Figuring out which troops to recruit early in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord can be a daunting task. You’re likely low on funds, influence, and leadership skills. This article provides practical strategies and unique insights to build a capable early game force, allowing you to navigate the dangers of Calradia and establish your power.
The initial hours of Bannerlord 2 are crucial for establishing a foundation for your campaign. Your troop choices will heavily impact your ability to survive, earn money, and gain renown. You’ll face challenges like bandits, looters, and opportunistic lords. Therefore, you need a balanced force that can handle a variety of situations. Forget dreams of elite cataphracts and focus on troops that are readily available, affordable, and effective in the short term.
Economic Viability
Money is tight early on. High-tier troops have exorbitant wages that will quickly drain your coffers. Prioritize units with low daily wages that can still punch above their weight class.
Combat Effectiveness
While elite troops are powerful, they take time and resources to train. Early on, you need troops that are immediately useful in combat, even if they are not the strongest overall.
Strategic Flexibility
Your early army should be able to handle a variety of tasks, including fighting bandits, raiding caravans, and participating in sieges. A balanced force with a mix of melee, ranged, and cavalry units will provide the most flexibility.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the best early-game troop options, along with practical tips on how to acquire and utilize them:
The Sturgian Recruit: An Overlooked Gem
Sturgian Recruits often get overlooked because their upgrade path doesn’t lead to the strongest endgame units. However, in the early game, they are surprisingly effective. They’re cheap, readily available in Sturgia and nearby villages, and upgrade into Sturgian Warriors and then Sturgian Brigands, who are decent skirmishers.
My personal recommendation is to stick with the Sturgian Brigands for a while. They are surprisingly effective at harassing enemies with their javelins, and their low cost makes them easily replaceable.
Imperial Recruits: A Solid All-Around Choice
Imperial Recruits are widely available throughout the Empire lands. They are a safe and reliable choice, upgrading into Imperial Infantrymen and Imperial Archers. The Imperial Archer line is particularly strong, offering good ranged support early on.
Battanian Volunteers: Ranged Supremacy on a Budget
Battanian Volunteers, found in Battanian villages, are an excellent source of cheap ranged firepower. They upgrade into Battanian Skirmishers and then Battanian Archers, offering a relatively quick path to a decent archer unit.
Early on, massed Battanian Archers can decimate enemy forces before they even reach your lines. Just be sure to protect them with some melee troops.
Vlandian Footmen: Melee Muscle on a Dime
Vlandian Footmen, found in Vlandian villages, are a solid choice for early game melee troops. They upgrade into Vlandian Sergeants and Vlandian Voulgiers, providing a durable frontline that can hold its own against most early game threats.
Asari Recruits: Early Cavalry Potential
While cavalry can be expensive to maintain, Asari Recruits, found in Asarai villages, offer early access to mounted troops. They upgrade into Asari Horsemen, providing you with some much-needed mobility on the battlefield. These are cheap, and you can easily amass a horde of them, with some patience and training, you can take on much larger parties.
Beyond simply recruiting the “best” troops, here are some unique strategies and personal insights I’ve learned from hundreds of hours of playing Bannerlord 2:
Prioritize Training Over Quantity
It’s tempting to fill your party with as many recruits as possible, but it’s often more effective to focus on training a smaller number of troops. Even basic upgrades can significantly increase their combat effectiveness.
I always prioritize the “Trainer” perk, which increases the experience gained by lower-tier troops. This allows you to quickly level up your recruits and turn them into capable soldiers.
Use Terrain to Your Advantage
In the early game, you’re likely to be outnumbered and outgunned. However, you can level the playing field by using terrain to your advantage.
Try to fight on hills or in forests, which can provide cover and limit the enemy’s maneuverability. This is especially important when facing larger cavalry forces.
Skirmishing Tactics: Hit and Run
Engaging in hit-and-run tactics to minimize damage is crucial. Constantly assess the battlefield and adjust your strategy as needed.
Bandit Hunting for Early Experience and Loot
Focus on hunting down bandits and looters in the early game. This is a great way to gain experience for your troops and earn valuable loot that you can sell or use to equip your companions. Sea raiders are more dangerous and tend to carry better loot and prisoners that can be sold.
Prisoner Management: A Source of Income and Recruits
Don’t neglect prisoner management. Capturing and selling prisoners is a lucrative source of income, especially in the early game. You can also recruit prisoners to replenish your ranks, although be aware that they may have lower morale than troops recruited from villages.
The Power of Companion Parties
Companions can lead their own parties, which can be a valuable asset in the early game. Equip your companions with decent gear and a small force of troops, and send them out to patrol your territory, hunt bandits, or support your main army.
Choosing the Right Culture Matters
Each culture in Bannerlord 2 has its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Consider your preferred playstyle and choose a culture that complements it. For example, if you enjoy ranged combat, Battania might be a good choice. If you prefer heavy infantry, the Empire or Vlandia might be better options.
I have played Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord since its early access release, accumulating over 500 hours of gameplay. I’ve extensively experimented with different troop compositions and strategies, and the recommendations in this article are based on my personal experience and analysis of the game.
Troop information and upgrade paths can be found on the Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Wiki: https://mountandblade.fandom.com/wiki/Mount_%26_Blade_II:_Bannerlord
This article offers a comprehensive approach to building an effective early game army in Bannerlord 2. It prioritizes economic viability, combat effectiveness, and strategic flexibility. The Sturgian Recruit, the Imperial Recruit, the Battanian Volunteer, the Vlandian Footman and the Asari Recruit are excellent troops to build out a strong and effective army. You also learned the value of prioritizing training over quantity, using terrain to your advantage, bandit hunting for early experience and loot, and the usefulness of companion parties.
Here are some frequently asked questions about early game troops in Bannerlord 2:
Q: What are the best early game troops for sieges?
A: Battanian Archers and Imperial Archers are both excellent for sieges. Their high rate of fire can quickly clear enemy defenders from the walls. Supplement them with Vlandian Footmen or Imperial Infantrymen to push the walls.
Q: How do I deal with early game cavalry?
A: Vlandian Footmen with spears or Imperial Legionaries are effective against cavalry. Also, try to fight in terrain that limits cavalry maneuverability, such as forests or hills.
Q: What’s the best way to level up my troops quickly?
A: The “Trainer” perk is essential for fast troop leveling. Also, prioritize fighting tougher enemies, such as sea raiders or lords with larger armies. Focus on battles where your troops will earn a lot of experience.
Q: Should I focus on recruiting high-tier troops early on?
A: No. Recruiting high-tier troops early on is not viable. They are too expensive to maintain. Instead, focus on building a solid foundation with lower-tier troops and gradually upgrading them as your economy improves.