaningful late-game content. Once players have conquered Calradia, there’s often little left to do except manage their vast empire and fend off occasional rebellions. The game lacks a compelling endgame loop that provides long-term goals and challenges.
Emerging Kingdom Management and Diplomatic Improvements
While a dedicated endgame system is still a work in progress, TaleWorlds has introduced several features that enhance the late-game experience. Kingdom management has been expanded, with new policies, laws, and infrastructure projects that allow players to shape their realm. Diplomatic options have also been improved, allowing players to forge alliances, negotiate treaties, and engage in more complex political maneuvering.
- Impact: These changes add depth and complexity to the late-game, providing players with more agency over their kingdom and more opportunities to interact with other factions. However, the lack of a definitive endgame goal remains a concern for some players.
Creating Your Own Endgame
Until TaleWorlds introduces a more robust endgame system, here are some ways to create your own challenges:
- Implement Ambitious Policies: Pass policies that radically alter the social, economic, or military structure of your kingdom. See if you can create a utopian society or a militaristic empire.
- Unite Calradia Under a Single Culture: Conquer all of Calradia and then systematically assimilate the conquered territories into your own culture.
- Roleplay a Ruthless Tyrant: Rule with an iron fist, crushing rebellions and executing rivals. See how long you can maintain your power before your kingdom collapses.
- Focus on Economic Development: Build a vast economic empire, dominating trade routes and accumulating vast wealth.
- Challenge Yourself with Difficulty Settings: Increase the difficulty settings to make combat and management more challenging.
Bannerlord 2 is a game that continues to evolve. TaleWorlds has consistently addressed player feedback and introduced new features and improvements. While some pain points remain, the game is in a much better state than it was at launch. The improved siege AI, the rebalanced smithing system, and the enhanced kingdom management features have all contributed to a more engaging and rewarding experience.
| Feature | Initial State | Current State |
|---|---|---|
| Siege AI | Passive defenders, mindless attackers | More proactive AI, tactical maneuvers |
| Smithing | Tedious grind, slow progress | Rebalanced, faster progression |
| End-Game | Lacking content, repetitive tasks | Improved kingdom management, diplomacy |
As someone who’s sunk hundreds of hours into Bannerlord 2, I can attest to the significant improvements that have been made. The sieges are now genuinely challenging, smithing feels less like a chore, and kingdom management offers more depth. However, the lack of a compelling endgame is still a concern. I often find myself setting my own goals and challenges to keep things interesting.
One personal frustration I encountered early on was the difficulty of managing large armies. Supply lines were a nightmare, and morale plummeted at the slightest provocation. To overcome this, I focused on building a core of elite troops and investing in supply chain upgrades. This allowed me to maintain a smaller, more manageable army that was still capable of taking on larger forces.
Ultimately, Bannerlord 2‘s journey is far from over, but the progress made so far is undeniable. The key pain points have been significantly mitigated, offering a richer and more compelling experience.
Here are some frequently asked questions related to the pain points in Bannerlord 2:
Q: Has the siege AI really improved that much?
A: Yes, the siege AI is noticeably better. Defenders are more active in defending the walls, and attackers use more tactical approaches. It’s not perfect, but it’s a significant improvement.
Q: Is smithing still a grind?
A: The grind has been reduced, but it’s still present. However, the rewards are now more worthwhile, and the process is less tedious.
Q: Is there a good endgame now?
A: The endgame is still a work in progress. While kingdom management and diplomacy have been improved, there’s no definitive endgame goal. Players often need to create their own challenges.
Q: What can I do if I’m bored in the late game?
A: Try implementing ambitious policies, uniting Calradia under a single culture, roleplaying a ruthless tyrant, or focusing on economic development.
Q: Where can I find more information on Bannerlord 2 updates?
A: Check the TaleWorlds website and the Bannerlord 2 Steam page for patch notes and announcements. https://www.taleworlds.com/en/news