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When calls for TaleWorlds Entertainment to add a large-scale battle mode to Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord were finally answered, it quickly became a favorite among groups and solo players alike. With team damage active and up to 120 players on the battlefield at any one time, it can be a relatively daunting mode to get a handle on. The increased focus on team tactics also adds an element of reliance on the player’s teammates to operate cohesively and efficiently.
That being the case, determined solo players can mitigate some of the above by having a good familiarity with the units available to them and how they can plug obvious gaps when a game is not going their way. Vlandians have a range of traditional feudal era units for players to choose from, with the faction as a whole being relatively forgiving for players new to the multiplayer scene.
Battle Mode – Best Melee Infantry Unit: Sergeant
The Vlandians suffer from a lack of variety in their melee infantry selection. The primary option of Peasant Levy comes at a cost of 80, with an armor rating of 16 and a Sickle as the default weapon. Voulgiers (essentially slightly improved peasants) come at an unreasonable cost of 130 with an abysmal armor rating of just 12. Both of those options are generally weak, but the presence of so many soldiers can very quickly see players losing under a flurry of blows.
It makes more sense to spawn as a Sergeant, even with the slightly more significant outlay of 160. With an impressive armor rating of 42, it is in the selection of six available perks that the true strength of the unit lies. For the first stat boost, players can select either Reinforced Armor (+13 Armor Rating), Axe Specialist (changes weapon to an axe and grants +20% damage to shields) or Mace (changes weapon to mace and improves damage against armor).
The second is Cavalry Breaker (which grants a spear and buffs damage to mounted units), Two-Handed Sword (which changes weapon and improves one-on-one dueling) or Melee Specialist (grants buffs to movement speed and damage). Although selecting one of the above will usually be situational, combining Reinforced Armor and Two-Handed Sword makes for a tank powerhouse able to cut through most foes.
Battle Mode – Best Ranged Infantry Unit: Sharpshooter
Unlike the melee category, players have only two options to select from for both ranged and cavalry classes. Both ranged classes are crossbow based here, rather than the longbow and shortbow users many other factions choose to field. When playing as Vlandia, though, going with the Sharpshooter option is worth doing when funds allow. With a cost of 120 for the more basic Arbalest unit, compared to 160 for the Sharpshooter, the difference in outlay is relatively small, but there are some notable boosts to the stats in play.
The Sharpshooter marginally outstrips the Arbalist in both accuracy and length, but it is the significantly greater accuracy of the arbalest over the standard crossbow that gives this class type its edge in battles of this size. Firing into huge crowds of melee soldiers in combat is difficult, so the more accurate the player can be, the better. The arbalest perk is a must here, as replacing the standard crossbow and Pavise Shield in the second slot provides excellent survivability.
Battle Mode – Best Cavalry Unit: Vanguard
Those players who want their next foray into battle to be on the back of a horse may be tempted by all the Knight’s bells and whistles. But at a cost of 200, it is the most expensive of the units available and the money is better invested in the Knight’s more understated cousin, the Vanguard. Although comparatively lacking in armor, the far greater mobility provides this cheaper unit (only 160) with the edge and more than makes up for the increased vulnerability.
Although marginally outmatched in damage, the increased speed the Vanguard has available when using spears is apparent. The extra option of using a mace is also helpful when up against shielded and armored units. Perks allow for either a speed or agility boost when mounted, and Half Barding or Extra Chainmail provides armor buffs to the horse or player, respectively.
The addition of Battle mode to the game has boosted an already impressive single-player and multiplayer experience. Although the Vlandian faction is varied in the quality of the units available, the availability of both solid, reasonably priced troops and cheaper options is excellent for balancing the books before a battle. Other factions have higher highs and more impressive standout units, but the average quality here should make victory achievable in most scenarios.