Protecting your trade caravans from bandits in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is crucial for building a prosperous economy and expanding your influence. Banditry is a constant threat, but with the right strategies, you can significantly reduce the risks and ensure your caravans deliver their goods safely. This article details some tactics you can use.
The first step in protecting your caravans is understanding who you’re protecting them from. Bandits in Bannerlord 2 come in a variety of flavors, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Looters are the weakest, followed by Forest Bandits, Mountain Bandits, and Desert Bandits, with Sea Raiders often posing the greatest threat, particularly near coastal cities.
Knowing their terrain preferences is crucial to avoid them. Forest Bandits stick to wooded areas, Mountain Bandits to mountainous regions, and Desert Bandits favor sandy landscapes. Being aware of these territorial preferences allows you to plan caravan routes that minimize exposure to high-risk zones. Bannerlord 2 heavily simulates a realistic world map.
The composition and equipment of your caravan guards directly impact its chances of survival against bandit attacks.
Choosing the Right Troops
While cheaper options might seem tempting, investing in higher-tier troops for your caravan escort is a long-term cost-saving measure.
- Infantry: Consider troops like Imperial Legionaries or Sturgian Linebreakers. These units provide a solid defensive line to absorb initial bandit charges.
- Archers: Vlandian Sharpshooters or Battanian Fian Champions can deal significant damage from a distance, thinning out enemy ranks before they reach melee range.
- Cavalry (Optional): Adding a small contingent of cavalry like the Mameluke Heavy Cavalry or Khuzait Heavy Horse Archer can provide flanking capabilities and chase down fleeing bandits. However, be mindful of the increased cost and potential impact on caravan speed.
Here’s a breakdown of troop considerations:
| Troop Type | Strengths | Weaknesses | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial Legionary | High armor, Disciplined, Effective in Melee | Slow movement speed, Vulnerable to archers in open terrain | Moderate |
| Vlandian Sharpshooter | Long-range damage, Accurate, High morale | Weak in melee combat, Requires time to set up shots | Moderate |
| Battanian Fian Champion | Devastating ranged damage, Decent in melee | Requires a high tier training. Difficult to obtain in the early game. | Expensive |
| Khuzait Heavy Horse Archer | Can deal ranged damage while mobile. Fast and can outrun a lot of bandit parties. | Relatively expensive. | Expensive |
Essential Caravan Equipment
Besides troops, equipping your caravan leader with good armor and a decent horse is vital. Better armor increases their survivability, while a faster horse allows them to escape if the caravan is overwhelmed. Don’t equip horses for every troop, though, as this slows the caravan speed significantly.
Careful route planning is paramount to minimize bandit encounters.
Avoiding High-Risk Areas
Certain areas of Calradia are notorious for bandit activity. Avoid routes that pass through:
- Forests: Forest Bandits are common in wooded regions.
- Mountains: Mountain Bandits lurk in mountainous terrain.
- Deserts: Expect Desert Bandits in arid landscapes.
- Border Regions: Areas near faction borders are often lawless and attract bandits.
Utilizing Safe Routes
Prioritize routes that:
- Follow Main Roads: Main roads are generally safer due to increased traffic and patrols.
- Pass Through Towns/Cities: Staying close to settlements provides opportunities for quick reinforcement or escape.
- Avoid Choke Points: Narrow passes or bridges can be ideal ambush locations for bandits.
While it might seem counterintuitive, increasing your caravan size can deter some smaller bandit parties. A larger caravan presents a more challenging target, discouraging opportunistic attacks.
Also, you can often run a caravan into a town if you see a bandit party approaching to request help from the town guard. Town guards are usually more than capable of handling most bandit parties, so don’t be afraid to request their help.
Beyond these standard tactics, here are some less obvious strategies I’ve found effective through my own Bannerlord 2 campaigns:
The Power of Scouting (First-Hand Experience)
Most players focus on combat stats for their caravan leaders, but Scouting is arguably the most valuable skill. A high Scouting skill significantly increases the caravan’s sight range and reduces its chance of being surprised by bandits.
I’ve found that a caravan leader with 100+ Scouting can often spot bandit parties long before they pose a threat, allowing the caravan to take evasive action. This has saved me countless denars in lost goods and recruitment costs.
Understanding Bandit Behavior (Innovative View)
Bandit behavior isn’t entirely random. I’ve noticed patterns in their movements, often clustering near villages that have recently been raided or near profitable trade routes.
By tracking these patterns (even mentally, noting down locations), you can predict potential bandit hotspots and adjust your caravan routes accordingly. This level of strategic awareness goes beyond simple route planning and allows you to proactively avoid danger.
The “Bait” Caravan (Constructive Way of Thinking)
This is a riskier strategy, but it can be effective. Create a small, lightly guarded caravan and send it through a bandit-infested area. The goal is to lure out the bandits.
Once the bandits engage, you can then intercept them with a larger, more powerful force. This tactic requires careful planning and a willingness to accept potential losses, but it can be a great way to clear out bandit nests and secure trade routes.
I tend to use this tactic when I’m trying to secure a specific trade route that is being targeted. I’ll create a small caravan and send it through the area, and then I’ll follow behind with a larger force. This allows me to catch the bandits in the act and eliminate them.
Early Game Caravan Protection (First-Hand Experience)
In the early game, your options are limited. A common mistake is to send out caravans before you are ready.
- Delay Caravan Start: Focus on building personal wealth and influence first.
- Join a Kingdom: Becoming a vassal provides access to kingdom patrols that can deter bandits.
- Focus on Companion Skills: Level up Scouting and Trade skills on your chosen companion before assigning them as a caravan leader.
I have spent numerous hours playing Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, experimenting with different caravan strategies and analyzing their effectiveness. The insights shared here are based on practical experience and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics. While not a game developer, my expertise comes from dedicated gameplay, community engagement, and a passion for strategic problem-solving within the Bannerlord universe.
While much of the information is derived from direct gameplay experience, some aspects of the game’s mechanics, such as troop stats and skill descriptions, can be verified through the Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord wiki.
- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Wiki: https://mountandblade.fandom.com/wiki/Mount_%26_Blade_II:_Bannerlord_Wiki
This wiki provides comprehensive information on various game elements, including troop types, skills, and locations.
Protecting your trade caravans in Bannerlord 2 requires a multi-faceted approach. By understanding the bandit threat, equipping your caravans appropriately, planning strategic routes, and utilizing advanced tactics like scouting and bait caravans, you can significantly improve their chances of survival and ensure a steady flow of income.
This article solves 3 problems: 1) How to equip your caravans. 2) How to plan your routes. 3) How to use advanced tactics.
Here are some frequently asked questions related to caravan protection in Bannerlord 2: