Mount and Blade II: Bannerlord is jam-packed with a plethora of in-game progression mechanics that make you feel like a real lord of your kingdom. However, before running a Kingdom, you need to form one.
While that might sound simple, starting a kingdom can prove to be a real chore. After all, you need to gather renown while working up the ranks.
So, in this article, we will be showcasing everything you need to know in order to start a kingdom in Mount and Blade: Bannerlord.
So, without further ado, let’s jump right in!
Mount & Blade ll: Bannerlord: How to Create A Kingdom
Getting started, you first need to complete the requirements for forming a kingdom.
You basically need to have the following to start a kingdom:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Clan Level | 4 (Minimum) |
| Fief | Own one |
Now, in order to complete these requirements, you need to grind the lower ranks until you’ve amassed enough wealth to form your Kingdom.
Step 1: Obtaining Clan Level 4
In Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, increasing your clan level is important for expanding your influence and unlocking additional gameplay features.
To reach Clan Level 4, you need to gain Renown.
Here are some tips and tricks to help you earn Renown more efficiently:
- Engage in combat:
- Defeat bandits and looters: Attack and defeat groups of bandits and looters scattered throughout the map. This is an easy way to gain Renown, especially early in the game.
- Participate in tournaments: Win or place highly in tournaments hosted in various towns. This not only earns you Renown but also improves your character’s skills and provides valuable prizes.
- Join a faction as a mercenary or vassal: By joining a faction, you can participate in larger battles and sieges, which yield higher amounts of Renown.
- Defeat bandits and looters: Attack and defeat groups of bandits and looters scattered throughout the map. This is an easy way to gain Renown, especially early in the game.
- Complete quests:
- Take on quests from various NPCs in towns and villages. Successfully completing these tasks earns you Renown, gold, and improved relations with the quest giver.
- Focus on quests that yield higher Renown rewards, such as “Capture Enemy Lords” or “Train Troops.”
- Take on quests from various NPCs in towns and villages. Successfully completing these tasks earns you Renown, gold, and improved relations with the quest giver.
- Trade and establish businesses:
- Engage in profitable trade routes and invest in workshops in different towns. As your wealth increases, so does your Renown.
- Caravans can also generate income and Renown. However, be prepared to defend them from bandits and enemy factions.
- Engage in profitable trade routes and invest in workshops in different towns. As your wealth increases, so does your Renown.
- Manage your party:
- Maintain a strong and diverse party composition to ensure victory in battles and improve your chances of gaining Renown.
- Invest in the “Leadership” and “Steward” skills to increase your party size and improve your troops’ morale, which in turn helps with winning battles and gaining more Renown.
- Maintain a strong and diverse party composition to ensure victory in battles and improve your chances of gaining Renown.
- Conquer territory:
- As a faction member, participate in campaigns to conquer enemy settlements. Successfully capturing a settlement grants you a significant amount of Renown.
- If you manage to become the ruler of your own kingdom, you can initiate wars and sieges to expand your territory and earn even more Renown.
- As a faction member, participate in campaigns to conquer enemy settlements. Successfully capturing a settlement grants you a significant amount of Renown.
- Participate in diplomacy:
- Get involved in the political landscape by making alliances, negotiating peace treaties, or arranging marriages. These actions can earn you Renown as well as help to strengthen your position within your faction.
Remember, the key is to stay active and participate in various aspects of the game, from combat to diplomacy.
Step 2: How To Obtain Fief
In Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, obtaining a fief allows you to own land and generate income from it.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to obtain a fief:
- Increase your clan level: Before you can become a vassal or start your own kingdom, you need to reach at least Clan Level 1. To do this, earn Renown through battles, tournaments, quests, and trading.
- Join a faction: You have two options for obtaining a fief—joining an existing faction or creating your own kingdom.
- Join an existing faction: To become a vassal of a kingdom, you’ll need to pledge allegiance to its ruler. Locate the ruler of the faction you want to join and speak with them. Choose the dialogue option to pledge your loyalty, and they may accept you as a vassal if you meet the requirements.
