Trading in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is one of the most reliable ways to build wealth early in the game. The economy is dynamic, with prices shifting depending on wars, prosperity, and supply, but certain routes consistently provide profit. A good trader understands both geography and demand, making use of safe corridors or exploiting risky but lucrative paths.
How Trading Works
Prices in Bannerlord fluctuate depending on regional production and consumption. Grain, iron, wine, and horses are produced in bulk in certain regions and fetch higher prices elsewhere. Town prosperity, security, and caravans all influence markets, so routes are never static, but some patterns hold across most campaigns.
Core Trading Routes
Sturgia to Vlandia
- Route focus: Fur and hardwood
- Buy furs and hardwood cheaply in Sturgian towns such as Varcheg and sell them in Vlandian cities like Pravend and Jaculan.
- Wine and oil from Vlandia can be brought back north, creating a two-way loop.
Aserai to Battania
- Route focus: Horses and desert goods
- Aserai towns like Qasira and Hubyar produce desert horses, dates, and cheap oil.
- These can be sold at high profit in Battania, particularly in Dunglanys and Marunath.
- Battania’s hardwood and hides sell well if taken south.
Empire Heartlands
- Route focus: Grain, wine, and luxury goods
- The central Empire cities, including Lycaron and Epicrotea, often have an oversupply of grain.
- Moving this to areas under siege or less fertile regions like Battania brings steady profits.
- Wine and olives bought in the southern Empire also sell well in the north.
Khuzait to Western Empire
- Route focus: Horses and steppe goods
- Steppe horses and raw materials are cheap across Khuzait settlements like Ortongard.
- Selling them in Empire cities provides one of the best profit margins.
- Conversely, tools and crafted goods from the Empire can be traded back east.
Northern Sea Runs
- Route focus: Fish and salt
- Towns such as Varcheg and Tyal often produce abundant fish and salt.
- Moving these goods into inland cities, particularly in the Empire, makes a dependable if modest profit.
Tips for Safe and Profitable Trading
- Escort and speed: Bandits target traders, so travel with strong cavalry escorts or invest in a fast caravan.
- Check prosperity: High prosperity towns buy more but sell at higher prices. Look for poor towns to buy cheap and rich towns to sell high.
- Exploit wars: Siege zones need food and basic supplies. Grain, fish, and butter can fetch extreme prices in blockaded cities.
- Diversify cargo: Avoid filling your inventory with one good. Spread risk with a balanced load.
Long-Term Strategy
Once wealthy, investing in caravans spreads income passively. A well-chosen companion running a caravan across these routes can generate thousands of denars while you focus on battles or politics. Owning workshops in towns along your favourite routes also compounds profits.
The Seven Swords Takeaway
While the Bannerlord economy shifts constantly, trade between resource-rich peripheries and hungry central markets remains a foundation for profit. Routes from Sturgia, Khuzait lands, and Aserai deserts to Empire cities or Vlandian ports will always serve players who pay attention to price fluctuations. Success lies in combining safe planning with opportunism when war or shortages strike.
