Conquer Calradia: 3 Essential Tweaks for Your Viking Age Mod in Bannerlord 2

The Viking Age mod for Bannerlord 2 catapults you into a brutal and exciting world of Norse raiders, shield walls, and early medieval politics. However, getting the most out of this ambitious overhaul requires a few crucial tweaks. This article solves 3 problems, and focuses on essential steps to enhance your Viking Age experience, from optimization to immersion, based on my own experiences and countless hours spent conquering (and sometimes being conquered in) Calradia.

Performance issues are a common hurdle with extensive mods like Viking Age. The detailed landscapes, larger battles, and added complexity can strain your system.

Fine-Tune Graphic Settings for Performance

Don’t just crank everything to maximum and hope for the best. Experiment!

• Start with presets: Begin with the “Medium” or “Low” preset, then selectively increase individual settings.
• Focus on impactful settings: Shadow quality, foliage density, and particle effects are notorious performance hogs. Reduce these first.
• Resolution matters: Lowering your resolution, even slightly, can significantly boost framerate. Consider 1600×900 or 1280×720 if necessary.
• Test Regularly: After each adjustment, play for a while (preferably in a large battle) to see if the change is stable.

I found that reducing shadow quality from “High” to “Medium” gave me a noticeable FPS boost without significantly impacting visual fidelity. It’s about finding the sweet spot for your hardware.

Adjust Battle Size for Smooth Combat

Viking Age battles can be massive. If you’re experiencing slowdowns, reducing the battle size is critical.

• Access the setting: This is found in the main menu under “Options” then “Gameplay.”
• Start small: Experiment with lower troop counts (e.g., 500, 750) and gradually increase it until you find a comfortable balance.
• Consider your CPU: Battle size is heavily CPU-dependent. If you have an older processor, smaller battles are a must.

From my experience, aiming for a stable 30-40 FPS during large battles is preferable to a slideshow, even if it means fielding slightly fewer troops.

Manage Mod Load Order (If Applicable)

While Viking Age is a comprehensive overhaul, you might want to use compatible smaller mods.

• Use a mod manager: Vortex or Bannerlord’s built-in launcher are crucial for managing your mods.
• Load order matters: Generally, large overhaul mods like Viking Age should be loaded early in the order. Consult the mod’s page for specific recommendations.
• Conflicts are common: Be prepared to disable or adjust conflicting mods. Read the mod descriptions carefully and check the comments section for potential issues.

Viking Age is all about immersing yourself in the Dark Ages. These tweaks will help you feel like a true Jarl.

Embrace the Hardships: Realistic Difficulty Settings

The Viking Age was a time of hardship. Don’t shy away from making Bannerlord reflect that.

• Increase difficulty: Raise the combat AI, campaign AI, and clan income settings to at least “Realistic.”
• Enable death: Permadeath makes every decision matter. The threat of losing your character adds real weight to your choices.
• Limit cheesing: Resist the urge to exploit game mechanics. Roleplay your character and make decisions based on what they would realistically do.

I’ve found that playing with permadeath significantly increased my enjoyment of the game. The stakes are higher, and every victory feels truly earned.

Customize Your Character for Authenticity

Don’t settle for a generic-looking Viking. Take the time to craft a character that fits the era.

• Research historical names: Avoid modern names. Use websites dedicated to Old Norse and Anglo-Saxon names.
• Appearance matters: Focus on hairstyles, beards, and clothing that reflect the Viking Age. Viking Age usually includes extra assets to help with this.
• Choose a background: Select a culture and background that aligns with your character’s story. Are you a seasoned warrior, a cunning trader, or a disgraced noble seeking redemption?

Engage with the Lore: Learn About the Viking Age

The more you know about the historical period, the more immersive your experience will be.

• Read historical accounts: The Sagas of Icelanders are a fantastic source of information about Viking society, beliefs, and customs.
• Watch documentaries: Many excellent documentaries explore the Viking Age on streaming services.
• Research weapons and armor: Understanding the types of weapons and armor used during the Viking Age will enhance your appreciation for the game’s combat system.

The Viking Age mod introduces unique challenges that require specific solutions.

Navigating Faction Dynamics

The political landscape of the Viking Age is complex and volatile.

• Choose your allies carefully: Alliances can shift quickly. Consider the long-term consequences of your decisions.
• Build relationships: Developing strong relationships with key figures is crucial for political stability.
• Manage your vassals: Keep your vassals happy by granting them fiefs and listening to their concerns.

I’ve learned the hard way that betraying a powerful ally can have devastating consequences. It’s often better to play the long game and build lasting relationships.

Managing Raiding and Trade

Raiding and trade are essential components of Viking Age gameplay.

• Prioritize coastal villages: Coastal villages are vulnerable to raiding. Target wealthy settlements for maximum profit.
• Protect your trade routes: Bandits and enemy factions can disrupt your trade routes. Invest in patrols and escorts.
• Diversify your economy: Don’t rely solely on raiding. Develop other sources of income, such as farming and crafting.

Surviving the Harsh Winters

The harsh winters of the Viking Age can take a toll on your troops and economy.

• Stockpile food: Gather plenty of food before winter arrives to avoid starvation.
• Reduce troop numbers: Maintaining a large army during winter can be costly. Consider disbanding some troops or garrisoning them in castles.
• Focus on defense: Winter is a good time to consolidate your territories and prepare for the spring raiding season.

Having spent countless hours raiding, trading, and battling in the Viking Age mod for Bannerlord 2, I’ve come to appreciate the nuances that aren’t immediately apparent. One aspect I initially overlooked was the importance of cultural understanding. The mod does a fantastic job of showcasing the differences between Norse, Anglo-Saxon, and Celtic cultures, and embracing these differences is key to success.

For example, trying to impose Norse customs on a conquered Anglo-Saxon village is a recipe for rebellion. Instead, learn about their traditions, respect their beliefs, and integrate them into your realm gradually. This approach, while slower, leads to more stable and prosperous territories.

Another insight I gained was the importance of reputation. In the Viking Age world, your actions have consequences. Being known as a ruthless raider might bring short-term gains, but it will also make you enemies and limit your diplomatic options. Building a reputation for fairness, honor, and generosity can open doors that would otherwise be closed.

Finally, don’t be afraid to experiment. The Viking Age mod is a vast and complex sandbox, and there’s no single “right” way to play it. Try different strategies, explore different regions, and forge your own unique path. The most rewarding moments are often the ones that you stumble upon unexpectedly.

As a long-time gamer and strategy enthusiast with a particular interest in historical simulations, I’ve dedicated a significant amount of time to exploring the Viking Age mod for Bannerlord 2. My analysis and recommendations are based on countless hours of gameplay, research, and community engagement. I strive to provide accurate, up-to-date, and practically valuable information to help players enhance their Viking Age experience. My goal is to empower players to conquer Calradia and forge their own legends in this exciting and challenging world.

While much of this advice comes from personal experience, it’s grounded in established knowledge of the game and historical context. Here are a few relevant sources:

• Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Wiki: https://mountandblade.fandom.com/wiki/Mount_&_Blade_II:_Bannerlord (For general game mechanics)
• Wikipedia: Viking Age: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viking_Age (For historical background)