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Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

Factions

By
Scott Peers

M&B II: Bannerlord Factions

There are a total of 6 individual factions in Bannerlord, each one controlling a portion of land within Calradia. At the beginning of the game you are given the opportunity to choose one faction with which you will identify. However, rather than this being a permanent choice which commits you to serving that faction, it is more an aspect of character development. Think of it as a kind of cultural heritage, which comes with specific benefits that have real significance in game. These are listed below.

Vlandians

The Vlandianis are descendants of adventurers from the west who lived under the empire for centuries before forming an independant kingdom. With the decline of imperial authority, they have evolved into a well organised feudal society led by a cast of warlike nobles who prefer to fight with spears and lances on horseback.

Vlandian Clans

Sturgians

Sturgians are the descendants of the foreign tribes of northern Calradia. As the empire expanded into their cold forests, they found a ready market for the luxurious furs of woodland animals whom they traditionally hunted and trapped. Sturgian chieftains became princes, vying for pre-eminence with the help of Nord mercenaries who migrated into their realm. They are good hunters and wanderers, travelling far in search of opportunities both for trade and for plunder.

Sturgian Clans

Icon Clan
Kuloving.jpg Kuloving
Gundaroving.jpg Gundaroving
Vagiroving.jpg Vagiroving
Ormidoving.jpg Ormidoving
Togaroving.jpg Togaroving
Isyaroving.jpg Isyaroving
Vezhoving.jpg Vezhoving
Ubroving.jpg Ubroving
Kostoroving.jpg Kostoroving

Empire

The Calradian Empire is in decline. Even before the murder of the Emperor Arenicos, the once united realm was torn by political rivalries. Today, those factions are in open war. Yet Calradians endure. They are technologically more advanced than their neighbours and their mastery of engineering is not just evident in their aqueducts, beautiful architecture and massive city walls. It also makes them experts in siege warfare.

Northern Empire Clans

Icon Clan
Osticos.jpg Osticos
Argoros.jpg Argoros
Neretzes.jpg Neretzes
Impestores.jpg Impestores
Dolentos.jpg Dolentos
Chonis.jpg Chonis
Phalentes.jpg Phalentes
Vatatzes.jpg Vatazes
Serapides.jpg Serapides

Southern Empire Clans

Icon Clan
Pethros.jpg Pethros
Leonipardes.jpg Leonipardes
Mestricaros.jpg Mestricaros
Hongeros.jpg Hongeros
Julios.jpg Julios
Vizartos.jpg Vizartos
Avlonos.jpg Avlonos
Prienicos.jpg Prienicos
Vetranis.jpg Vetranis

Western Empire Clans

Icon Clan
Comnos.jpg Comnos
Varros.jpg Varros
Dionicos.jpg Dionicos
Elaches.jpg Elaches
Lonalion.jpg Lonalion
Sorados.jpg Sorados
Corenios.jpg Corenios
Maneolis.jpg Maneolis
Palladios.jpg Palladios

Aserai

The Aserai are the inhabitants of the Nahasa desert, a mixture of nomadic bedouin and settled oasis farmers. They are famous for their horsemanship and their knowledge of the learning of many lands, especially medicine, gained from lying on some of the continent’s most lucrative trade routes. Each clan is fiercely proud of its lineage and often jealous of the others, but when united by a charasmatic leader, they become a major force in the south.

Aserai Clans

Icon Clan
Banu_Sarran.jpg Banu Sarran
Banu_Hulyan.jpg Banu Hulyan
Banu_Qild.jpg Banu Qild
Banu_Qaraz.jpg Banu Qaraz
Banu_Arbas.jpg Banu Arbas
Banu_Atij.jpg Banu Atij
Banu_Sarmal.jpg Banu Sarmal
Banu_Habbab.jpg Banu Habbab
Banu_Ruwaid.jpg Banu Ruwaid

Khuzaits

The Khuzait confederation of steppe tribes used to live a nomadic life, but have recently settled in the eastern frontier of the Empire and are slowly transitioning into an agrarian society with permanent town centres. Despite this, they still retain many aspects of their nomadic life, including their affinity with horses. They are masters of mounted archery, shooting and then galloping out of reach.

