Workshops in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord are the closest thing the game has to passive income, think of them as medieval side hustles that actually pay rent. They produce goods based on the local economy, towns’ demands, and your own entrepreneurial instincts. But not all workshops are equal. Some turn you into a noble tycoon, others drain your denars faster than a poorly judged tavern brawl.
Let’s break down the best workshops, what they produce, and where to build them for steady income.
How Workshops Work
Before you start buying breweries like a fantasy Gordon Ramsay, here’s what you need to know:
- Initial Cost: Around 13,000–16,000 denars per workshop.
- Daily Income: Depends on local demand and raw material availability.
- Supply Chain: If the nearby villages don’t produce the resources your workshop needs, expect low profits or even losses.
- Limit: You can only own a few at a time, depending on your clan tier.
In short, location and timing matter more than anything else.
Best Workshops by Type
| Workshop Type | Produces | Best Towns | Raw Material Source | Average Profit (per day) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brewery | Beer | Sargot, Epicrotea, Marunath | Grain | 150–300 | Reliable, especially in towns surrounded by wheat villages. |
| Wine Press | Wine | Vostrum, Lycaron, Ortysia | Grapes | 200–400 | Great mid-game investment; pairs well with trade routes. |
| Silversmith | Jewellery | Epicrotea, Pen Cannoc | Silver Ore | 250–500 | Top-tier profits if silver is nearby. Prices can spike. |
| Linen Weavery | Linen | Poros, Baltakhand | Flax | 150–350 | Stable earner, moderate setup cost. |
| Wool Weavery | Wool Cloth | Marunath, Tyal | Sheep | 100–250 | Decent in snowy regions; easy early investment. |
| Tannery | Leather | Quyaz, Sanala | Hides | 100–200 | Not the best margins but steady. |
| Smithy | Weapons | Varcheg, Dunglanys | Iron | 200–400 | Can fluctuate wildly with wars and peace periods. |
| Pottery Shop | Pottery | Askar, Chaikand | Clay | 100–250 | Steady but unspectacular; solid early pick. |
| Olive Press | Oil | Sanala, Lycaron | Olives | 150–300 | Great choice in the Aserai south. |
Best Overall Workshop Locations
Some towns naturally outperform others due to geography and trade routes. Here’s a breakdown of the top picks by region:
Aserai (Southern Desert Kingdoms)
- Sanala: Excellent for Olive Press or Tannery. Surrounded by olive and hide villages.
- Quyaz: Also good for Tannery; steady trade traffic.
Vlandia (Western Kingdoms)
- Sargot: Brewery goldmine. Three grain villages nearby.
- Marunath: Flexible – Brewery, Wool Weavery, or Smithy all perform well.
Battania (Forested Heartlands)
- Dunganlys: Smithy thrives here; consistent iron sources.
- Pen Cannoc: Silversmith hotspot with strong trade connections.
Sturgia (Northern Frostlands)
- Tyal: Wool Weavery and Smithy both earn well, though prices fluctuate.
- Varcheg: Good for Smithy; decent war-related demand for weapons.
Empire Regions
- Epicrotea: One of the best all-round workshop towns, Brewery, Silversmith, or Wine Press all work.
- Lycaron: Wine Press heaven; vineyards and trade routes galore.
- Poros: Linen Weavery is stable and easy to maintain.
Workshop Tips for Maximum Profit
- Scout First: Before buying, check the villages around the town for raw materials. No grain = no beer = no income.
- Avoid Overcrowding: If the town already has multiple breweries, go for something different to avoid market saturation.
- Monitor Wars: Workshops in war zones can stop producing if caravans can’t deliver resources.
- Adjust Ownership: If one of your workshops dips into negative profit for more than a week, sell it and try another location.
- Invest in Companions: A high trade skill in your clan improves profit margins slightly.
Personal Recommendation
If you’re starting out, Sargot Brewery or Lycaron Wine Press are the safest bets. Once you’re rolling in denars, Epicrotea Silversmith is the big money-maker that’ll fund your army and keep your companions happy with new gear.
Just remember: workshops aren’t instant riches, they’re slow burns that reward patience. Think of them as the medieval version of investing in a coffee chain before everyone else does.
The Seven Swords Takeaway
The best workshops in Bannerlord balance supply, demand, and location. Whether you’re brewing ale for the Vlandians or crafting silverware for the Empire, understanding the local economy is key. The map isn’t just for conquest, it’s your financial portfolio.
Pick wisely, diversify your income, and you’ll be rolling in denars long before you crown yourself Ruler.
