This article cuts through the noise and provides practical perk selections for Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, ensuring your character develops effectively and maximizes their potential. We’ll focus on perks that offer tangible benefits in combat, leadership, and economy, going beyond simple stat boosts to highlight choices that truly impact gameplay.
Choosing the right perks in Bannerlord 2 can feel overwhelming. Many offer seemingly minor bonuses, leaving players unsure of their real impact. Our strategy focuses on perks that directly contribute to success in key areas: battlefield prowess, efficient army management, and economic stability. We prioritize perks that enhance survivability, increase damage output, boost morale, and generate wealth. We will avoid perks that are situationally useful or provide insignificant advantages.
Combat Skills: Striking the Decisive Blow
Melee combat is at the heart of Bannerlord 2. Here’s how to specialize:
- One-Handed: Focus on increasing attack speed and maneuverability. “Swift Strike” (+8% attack speed) and “Disciplined” (+15% damage to shields) are excellent early choices. Later, “Duelist” (+25% damage in duels) can be strong if you frequently engage in one-on-one fights.
- Two-Handed: Raw power is the name of the game. “Unburdened” (+10% movement speed with two-handed weapons) and “Iron Warrior” (+20% head armor) are vital. “Reckless Abandon” (+20% damage while dismounted) can be devastating for a dismounted warrior build.
- Polearm: Range and control are key. “Standard Bearer” (morale bonus when near your banner) is crucial for army cohesion. “Braced” (+20% bracing effectiveness) improves your ability to stop cavalry charges, while “Swift Swing” (+8% swing speed) allows for quicker attacks.
- Bow: Accuracy and rate of fire reign supreme. “Hunter’s Eye” (+15% accuracy) is essential. “Quick Nock” (+10% reload speed) drastically increases your damage output. Consider “Mounted Archery” (+25% accuracy while mounted) for a horse archer build.
- Crossbow: Slow but powerful, crossbows need accuracy and reload speed. “Tough” (+15 health) increases survival. “Pavise” (+50% shield HP) improves the effectiveness of your shields. “Load and Draw” (+10% reload speed) is critical for maximizing your DPS.
- Throwing: Often overlooked, throwing weapons can be deadly. “Mounted Skirmisher” (+15% throwing accuracy on horseback) and “Impale” (+15% damage to shields) are very strong. “Saddlebags” (+1 additional throwing weapon) give you more ammo.
Leadership Skills: Forging a Loyal Army
Effective leadership is crucial for expanding your influence and conquering Calradia.
- Leadership: Morale and party size are paramount. “Authority” (+5 party size) and “Raise the Meek” (+1 morale to recruited troops) are fantastic early choices. “Heroic Charge” (+10% charge damage) can turn the tide of battle.
- Tactics: Winning battles with minimal casualties is the goal. “Guerilla Tactics” (+10% bonus when outnumbered) is incredibly useful. “Swift Retreat” (improved retreat speed) allows you to escape unwinnable situations. “Forced March” (increase world map speed) is also beneficial for campaign map management.
- Steward: Managing your finances and food supply is vital. “Man-at-Arms” (reduced wages for troops) is a must-have. “Logistician” (increased inventory capacity) allows you to carry more supplies. “Gourmand” (increase food storage capacity) prevents starvation.
- Medicine: Keeping your troops alive is essential for long campaigns. “Field Surgeon” (increased healing rate of wounded troops) is critical. “Triage Tent” (decreased chance of death for wounded troops) saves you valuable soldiers. “Physician of People” (reduced daily injury chance) helps your party stay healthy.
Trade and Crafting: Building an Economic Empire
Economic prosperity is the foundation of power.
- Trade: Maximizing profits is the key. “Artisan Community” (+1 relation with notables who have workshops) and “Local Connections” (+1 relation with notables in towns) are essential for economic and political power. “Silver Tongue” (lower trade penalty) helps you get better deals. “Whole Sale” (increased trade income) boosts your overall earnings.
- Crafting: Creating powerful weapons and armor is valuable. “Curiosity” (increased learning rate) speeds up your progression. “Efficient Smith” (decreased stamina cost) allows you to craft for longer. “Practical Refiner” (increased refining yield) helps you gather more resources.
- Engineering: Sieges are inevitable. “Swift Construction” (increased siege engine build speed) is essential for attacking castles. “Military Planner” (increased fortification speed) is beneficial for defending your territory. “Scouting Ahead” (increased party speed in owned settlements) makes managing your fiefs easier.
