Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is a sprawling medieval sandbox, but its world feels incomplete without naval warfare. This article explores five key features a naval DLC could introduce to dramatically enhance the game and finally let us conquer the seas.
The most obvious addition is, of course, naval combat itself. This would involve a complete rework of coastal areas, adding deeper water zones and navigable rivers. It’s not enough to simply float on the existing terrain. We need dedicated naval maps where ship maneuverability and positioning are key.
Diverse Ship Roster
A naval DLC should offer a variety of ship types, each with distinct strengths and weaknesses. Think beyond simple longboats.
- Longboats: Fast, maneuverable, and ideal for raiding coastal villages.
- Cogs: Sturdy merchant vessels that can be armed for defense.
- Galleys: Oar-powered warships, excellent for close-quarters combat and boarding actions.
- Carracks: Large, heavily armed ships suitable for long-range engagements.
Each faction could have access to unique ship designs, reflecting their culture and technological capabilities. For example, the Sturgians might favor longboats, while the Empire could utilize galleys inspired by Roman naval tactics.
Naval Combat Mechanics
The combat system needs to go beyond simple collision and boarding. We need to consider:
- Ship handling: Rudder control, sail management, and the impact of wind direction.
- Weaponry: Cannons, ballistae, and even flaming projectiles should be available.
- Crew management: Assigning crew to different tasks, such as rowing, manning weapons, or repairing damage.
Naval combat should feel tactical and engaging, requiring players to consider their ship’s strengths, the enemy’s weaknesses, and the surrounding environment.
Naval power should allow players to project force onto coastal settlements. Raiding and sieging coastal towns from the sea would add a new dimension to warfare.
Raiding Coastal Villages
Imagine leading a fleet of longboats to plunder unsuspecting villages along the coast. Players could:
- Land raiding parties: Send troops ashore to loot and pillage.
- Engage in naval skirmishes: Defend against local defenders attempting to repel the raid.
- Capture prisoners and resources: Increase your wealth and manpower.
Raiding would be a risky but rewarding way to disrupt enemy supply lines and weaken their economy.
Naval Sieges
Sieging coastal castles from the sea would require a different approach than land sieges. Players could:
- Bombard the walls with cannons: Breaching the defenses from afar.
- Land troops under cover of fire: Storming the walls while under naval support.
- Cut off supplies: Blockading the port to starve out the defenders.
Naval sieges would offer a unique tactical challenge, forcing players to coordinate land and sea forces.
The sea is a highway for trade, but also a haven for pirates. A naval DLC should incorporate both aspects, allowing players to become wealthy merchants or feared sea raiders.
Establishing Trade Routes
Players could invest in merchant ships and establish trade routes between coastal cities. This would involve:
- Negotiating trade agreements: Securing favorable terms with different settlements.
- Protecting your ships from pirates: Hiring escorts or equipping your ships with defenses.
- Managing your cargo: Optimizing your shipments to maximize profits.
A successful trading empire could generate significant wealth and influence.
Embracing Piracy
Alternatively, players could embrace a life of piracy, preying on merchant ships and raiding coastal settlements. This would involve:
- Hunting for vulnerable targets: Identifying lucrative trade routes and poorly defended settlements.
- Engaging in naval battles: Overpowering enemy ships and seizing their cargo.
- Establishing pirate hideouts: Creating safe havens to repair your ships and store your loot.
Piracy would be a risky but exciting way to make a fortune, but it would also come with consequences, such as increased hostility from other factions.
As someone who’s sunk countless hours into Bannerlord 2, I crave a naval component that feels integrated and meaningful. The key is to not just bolt on ships but weave them into the existing game mechanics. Here’s my perspective:
- Dynamic weather: Imagine battling through a storm, waves crashing over the deck, visibility reduced to near zero. This would add a layer of unpredictability to naval combat.
- Naval-focused character skills: Skills like “Navigation,” “Shipwright,” and “Seamanship” would be crucial for leading naval forces and managing ships.
- Deeper diplomacy: Alliances and wars could be fought over control of key waterways and trade routes.
I also believe that ship customization is essential. Players should be able to modify their ships with different weapons, armor, and crew complements, allowing them to tailor their vessels to specific roles. Think of customizing your ship like customizing your gear.
Furthermore, sieges need to be more dynamic than simply standing off the coast and bombarding the walls. I envision scenarios where players must land troops to sabotage defenses, raid supply lines, or even infiltrate the city through hidden passages. These are the kinds of mechanics that would truly elevate the naval experience.
Naval activity shouldn’t be confined to dedicated battle maps. It needs to be reflected on the strategic map.
Naval Movement on the Map
Armies should be able to travel by sea, albeit at a slower pace than overland travel. This would allow players to:
- Transport troops quickly to distant locations: Circumventing enemy territory.
- Launch surprise attacks from unexpected directions: Flanking enemy forces.
- Reinforce besieged settlements: Breaking through enemy blockades.
The strategic map should also display naval routes, trade routes, and areas patrolled by pirates, providing players with valuable information for planning their campaigns.
Naval Patrols and Blockades
Players should be able to assign ships to patrol specific areas, protecting trade routes and intercepting enemy vessels. They could also establish blockades around enemy ports, cutting off their supplies and crippling their economy.
- Naval patrols: Protecting trade routes from pirates and scouting for enemy fleets.
- Blockades: Cutting off enemy supplies and preventing them from reinforcing their settlements.
- Ambushes: Laying traps for unsuspecting enemy ships.
These strategic options would add a new layer of depth to the game, forcing players to think carefully about how they allocate their naval resources.
Each faction should have access to unique naval units and tactics that reflect their culture and strengths. This would add variety and replayability to the game.
Sturgia: Viking-Inspired Raiders
The Sturgians could specialize in longboats and raiding tactics. Their ships would be fast and maneuverable, ideal for ambushing merchant vessels and raiding coastal villages.
Empire: Disciplined Naval Power
The Empire could utilize galleys and carracks, reflecting their disciplined and organized military. Their ships would be heavily armed and armored, capable of engaging in long-range battles and sieging coastal cities.
Battania: Guerilla Warfare at Sea
The Battanians could employ smaller, more agile vessels, relying on guerilla tactics to harass enemy ships. They could also use their knowledge of the coastline to set traps and ambushes.
By giving each faction unique naval capabilities, the DLC would encourage players to experiment with different strategies and playstyles.
- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Official Website: https://www.taleworlds.com/en/Games/Bannerlord – (For general game information)
- Wikipedia – Naval Warfare: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_warfare – (For background on historical naval tactics and ship types)
This DLC promises to enhance replayability, strategic depth, and overall immersion.