- Create your own kingdom: If you prefer to rule your own kingdom, you’ll need to complete the main questline (“Neretzes’ Folly”) and fulfill specific conditions, such as Clan Level 3, having 100 troops, and owning a settlement. Once you meet these requirements, you can declare your own kingdom.
- Join an existing faction: To become a vassal of a kingdom, you’ll need to pledge allegiance to its ruler. Locate the ruler of the faction you want to join and speak with them. Choose the dialogue option to pledge your loyalty, and they may accept you as a vassal if you meet the requirements.
- Obtain a fief:
- As a vassal: When you join a faction as a vassal, you may be granted a fief immediately, or you may need to prove yourself first. Participate in wars and sieges to capture enemy settlements. After capturing a settlement, there’s a chance that the ruler will assign it to you as a fief.
If you don’t receive a fief right away, continue to support your faction in battles and improve your relationship with the ruler and other lords, as they will vote on who receives new fiefs. - As a kingdom ruler: If you have your own kingdom, you can directly choose which settlements to conquer and claim as fiefs. However, you’ll need to be prepared to defend your territory against other factions.
- As a vassal: When you join a faction as a vassal, you may be granted a fief immediately, or you may need to prove yourself first. Participate in wars and sieges to capture enemy settlements. After capturing a settlement, there’s a chance that the ruler will assign it to you as a fief.
- Manage your fief: Once you have a fief, it’s essential to manage it effectively. Assign a companion as a governor, upgrade your settlement’s buildings, and maintain high security to prevent raids and improve prosperity.
Remember that obtaining a fief in Bannerlord can be a challenging process, but by consistently participating in faction activities and maintaining good relationships with the faction ruler and lords, you can increase your chances of being granted a fief.
You’ve Started Your Kingdom – What Now?
Congratulations on starting your own kingdom in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord!
As a ruler, you have new responsibilities and opportunities.
Here are some steps to help you expand and manage your kingdom effectively:
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Secure your borders | Defend settlements, upgrade defenses, maintain strong garrisons, and patrol surrounding areas to deter enemy incursions. |
| Expand your territory | Identify weak neighbors, plan campaigns, and conquer their settlements while being prepared for potential wars. |
| Recruit vassals | Improve relationships with lords from other factions or assign companions as vassals by granting them fiefs. |
| Establish policies | Propose and enact policies that shape your kingdom based on your playstyle (economic growth, military strength, or diplomacy). |
| Manage diplomacy | Engage in diplomacy with other kingdoms to form alliances, declare war, negotiate peace treaties, or arrange marriages. |
| Assign governors | Appoint companions or vassals with high Steward or Engineering skills as governors to manage your fiefs efficiently. |
| Keep vassals happy | Maintain good relationships with vassals by granting fiefs, supporting them in votes, and helping them with quests. |
| Manage your economy | Establish caravans, workshops, and optimize trade routes to ensure a strong economic foundation for your kingdom. |
| Train your troops | Train and upgrade your troops and encourage your vassals to do the same to maintain a formidable fighting force. |
| Adapt your strategy | Adjust your strategy and respond to changing circumstances, such as new wars, alliances, or internal conflicts, as your kingdom grows. |
Conclusion
Establishing a kingdom in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is no simple feat; it demands a combination of strategic foresight, diplomatic savvy, and military might.
If you’re looking to embark on this exciting and challenging journey, then you’ll need to carefully follow the steps outlined in this guide.
From securing your borders to recruiting loyal vassals, establishing sound policies to navigating diplomatic waters, and from assigning capable governors, and ensuring the contentment of your vassals, each step is essential to building a prosperous and powerful kingdom.
But don’t rest on your laurels just yet.
As you progress, you’ll inevitably encounter new challenges that require both flexibility and ingenuity.
Forge alliances with other factions, make tough decisions that may put you at odds with your allies, and be prepared to adapt your strategy in response to changing circumstances.
Above all, remember that ruling a kingdom is not a game for the faint of heart; it will test your leadership skills, ability to adapt to unforeseen circumstances, and strategic acumen.
So embrace the challenges, learn from your mistakes, and enjoy the journey as you rise to become a true ruler in the captivating world of Calradia.