Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord offers a massive arsenal of weapons, from peasant pitchforks to master-crafted noble blades. While balance exists in theory, the battlefield often tells a different story. Some weapons simply outperform others due to raw damage, reach, or utility. Whether in multiplayer duels or single-player skirmishes, these weapons can tilt the odds dramatically.
1. Two-Handed Polearms (Rhomphalia & Menavlion)
These are infamous for their sheer killing power.
- Rhomphalia delivers devastating cleaving strikes. Its length allows you to strike before enemies get close, and its swing speed is high enough to chain kills.
- Menavlion, used by Imperial troops, is particularly brutal in formation fights. A single thrust can kill heavily armoured units, and it’s fast enough to fend off multiple attackers if timed well.
They both suffer from being weak in tight corridors and offering no shield protection, but in open combat, they’re lethal.
2. Noble Long War Sword
Among the most efficient two-handers in the game. Its blend of reach, speed, and damage makes it one of the top duelling and field weapons.
- Long enough to outrange most one-handers.
- Swift enough to prevent easy counters.
- With perks and high weapon skill, it becomes near-unstoppable in the hands of a veteran.
It lacks the raw power of polearms, but its versatility and balance make it a favourite for elite builds.
3. Couchable Lances (Heavy Lance, Long Knight’s Lance)
Couching remains one of the most dangerous mechanics in Bannerlord when executed properly.
- A well-timed charge with a Heavy Lance or Knight’s Lance can instantly kill even the most heavily armoured enemies.
- Works especially well when leading cavalry charges or engaging lone targets.
The downside is the reliance on open terrain and speed. In confined spaces or against infantry swarms, they become far less effective.
4. Throwing Axes and Javelins (Stacked with Perks)
When paired with the right perks, throwing weapons become murderously efficient.
- Mounted skirmishers can pick off enemy commanders or disrupt formations.
- Infantry builds can quickly soften enemies before engagement.
- Axes ignore shields, which makes them brutal in siege defence or assault.
Their limited ammo and learning curve hold them back from casual use, but in experienced hands, they’re among the best.
5. Two-Handed Maces (Ironspatha, Fine Steel Mace)
These are the bane of heavy armour.
- Two-handed maces deal blunt damage, which translates into excellent performance against well-armoured units.
- They’re also effective in non-lethal takedowns, making them valuable in battles where capturing lords or troops is a goal.
What they lack in swing speed and reach, they make up for in consistent armour penetration.
6. Heavy Recurve Bows & Bound Steppe Bows
Archery in Bannerlord can be devastating with the right build.
- Heavy Recurve Bow offers the best raw damage among standard bows.
- Bound Steppe Bow is the top pick for mounted archers due to its quick draw speed and mobility.
Combined with perks and high Bow skill, a good archer can change the flow of battle by eliminating high-value targets before melee even begins.
7. Serrated or Broad-Headed Arrows
These matter more than players often realise.
- Broad-Headed Arrows cause bleeding and excel against unarmoured or lightly armoured targets.
- Bodkin Arrows work better against heavily armoured units.
Choosing the right arrows based on your target can make archers feel far more “overpowered” than their stats suggest.
8. High-Tier Crossbows (Arbalest, Bound Crossbow)
While slower to reload, high-end crossbows offer unmatched ranged lethality without needing high skill investment.
- Good for players who want power without dedicating too many attribute points to Vigor or Control.
- Great in sieges and for defending narrow chokepoints.
Their slow rate of fire can be a liability in open battles, but in the right context, they punch above their weight.
9. One-Handed Maces with Shield (Cudgel, Reinforced Mace)
Often overlooked in favour of swords or axes, maces shine in the hands of shock troops and in town fights.
- Excellent for prisoner capture.
- Better armour penetration than most swords or axes.
- Paired with a shield, they provide solid defence and utility.
While not flashy, they’re incredibly effective for grinding Renown or building an army via captures.
The Seven Swords Takeaway
What makes a weapon overpowered often comes down to context. A rhomphalia might dominate in the field but falter in siege tunnels. Throwing weapons can feel underwhelming in early campaigns but become terrifying once perked. These choices aren’t just stat-based; they depend on how you play and what you prioritise, killing power, speed, utility, or survivability. But across patches and builds, the weapons listed here have consistently proven their edge.
