Engineering in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord can feel like a slow grind. Many players struggle to efficiently increase their engineering skill, finding it difficult to contribute meaningfully to sieges or settlement management early on. This article provides practical, actionable methods to accelerate your engineering progress, drawing from in-game mechanics and player experiences. Forget tedious waiting – we’ll focus on active, engaging gameplay that makes skill progression rewarding.
Leveling engineering isn’t about passive learning. It’s about doing. Here are the core activities that contribute to engineering skill growth:
Sieges: Your Primary Training Ground
Sieges offer the most consistent and significant engineering experience. Constructing siege engines and repairing walls during sieges is the fastest way to level up. Focus on building rams, siege towers, and trebuchets. Prioritize building them yourself rather than delegating to companions, even if it takes longer. Each swing of the hammer contributes directly to your skill.
Town and Castle Projects: Investment for the Future
As a governor or town owner, you can initiate construction projects that grant engineering experience. Prioritize projects like irrigation, walls, and fortifications. While the initial experience gain might seem small, the cumulative effect over time is substantial. Furthermore, well-maintained settlements are less likely to fall to enemies, giving you more opportunities for sieges (and more engineering experience!).
Workshops: A Supplemental Income and Skill Boost
Consider establishing workshops that require wood or stone, as this subtly increases your engineering skill over time. While not as effective as sieges, it provides a passive trickle of experience alongside income. Breweries, wood workshops, and stone masons are good candidates.
Clan Role: Effective Engineering
Assign a clan role to a hero with engineering, and he will automatically build any structures or project inside the town to boost engineering.
Beyond the basic activities, several nuances can significantly impact your engineering progression:
The Power of Early Focus: A Personal Anecdote
In my experience, focusing on engineering early in the game is crucial. Instead of diversifying too much, dedicate your character points to Intelligence and relevant engineering perks from the start. I recall one playthrough where I neglected engineering until mid-game. Catching up was a tedious slog. Starting early allows you to contribute more effectively to your party and clan from the outset.
Siege AI Exploitation: A Controversial Strategy
(Note: This might be considered an exploit and subject to change with game updates.)
Some players have found success by exploiting the AI during sieges. Specifically, if you build multiple siege engines of the same type (e.g., three trebuchets), the AI often focuses on destroying only one, leaving the others to fire unimpeded. This allows you to accumulate engineering experience rapidly by repeatedly repairing the targeted engine. While this method can be effective, it can also feel somewhat cheesy and detract from the intended gameplay experience.
Don’t Neglect Scouting: Understanding the Terrain
Scouting plays a surprisingly important role in engineering. A high scouting skill allows you to better understand the terrain around settlements, which can influence your siege engine placement and effectiveness. This, in turn, can lead to faster siege victories and more opportunities to level engineering.
The Value of Companion Specialization
While you should initially focus on your own engineering skill, don’t neglect your companions. Designate a specific companion as your “engineer” and assign them to settlements as governors. This ensures that projects are completed efficiently and that your clan always has someone capable of overseeing construction.
Early Game Struggles and Solutions
The early game is particularly challenging because you lack both resources and perks. Focus on joining armies led by lords known for frequent sieges. Even if you’re not the siege commander, you can still contribute to construction and earn experience.
Detailed Table of Engineering Experience Sources
| Activity | Experience Gain | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Siege Engine Const. | High | Prioritize rams, siege towers, and trebuchets. Build them yourself. |
| Wall Repair | Medium | Repairing breaches during sieges. |
| Town Projects | Low (per project) | Irrigation, walls, fortifications. Cumulative effect is significant. |
| Workshop Operation | Very Low | Workshops requiring wood or stone. Supplemental income and passive experience. |
| Clan Role Assigning | Medium | Ensure a hero with engineering skill get the clan role, and he will automatically build inside town. |
| Terrain Knowledge | Negligible | High scouting skill allows you to better understand the terrain around settlements. |
As a long-time player of the Mount & Blade series, with hundreds of hours spent in Bannerlord, I’ve extensively tested different strategies for skill progression. My experience comes from practical application within the game, observing the effects of various perks, and adapting to different campaign scenarios.
While Bannerlord lacks a comprehensive official wiki, sites like the Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Wiki (https://mountandblade.fandom.com/wiki/Mount_&_Blade_II:_Bannerlord) offer community-driven information on skills, perks, and gameplay mechanics. Though not official, these resources can provide valuable insights into the game.
Additionally, searching for Bannerlord gameplay and strategy videos on platforms like YouTube can provide visual demonstrations of effective engineering techniques.
Focus on Intelligence
Investing points into the Intelligence attribute is fundamental. Intelligence directly impacts the rate at which your character learns engineering. Prioritizing this attribute early in the game can significantly accelerate your skill progression.
Choose Relevant Perks
The engineering skill tree contains numerous perks that enhance your ability to construct siege engines, manage settlements, and repair fortifications. Carefully select perks that align with your play style and campaign goals. For example, perks that reduce construction time or increase the hit points of siege engines can be particularly valuable.
Specialize Early
Avoid spreading your focus too thin across multiple skills. Dedicate your early character progression to engineering. This allows you to unlock key perks and effectively contribute to sieges and settlement management. Once you’ve reached a comfortable level of engineering proficiency, you can then begin to diversify your skill set.
Managing Resources
Engineering relies heavily on access to resources such as wood and stone. Ensure that your party or clan has reliable sources of these materials. Consider establishing workshops or trading routes to secure a steady supply.
Patience and Persistence
Leveling engineering takes time and effort. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Stay focused on your goals, continue engaging in activities that contribute to engineering experience, and you will eventually achieve proficiency.