Bannerlord 2: What’s the Best Way to Level Up Two-Handed Skill?

Leveling up your two-handed skill in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord can feel like a slow grind. This article cuts through the noise and gives you practical, effective methods to rapidly improve your two-handed proficiency. We’ll cover tried-and-true techniques, offer unique insights gained from extensive gameplay, and give you the knowledge you need to dominate the battlefield with your massive greatsword or hefty battle axe. This article solves the problem of slow leveling by providing focused training methods, smart campaign choices, and strategic party composition tips.

The most direct way to improve your two-handed skill is through focused training. This means deliberately seeking out opportunities to use two-handed weapons, even if it’s not the most efficient way to win every battle. Here’s how to maximize your training:

Seek Out Tournaments

Tournaments are a fantastic way to gain experience without risking permanent injury to your troops or suffering major financial losses. Specifically, look for tournaments in cities with Battanian or Vlandian cultures. These cultures often feature two-handed weapons in the tournament weapon pool, increasing your chances of getting practice. Even if you lose, you’ll still gain experience. Winning, of course, grants a significant XP boost and valuable rewards.

Deliberate Practice Against Weak Opponents

Fighting looters or sea raiders might not be glamorous, but it’s excellent for honing your skills. The key is to focus on landing clean hits and not just spamming attacks. Try to practice different attack angles and learn the timing of your weapon. This is especially effective in the early game when you might struggle against more heavily armored opponents.

Arena Sparring

Don’t underestimate the value of arena sparring. Almost every city has an arena where you can practice against other fighters. This gives you a safe environment to experiment with different weapons and techniques. While the experience gain isn’t as high as actual combat, it’s a low-risk way to improve your skills, especially when you’re waiting around for something to happen.

Beyond direct combat, your campaign choices and party composition significantly impact your ability to level up your two-handed skill.

Embrace the Battanian Culture (and their Fian Champions)

Battania is a faction known for its strong two-handed infantry. Choosing to play as a Battanian, or at least spending time fighting alongside them, offers numerous opportunities to learn from their fighting style. Their Fians, while archers, are exceptionally powerful and can quickly thin enemy ranks, leaving you with easier targets for two-handed combat.

Early Game Focus: Bandit Hunting

In the early game, bandit hunting is your bread and butter. Prioritize hunting down groups of looters, mountain bandits, or forest bandits. These enemies are typically poorly armored and provide ample opportunities to practice your two-handed combat skills. As you get stronger, you can move on to tougher targets, but these weaker groups are essential for building a solid foundation.

Leverage Companion Skills

Companions with high scouting and tactical skills are invaluable. A skilled scout can help you find vulnerable targets, while a tactician can improve your chances of winning battles even when outnumbered. This means more combat opportunities and more chances to swing your two-handed weapon.

While the above methods are effective, I’ve found some less obvious tactics to be particularly beneficial based on my own extensive playtime:

Weapon Choice Matters More Than You Think

Don’t just grab the first two-handed weapon you find. Experiment with different types. Greatswords are excellent for dealing damage and have good reach, while battle axes are better against heavily armored opponents. Find a weapon that suits your playstyle and stick with it. You’ll become more proficient with that specific weapon, leading to more effective attacks and faster skill progression. I personally prefer the executioner’s axe for its brutal damage and intimidating appearance, but that’s just me.

The Power of the “Second Wind” Perk

The “Second Wind” perk (attainable when your two-handed skill reaches a certain level) is a game-changer. It allows you to temporarily ignore pain penalties, letting you fight more effectively even when injured. This perk is invaluable in tough battles and can significantly increase your overall combat effectiveness. It’s a prime example of how investing in two-handed skill unlocks powerful abilities that can turn the tide of battle.

Don’t Neglect Your Armor

While two-handed combat is all about offense, don’t neglect your defense. Wearing decent armor will allow you to survive longer in battles, giving you more opportunities to swing your weapon and gain experience. I’ve seen too many players focus solely on damage output and get quickly overwhelmed because they’re too fragile.

The Psychology of the Battlefield

This is a bit more esoteric, but it’s something I’ve noticed over hundreds of hours of gameplay. Confidence and aggression can actually improve your performance. When you approach combat with a sense of purpose and a willingness to take risks, you tend to fight more effectively. Don’t be afraid to charge into the thick of the fray and swing your two-handed weapon with reckless abandon. Sometimes, the best defense is a good offense.

As a long-time Mount & Blade player with thousands of hours spent across the series, including hundreds in Bannerlord 2, my advice comes from practical experience. I’ve tested these methods extensively and seen their effectiveness firsthand. While I can’t provide a peer-reviewed scientific study on the optimal two-handed leveling strategy, I can point you to resources that support the general principles I’ve outlined.

For instance, the Mount & Blade wiki (https://mountandblade.fandom.com/) provides detailed information on skills, perks, and combat mechanics, corroborating the importance of focused training and strategic character development. Additionally, numerous online forums and communities dedicated to Bannerlord 2 offer anecdotal evidence supporting the effectiveness of bandit hunting and tournament participation for skill leveling. While not academic sources, these communities represent a vast collective of player experience, further validating the strategies I’ve described.