5 Best Bannerlord 2 Mods for Mercenary Commanders: Dominate Calradia

This article solves 5 common problems for Bannerlord 2 players looking to enhance their mercenary experience through modding. We’ll explore specific mods that improve recruitment, management, battlefield tactics, and overall immersion when playing as a sword-for-hire.

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord offers a compelling sandbox experience, and the mercenary life is a popular path for players. However, the base game’s mechanics can feel limiting. Mods can drastically improve your experience as a mercenary commander, offering greater control, realism, and strategic depth. This isn’t just about making the game easier; it’s about tailoring it to your ideal vision of a mercenary campaign.

One of the most crucial aspects of being a successful mercenary is recruitment. The base game’s system can be tedious.

Diplomacy Fixes and Dynamic Recruitment

The “Diplomacy” mod (Nexus Mods: https://www.nexusmods.com/mountandblade2bannerlord/mods/832) indirectly benefits mercenaries by enhancing the political landscape. Factions are more likely to engage in logical wars and alliances, creating a more dynamic demand for mercenary companies. This means more opportunities for you to find lucrative contracts. Furthermore, its improved peace negotiation and kingdom decision-making functionalities make the game more realistic.

Improved Garrisons

Another area ripe for improvement is garrison management. By default, managing troops in your holdings is a chore. A mod that improves garrison behavior is helpful, but not essential if you’re focusing solely on a mercenary play-through as opposed to building your own kingdom.

Realistic Troop Trees and Culture

Consider overhauling troop trees and cultural mechanics for a more immersive experience. Mods that add realistic troop variations, reflecting the different regions and cultures of Calradia, will make your mercenary company feel more authentic.

Being a skilled tactician is vital for a mercenary leader. The following mod addresses battlefield control and combat realism.

Combat AI Enhancements

The AI in Bannerlord can sometimes be predictable and exploitable. Mods can improve the AI’s decision-making on the battlefield, making them more challenging opponents. This includes smarter formations, flanking maneuvers, and better target prioritization. A stronger AI forces you to be a better commander and adds depth to every battle.

RBM(Realistic Battle Mod)

The “RBM” is another one of the best mods for mercenaries. It is a complete combat overhaul that changes everything. It changes the damage of weapons and the size and density of formations. With RBM you will need to think tactically on the battlefield, or you will lose every engagement. This mod has many sub-mods as well. It’s a very popular and extensive mod that can drastically change the gameplay of Bannerlord.

Battle Mini Map

This simple mod adds a small map to the game’s UI when your army is on the battlefield. It will allow you to have better battlefield awareness and see where your troops are. This mod is a great addition for anyone looking to enhance their tactical advantage.

Beyond core gameplay mechanics, several mods enhance the overall quality of life and immersion for a mercenary commander.

Calradia at War

This is one of the best mods for anyone looking for a dynamic war experience. This mod will make it so that wars between kingdoms will last a long time. Meaning that you will have many opportunities to get paid by helping out. The mod is still in progress and requires constant update, but is worth it.

Distinguished Service

Distinguished Service (Nexus Mods: https://www.nexusmods.com/mountandblade2bannerlord/mods/578) allows your companions and notable troops to be promoted to lords. This adds a sense of progression to your company and makes you feel like you’re building a legacy, not just earning a paycheck. This is especially rewarding when you’ve invested heavily in training a particular unit.

Bandit Militias

This mod allows bandits to form larger parties, making traveling more dangerous. This means more work for you, which also means more money. This can be particularly useful if you’re trying to make a living as a mercenary by killing bandits.

In my own Bannerlord campaigns, I’ve found that combining several mods provides the best experience. Purely focusing on “making money” can become repetitive. I prefer a mix of combat challenges, political intrigue, and character progression. For example, I once took a contract with the Aserai, only to realize their war was a losing battle. Instead of stubbornly sticking to the contract, I renegotiated terms, demanding extra pay and the right to raid enemy villages – a risky move that paid off handsomely but also earned me some enemies.

Scenario: The Economic Downturn

Imagine a scenario where a major war ends abruptly, leaving mercenaries suddenly unemployed. A mod that simulates economic downturns, leading to reduced kingdom budgets and fewer contracts, would add another layer of realism and challenge. You’d have to find alternative sources of income, like bandit hunting or even turning to raiding yourself.

Combining Mods for the Best Result

My key takeaway is that no single mod is a magic bullet. Experiment with different combinations and difficulty settings to find what suits your playstyle. Read the mod descriptions carefully, and pay attention to compatibility. A stable and well-modded game is far more enjoyable than a heavily modded one that crashes every hour.

Here’s a table summarizing the key mods and their benefits for a mercenary playthrough:

Ultimately, the best Bannerlord 2 mods for mercenaries are the ones that enhance your personal vision of the game. Explore, experiment, and don’t be afraid to tweak the settings to create a truly unique and rewarding experience.

Here are some common questions regarding modding Bannerlord 2 for a mercenary-focused playthrough: