Naval combat in Bannerlord 2 presents a unique strategic challenge, and mastering it is essential for controlling coastal regions and projecting power across waterways. This article breaks down the crucial tactics and strategies you need to establish naval dominance, focusing on practical applications and innovative approaches to give you a competitive edge. We will address 5 key areas: fleet composition, boarding strategies, defensive fortifications, economic impact of naval control, and innovative raiding tactics.
A balanced fleet is the cornerstone of naval power. Don’t fall into the trap of solely relying on Dromons or solely on cheaper Ceols. A well-rounded fleet should consist of several ship types, each fulfilling a specific role:
- Dromons: Your heavy hitters. These are slow but pack a serious punch in ship-to-ship combat with their ballistae and larger crew complements. Use Dromons to absorb damage and deliver devastating volleys.
- Ceols: Fast and agile raiding vessels. Ceols are excellent for flanking maneuvers, scouting, and raiding coastal villages. Their speed allows them to quickly engage and disengage, harassing larger enemy fleets.
- Transport Ships: Often overlooked, but crucial for moving troops and supplies. Investing in armored transport ships allows you to project your land forces more effectively and defend them while at sea.
Consider researching shipbuilding technologies to unlock superior ship designs and enhance the effectiveness of your fleet. Experiment with different combinations to find what best suits your playstyle and the specific challenges of your campaign.
Optimizing Ship Crew for Naval Combat
The composition of your ship crews matters just as much as the ship itself.
- Archers: Crucial for harassing enemy ships before boarding. Invest in high-tier archers with good accuracy and range to maximize their effectiveness.
- Infantry: Essential for boarding actions. Equip your infantry with axes or maces for maximum damage against enemy shields and armor.
- Champions: A few high-level champions can significantly boost morale and fighting prowess during boarding actions. Assign them to key positions on your ships to inspire your troops.
Train your crew regularly and provide them with adequate equipment to ensure they are prepared for the rigors of naval combat. Pay attention to skills like Athletics, Riding (for quick maneuvering), and Tactics to improve their overall performance.
Boarding is often the deciding factor in naval battles. Here are a few key tactics to improve your success rate:
- Crippling the Enemy: Before attempting to board, focus on disabling the enemy ship. Use archers to target their crew and ballistae to damage their sails and oars. A crippled ship is much easier to board and capture.
- Creating a Bridge: Position your ship close enough to the enemy vessel to allow your troops to cross over safely. Use grappling hooks to secure the connection and prevent the ships from drifting apart.
- Focusing Fire: Concentrate your initial boarding assault on a specific point on the enemy ship. Overwhelming a small section of the enemy crew allows you to quickly establish a foothold and gain momentum.
The “Decoy Boarding” Maneuver (My Personal Favorite)
Here’s a tactic I’ve found particularly effective, which I haven’t seen discussed much elsewhere.
- Stage a “Decoy” Boarding: Send a small contingent of expendable troops (low-tier infantry) to board the enemy ship on one side. This will draw the enemy’s attention and force them to redirect their forces to repel the boarding party.
- Simultaneous Main Assault: While the enemy is distracted, launch your main boarding assault on the opposite side of the ship, using your elite infantry and champions.
- Overwhelm and Conquer: The enemy will be caught off guard and unable to effectively defend against the main assault, allowing you to quickly overwhelm them and capture the ship.
This tactic relies on misdirection and timing, but it can be devastatingly effective against larger, more heavily defended ships. I’ve personally used this tactic to capture Dromons with smaller Ceol fleets.
Naval superiority isn’t just about offensive power; it’s also about defending your coastal settlements. Fortify your ports and coastal towns with:
- Shore Batteries: Construct ballistae and catapult batteries along the coast to deter enemy ships from approaching. Position these batteries strategically to maximize their range and coverage.
- Naval Mines (Hypothetical): While not currently in Bannerlord 2, the addition of naval mines would be a game-changer. These could be placed in strategic locations to damage or sink enemy ships that attempt to enter your waters. (This is just a thought, not a current game feature.)
- Garrisoned Ships: Keep a small fleet of ships stationed in your ports to respond to any threats. These ships can act as a first line of defense, providing valuable time for your land forces to mobilize.
The Layered Defense Strategy
Think of your coastal defenses in layers.
- Outer Layer: Scout ships patrolling the waters, providing early warning of approaching enemy fleets.
- Middle Layer: Shore batteries and naval mines (again, hypothetical) to weaken and damage enemy ships.
- Inner Layer: Garrisoned ships to intercept any enemy vessels that manage to break through the outer defenses.
By implementing a layered defense strategy, you can significantly reduce the risk of coastal raids and invasions.
Control of the seas translates to significant economic advantages:
- Trade Route Domination: Control of key sea lanes allows you to dominate trade routes and generate substantial revenue. Protect your merchant ships from pirates and enemy vessels to maximize your profits.
- Coastal Raiding: Raiding enemy coastal settlements can cripple their economy and weaken their war effort. Target undefended villages and towns to maximize your gains and minimize your losses.
- Blockades: Blockading enemy ports can starve them of resources and prevent them from trading with other factions. A well-executed blockade can bring an enemy to its knees without even engaging in direct combat.
Exploiting Regional Trade Imbalances
Identify regions that are heavily reliant on sea trade and target their trade routes. For example, if a particular region relies on importing grain by sea, disrupting that trade can cause food shortages and unrest, weakening their overall stability.
Raiding isn’t just about plundering villages; it’s about disrupting the enemy’s economy and weakening their ability to wage war. Here are some innovative raiding tactics:
- The “Ghost Fleet” Raid: Utilize Ceols (or other fast ships) to conduct lightning raids on multiple targets simultaneously. This will force the enemy to spread their forces thin, making them vulnerable to further attacks.
- The “False Flag” Operation: Capture an enemy ship and use it to infiltrate their coastal defenses. This allows you to launch surprise attacks on their ports and towns. (Requires high Roguery skill).
- The “Information Gathering” Raid: Target coastal settlements that are known to be centers of intelligence gathering. Capture or kill enemy agents to disrupt their spy network.
My “Hit and Run” Raiding Philosophy
I personally favor a “hit and run” raiding approach. I focus on maximizing damage and minimizing losses.
- Target Vulnerable Targets: Only raid undefended or lightly defended settlements.
- Prioritize Valuable Loot: Focus on stealing valuable goods like gold, silver, and horses.
- Evade Enemy Fleets: Avoid engaging larger enemy fleets unless you have a significant advantage.
The goal is to inflict as much economic damage as possible while minimizing the risk to your own forces.
Mastering naval tactics in Bannerlord 2 requires a multifaceted approach, encompassing fleet composition, boarding strategies, defensive fortifications, economic manipulation, and innovative raiding tactics. By implementing the strategies outlined in this article, you can establish naval dominance and secure a decisive advantage in your campaign. Remember that naval combat is an evolving landscape; always experiment with new tactics and adapt to the changing circumstances of your game world. Good luck, and may your ships sail victorious!