Creating the best army in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord requires more than simply recruiting the highest tier units. A powerful force is built through balance, planning, and adaptability to the evolving conditions of a campaign. From recruitment and training to composition and cohesion, every step matters. Here’s how to shape a formidable army capable of dominating the battlefield and surviving long campaigns.
Understand Army Composition
An effective army blends different troop types to counter a variety of threats. Relying on one unit type leaves you vulnerable.
- Infantry form the backbone. They hold the line, absorb charges, and are essential for siege assaults.
- Archers or crossbowmen provide ranged pressure. Position them on high ground or behind infantry for best results.
- Cavalry are ideal for flanking, chasing down retreating foes, and disrupting enemy lines.
- Horse archers, while more specialised, offer mobility and harassment, especially against slow or disorganised armies.
The ideal composition depends on your playstyle and faction. For general campaigns, aim for roughly:
- 40% infantry
- 30% ranged
- 30% cavalry (split between melee and horse archers)
Choose the Right Culture and Units
Each culture in Bannerlord offers strengths and unique units. Choosing your faction influences what troops you’ll recruit and how you’ll fight.
- Vlandians have powerful heavy cavalry and crossbowmen.
- Sturgians are strong in heavy infantry, suited for shield wall tactics.
- Khuzaits dominate in horse archery and fast skirmishing.
- Battanians bring elite archers and ambush potential in forests.
- Empire factions offer balanced armies with good ranged and infantry options.
- Aserai have versatile desert warriors with strong cavalry.
Mixing units from different cultures through prisoner recruitment or fiefs adds flexibility but reduces upgrade efficiency.
Level and Equip Your Troops
High-tier troops win battles. Keep your units alive long enough to gain experience. Use the “Hold Fire” command when outnumbered to prevent unnecessary losses early on. Participate directly in battles to draw aggro away from your troops while they gain kills and promotions.
Ensure troops are properly equipped. Armour and weapons vary greatly between unit trees. Some factions, like the Empire, provide heavy armoured units early on, while others rely more on agility.
Use Companions Wisely
Assign companions with the right perks to army roles:
- Quartermasters reduce troop wages and increase party size.
- Surgeons improve healing rates and reduce deaths.
- Scouts boost map speed and detection.
- Tacticians offer valuable battle advantages like deployment control.
Train companions with relevant skills or recruit those who already have them. Keeping morale high also reduces desertion and boosts combat performance.
Manage Morale and Cohesion
Morale is crucial for battlefield effectiveness. High morale makes troops fight harder and hold longer. Keep morale up by:
- Winning battles regularly
- Avoiding starvation and overwork
- Paying troops on time
- Diversifying food supplies
In larger armies or kingdom campaigns, cohesion affects how long allied forces stay together. Use Influence to maintain cohesion if leading an army of vassals.
Adapt to the Campaign
No army setup works for every situation. For siege defence, favour ranged troops. For open-field combat, cavalry shines. Adjust your army based on enemy composition, terrain, and the phase of war.
Use scouts to identify incoming threats. Avoid overextending into hostile terrain without a support plan. Keep reserves or fresh garrison troops to replenish after heavy battles.
Maintain a Strong Economy
A powerful army drains your finances. Invest in:
- Workshops in profitable towns
- Caravans for trade income
- Loot and ransom from victories
- Fiefs for passive income
A well-funded army can fight longer and recover faster. Avoid going into debt as this leads to mass desertions.
Final Thoughts from Seven Swords…
The best army in Bannerlord is the one you can sustain, adapt with, and control effectively. Learn your units, balance your tactics, and keep your forces happy and healthy. Victory depends not just on numbers or tier, but how intelligently you command them.
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