Sieges in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord are brutal, chaotic affairs, and breaching the gate is often the most challenging part. This article offers practical methods and unique perspectives on how to assault a gate effectively in a Bannerlord 2 siege, covering tactics, troop compositions, and siege engine deployment. Forget blindly throwing bodies at the walls; let’s explore some strategies that can significantly improve your success rate.
Before we dive into specific tactics, understanding some core principles is crucial. Many players focus solely on brute force, but a smarter approach involves leveraging weaknesses and controlling the flow of battle.
Assessing the Enemy Defenses
Before committing to an assault, scout the castle thoroughly. Use your character’s scouting skill to gather intelligence on troop numbers, composition, and the presence of siege engines. Knowing what you’re up against will allow you to tailor your strategy accordingly. Are they heavily reliant on archers? Do they have a large number of elite infantry guarding the gatehouse? This information is invaluable.
The Importance of Siege Engines
Siege engines are more than just tools for breaking down walls. They are force multipliers that can significantly shift the odds in your favor. Properly deployed trebuchets can cripple enemy defenses before your troops even reach the walls. Battering rams provide a crucial breach, but they need to be protected. Siege towers allow your troops to bypass the gate altogether, flanking the defenders.
Troop Composition Matters
A balanced troop composition is key to a successful siege. Don’t rely solely on shock troops like Vlandian Voulgiers or Imperial Legionaries. You’ll need archers to provide covering fire, infantry to hold the line, and perhaps some cavalry to exploit any openings. Different troop types excel in different situations, so choose your forces wisely.
Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to actually assault the gate.
The Trebuchet Barrage
This is arguably the most important phase of any siege. Prioritize destroying enemy siege engines and weakening their defenses. Focus fire on archer positions along the walls and, most importantly, on the sections of the walls adjacent to the gate. Creating breaches in the walls near the gate not only distracts the defenders, but also can draw troops away from gate defense as well.
Protecting the Battering Ram
The battering ram is your primary tool for breaching the gate. However, it’s also a prime target for enemy fire.
- Use Shield Walls: Position your infantry in shield wall formation in front of the ram to provide cover.
- Archer Support: Have your archers focus fire on any enemy archers targeting the ram operators.
- Flanking Maneuvers: Send small groups of infantry around the sides of the ram to engage enemy troops attempting to sortie out and attack the ram directly.
Utilizing Siege Towers Effectively
Siege towers offer a safer alternative to directly assaulting the gate.
- Coordinate with the Ram: Launch your siege tower assault simultaneously with the ram attack to split the enemy’s attention.
- Choose Landing Spots Wisely: Deploy your towers on sections of the wall that are lightly defended or that have already been weakened by trebuchet fire.
- Send Elite Troops First: Send your best infantry up the towers first to secure the landing zone and prevent the enemy from pushing your troops off.
The Infantry Push
Once the gate is breached, a coordinated infantry push is essential.
- Maintain Formation: Keep your troops in a tight formation to maximize their effectiveness.
- Focus Fire: Designate specific targets for your troops to focus on, such as enemy archers or heavily armored infantry.
- Use Choke Points to Your Advantage: Funnel the enemy into narrow choke points where your troops can engage them more effectively.
Beyond the standard tactics, here are some lesser-known strategies and personal observations that can give you an edge.
The “Sacrificial Ram” Tactic
A lot of people focus on having the ram survive the assault, but sometimes it’s better to use it as a distraction. Send in a wave of cheap troops to operate the ram, sacrificing them to draw enemy fire and attention while your main force assaults the walls or siege towers. This can be particularly effective against castles with strong gate defenses and limited wall space for siege tower placement.
Exploiting AI Behavior
The AI in Bannerlord 2 has certain predictable behaviors. For example, they tend to overcommit troops to defending the gate, even if other parts of the walls are being breached. Exploit this by creating multiple points of attack to stretch their defenses thin. A small group of cavalry can draw away large numbers of defenders, creating opportunities for your main force to break through elsewhere.
Personal Anecdote: The Unexpected Cave-In
I once laid siege to a castle that I thought was impenetrable. The walls were high, the defenders numerous, and my troops were weary from a long campaign. After days of bombardment, I noticed a small section of the wall near the gate had become particularly weakened. On a whim, I ordered my trebuchets to focus all their fire on that one spot. To my surprise, the wall collapsed entirely, creating a massive breach that allowed my troops to pour into the castle virtually unopposed. The key takeaway is that even small advantages can be exploited to create significant breakthroughs.
Adapting to the Terrain
The terrain around a castle can significantly impact your siege strategy. Hills can provide advantageous positions for your archers and trebuchets, while forests can offer cover for your troops. Use the environment to your advantage to minimize your casualties and maximize your effectiveness.
My experience in Bannerlord 2 stems from hundreds of hours of gameplay, numerous successful sieges, and constant experimentation with different tactics and troop compositions. The strategies outlined in this article are based on practical experience and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics.
For more information on siege warfare tactics in general, you can refer to Wikipedia’s article on Siege warfare https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_warfare. While it doesn’t specifically address Bannerlord 2, it provides a historical context for many of the tactics used in the game.
Siege Equipment Comparison
| Siege Engine | Primary Use | Strengths | Weaknesses | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trebuchet | Destroying walls and enemy siege engines | Long range, high damage, can target specific areas | Slow rate of fire, vulnerable to counter-battery fire | High |
| Battering Ram | Breaching gates | Fast gate breach, relatively cheap | Vulnerable to archer fire, requires protection | Medium |
| Siege Tower | Bypassing the gate and assaulting the walls | Safer than direct assault, can flank the defenders | Slow movement, vulnerable to being destroyed before reaching the walls | Medium |
Assaulting a gate effectively in Bannerlord 2 requires more than just brute force. It demands careful planning, strategic deployment of siege engines, a balanced troop composition, and a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances. By understanding the fundamentals of siege warfare and implementing the tactics outlined in this article, you can significantly improve your chances of success and conquer even the most heavily fortified castles. Remember to scout thoroughly, prioritize targets, protect your siege engines, and exploit the enemy’s weaknesses. Happy sieging!