For Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord players seeking a richer, more nuanced political landscape, mods are essential. This article explores key mods that significantly improve diplomacy with other kingdoms, focusing on features, functionality, and practical applications within your campaign. It will help you navigate the sometimes-lacking diplomatic options in the base game, transforming your experience from constant warfare to strategic alliances and calculated betrayals.
The core game of Bannerlord offers a basic framework for diplomacy. However, the mods listed below elevate this system, adding depth and complexity to interactions with other factions.
Diplomacy Fixes and Improvements
One of the most fundamental mods is simply called “Diplomacy.” It directly addresses many of the shortcomings of the base game’s diplomatic mechanics.
- Improved AI Decision-Making: This mod enhances how AI lords and kingdoms evaluate proposals, leading to more logical and realistic diplomatic actions. Forget about being at war with everyone simultaneously simply because they decided to hate you for no apparent reason.
- Expanded Treaty Options: The mod introduces more comprehensive peace treaty options, allowing for nuanced negotiations beyond simple “peace” or “war.” This includes options like tribute, non-aggression pacts, and even royal marriages.
- Better War and Peace Logic: “Diplomacy” refines the calculations behind war declarations and peace offers, taking into account factors like troop strength, territorial holdings, and past relationships. This makes the AI’s decisions more understandable and less prone to seemingly random shifts.
Calradia Expanded Kingdoms (CEK)
Calradia Expanded Kingdoms (CEK) is a significant overhaul mod that enriches the entire Bannerlord experience, and diplomacy is a core component of its design. It does this by improving kingdom governance, adding more intricate economic systems, and of course, enhancing diplomacy.
- More Faction Variety: CEK introduces a multitude of new factions, each with its unique culture, goals, and diplomatic standing. This creates a much more diverse and interesting political landscape.
- Complex Alliances and Coalitions: The mod allows for the formation of complex alliances and coalitions between factions, forcing players to carefully consider the long-term ramifications of their diplomatic choices. Betrayals are more impactful, and friendships more valuable.
- Dynamic Power Balance: CEK’s economic and political systems are designed to create a dynamic power balance between kingdoms. Factions rise and fall based on their actions, influencing diplomatic relations and creating opportunities for shrewd players.
Banner Kings: A Feudal Overhaul
Banner Kings moves past the basic feudal structure of the game, by adding more social classes, economic management, and of course more diplomatic interactions.
- Feudal Society Mechanics: Banner Kings adds depth to the social hierarchy and introduces feudal contracts, which impact diplomacy. Your standing with your vassals and their opinions of other lords will affect their likelihood of supporting your diplomatic endeavors.
- Council and Voting Mechanics: The mod introduces council meetings and voting systems, giving vassals a voice in diplomatic decisions. This creates a more interactive and engaging political landscape.
- Intrigue and Treachery: Banner Kings adds new intrigue options, such as spying and sabotage, allowing players to influence diplomatic relations through covert actions. You can sow discord between rival kingdoms or destabilize a potential enemy before war.
While these mods offer solutions to the lackluster diplomacy in Bannerlord, a deeper understanding of the system’s limitations is crucial. A common mistake is to view diplomacy solely as a means to avoid war. However, it’s a powerful tool for shaping the world and achieving your goals.
Seeing Diplomacy as an Investment
Think of diplomatic actions as long-term investments. For example, consistently supporting a weaker kingdom against a stronger one might seem counterintuitive in the short term. However, if that kingdom becomes a valuable ally later on, the initial investment pays off.
Understanding AI Motivations
The AI in Bannerlord is not always rational. Understanding the AI’s priorities is key to successful diplomacy. For example, a kingdom might be more willing to accept a peace treaty if it’s facing internal rebellions, regardless of your military strength.
The Power of Royal Marriages
Royal marriages are more than just a symbol of friendship. They provide concrete benefits, such as improved relations and potential alliances. Marrying into a powerful family can open doors to new opportunities and protect you from aggression.
Having spent hundreds of hours playing Bannerlord with and without these mods, I’ve learned a few valuable lessons about diplomacy.
- Reputation Matters: Your reputation is your most valuable asset. Treat other lords with respect, even if you disagree with them. A good reputation can open doors that military might cannot.
- Don’t Trust Anyone: Betrayal is a common occurrence in Bannerlord. Don’t become complacent, even with your closest allies. Always have a backup plan.
- Information is Power: Gathering intelligence about other kingdoms is crucial. Knowing their strengths, weaknesses, and political machinations allows you to make informed diplomatic decisions.
I once secured a crucial alliance with the Aserai by exploiting a long-standing feud between them and the Khuzaits. I offered them support in their war against the Khuzaits, even though it meant diverting resources from my own campaigns. This act of loyalty solidified our relationship and allowed me to focus on expanding my territory elsewhere.
| Mod | Key Feature | Impact on Diplomacy |
|---|---|---|
| Diplomacy | Improved AI, expanded treaty options | More logical AI decisions, nuanced negotiations, better war/peace logic. |
| Calradia Expanded Kingdoms | New factions, complex alliances | Diverse political landscape, intricate alliances, dynamic power balance. |
| Banner Kings | Feudal mechanics, council voting | Social hierarchy influence, interactive political landscape, intrigue options. |
The modding community for Bannerlord is vast and active. The mods mentioned in this article are widely recognized and supported by players. For more information about these mods, including download links and installation instructions, visit the following:
- Nexus Mods: https://www.nexusmods.com/mountandblade2bannerlord (This is the primary hub for Bannerlord mods.)
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_%26_Blade_II:_Bannerlord (For general information about the game.)
By incorporating these Bannerlord 2 mods for diplomacy with other kingdoms, you can transform your gameplay experience, moving beyond simple combat to a richer, more strategic world of political intrigue. These mods address fundamental shortcomings in the game’s diplomacy system, offering more realistic AI behavior, expanded treaty options, and deeper political interactions. Remember that diplomacy is an investment, understanding AI motivations is key, and that your reputation is everything.