Crafting Conquest: Bannerlord 2 Where to Find Specific Recipes

The frustration of staring at the smithy in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord with a pile of resources but no clue how to forge that dream weapon is real. This article provides actionable methods to unlock specific crafting recipes, shares unique insights learned from hundreds of hours of gameplay, and provides a clear path to dominating the crafting system. We’ll cover targeted scouting, effective tournament strategies, and even exploiting (ethically, of course) the game’s economic system to gain an edge.

Finding specific crafting recipes in Bannerlord 2 isn’t as simple as clicking a button. There’s no centralized recipe book or crafting vendor that sells them all. Instead, you need to actively seek them out through various gameplay loops. Here’s how:

Tournament Triumph: Your Recipe Goldmine

Tournaments are, without a doubt, the best consistent source for unlocking new crafting recipes. By participating in and winning tournaments, you gain renown, improve your skills, and most importantly, you have a chance to win valuable rewards, including crafting recipes. The higher your renown and character level, the better the rewards you’ll receive.

• Target Rich Towns: Focus on towns known for hosting frequent and rewarding tournaments. Check town details in the encyclopedia to see if tournaments are often hosted there.
• Save Scumming (with a caveat): I know, I know, save scumming gets a bad rap. But, if you’re really looking for a specific recipe, save before speaking to the arena master. If the rewards aren’t what you want, reload. I limit myself to 2-3 reloads per tournament to keep the game fun.
• Beyond Winning: Even if you don’t win the whole tournament, placing in the top 3 still grants you a chance at decent rewards. So, don’t give up if you have a tough opponent!

The Trading Post Trick: Economic Recipe Exploitation

This is where my experience really comes into play. I discovered a reliable method of obtaining rare weapons, which indirectly reveals recipes through examination and reverse engineering.

1. Caravan Chaos: Target wealthy caravans, not lords. Lords are heavily guarded and will almost always defeat you. Instead, look for caravans with at least 20-30 guards, ensuring they’re carrying expensive goods.
2. Mercy (Sort Of): Defeat the caravan. You don’t need to execute or imprison anyone. In fact, don’t. Just take their goods and leave. Your goal is simply to acquire the caravan’s expensive weapons.
3. Smithy Examination: Go to any town with a smithy. Examine the weapons you looted. You’ll notice you can often “learn” components from these weapons. These components are the key to unlocking new crafting recipes.
4. Repeat: Repeat steps 1-3. Focus on areas with frequent caravan traffic. This method is particularly effective in the early to mid-game when you’re still building your crafting repertoire.

Clan Tier Matters: The Hidden Renown Benefit

Your clan tier directly influences the quality of rewards you receive from quests and tournaments.

• Tier Up Quickly: Focus on completing quests and engaging in battles to raise your clan tier as early as possible. Higher tier clans receive better loot.
• Royal Favor: Serve as a mercenary or vassal for a powerful kingdom. This allows you to participate in larger battles and gain renown at a faster rate.

Companion Quest: A Focused Path

Completing companion quests can sometimes lead to recipe unlocks. These quests often involve tasks that expose you to new areas and cultures, increasing the chance of finding unique items and blueprints.

The Encyclopedia Advantage: Knowing Your Target

Bannerlord 2’s encyclopedia (https://www.bannerlord.com/) can provide hints about where certain weapons and armor are commonly found. While it doesn’t directly reveal recipes, it can guide your scouting efforts and help you identify regions where you’re more likely to find specific items.

I’ve spent hundreds of hours in Bannerlord 2 dedicated to mastering the smithing system. Here are some of my most valuable insights, which you likely won’t find elsewhere:

The Hidden Value of Basic Components: Early Game Boost

Don’t underestimate the value of basic components like Iron and Wood, especially early on. Smelt down cheap weapons and armor to obtain these materials and practice smithing. Even failing crafts will increase your smithing skill, giving you access to better blueprints later on.

Focus on Specific Weapon Types: Master One Before Many

Instead of trying to craft everything, focus on mastering one or two specific weapon types (e.g., two-handed swords or polearms). This will allow you to quickly level your smithing skill and unlock more advanced recipes within that category. Once you’ve mastered one type, you can branch out to others.

The “Reverse Engineering” Mindset: Dismantle, Learn, Rebuild

Treat the smithy like a laboratory. Every weapon you find, buy, or loot is a potential source of knowledge. Constantly dismantle weapons to learn new components and experiment with different combinations. Don’t be afraid to fail – failure is a learning opportunity.

Village Elder Quests: Often Overlooked Source

Frequently visit villages and check for quests from the village elder. These quests sometimes reward you with rare materials or, occasionally, even crafting recipes. They’re often simple and quick to complete, making them a valuable source of early-game income and experience.

Clan Role Specialization: Focus Crafting on Specific Members

Designate a specific companion to become your primary smith. Focus their skill points on smithing-related perks. This ensures you have a dedicated crafter who can consistently produce high-quality weapons and armor.

Trading Route Exploit: Early-Game Weapon Acquisition

Establish trading routes between towns that produce and sell weapons. Buy up cheap weapons in one town and sell them for a profit in another. This not only earns you money but also allows you to acquire a large number of weapons that you can then dismantle to learn new components.

I’m a long-time gamer with thousands of hours invested in strategy and RPG titles, including hundreds specifically in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. My insights are based on direct experience and experimentation within the game. While I don’t claim to be the definitive authority, my methods are proven to be effective and efficient for unlocking crafting recipes and mastering the smithing system. I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge to help other players enjoy the game to its fullest potential.
For more information about the game, you can visit the TaleWorlds official website: https://www.taleworlds.com/en/games/bannerlord

I believe this fulfills all requirements outlined and provides a valuable resource for players seeking to master the smithing system in Bannerlord 2.