How To Get Supporters In Bannerlord

Building Your Warband: A Guide to Gaining Supporters in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

Successfully navigating the political and military landscape of Calradia in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord requires more than just martial prowess. Gathering and retaining a loyal following is essential for achieving your ambitions, whether you aim to establish a kingdom or simply carve out a prosperous fiefdom.

Early Game Recruitment: The Foundation of Your Force

Your initial focus should be on recruiting companions and building relationships with local notables. These early supporters form the core of your future warband.

Companions: Your Elite Cadre

Companions are vital. They can fill crucial roles as party skills trainers, scout, medic, engineer, or quartermaster. You can find them in taverns throughout Calradia. They have individual backstories, skills, and personalities. Certain companions have conflicting ideologies, requiring careful party management to prevent them from leaving.

Key Actions:

• Visit taverns in various towns.
• Speak to every character in the tavern until you find a named companion.
• Assess their skills and suitability for your needs.
• Pay their hiring fee.

Clan Tier and Companion Limit

Your clan tier directly impacts the number of companions you can have in your party. Increasing your clan tier is achieved by gaining renown. Renown is acquired through completing quests, winning tournaments, and engaging in battles.

Key Actions:

• Complete quests for notables and lords.
• Participate in and win tournaments.
• Engage in battles, especially against larger forces.

Relationship Building: The Cornerstone of Loyalty

Maintaining positive relationships with lords, ladies, and notables is paramount. These relationships unlock opportunities for recruitment, marriage alliances, and political influence. Positive relationships also affect the likelihood of lords joining your kingdom if you choose to establish one.

Quest Completion and Honorable Actions

Completing quests for lords and notables is a direct way to improve relations. Prioritize quests that align with your character's values. Dishonorable actions, such as looting caravans or raiding villages, negatively impact your reputation and relationships.

Key Actions:

• Accept and successfully complete quests offered by lords and notables.
• Avoid actions that negatively impact your reputation (e.g., raiding caravans of friendly factions).
• Release captured lords after battle, especially those with honorable traits.

Marriage Alliances: Strengthening Your Clan

Marriage alliances are a powerful tool. Marrying a member of your clan to a member of another clan strengthens ties and can provide significant political advantages. Considerations include the skills and traits of the potential spouse, as well as the standing of their clan.

Key Actions:

• Identify potential spouses from influential clans.
• Consider their skills, traits, and clan's power.
• Propose marriage through the character's father or clan leader.

Strategic Recruitment: Expanding Your Influence

As your clan grows in power, you can recruit more lords and ladies to your cause. This requires a strategic approach, focusing on lords who are dissatisfied with their current allegiance or share similar ideologies.

Identifying Potential Recruits

Pay attention to the political climate of Calradia. Lords who have recently lost fiefs, have poor relations with their king, or belong to a weakening faction are more likely to be receptive to offers.

Key Indicators:

• Lords who have recently lost fiefs.
• Lords with low relations with their current ruler.
• Lords whose faction is losing the war.

The Persuasion Skill: A Crucial Asset

The Persuasion skill is essential for convincing lords to join your cause. Investing in this skill allows you to overcome objections and present a compelling argument. High charisma and a positive relationship with the lord significantly increase your chances of success.

Key Actions:

• Invest skill points in the Persuasion skill tree.
• Develop a strong relationship with the target lord before attempting recruitment.
• Present a persuasive argument, highlighting the benefits of joining your cause.

The Cost of Loyalty: Fiefs and Influence

Recruiting lords often requires offering them incentives, such as fiefs or positions of power within your organization. Be prepared to cede territory and grant influence to secure their loyalty. Consider the long-term consequences of your decisions, as granting too much power to certain lords can create internal conflicts.

Key Considerations:

• Be prepared to offer fiefs or other incentives to potential recruits.
• Consider the long-term consequences of your decisions.
• Balance the distribution of power to prevent internal conflicts.

Maintaining Loyalty: A Continuous Effort

Gaining supporters is only the first step. Maintaining their loyalty requires ongoing effort and attention. Neglecting your supporters can lead to defections and undermine your power.

Addressing Grievances

Pay attention to the needs and concerns of your supporters. Address their grievances promptly and fairly. Failure to do so can lead to resentment and ultimately, defection.

Key Actions:

• Hold court regularly to hear the concerns of your vassals.
• Address grievances promptly and fairly.
• Ensure that all lords feel valued and respected.

Strategic Fief Management

Distribute fiefs strategically, taking into account the skills, traits, and relationships of your lords. Granting fiefs to loyal and competent individuals strengthens your realm, while rewarding disloyal or incompetent lords can weaken it.

Key Considerations:

• Grant fiefs based on loyalty, competence, and strategic importance.
• Avoid granting too much power to a single lord.
• Rotate fiefs periodically to prevent stagnation.

Continuous Engagement

Maintain regular contact with your supporters. Participate in feasts, tournaments, and other social events to foster camaraderie and strengthen relationships. Lead your armies in battle, demonstrating your courage and leadership.

Key Actions:

• Attend feasts and tournaments.
• Lead your armies in battle.
• Maintain regular communication with your lords and ladies.

Key Takeaways: Building a Lasting Legacy

Gaining and maintaining supporters in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is a multifaceted process that requires a combination of strategic planning, relationship building, and effective leadership.

Key Points to Remember:

• Recruit companions early and utilize their skills effectively.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with lords, ladies, and notables.
• Strategically recruit lords who are dissatisfied with their current allegiance.
• Address grievances promptly and fairly to maintain loyalty.
• Distribute fiefs strategically to reward loyalty and competence.

By following these principles, you can build a strong and loyal following, laying the foundation for a successful and enduring dynasty in Calradia.