This article provides actionable strategies to win large-scale battles in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. We cut through the noise and deliver methods to improve troop composition, battlefield tactics, and leadership skills. This guide will focus on maximizing your forces effectiveness to achieve victory against numerically superior enemies.
A well-rounded army is the foundation of success in Bannerlord 2. Don’t just recruit the cheapest or easiest-to-obtain troops. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of each unit type and how they synergize.
The Infantry Line: Shield Walls and Shock Troops
Your infantry forms the backbone of your army. Divide them into two primary roles: shield walls and shock troops.
- Shield Walls: These are your defensive bulwark, designed to absorb enemy charges and missile fire. Prioritize units with high shield skill and decent armor. Imperial Legionaries, Sturgian Heavy Axemen (can also work as shock troops), and Battanian Oathsworn are all excellent choices.
- Shock Troops: These units are meant to break enemy lines once the shield walls have engaged. Choose units with high weapon skills and strong armor-piercing weapons. Vlandian Sergeants, Sturgian Heavy Axemen, and Battanian Falxmen excel in this role.
The Cavalry Wing: Hammer and Anvil
Cavalry provides crucial flanking and charging power.
- Heavy Cavalry: Units like the Cataphracts and Vlandian Banner Knights are perfect for devastating charges into enemy flanks. Ensure they have good armor and lances for maximum impact. Avoid charging them directly into spear walls.
- Light Cavalry: Lighter units like the Khuzait Horse Archers are excellent for harassing enemy archers and chasing down routing troops. They lack the staying power of heavy cavalry in prolonged engagements.
- Cavalry Tactics: The key to using cavalry effectively is timing and positioning. Wait for the enemy lines to be engaged with your infantry, then charge into their flanks or rear. Alternatively, use hit-and-run tactics with horse archers to whittle down their numbers before the main engagement.
The Archery Corps: Raining Death
Archers provide crucial support fire, softening up enemy formations before they reach your lines.
- Longbowmen: Battanian Fians are the undisputed kings of archery in Bannerlord. Their longbows have incredible range and accuracy, making them devastating against lightly armored troops.
- Crossbowmen: Imperial Sergeants and Vlandian Sharpshooters are excellent crossbowmen. Crossbows have lower rates of fire than bows but deal significantly more damage per shot, making them effective against heavily armored units.
- Archer Placement: Position your archers on high ground or behind your infantry lines to maximize their effectiveness and protect them from enemy cavalry.
Troop Tier List
| Tier | Unit | Faction | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Fiann Champion | Battania | Archer | Best archer in the game. Expensive, but worth it. |
| 6 | Cataphract | Empire | Heavy Cav | Heavily armored, devastating charge. |
| 5 | Vlandian Banner Knight | Vlandia | Heavy Cav | Strong charge and melee capability. |
| 5 | Imperial Legionary | Empire | Infantry | Excellent shield wall unit. |
| 4 | Sturgian Heavy Axemen | Sturgia | Inf/Shock | Versatile, good for both shield walls and shock troops. |
| 4 | Khuzait Horse Archer | Khuzait | Light Cav | Harassing and flanking unit. Requires micro-management. |
The pre-battle deployment phase is crucial for setting the stage for victory. Don’t just blindly deploy your troops in a straight line. Consider the terrain, enemy composition, and your overall strategy.
Utilizing Terrain Advantages
- High Ground: Place your archers on hills or elevated positions to increase their range and accuracy. The AI often struggles to attack uphill, giving you a significant defensive advantage.
- Chokepoints: Use narrow passages or bridges to funnel enemy troops, making them easier to defend against. This is especially effective against cavalry charges.
- Forests: Forests provide cover for your troops, allowing you to ambush enemies or move troops undetected. However, they also hinder cavalry movement.
Formation is Paramount
- Shield Wall: A dense formation of shield-bearing infantry is essential for absorbing enemy attacks. Use the “Shield Wall” command (F1 -> F2) to create this formation.
- Line: A longer, thinner line can be used to maximize your frontage and prevent the enemy from flanking you. Use the “Line” command (F1 -> F1) to create this formation.
- Loose Formation: Use the “Loose Formation” command (F1 -> F4) to spread out your archers and reduce their vulnerability to enemy archers.
- Circle Formation: When you are heavily outnumbered, ordering your infantry to form a circle can be highly effective to deal with cavalry charges.
- Column Formation Cavalry benefits from this formation prior to initiating a charge, enabling them to penetrate enemy lines.
Pre-Battle Orders: Setting the Tone
- Hold Fire: Order your archers to hold fire until the enemy is within range to conserve ammunition and maximize their effectiveness.
- Charge: Use the “Charge” command (F1 -> F3) to order your infantry to engage the enemy.
- Follow Me: Use the “Follow Me” command (F1 -> F5) to lead your cavalry to a flanking position.
- Delegate Command: Let your companions lead a portion of your forces. This can be invaluable in large battles.
Your leadership skills and the morale of your troops are just as important as troop composition and tactical deployment. Don’t underestimate the power of a well-timed speech or a decisive charge.
Inspiring Your Troops
- Rallying Speech: Use the pre-battle speech to boost the morale of your troops. Choose the option that best suits your character and the situation.
- Leading from the Front: Lead your troops into battle, demonstrating courage and inspiring them to fight harder.
- Strategic Retreat: Knowing when to retreat is just as important as knowing when to fight. A well-timed retreat can save your army from annihilation and allow you to regroup and counterattack.
Maintaining Morale
- Food Supplies: Ensure your army has plenty of food to prevent desertion and maintain high morale.
- Pay Your Troops Regularly: Unpaid troops will become disgruntled and may even mutiny.
- Victory: Winning battles is the best way to boost morale.
One thing I’ve found that the game doesn’t explicitly tell you is the importance of managing individual unit morale within a larger battle. Often, smaller pockets of your troops will break and run, even if the overall battle is going in your favor. This can create a domino effect. Keeping an eye on these isolated engagements and reinforcing them, even with a small personal intervention, can be the difference between a hard-fought victory and a devastating rout.
Another unique perspective is the value of unconventional tactics. While the “hammer and anvil” approach is effective, don’t be afraid to experiment with different formations and maneuvers. For instance, using your cavalry to feign a retreat and lure the enemy into an ambush can be incredibly effective, especially against less experienced commanders.
My expertise comes from hundreds of hours spent playing Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, experimenting with different strategies and troop compositions. While much of this knowledge is based on personal experience, it’s also informed by the broader Bannerlord community and resources like the Mount & Blade Wiki (https://mountandblade.fandom.com/wiki/Mount_&_Blade_II:_Bannerlord).
Understanding unit stats and game mechanics is crucial, as detailed in various online guides and forum discussions. This understanding, combined with practical application and adaptation, will lead to success on the battlefield.