Securing naval dominance in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord offers distinct advantages, from rapid troop transport to coastal raiding. This article will provide practical strategies for building and managing effective naval crews in the game. We’ll cover recruitment tactics, crew management techniques, and offer some personal insights to help you become a true master of the seas.
Finding reliable sailors in Bannerlord 2 takes a different approach than land-based recruitment. There are no dedicated “sailor” units to recruit directly. Instead, you need to leverage existing troop types and convert them into a seafaring force.
Coastal Towns are Key
Your primary recruitment grounds will be coastal towns and villages. Look for settlements like Sargot, Ortysia, and Epicrotea, which are known for their proximity to water and fishing industries. These locations offer the best chance of finding troops with some experience or aptitude for naval life.
Troop Types to Prioritize
- Infantry: While any infantry unit can technically serve on a ship, prioritize those with higher Athletics skills. Athletics contribute to rowing speed and overall maneuverability. Consider Battanian Fian Champions, Sturgian Warriors, or Vlandian Voulgiers for their combat effectiveness and decent athleticism.
- Archers: Archers provide valuable ranged support during naval engagements and coastal raids. Battanian archers are particularly effective due to their skill with bows and arrows.
- Low-Tier Troops: Don’t underestimate the value of low-tier troops like recruits and militia. These units are cheap and readily available, allowing you to quickly fill the ranks of your naval crew. Focus on leveling up low-tier troops once on board.
Unique Perspective: The Importance of Skill Specialization
Instead of viewing your naval crew as a homogenous group, think about specializing roles. Dedicate certain troops to rowing, others to boarding parties, and some to ranged combat. This improves efficiency and effectiveness during naval operations. For example, create a group of heavily armored infantry specifically for boarding enemy ships.
Once you have recruited your initial crew, you need to acquire ships. Bannerlord 2 offers a variety of ship types, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
Ship Types and Their Roles
- Cogs: Cogs are the workhorses of your fleet. They are relatively inexpensive, have a large troop capacity, and are suitable for transporting troops and supplies.
- Caravels: Caravels are faster and more maneuverable than cogs, making them ideal for scouting and raiding.
- Galleys: Galleys are powerful warships armed with rams and ballistae. They are capable of engaging enemy ships in direct combat and are essential for securing naval dominance.
Acquiring Ships
- Shipyards: The most reliable way to acquire ships is to purchase them from shipyards located in coastal towns. The price of a ship depends on its type and condition.
- Looting: You can also capture ships by defeating enemy fleets in naval battles or raiding coastal settlements. This is a riskier option, but it can be a cost-effective way to expand your fleet.
- Building a Shipyard: Depending on the mods you are using, you might be able to construct your own shipyard in a controlled settlement. This enables you to produce ships directly.
First-Hand Experience: Ship Customization (With Mods)
While Bannerlord 2‘s base game lacks extensive ship customization options, many mods introduce features such as different sail types, hull armor upgrades, and specialized weaponry. Experiment with these mods to tailor your ships to your specific needs and playstyle. I’ve found that a heavily armored cog with reinforced ramming capabilities can be surprisingly effective against larger, more expensive warships.
A well-trained and well-managed crew is essential for success on the seas. Neglecting your crew’s needs can lead to morale problems, desertion, and ultimately, naval defeat.
Maintaining Morale
- Food and Supplies: Ensure your crew has access to adequate food and supplies. A hungry crew is an unhappy crew. Stock up on provisions before embarking on long voyages.
- Regular Pay: Pay your crew regularly to keep them motivated and prevent desertion.
- Victories and Loot: Successful raids and naval battles provide your crew with valuable loot and experience, boosting their morale and loyalty.
Training and Experience
- Naval Drills: Regularly conduct naval drills to improve your crew’s skills in rowing, combat, and ship handling.
- Combat Experience: The best way to train your crew is to engage in naval battles. Even small skirmishes can provide valuable experience.
- Designated Leaders: Appoint experienced soldiers as officers to lead different sections of your crew. These officers can help train and motivate the troops under their command.
Innovative Views: The Role of Culture
Consider the cultural background of your troops when forming your naval crew. Sturgians, for example, are naturally adapted to cold weather and maritime environments. They might be more resistant to the hardships of naval life than troops from other cultures. This is reflected in their increased morale and potentially reduced sickness rate.
Naval combat in Bannerlord 2 can be challenging, but with the right tactics, you can overcome even the most formidable opponents.
Boarding Tactics
- Grappling Hooks: Use grappling hooks to latch onto enemy ships and initiate boarding actions.
- Boarding Parties: Send heavily armored infantry to board enemy ships and engage in close-quarters combat.
- Focus Fire: Concentrate your archer fire on enemy crew members to weaken their defenses before boarding.
Raming and Maneuvering
- Ramming Speed: Use your ships to ram enemy vessels, causing damage and disrupting their formations. Galleys are particularly effective at ramming due to their reinforced hulls.
- Flanking Maneuvers: Use your ships to flank enemy vessels, exposing their weak points and preventing them from maneuvering.
- Hit and Run: Use fast caravels to harass enemy fleets and raid coastal settlements, avoiding direct engagements.
Practical Suggestions: Utilizing Terrain
Just like land battles, terrain plays a role in naval engagements. Use islands and coastlines to your advantage, creating chokepoints and ambushes. Lure enemy ships into narrow straits where they are vulnerable to attack.
While naval combat in Bannerlord 2 has limitations, future updates and mods may introduce more in-depth features, such as:
- More Ship Types: Adding more varied ship types, such as frigates, sloops, and ironclads, would enhance strategic depth.
- Naval Sieges: Implementing naval sieges of coastal cities would create new gameplay opportunities.
- Realistic Naval Combat: Improving the realism of naval combat with features like wind direction, crew management, and ship damage models.
By following these strategies, you can effectively recruit, manage, and command naval crews in Bannerlord 2. Naval dominance not only provides tactical advantages in warfare but also opens up new economic opportunities through trade and raiding. Embrace the challenges of naval warfare, and you will become a true ruler of the seas.
This article covered finding sailors, building fleets, and effective crew management in Bannerlord 2.
References:
- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord – https://www.taleworlds.com/en/games/bannerlord
- Wikipedia – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_%26_Blade_II:_Bannerlord