Khuzait Clans

Icon Clan
Urkhunait.jpg Urkhunait
Khergit.jpg Khergit
Arkit.jpg Arkit
Tigrit.jpg Tigrit
Harfit.jpg Harfit
Baltait.jpg Baltait
Koltit.jpg Koltit
Yanserit.jpg Yanserit
Oburit.jpg Oburit

Battanians

The Battanians still remember the olden days when the woods stretched across northern Calradia, and the Empire and its cities had yet to violate their sanctity. The firce warriors remain loyal to their traditional ways. They paint their faces when going to battle and even their noblemen prefer to fight on foot while using great axes and two-handed swords with deadly efficiency.

Battanian Clans

Icon Clan
Fen_Gruffendac.jpg fen Gruffendoc
Fen_Derngil.jpg fen Derngil
Fen_Uvain.jpg fen Uvain
Fen_Morcan.jpg fen Morcar
Fen_Penraic.jpg fen Penraic
Fen_Giall.jpg fen Giall
Fen_Eingal.jpg fen Eingal
Fen_Caernacht.jpg fen Caernacht

Best Factions in M&B II: Bannerlord

The first playthrough will most likely not be your only playthrough. With so much to learn, mistakes will be made and you may want to reconsider your faction configuration. To begin with, choosing a faction with movement speed bonuses is advised. This will allow you to take advantage of small groups of enemies which will be light on their feet or on horseback. In this way you can hunt them down without chasing them all over the map. It is for this reason that speed plays a surprisingly central role in Bannerlord; if your enemies are faster than you are, they may elude you for great distances around the map. This can result in your forces being exposed to other dangers such as larger armies, your supply chains being cut off, and your settlements made vulnerable.

In light of this, although the Vlandian faction bonus seems initially enticing, it won’t do you much good if you you’re unable to pursue enemies in the first place. You can earn much more XP and money by taking out numerous small groups of enemies, rather than being forced to chase potentially larger ones while exposing yourself to danger. On the other hand, if you navigate the map effectively, you may be able to zig-zag your way around an ememy, forcing them into a tight spot where their speed advantage is nullified. This however requires practice, and a good deal of luck based on the type of terrain that you’re moving through. If you try to move with precision atop a snowy mountain range, it will be much more difficult to corner a foe.

The construction and repair bonuses that come with choosing the Empire faction are more applicable in mid to late game scenarios, when you actually have the capability to capture and sustain multiple settlements. It is advised that you choose this on a later playthrough, as you will have no specific speed boosts to basic gameplay mechanics in the same way that the other factions provide in the early game. The Aserai is entirely viable as a starting faction, with the reduced trade penalty being useful throughout the game and the reduced cost of caravans allowing you to purchase one much sooner. The trading caravans are extremely useful in Bannerlord, costing you a fair bit to maintain to begin with, but soon paying dividends on the initial investment.

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Guide Information
  • Publisher
    TaleWorlds Entertainment
  • Platforms,
    PC, Steam
  • Genre
    Action RPG, Sandbox, Strategy
  • Guide Release
    23 April 2020
  • Last Updated
    21 December 2022
    Version History
  • Guide Author
    Scott Peers

Share this free guide:

The empire of Calradia is plagued by inner conflict, tearing the structure of the old order as new lines are drawn on the map. The chaos creates a dangerous world, with opportunities to capitalise on the uncertainty of the future. Control trade routes to manipulate production and distribution of resources, join factions to gain renown and influence world politics, or create your own clan to build a world of your own. Whatever path you choose, this guide will help you to understand the intricacies of the Bannerlord economy, combat, factions, skills and perks, tactics, troop types, character builds, smithing system, quests, and much more to ensure that you are never left wondering what to do next, or how you might go about doing it. The guide covers:

  • A guide for campaign Quests, including main and side quests
  • A detailed guide covering the Combat system, includes basic and advanced techniques for different weapons
  • Guide to combat Tactics, includes how to organise troops on the battlefield and simulation battles
  • Guides for how to quickly gain Renown and Influence in Calradia
  • A Character Development guide to Factions, Skills, Companions, and Marriage
  • A guide covering Character Builds for different combat styles such as melee, mounted, and ranged
  • A comprehensive guide to all Perks associated with combat and governance
  • A detailed Army Troop Types guide including how to get the Best Troops of Each Type
  • An Economy guide covering How to Make Money quickly through raiding, conquest, and trading
  • A list of Recommended Mods for the campaign and battles!

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