This article offers practical solutions to manage and mitigate the negative traits of companions in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, focusing on effective strategies for character development, task assignment, and party management. We’ll explore innovative approaches to minimize their impact and maximize your party’s overall effectiveness, drawing from first-hand experiences and proven techniques.
Companions in Bannerlord 2 aren’t just stat blocks; they’re individuals with distinct personalities that influence their performance. Negative traits, such as being greedy, cruel, or cowardly, can affect morale, party cohesion, and even your own reputation. Ignoring these traits can lead to constant dissatisfaction, desertion, and suboptimal decision-making on the battlefield. It’s crucial to understand what these traits entail and how they manifest in-game.
Identifying Problematic Traits
The first step is recognizing which traits are causing issues. You can view a companion’s traits in their character sheet. Look for keywords like “Dishonest,” “Merciless,” “Quarrelsome,” or “Wasteful.” Mouse over each trait for a more detailed description of its effects. The descriptions often hint at the character’s behavior and potential conflicts within your party.
The Ripple Effect of Negative Attributes
Negative traits don’t exist in a vacuum. A greedy companion might demand higher wages, draining your finances. A cruel companion could negatively impact your relationship with honorable lords, hindering diplomatic efforts. Consider how each trait interacts with your long-term goals and the overall tone you’re trying to establish for your clan.
The good news is that negative traits don’t have to be a game-ender. Here are some actionable strategies you can implement:
Task Assignment and Mitigation
One of the most effective ways to manage negative traits is through careful task assignment.
- Governance: Avoid assigning companions with cruel or dishonorable traits to govern settlements. This can lead to increased rebellion risk and negative relations with local populations. Instead, opt for virtuous companions with traits like “Just” or “Generous.”
- Party Roles: Companions with high charm and roguery but negative personality traits can be assigned to do things like recruiting bandits, scouting, or any other type of black ops.
Strategic Party Composition
Pay attention to how your companions interact with each other. Putting two quarrelsome companions in the same party is asking for trouble.
- Compatibility Checks: Before recruiting a new companion, consider their personality and how it might clash with existing members. If you already have a few “Merciless” characters, adding another one could destabilize your party dynamic.
- Balancing Act: Aim for a diverse party with a mix of personalities. Include honorable companions to offset the negative influence of less savory individuals. This can help maintain overall morale and prevent your reputation from tanking.
Training and Influence
While you can’t fundamentally change a companion’s core personality, you can influence their behavior over time.
- Skill Development: Focus on developing skills that align with positive traits or mitigate the effects of negative ones. For example, a companion with low morale might benefit from increased leadership skill, allowing them to inspire troops and maintain order.
- Positive Reinforcement: Reward companions for actions that align with your values. Praise them for acts of bravery, generosity, or diplomacy. While this won’t magically erase their negative traits, it can encourage them to behave in a way that benefits your party.
Beyond the standard advice, here are some personal insights gleaned from countless hours of playing Bannerlord 2:
Exploiting Negative Traits (Carefully)
While negative traits are generally undesirable, they can sometimes be exploited to your advantage. A ruthless companion might be more willing to execute captured lords, freeing up your party and reducing the risk of escape. However, be aware of the long-term consequences of such actions, including negative relations with other clans and potential morale penalties. This is a high-risk, high-reward strategy that should be used sparingly.
The “Redemption Arc” Myth
Don’t expect a companion to undergo a complete personality transformation. While you can influence their behavior to some extent, their core traits will always remain. Trying to force a “redemption arc” is often futile and can lead to frustration. Instead, focus on managing their negative traits and utilizing their strengths in ways that minimize their impact.
When to Cut Your Losses
Sometimes, the best course of action is to simply dismiss a troublesome companion. If a companion is constantly causing problems, undermining your authority, or draining your resources, it might be time to say goodbye. Don’t be afraid to prioritize the overall well-being of your party over loyalty to a single individual. This is especially true in the early game when resources are scarce and morale is fragile.
My Personal Experience: Dealing with Derthert’s Cruelty
In one of my playthroughs, I had Derthert as a companion, and his “Cruel” trait was constantly causing issues. He was always demanding harsher punishments for prisoners and inciting conflicts with local villagers. I tried assigning him to tasks that minimized his interaction with civilians, but his negative influence persisted. Eventually, I made the difficult decision to dismiss him from my party. While I lost a skilled warrior, the improved morale and stability of my clan more than made up for it. This experience taught me the importance of prioritizing long-term stability over short-term gains.
I’ve been an avid player of Mount & Blade games since the original, with hundreds of hours logged in Bannerlord 2 alone. My strategies are based on both in-game experience and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics.
Game Mechanics Insights
The game mechanics of Bannerlord 2 are inspired by history, and the character traits draw their inspiration from medieval and ancient archetypes.
Referencing Authoritative Sources
While Bannerlord 2’s game mechanics are unique, concepts like leadership, governance, and diplomacy are rooted in real-world history and social science. These sources can provide a broader context for understanding the challenges of managing a diverse group of individuals.
- Leadership Theories: Explore different leadership styles and their impact on group dynamics (e.g., transformational leadership, servant leadership). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leadership
- Game Mechanics Details: Consult the official Bannerlord Wiki for precise values on morale, relation impacts, and attribute effects.
Dealing with negative companion traits in Bannerlord 2 requires a proactive approach. By understanding the impact of these traits, implementing practical management strategies, and drawing from personal insights, you can mitigate their negative effects and build a successful and cohesive party. Remember to prioritize long-term stability, exploit negative traits judiciously, and don’t be afraid to cut your losses when necessary. The key is to view your companions not just as soldiers, but as individuals with unique personalities and motivations.
| Negative Trait | Potential Impact | Mitigation Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Cruel | Negative relations with honorable lords, low morale | Avoid assigning to governance, limit interaction with civilians |
| Greedy | High wage demands, potential for theft | Monitor finances closely, assign to tasks with high financial rewards |
| Dishonest | Negative relations with virtuous companions, betrayal risk | Avoid assigning to positions of trust, keep a close eye on their actions |
| Cowardly | Low combat performance, potential for desertion | Assign to non-combat roles, focus on developing support skills |
| Quarrelsome | Internal conflicts, low party cohesion | Separate from other quarrelsome companions, promote harmony |