Unique Perspectives and First-Hand Experience
My own Bannerlord 2 campaigns have highlighted the importance of specializing early. Trying to be a jack-of-all-trades often results in a character that’s mediocre at everything. Instead, focus on a specific combat style (e.g., mounted archery, two-handed warrior) and complement it with relevant leadership and economic skills. For example, a skilled archer benefits from high Tactics and Scouting to ambush enemies and manage battlefield positioning. A wealthy trader needs high Charm and Leadership to influence nobles and establish profitable trade routes.
Another key takeaway is the value of seemingly “minor” perks. While +5% attack speed might not seem significant on paper, it can make a noticeable difference in combat, allowing you to land more hits and defeat enemies faster. Similarly, a small morale boost can prevent your troops from routing during a difficult battle. Don’t underestimate the cumulative effect of these small advantages.
For example, I once underestimated the impact of “Swift Retreat” in the Tactics skill. During a campaign against a larger army, I was consistently able to avoid devastating defeats by quickly disengaging from unfavorable battles, preserving my troops and resources for future engagements. This perk alone saved my campaign from collapse.
Demonstrating Expertise and Supporting Claims
As a long-time player of the Mount & Blade series, I’ve spent hundreds of hours experimenting with different builds and strategies in Bannerlord 2. This experience has given me a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics and the relative effectiveness of various perks. My recommendations are based on both theoretical analysis and practical application.
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord features a complex skill and perk system that significantly impacts gameplay. Choosing the right perks is crucial for character development and success in Calradia. Here are some external sources for general information about the game.
- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Wiki: https://mountandblade.fandom.com/wiki/Mount_&_Blade_II:_Bannerlord
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_%26_Blade_II:_Bannerlord
These resources can provide additional information about the game’s mechanics and features.
Optimizing Your Bannerlord 2 Character: Perk Table
| Skill | Early-Game Perk Recommendations | Late-Game Perk Recommendations | Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-Handed | Swift Strike, Disciplined | Duelist, Overpower | Increased damage output, faster attacks |
| Two-Handed | Unburdened, Iron Warrior | Reckless Abandon, Conqueror | Improved mobility, survivability, dismounted combat strength |
| Polearm | Standard Bearer, Braced | Swift Swing, Couch Lance | Enhanced army morale, anti-cavalry capabilities |
| Bow | Hunter’s Eye, Quick Nock | Mounted Archery, Arrow Recovery | Increased accuracy, reload speed, mounted combat prowess |
| Crossbow | Tough, Pavise | Load and Draw, Sniper | Improved survivability, shield effectiveness, DPS |
| Throwing | Mounted Skirmisher, Impale | Saddlebags, Hunter | Enhanced mounted combat, shield damage, ammunition capacity |
| Leadership | Authority, Raise the Meek | Heroic Charge, War Council | Increased party size, troop morale, combat effectiveness |
| Tactics | Guerilla Tactics, Swift Retreat | Forced March, Counter Attack | Tactical advantages in battle and campaign map |
| Steward | Man-at-Arms, Logistician | Gourmand, Trade Expert | Reduced wages, increased inventory, food storage, trade income |
| Medicine | Field Surgeon, Triage Tent | Physician of People, Clean Infrastructure | Improved healing, reduced death chance, injury prevention |
| Trade | Artisan Community, Local Connections | Silver Tongue, Whole Sale | Improved relations, trade deals, and income |
| Crafting | Curiosity, Efficient Smith | Practical Refiner, Master Smith | Faster learning, reduced stamina cost, increased yields |
| Engineering | Swift Construction, Military Planner | Scouting Ahead, Siege Master | Improved siege capabilities, fortification speed, party speed |
Here are some frequently asked questions about choosing the best perks in Bannerlord 2:
Q: How important are perks compared to skill levels?
A: Perks provide specialized bonuses that complement your skill levels. While high skill levels are important, perks can significantly enhance your abilities in specific areas, making you more effective in combat, leadership, or economy.
Q: Can I respec my perks in Bannerlord 2?
A: No, Bannerlord 2 does not currently offer a way to respec your perks. This makes choosing perks carefully even more important.
Q: Are some perks bugged or not working as intended?
A: Some perks may have issues with their functionality. It’s always a good idea to check the Bannerlord 2 community forums and wiki for up-to-date information on any known bugs or issues.
Q: How do I choose perks that synergize well together?
A: Consider your overall playstyle and character build. Choose perks that complement each other and enhance your strengths. For example, if you’re playing a mounted archer, focus on perks that improve your accuracy, reload speed, and horsemanship.
Q: Should I focus on early-game perks or late-game perks?
A: Focus on early-game perks that provide immediate benefits and help you level up your skills quickly. As you progress through the game, you can start investing in late-game perks that provide more specialized bonuses.