Protecting your trade caravans in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is crucial for building a profitable empire. Bandits are a constant threat, and losing a caravan can cripple your economy. This article provides practical methods to safeguard your caravans and keep the denars flowing. This piece cuts straight to the point, offering actionable strategies to minimize losses and maximize profits in the harsh world of Calradia.
Before diving into solutions, it’s essential to understand what makes trade caravans vulnerable. Bandit parties scale with your progress, and richer caravans attract larger, more dangerous foes. Consider the terrain; certain areas are notorious for bandit activity. Furthermore, the skills of your caravan leader directly impact their ability to avoid or defeat bandits.
Bandit Types and Locations
Different regions harbor different types of bandits. Looters are the weakest, found everywhere. Mountain bandits and Forest bandits are tougher and inhabit, respectively, mountainous and wooded areas. Desert bandits plague arid regions, and Sea Raiders harass coastal routes. Knowing these bandit locations can help you plan safer routes.
The caravan leader is your first line of defense. Selecting a companion with the right skills is paramount.
Prioritize Scouting and Trade Skills
Look for companions with high Scouting and Trade skills. Scouting increases the caravan’s movement speed on the world map and improves its spotting range, helping it avoid enemies. Trade skill directly impacts the caravan’s profitability.
Consider Leadership and Tactics
While not as crucial as Scouting and Trade, Leadership and Tactics are still valuable. Leadership increases the size of the caravan guard, and Tactics improves their performance in battle. Consider companions like:
- Corein: Often found in towns around the Empire, with decent Scouting and Trade.
- Lezalit: A good all-rounder with a mix of combat and social skills.
- Yana: Known for her high Scouting skill.
Recruiting and training a dedicated caravan leader is a long-term investment that pays off significantly.
Don’t skimp on equipping your caravan guard. This is a direct investment in their survivability.
Focus on Tier 2-3 Troops
A large number of weak troops won’t hold up against even moderately sized bandit parties. Aim for at least 20-30 Tier 2 or Tier 3 troops. Good choices include:
- Imperial Infantry: Solid all-around infantry.
- Sturgian Warriors: Excellent in close combat.
- Vlandian Vanguards: Heavy cavalry for chasing down weaker parties.
Prioritize Armor and Weapons
Ensure your troops have decent armor and weapons. Investing in better equipment significantly increases their combat effectiveness. Leather armor is a good starting point, but upgrading to mail or scale armor is highly recommended as your wealth increases.
Proactive defense is often the best defense. Take the fight to the bandits before they target your caravans.
Patrol High-Risk Areas
Identify regions with high bandit activity and regularly patrol them with your own party. This helps to suppress bandit spawns and makes the area safer for your caravans.
Eliminate Bandit Hideouts
Bandit hideouts are a constant source of bandit parties. Clearing these hideouts not only eliminates a threat but also provides valuable loot and experience. Focus on hideouts near your trade routes to maximize the benefit.
Diplomacy can be a powerful tool for protecting your trade routes.
Secure Safe Passage
Maintain good relations with the factions whose territories your caravans traverse. Good relations reduce the likelihood of hostile encounters.
Leverage Alliances
If you are part of a kingdom, leverage alliances to secure safe passage for your caravans through allied territories. This can significantly reduce the risk of bandit attacks.
Where you start and how you manage your caravans matters.
Starting Location
Choose a starting location with good access to multiple towns and relatively low bandit activity. Towns in the center of the map are generally safer than those on the borders.
Caravan Size and Goods
Be mindful of the goods your caravans carry. Extremely valuable goods make them a prime target. Consider spreading your wealth across multiple caravans rather than concentrating it in one. Also, larger caravans can be slower and easier to catch.
Monitoring and Reacting
Regularly check on your caravans’ status. If they are constantly getting attacked, consider changing their route or reinforcing their guard. Don’t be afraid to temporarily disband a caravan if the situation becomes too dangerous.
I’ve lost countless caravans in my Bannerlord playthroughs. The biggest mistake I made early on was underestimating the importance of Scouting. I focused solely on Trade skill, thinking that a rich caravan would be enough. I was wrong. Caravans were constantly getting ambushed because they couldn’t see the bandits coming. After switching to companions with high Scouting, the number of attacks plummeted. Also, don’t try to be cheap and load up on recruits – you need a decent set of experienced troops to actually fight off bandits. One time, I tried to save money and used mostly recruits. My caravan was wiped out by a small party of looters, and I lost a fortune.
Here are some additional tips to further enhance your caravan protection:
- Influence: Use your influence to call armies to patrol dangerous regions. This can provide temporary relief for your caravans.
- Town Prosperity: Invest in towns along your trade routes to increase their prosperity. Prosperous towns attract more trade and are generally safer.
- Companion Perks: Certain companion perks can further enhance caravan profitability and survivability. Look for perks that increase trade income or improve combat effectiveness.
Table: Companion Skill Priorities for Caravan Leaders
| Skill | Priority | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Scouting | High | Increased movement speed, spotting range |
| Trade | High | Increased caravan profitability |
| Leadership | Medium | Increased caravan guard size |
| Tactics | Medium | Improved caravan guard performance in battle |
| Steward | Low | Reduced caravan wages |
In conclusion, protecting your trade caravans in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord requires a multi-faceted approach. By choosing the right leader, equipping your guard, patrolling trade routes, leveraging diplomacy, and strategically managing your caravans, you can minimize losses and build a thriving trading empire. Remember, knowledge is power, and the more you understand the game’s mechanics, the better equipped you’ll be to overcome its challenges.