Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord offers a dynamic sandbox where each faction brings its own strengths, weaknesses, and distinct identity. Whether you’re seeking military dominance, economic stability, or an ideal roleplaying backdrop, the faction you choose can shape your entire campaign. This ranking considers battlefield performance, troop versatility, strategic location, and long-term potential.
6. Aserai
The Aserai control the southern deserts and rely on swift cavalry and agile skirmishers. Their economy benefits from low desert travel penalties, and their trade-focused culture perk offers increased caravan income. While their light cavalry excels at raiding, their armies often struggle in prolonged engagements, particularly against heavily armoured infantry or shock cavalry. Defensive positioning can be difficult given the openness of their terrain.
Strengths:
- Cheap desert movement boosts mobility
- Strong economy with caravans and workshops
- Fast and nimble cavalry
Weaknesses:
- Underwhelming heavy infantry
- Vulnerable borders on multiple fronts
5. Battania
Battania’s forest-dwelling clans offer unmatched ambush potential. Their infantry includes some of the most powerful two-handed weapon users in the game, and the famed Battanian Fian archers are lethal from range. Their cultural perk gives a bonus to forest movement, allowing them to outmanoeuvre foes on home terrain. Despite this, Battania suffers from poor cavalry and its central location often places it in constant wars.
Strengths:
- Exceptional archers (Fian Champions)
- Powerful two-handed infantry
- Forest terrain advantage
Weaknesses:
- Weak cavalry arm
- Surrounded by hostile neighbours
4. Khuzait
Speed defines the Khuzait war machine. Their mounted archers dominate open battles, making them deadly in field engagements. The Khuzait perk gives bonus movement on the campaign map, enabling lightning-fast attacks and retreats. However, they lack strong infantry and perform poorly in sieges, where mobility becomes irrelevant and their troops are forced into tight, unforgiving spaces.
Strengths:
- Best horse archers in the game
- Fastest campaign map movement
- Excellent at field battles
Weaknesses:
- Lack of siege capability
- Weak infantry lines
3. Sturgia
Sturgia’s appeal lies in its hardy infantry and snow-covered homeland. Their units excel in prolonged melee combat, and their cultural bonus reduces army cohesion loss, allowing for longer campaigns. However, their limited cavalry options and relatively poor economy can pose early challenges. Sturgia is ideal for players who prefer disciplined infantry warfare and defensive positioning.
Strengths:
- Strong shock infantry and two-handers
- Durable and cohesive armies
- Useful winter terrain bonus
Weaknesses:
- Poor cavalry
- Vulnerable to factions with superior archers or mobility
2. Vlandia
Vlandia’s knights and crossbowmen give it one of the most balanced late-game armies. Their cultural perk improves experience gain for troops from battles, accelerating army development. Vlandian sergeants form a solid infantry line while their noble cavalry can break enemy formations with ease. The faction’s feudal theme and coastal geography provide both depth and variety for roleplay and conquest.
Strengths:
- Elite heavy cavalry
- Lethal crossbow units
- Fast troop experience gain
Weaknesses:
- Cavalry-centric armies can be costly
- Less effective in hilly or forested terrain
1. Empire (Northern, Southern, Western)
The three Imperial factions may be politically fractured, but they share a superb unit roster. Imperial Cataphracts are among the best heavy cavalry available, and their Legionaries offer exceptional armour and discipline. The Empire also has strong mid-tier units and flexible support troops. Their cities are centrally located, making for an ideal base to unite the continent. Their cultural perk gives bonus construction speed, which helps with settlement development and siege equipment.
Strengths:
- Versatile and well-armoured troops
- Excellent heavy cavalry and infantry
- Centralised territory supports expansion
Weaknesses:
- Internal factionalism can create instability
- Surrounded on all sides by potential enemies
The Seven Swords takeaway
No faction in Bannerlord is truly weak, but each one suits a different playstyle. The Empire shines through balance and troop quality, while the Khuzait and Vlandians offer more specialised strengths. Battania and Aserai appeal to players who enjoy a challenge or a distinct thematic experience. Ultimately, the best faction is not just about numbers but how you choose to wield them.
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