This article solves the frustrating problem of locating hardwood in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord 2, essential for construction and upgrading your settlements. We’ll cover efficient methods for acquiring hardwood, highlighting the importance of trade, village management, and strategic gameplay decisions. This guide will provide concrete strategies for resource acquisition, leveraging personal experience to optimize your resource gathering and settlement development.
Hardwood is a vital resource in Bannerlord 2, required for constructing and upgrading buildings within your settlements. Without a steady supply of hardwood, your progress will be significantly hampered. Understanding how and where to acquire it efficiently is therefore crucial for any aspiring ruler.
Understanding Hardwood’s Role
Hardwood is primarily used for construction projects within your fiefs. Upgrading your town’s walls, building workshops, or improving your castle’s defenses all demand a considerable amount of hardwood. Additionally, some smithing recipes might require hardwood, though it’s primarily a construction material.
Trading is arguably the most consistent way to acquire hardwood in Bannerlord 2. While production within your own fiefs is ideal, relying solely on that can be unreliable, especially early on.
Identifying Hardwood-Producing Villages
The key to successful hardwood trading is knowing which villages produce it. You can find this information by hovering over a village on the world map. **Look for villages connected to towns that are involved in wood workshops or have forests nearby.** A description will appear, stating the village’s primary output. Villages producing “wood” are your target.
Locating High-Demand Towns
Not all towns are created equal when it comes to buying hardwood. **Look for towns with active construction projects or a high prosperity level.** These towns will generally have a higher demand for resources, including hardwood, and will offer better prices.
Crafting a Profitable Trade Route
Once you’ve identified a hardwood-producing village and a high-demand town, establish a trade route. Buy hardwood from the village at a low price and sell it in the town for a profit. **Consider purchasing pack animals to increase your carrying capacity and maximize your profits.** Mules are a good starting point, but horses provide even more capacity.
While trading provides immediate access to hardwood, developing your own fiefs to produce it offers a more sustainable, long-term solution.
Improving Village Prosperity
A prosperous village produces more goods, including hardwood. **Invest in improvements that boost your village’s prosperity, such as building irrigation systems or improving farmland.** These projects will take time and resources, but they’ll significantly increase your village’s output in the long run.
Reducing Banditry and Raids
Bandit activity and enemy raids can cripple a village’s economy and reduce its production. **Patrol the area around your villages with a party of troops to deter bandits and protect your villagers.** Clearing out nearby hideouts can also help improve security.
Governing Strategically: Governors and Policies
Appointing a skilled governor to your town or castle can have a positive impact on resource production. **Look for governors with high stewardship skills.** Additionally, certain policies can boost production rates or reduce construction costs, making your hardwood go further. Policies related to infrastructure and rural development are particularly useful.
In my early playthroughs, I struggled immensely with hardwood. I relied too heavily on passively waiting for my villages to produce enough, which was never sufficient. I learned the hard way that active trading is essential, especially in the early game. One key turning point was when I started meticulously tracking which villages produced wood and which towns consistently had high demand. I even kept a written list in a notebook (yes, really!).
The Importance of Early Investment
I now prioritize investing in village improvements as early as possible. **Even small improvements can have a noticeable impact on production over time.** I also learned to appreciate the value of pack animals. Those extra few units of carrying capacity can make a huge difference to your profit margins on each trading run. I also noticed that some villages seem to restock hardwood more often than others. It’s worth revisiting them frequently to capitalize on their production.
Dealing with Supply Fluctuations
Be prepared for fluctuations in hardwood supply and demand. Sometimes, events like wars or bandit raids can disrupt trade routes and reduce production. **Having multiple trade routes and diverse sources of income can help mitigate these risks.** Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
While not a direct source of hardwood, workshops can indirectly help you acquire it by providing an alternative source of income.
Investing in Wood Workshops
Consider investing in workshops that utilize wood as a raw material, such as wood workshops. **This will increase the demand for wood in the town, potentially driving up the price and making it more profitable to trade hardwood there.** Be careful to balance the workshops with the overall needs of the town; too many of the same type of workshop can decrease their profitability.
Reinvesting Workshop Profits
Use the profits generated by your workshops to purchase hardwood from nearby villages. This creates a self-sustaining cycle where your workshops generate income, which you then use to buy the resources you need for construction and upgrades.
While village production is somewhat random, some regions are more likely to have hardwood-producing villages due to the terrain.
Northern and Forested Regions
The northern regions of Calradia, particularly those inhabited by the Sturgians and Battanians, are typically rich in forests and, therefore, more likely to have villages producing wood. **Focus your search in these areas for consistent sources of hardwood.**
Areas Near Major Rivers
Villages located near major rivers often have access to transportation routes, making it easier to transport and trade wood. **These villages are likely to be more prosperous and productive, making them a good source of hardwood.**
By focusing on these regions, you increase your chances of finding reliable hardwood suppliers and establishing profitable trade routes. Be aware, however, that these regions may also be more vulnerable to bandit raids due to their proximity to forests.
The path to hardwood abundance in Bannerlord 2 is multifaceted, combining astute trading, strategic fief management, and opportunistic investment. It’s not about finding a single “magic” solution, but rather adopting a holistic approach that considers both immediate needs and long-term sustainability.
| Method | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trading | Immediate access, high potential profit | Requires constant travel, vulnerable to disruptions | Early game, quick resource acquisition |
| Fief Management | Sustainable long-term supply, reduced reliance on external factors | Requires significant investment, slow initial returns | Mid to late game, building a strong economy |
| Workshops | Indirect income stream, boosts local wood demand | Requires initial investment, subject to market fluctuations | Supplementing income, supporting local economy |
Where is the best place to find hardwood in Bannerlord 2?
The best place to find hardwood is in villages that are tied to towns which produce wood products (e.g., wood workshops) or are located near forests. Check village descriptions on the map.
How do I increase hardwood production in my villages?
Increase village prosperity by investing in improvements like irrigation and farmland. Reduce banditry by patrolling the area. Appoint a governor with high stewardship to your town.
What towns have the highest demand for hardwood?
Towns with ongoing construction projects or high prosperity levels generally have a higher demand for hardwood. Look for towns actively building new structures.
Is it better to trade for hardwood or produce it myself?
Trading is better for immediate needs, while producing it yourself through fief management is better for long-term sustainability. A combination of both is ideal.