Conquer Calradia: How to Form an Army as a Vassal in Bannerlord 2

This article breaks down the often-confusing process of raising and leading armies as a vassal in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. We’ll cover the essential steps, offer tips for maximizing your effectiveness, and share some insights I’ve gained from countless hours spent campaigning in Calradia. By the end of this, you’ll understand how to leverage your vassal status to build a powerful force and contribute meaningfully to your kingdom’s war efforts.

The core of forming an army as a vassal revolves around influence and renown. You can’t just snap your fingers and command a large force. Here’s the process:

1. Accumulate Influence: Influence is the currency you’ll use to convince other lords to join your army. You gain influence through various activities:
   • Winning battles (especially outnumbered ones)
   • Completing quests for lords and notables
   • Having high Charm skill and positive relations with other lords
   • Owning fiefs (castles and towns)
2. Reach Clan Tier 2: This is a critical requirement. You need to reach Clan Tier 2 to be able to even propose an army. This means increasing your clan’s renown through combat victories, tournaments, and quest completion.
3. Open the Kingdom Menu: Once you’re Clan Tier 2, press the ‘Q’ key to open the kingdom menu.
4. Select “Army”: In the kingdom menu, you’ll see a list of options. Click on “Army”.
5. Create a New Army: Click the “Create Army” button. This will bring up a screen where you can customize your army.
6. Choose an Army Type: You’ll have a few options depending on your kingdom’s policies. “Offensive” is the most common, focusing on sieges and field battles. “Defensive” armies prioritize defending territory.
7. Set a Target: Select the location where you want your army to gather. This should be a strategic location, like a town near an enemy border or a castle you plan to siege.
8. Spend Influence: You’ll need to spend influence to call other lords to your army. The amount of influence required depends on the lord’s power, distance from the target, and your relationship with them.
9. Wait for Lords to Join: Once you’ve spent the influence, lords will begin to travel to the designated location with their parties. Be patient; this can take some time.

Forming an army is only the first step. Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Choose the Right Army Type: Don’t waste influence on an offensive army if you need to defend your territory. Consider the strategic situation.
• Pick a Rally Point Carefully: A central location near multiple lords and your target is ideal. Proximity reduces travel time and keeps lords happier.
• Pay Attention to Troop Composition: A well-rounded army with a mix of infantry, archers, and cavalry is more effective than one dominated by a single troop type. Encourage lords to diversify their parties.
• Keep Morale High: Starving armies are ineffective armies. Ensure your army has adequate food supplies. Winning battles also boosts morale.
• Influence is King (or Queen): Continue earning influence while leading your army. This allows you to extend the army’s duration and recruit more lords.
• Be Decisive: Don’t let your army sit idle. Engage the enemy, siege castles, or raid villages. Inactivity drains morale and influence.

Leveraging Kingdom Policies for Army Power

Kingdom policies significantly impact how armies function. Some policies increase army size, reduce influence costs, or improve troop quality. Familiarize yourself with your kingdom’s policies and vote strategically to implement policies that benefit you and your war efforts. For example, the “Royal Guard” policy increases the size of noble retinues, leading to larger and more powerful parties joining your army. The “Forced Labor” policy, while potentially unpopular, can speed up siege construction.

Understanding the AI Lords

The AI lords have their own agendas. They consider their own fiefs’ safety, their relationships with other lords, and their personal wealth when deciding whether to join your army. Building strong relationships with other lords (high charm skill helps tremendously) is crucial for consistently raising large armies. Also, be aware that lords will leave your army if their fiefs are under attack or if their morale drops too low.

Now, let’s move beyond the basics and delve into some insights that you won’t find in the game’s tutorial or on most forums.

The Art of “Influence Banking”

Experienced Bannerlord players understand the importance of “influence banking.” Instead of spending all your influence as soon as you get it, save it up for critical moments. For example, if you know a major war is brewing, stockpile influence so you can quickly raise a large army and respond effectively. This strategic reserve can be the difference between victory and defeat.

I’ve personally seen entire kingdoms crumble because they lacked the influence to react to unexpected invasions. A well-timed, large army can turn the tide of war.

Exploiting Enemy Weaknesses

Don’t just blindly attack the strongest enemy force. Look for opportunities to exploit weaknesses. Are they distracted by another war? Are their borders thinly defended? Use your army to strike at vulnerable targets, disrupt their economy, and force them to divert resources.

I once led a small army deep into enemy territory, raiding villages and capturing poorly defended castles. This forced the enemy to pull troops from the front lines, creating an opening for my kingdom to launch a major offensive.

The “Divide and Conquer” Tactic (Use With Caution!)

This is a more advanced tactic that requires careful execution. The idea is to split your army into smaller, more mobile forces to harass the enemy on multiple fronts. This can be effective for disrupting supply lines, raiding villages, and forcing the enemy to spread their forces thin. However, it’s also risky, as smaller armies are more vulnerable to being defeated in detail. Only use this tactic if you’re confident in your ability to coordinate your forces and outmaneuver the enemy.

I’ve used this tactic successfully to cripple enemy economies, but I’ve also suffered embarrassing defeats when my smaller armies were caught off guard.

The Importance of Scouting

Before launching any major offensive, send out scouts to gather information about the enemy’s strength, position, and troop composition. Knowing what you’re up against allows you to make informed decisions about your strategy and tactics. A few well-placed scouts can save you from walking into a deadly ambush.

The Morale Multiplier

Morale is a force multiplier. A high-morale army will fight harder, move faster, and be more resistant to desertion. Conversely, a low-morale army is a liability. Do everything you can to keep your troops happy, including providing them with plenty of food, winning battles, and avoiding unnecessary risks.

I’ve seen armies with superior numbers routed by smaller, higher-morale forces. Don’t underestimate the power of morale.

Using Charm Skill for Army Management

Your Charm skill not only helps you gain influence faster, but it also allows you to keep lords in your army longer, even when facing adversity. A high Charm skill makes you more persuasive, allowing you to smooth over disagreements and keep your army united. It’s an often-overlooked skill, but it’s incredibly valuable for any aspiring army leader.

Here’s a table summarizing some key kingdom policies and their impact on army management:

• Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Wiki: https://mountandblade.fandom.com/wiki/Mount_%26_Blade_II:_Bannerlord
• Official TaleWorlds Forums: (Visit the official forums for the latest discussions and community insights)

Forming and leading armies as a vassal in Bannerlord 2 requires more than just brute force. It demands strategic thinking, careful planning, and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics. By following the steps outlined in this article, and by incorporating my personal insights into your gameplay, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a formidable commander and a valuable asset to your kingdom. Remember, influence is your greatest weapon, and knowledge is your sharpest sword. Now go forth and conquer!