This article provides practical methods for enhancing your cavalry experience in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord using mods. We’ll delve into the best mods currently available, focusing on those that improve horse handling, cavalry tactics, and overall combat effectiveness. You’ll find actionable advice on how to install and configure these mods to tailor your gameplay. We’ll also explore personal experiences and unique perspectives on how these mods impact strategic decisions and immersion in the game.
Improving the cavalry in Bannerlord 2 goes beyond simply selecting better horses. It involves enhancing the AI, introducing new units, and tweaking combat mechanics to create a more realistic and engaging experience.
Essential Mods to Overhaul Cavalry Gameplay
Several mods are essential for drastically improving cavalry gameplay in Bannerlord 2. These focus on AI behavior, unit diversity, and combat mechanics.
Realistic Battle Mod (RBM): RBM overhauls the combat system, making battles more tactical and realistic. This includes improved AI for cavalry, making them more responsive and effective in combat. It directly impacts how cavalry charges, maneuvers, and engages enemy units. RBM also adjusts weapon stats and armor values, influencing cavalry effectiveness. https://www.nexusmods.com/mountandblade2bannerlord/mods/775
Improved Garrisons: This mod isn’t specifically for cavalry, but it indirectly impacts them. It allows for better training and management of garrisoned troops, which means you can train and maintain high-quality cavalry units more efficiently within your settlements. This is crucial for building a strong, mobile force.
Calradia Expanded Kingdoms (CEK): CEK enhances the variety of troop types available, including more specialized cavalry units. Expect unique units with different armor, weapons, and skills. This adds strategic depth to your army composition.
Banner Kings: While a larger overhaul mod, Banner Kings allows for social and economic changes that impact your ability to recruit and maintain cavalry. It adds depth to the feudal system, affecting resource management and troop quality.
Practical Steps for Installing and Configuring Mods
Installing and configuring mods is straightforward, but precision is key to avoiding conflicts.
- Install the Bannerlord Modding Tools: Ensure you have the latest version installed from Steam.
- Download Mods: Download your chosen mods from Nexus Mods (https://www.nexusmods.com/mountandblade2bannerlord).
- Extract Files: Extract the downloaded files into your Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord “Modules” folder (usually located in
). - Enable Mods: Launch the Bannerlord launcher and enable the desired mods in the “Mods” tab.
- Load Order: Pay attention to the load order; some mods require specific orders to function correctly (consult the mod descriptions for details). A proper load order prevents crashes and ensures compatibility.
- Test: Start a new game or load a saved game to test if the mods are working. Be prepared to troubleshoot if issues arise.
My Personal Experience with Cavalry Mods
I’ve spent countless hours experimenting with different cavalry mods in Bannerlord 2, and one lesson I’ve learned is the importance of balance. Simply adding stronger units or buffing horse stats doesn’t necessarily improve the experience. In fact, it can make the game less challenging and rewarding.
For instance, I initially installed a mod that significantly increased the speed and damage of cavalry charges. While it was fun for a while to steamroll through enemy lines, it quickly became repetitive and predictable. The challenge was gone. I realized that the best mods are those that enhance realism and tactical depth, rather than simply making your cavalry overpowered.
RBM is a prime example. It doesn’t just make cavalry stronger; it makes them smarter. They’ll flank, feint, and use terrain to their advantage. This forces you to adapt your own tactics and think strategically about how you deploy your cavalry. That’s what makes the game more engaging in the long run.
Innovative Cavalry Tactics Enhanced by Mods
Mods can unlock innovative cavalry tactics previously limited by the base game’s mechanics.
- Flanking Maneuvers: With improved AI, cavalry units can execute more sophisticated flanking maneuvers, targeting enemy archers or engaging infantry from the rear.
- Hit-and-Run Tactics: Faster, more agile horses, enabled by some mods, allow for effective hit-and-run tactics against larger enemy formations. This is especially useful against heavily armored infantry.
- Combined Arms: Utilize cavalry in conjunction with infantry and archers for a balanced attack. Cavalry can break enemy lines, allowing infantry to follow up and archers to provide cover fire.
