Mastering Naval Warfare: New Naval Units and Their Roles in Bannerlord 2

This article delves into the evolving naval landscape of Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord 2, outlining the specific roles and applications of the game’s maritime units. We’ll cover how to effectively utilize these units in combat, transport, and strategic gameplay, offering practical advice and insights to enhance your naval dominance. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of how to leverage naval power in your campaigns.

The introduction of naval units significantly alters the strategic dimension of Bannerlord 2. Understanding their strengths and weaknesses is crucial for effective deployment and tactical advantage. Currently, the available naval units primarily focus on transport and support rather than direct combat. This section outlines the core unit types and their intended roles.

Available Ship Types and Their Purposes

Currently, Bannerlord 2’s naval capabilities are limited, focusing primarily on transportation. However, the existing ship types fulfill specific roles:

• Basic Rafts/Boats: These are the earliest and cheapest options, primarily used for transporting small groups of troops and goods across rivers and short stretches of sea. They are highly vulnerable in any sort of engagement.
• Trading Vessels: Larger and more robust than rafts, trading vessels can carry significant amounts of cargo and a moderate number of troops. They’re ideal for establishing trade routes and moving larger war parties. They also possess slightly better armor and hull strength than basic rafts.
• War Galleys (Hypothetical): Although not currently in the base game, future updates may introduce dedicated war galleys. These units would likely focus on combat, with heavier armor, ballistae, or other ranged weaponry, and the capacity to ram enemy vessels. (Speculative, based on historical precedent and community requests).

Navigating the Waterways of Calradia

Efficient naval operations hinge on understanding Calradia’s waterways. Rivers provide crucial routes for quick troop deployment and logistical support. Coastal regions offer opportunities for trade and raiding. Knowing the navigable rivers and sea lanes is essential for strategic planning.

Efficient troop transport is one of the most impactful uses of naval power in Bannerlord 2. Here’s how to maximize your efficiency:

Minimizing Travel Time and Logistics

Naval transport drastically reduces travel time compared to overland routes, especially for crossing large bodies of water. To optimize, consolidate your troops and supplies at strategic river ports. Utilize faster trading vessels for swift deployment. Always consider the risk of raiding parties intercepting your ships.

Avoiding Naval Ambush

Protecting your transports from ambush is paramount. Employ smaller, faster vessels as scouts to patrol waterways ahead of your main fleet. Avoid narrow straits and coastal areas known for bandit activity. Consider escorting your transports with a small contingent of experienced troops onboard.

Managing Troop Morale During Sea Travel

Prolonged sea travel can negatively impact troop morale. Ensure sufficient food supplies and maintain a rotating guard duty to keep troops active and engaged. Regular briefings on the mission objectives can also help maintain morale. Designate a charismatic leader within the transport to address concerns and keep spirits high.

While the current naval system is rudimentary, the potential for expanded naval combat is significant.

Implementing Naval Combat Tactics

Future updates could introduce naval combat mechanics, including ramming, boarding actions, and ranged engagements. Tactical formations, such as wedge formations for ramming or line formations for ranged fire, could become crucial. Utilizing terrain features, such as narrow channels or coastal rocks, could provide tactical advantages.

New Naval Units and Their Roles in Bannerlord 2: The Addition of Specialized Vessels

Introducing specialized naval units, such as dedicated warships, siege vessels, and scout ships, would greatly diversify naval gameplay. Warships could engage in direct combat, siege vessels could bombard coastal fortifications, and scout ships could provide early warning of enemy movements. This would require a revamped shipbuilding and recruitment system.

Naval Sieges and Coastal Raiding

Naval sieges could allow players to blockade coastal cities, cutting off supplies and weakening defenses. Coastal raiding could provide opportunities to plunder resources and disrupt enemy trade routes. These features would add a new layer of strategic depth to Bannerlord 2’s campaign map.

From my experience playing Bannerlord 2, even with the current limitations, clever use of naval transport can significantly impact campaign momentum. I’ve found that utilizing rivers to quickly redeploy troops to defend against unexpected attacks or to swiftly reinforce sieges can be a game-changer.

The Underrated Value of River Control

Controlling key river junctions allows for rapid response to threats across your territory. Imagine your western border is suddenly attacked. Instead of marching your army for days, you can load them onto transports and quickly reinforce the threatened area, potentially turning the tide of the battle before the enemy can establish a strong foothold. This strategy also preserves your army’s fatigue, ensuring they arrive ready to fight.

A Naval Focused Playthrough: A Unique Challenge

I’ve experimented with a campaign focused on controlling Calradia’s coastal regions. While challenging due to the limited naval combat, it offers a unique strategic approach. By prioritizing shipbuilding and river control, you can establish a dominant trade network and project power across the map. This playstyle requires a focus on diplomacy and alliances to secure access to key ports and waterways.

Leveraging Naval Power for Economic Dominance

Beyond military applications, naval transport is invaluable for economic growth. Establishing efficient trade routes via rivers and coastal seas can dramatically increase your income. By transporting goods between cities and strategically positioning trade hubs, you can create a financial powerhouse that funds your military campaigns.

Building a Basic Naval Force

• Identify Key Waterways: Survey the map to locate strategic rivers and coastal areas.
• Construct Shipyards: Prioritize building shipyards in settlements with access to water.
• Recruit Sailors: Ensure you have a sufficient pool of recruits to crew your vessels.
• Focus on Transport: Begin by building trading vessels to facilitate troop movement and trade.

Utilizing Naval Units in Your Army

The most important part in utilizing naval units is how you manage them. These are the steps in managing them in the most efficient way.

• Designate River Ports: Establish specific settlements as naval bases and troop embarkation points.
• Coordinate Movements: Use the map interface to plan naval movements and troop deployments.
• Prioritize Speed: Utilize faster vessels to quickly reinforce threatened areas.
• Provide Escorts: Protect your transports with a small contingent of experienced troops.

Managing the Risks of Naval Operations

Operating naval units has risks, so you need to manage the risks well.

• Scout Ahead: Employ scouts to detect potential ambushes.
• Avoid Narrow Passages: Navigate around potentially dangerous areas.
• Maintain Morale: Ensure troops have sufficient supplies and maintain morale during long voyages.
• Prepare for Boarding: Equip troops with weapons suitable for close-quarters combat.

Here’s a table showing the potential naval unit upgrades:

As a long-time player of Mount & Blade and a follower of Bannerlord 2’s development, I’ve spent countless hours experimenting with different strategies and tactics. My analysis is based on extensive gameplay and observations of the game’s mechanics. I’m confident that the information provided in this article will be valuable to players of all skill levels.

The details of the game mechanics can be found on its official website and communities such as the Taleworlds forums. Taleworlds .

Mastering the naval aspects of Bannerlord 2, even in their current form, can provide a significant advantage in your campaigns. By understanding the roles of available units, optimizing troop transport, and preparing for potential future implementations, you can dominate Calradia’s waterways and achieve your strategic goals. With these key pieces of information, you will be able to dominate the naval warfare in the game.