Are you tired of the slow pace of travel in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord? Do you dream of traversing the vast landscapes of Calradia with greater speed and efficiency? This article provides practical solutions using Bannerlord 2 mods for faster travel, helping you spend less time on the road and more time conquering your enemies. We’ll explore several effective mods, offer personal insights on optimizing your travel speed, and address common questions about improving your campaign’s tempo. This guide solves three primary problems: slow world map travel, inefficient scouting, and the tediousness of long campaigns.
The vanilla Bannerlord experience, while immersive, can often feel sluggish due to the slow pace of world map travel. This impacts everything from responding to crises to trading effectively. Reducing travel time allows players to react more quickly to events, manage their armies more efficiently, and ultimately enjoy a more dynamic and engaging campaign. Let’s dive into mods that can help you achieve this.
Popular Bannerlord 2 Mods for Faster Travel
Several mods address the issue of slow travel speed in Bannerlord 2. Here are a few of the most popular and effective options:
- Fast Dialogue: While not directly affecting world map speed, minimizing unnecessary dialogue time gives a better overall pacing.
- Governors Handle Issues: A Governor can lead the party for the quest, so you can continue to move your main party.
- Better Time: Allows you to change the game time speed, which has an effect on everything.
This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it represents some of the most impactful mods for increasing your overall campaign speed.
How to Install and Manage Bannerlord 2 Mods
Installing mods for Bannerlord 2 is typically a straightforward process.
- Download the Mod: Most mods are available on Nexus Mods (https://www.nexusmods.com/mountandblade2bannerlord). Create an account if you don’t already have one.
- Use a Mod Manager (Recommended): Programs like Vortex Mod Manager simplify the installation and management of mods.
- Manual Installation (Alternative): If you prefer manual installation, extract the downloaded mod files to the
folder in your Bannerlord 2 installation directory (usually found inC:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\Mount & Blade II Bannerlord\). - Enable the Mod: In the Bannerlord 2 launcher, ensure the mod is enabled in the “Mods” tab before launching the game.
Always read the mod description and installation instructions carefully, as some mods may have specific requirements or dependencies. Ensure that mods are compatible with your version of Bannerlord 2.
Having played Bannerlord 2 extensively, I’ve experimented with many different mods to improve the gameplay experience. While some mods are effective in theory, their actual impact can be subtle or even detrimental.
Beyond Speed: Finding the Right Balance
It’s crucial to remember that excessive speed can break the immersion and sense of scale in Bannerlord 2. The world feels less vast and the consequences of distance less significant if you can zip across the map in a matter of hours.
First-Hand Experience with “Better Time”
One of the most interesting mods I’ve used is “Better Time.” While not specifically designed for faster travel, it allows you to adjust the game’s time scale. Increasing the game speed effectively shortens the time it takes to travel, but it also affects everything else in the game, such as crafting, training, and siege durations.
The key takeaway is that each mod has a tradeoff. Using “Better Time,” for example, you’re able to be in multiple places at once, but the game may feel less immersive.
The Unsung Hero: Scouting and Party Composition
While mods provide direct solutions, don’t underestimate the impact of your scout and party composition. A high scouting skill allows you to move faster on the map and spot enemies sooner. The right mix of mounted and foot troops also contributes to your party’s overall speed.
Beyond using mods, several in-game strategies can enhance your travel speed and efficiency.
Maximizing Scouting Skill
Investing in the scouting skill for your character or a dedicated companion is essential. A high scouting skill not only increases your party’s movement speed but also provides valuable information about enemy parties and terrain. Focus on perks that boost movement speed and reduce visibility.
Choosing the Right Companions
Select companions with complementary skills and roles. A dedicated scout, a skilled engineer (for faster siege construction), and a capable surgeon (to minimize troop losses) can significantly improve your campaign’s efficiency.
Party Composition and Encumbrance
Be mindful of your party’s composition and encumbrance. Overburdened parties move significantly slower. Prioritize mounted troops over foot troops to increase your overall speed. Consider using pack animals to reduce encumbrance without sacrificing carrying capacity.
Managing Morale
High morale boosts your party’s movement speed, while low morale has the opposite effect. Ensure your troops are well-fed, paid, and victorious in battle to maintain high morale.
Leveraging Terrain and Weather
Be aware of how terrain and weather affect your travel speed. Traveling through forests or mountains is slower than traveling on open plains. Inclement weather, such as rain or snow, can also reduce your speed. Plan your routes accordingly.
Many players have questions and concerns about using mods to alter the travel speed in Bannerlord 2. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Are mods safe to use? | Generally, yes, but it’s crucial to download mods from reputable sources like Nexus Mods. Always read the mod description and comments to check for potential issues or conflicts. Be aware that mods can sometimes introduce bugs or stability problems. |
| Will mods disable achievements? | Some mods may disable achievements, particularly those that significantly alter gameplay. Check the mod description for information on whether it affects achievements. There are mods specifically designed to re-enable achievements while using other mods. |
| Can I use multiple travel speed mods at the same time? | It depends on the mods. Some mods may be compatible with each other, while others may conflict. Always read the mod descriptions and compatibility notes before installing multiple mods. Using a mod manager can help manage and resolve conflicts. |
| Do travel speed mods affect the AI? | Some mods may affect the AI’s travel speed, while others only affect the player. Check the mod description for details. If the AI’s travel speed is also increased, it can lead to a more dynamic and challenging campaign. |
| Are travel speed mods compatible with multiplayer? | Most travel speed mods are not compatible with multiplayer, as they can create imbalances and desynchronization issues. Mods are generally designed for single-player campaigns. Check the mod description for information on multiplayer compatibility. |
| How do I uninstall a mod if I don’t like it? | If you used a mod manager, simply disable or uninstall the mod through the manager. If you manually installed the mod, delete the mod folder from the |
| Will travel speed mods break my save game? | While unlikely, it’s possible that certain mods could corrupt your save game, especially if they significantly alter core game mechanics. Always back up your save files before installing mods. Start a new campaign after installing major mods to ensure compatibility. |
The vast world of Bannerlord 2 can feel daunting to traverse. By utilizing the right Bannerlord 2 mods for faster travel, optimizing your scouting skills, and carefully managing your party composition, you can significantly reduce travel time and enhance your overall campaign experience. Remember to prioritize balance and immersion to avoid breaking the game or diminishing its appeal.
As a content creator and avid Bannerlord 2 player, I’ve seen firsthand the impact that strategic mod use can have on gameplay. Experiment, research, and find the combination of mods and strategies that best suit your play style. With the right approach, you can conquer Calradia with speed and efficiency, leaving your enemies in the dust.