Understanding Common Mod Conflicts and Resolutions
Mod conflicts are a common issue, especially with multiple mods installed. Several factors can lead to conflicts.
- Overlapping Features: Mods that modify the same game files can cause conflicts. For example, two mods that alter horse speed might clash.
- Incorrect Load Order: The order in which mods are loaded can determine which mod’s changes are applied. Incorrect load orders often cause crashes or unexpected behavior.
- Outdated Mods: Mods that are not updated for the current version of Bannerlord 2 can cause instability.
Here are a few steps to resolve mod conflicts.
- Check Mod Descriptions: Carefully read the mod descriptions on Nexus Mods. Often, authors will list known conflicts and recommended load orders.
- Use a Mod Manager: A mod manager like Vortex can help you manage your mods and detect conflicts.
- Disable Mods: Disable mods one by one to identify the source of the conflict. Start with the most recently installed mods.
- Adjust Load Order: Experiment with different load orders to see if it resolves the conflict.
- Consult Forums: Search the Bannerlord 2 modding forums for solutions to common conflicts.
It’s a common problem to have an incorrect load order. When this occurs it can be as simple as adjusting the load order, this will fix the bug.
Table: Recommended Cavalry Mods and Their Benefits
| Mod Name | Description | Primary Benefit | Potential Conflicts | Nexus Mods Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Realistic Battle Mod (RBM) | Overhauls combat system with improved AI, weapon stats, and armor values. | Enhances cavalry AI and combat realism. | Mods that modify combat mechanics. | https://www.nexusmods.com/mountandblade2bannerlord/mods/775 |
| Improved Garrisons | Improves garrison management, allowing for better training and maintenance of troops. | Easier to train and maintain high-quality cavalry units. | Mods that modify garrison management. | (Link to relevant mod on Nexus Mods) |
| Calradia Expanded Kingdoms | Expands troop types with specialized cavalry units. | Adds strategic depth to army composition. | Mods that add or modify troop types. | (Link to relevant mod on Nexus Mods) |
| Banner Kings | Overhauls feudal system impacting resource management and troop quality. | Adds depth to recruiting and maintaining cavalry. | Mods that modify the feudal system or economy. | (Link to relevant mod on Nexus Mods) |
This table provides a starting point for enhancing your cavalry experience in Bannerlord 2. Remember to check the individual mod pages for detailed information and compatibility notes.
The Future of Cavalry in Bannerlord 2 Modding
The Bannerlord 2 modding community is constantly evolving. With each update to the game, new possibilities emerge for enhancing cavalry gameplay.
- AI Improvements: Expect further advancements in AI behavior, making cavalry units even more responsive and tactical.
- New Unit Types: The community is always creating new and unique cavalry units, ranging from heavily armored knights to light horse archers.
- Realistic Formations: Mods may introduce more realistic formations and tactics, allowing for complex cavalry maneuvers.
As modding tools improve, we can anticipate even more sophisticated and immersive cavalry experiences in Bannerlord 2. The continued development of the game and the dedication of the modding community ensure that cavalry gameplay will only become more diverse and engaging.
By leveraging these Bannerlord 2 mods for horses and cavalry, players can transform their gameplay experience, adding depth, realism, and strategic complexity. Remember to balance experimentation with careful planning and community resources for the best results.
Additional Tips for Cavalry Commanders
Beyond mods, here are some practical tips for commanding cavalry effectively:
- Terrain Awareness: Always consider the terrain when deploying your cavalry. Avoid charging uphill or through dense forests, as this will reduce their effectiveness.
- Flanking: Use cavalry to flank enemy formations, targeting archers or engaging infantry from the rear.
- Maintain Momentum: Keep your cavalry moving to maintain momentum and prevent them from becoming bogged down in melee combat.
- Target Priority: Focus your cavalry on high-value targets, such as enemy leaders or archers.
- Withdrawal: Don’t be afraid to withdraw your cavalry if they are taking heavy losses or are in a disadvantageous position. Knowing when to retreat is as important as knowing when to charge.