Hey there, fellow banner lords and ladies! Ready to dive headfirst into the epic world of Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord? This game is all about forging your own destiny, and a HUGE part of that is crafting the perfect character. Choosing the right build can make the difference between conquering Calradia and getting your face stomped in the mud. So, buckle up, because we're about to break down some of the best Bannerlord 2 character builds to help you dominate the battlefield and the political arena. We'll be covering everything from attributes and skills to perks and companions, so you can create a character that fits your playstyle, whether you're a cunning strategist, a brutal warrior, or a silver-tongued diplomat. Let's get started, shall we?

Understanding the Foundations: Attributes and Skills

Before we jump into specific builds, let's get the basics down, shall we? In Bannerlord 2, your character's success hinges on two main things: attributes and skills. Think of attributes as your raw potential, the base stats that determine what you're good at, and skills are what you develop over time through experience. Understanding how these work together is crucial for a strong build.

Attributes: The Building Blocks

There are four main attributes in Bannerlord 2, each with its own set of skills that it affects:

• Vigor: This governs your strength and endurance. It affects skills like One-Handed, Two-Handed, Polearm, and Athletics. A high Vigor score means you'll hit harder, last longer in combat, and move faster on the battlefield. This is a must for any warrior build.
• Control: This attribute affects your ability to control your troops. It influences Riding, Tactics, and Leadership. A high Control score is vital for commanding large armies, maneuvering on the battlefield, and boosting your party's morale. If you're into leading armies, make sure you don't skimp on Control!
• Endurance: This focuses on your toughness and resilience. It influences skills like Bow, Crossbow, and Medicine. High Endurance means you can take a beating, heal faster, and keep your troops healthy. This is especially important for ranged and support characters.
• Cunning: This is all about your wits and adaptability. It affects Scouting, Roguery, and Engineering. High Cunning scores are great for scouting ahead, dealing with shady characters, and building siege engines. A cunning build can let you outsmart your enemies.

When creating a character, you'll have points to allocate to each attribute. The higher the attribute, the more skill points you can gain for each level up. Keep in mind that you can also increase your attributes through leveling and perks.

Skills: Honing Your Craft

Skills are what truly define your character. As you use a skill in-game, you'll gain experience and level it up. Each skill has a tree of perks that you can unlock at certain skill levels, granting you powerful bonuses and abilities. Your attribute score plays a big role in how quickly you level up your skills, so it's important to keep those attribute and skill interactions in mind.

For example, if you want to be a master swordsman, you'll need a high Vigor attribute to boost your One-Handed skill. You'll also want to focus on perks that enhance your damage, speed, and survivability in melee combat. It's all about synergy!

The Warrior's Path: A Melee Domination Build

Let's get down to the best Bannerlord 2 build! If you like getting up close and personal and cleaving through enemies with your weapon, this is the build for you. This build focuses on raw power and battlefield dominance. This build is designed for players who enjoy the thrill of close combat and want to be the center of attention on the battlefield. It prioritizes damage output, survivability, and the ability to effectively deal with multiple enemies at once. Here's how to build it:

• Attributes: Prioritize Vigor, then allocate points into Control and Endurance. Leave Cunning for later, or keep it at a minimum for now. Aim for at least 6 points in Vigor to unlock crucial perks.
• Skills: Focus on the following:
  • One-Handed: Essential for dealing damage and speed. Level this up as quickly as possible, unlocking perks that increase your damage, swing speed, and ability to block attacks.
  • Two-Handed: This is where you unlock the ability to decimate groups of enemies. Perks here will enhance your cleave ability and make you a walking wrecking ball.
  • Polearm: Useful for controlling space, attacking from horseback, and dealing with heavily armored foes. This provides both reach and power.
  • Athletics: For getting around the battlefield, stamina, and overall speed. This helps you to chase down enemies and avoid getting flanked. The stamina bonus from this skill is really important.
  • Riding: Important if you are going to use horseback combat.
• Perks: Choose perks that complement your skills. For example, for One-Handed, pick perks that increase your damage and speed. For Two-Handed, select perks that increase your cleave and stagger chance. Look for perks that give you more health and stamina for extra survivability.
• Gear: Look for a good combination of armor and weapons. Start with a good quality one-handed weapon with good damage and speed. As you level up, switch to two-handed weapons for increased damage output. Wear heavy armor to maximize protection. Make sure to have a shield for defense.

Combat Tactics for Warrior Builds

• Engage the enemy: Charge into battle and start swinging! Your high damage output will make short work of most enemies.
• Prioritize targets: Focus on eliminating archers and other high-priority targets first.
• Use your shield: If you have a shield, use it to block attacks and protect yourself.
• Manage your stamina: Don't swing constantly. Take breaks to allow your stamina to regenerate.
• Use your horse: If you are using a horse, use hit-and-run tactics to deal heavy damage.

The Ranged Assassin: A Deadly Archer/Crossbow Build

Do you prefer to rain death from afar, picking off enemies before they even get close? This is the build for you. This build focuses on precision, mobility, and the ability to eliminate enemies from a safe distance. The Ranged Assassin build offers a unique playstyle that can be incredibly rewarding for players who enjoy strategic positioning and precise aiming.

• Attributes: Focus on Endurance and Vigor to enhance your ability to deal and take damage. You will also need to invest in Control to a lesser extent.
• Skills: Focus on the following:
  • Bow/Crossbow: The cornerstone of the build. Maximize your damage, accuracy, and reload speed. Bow is the better option in most cases, but crossbows can pack a huge punch.
  • Athletics: For keeping up with the enemy and staying out of harm's way.
  • Riding: Important if you are going to use horseback combat.
• Perks: Choose perks that enhance your damage, accuracy, and reload speed. Consider perks that improve your stamina and movement speed while aiming.
• Gear: Get a high-quality bow or crossbow with high damage. Wear medium armor to balance protection and mobility. Use a shield for defense.

Combat Tactics for Ranged Assassin Builds

• Positioning: Find a high vantage point to maximize your range and visibility. Keep an eye out for places with natural cover.
• Prioritize targets: Take out enemy archers and other high-priority targets first.
• Use cover: Use cover to protect yourself from enemy fire.
• Keep moving: Don't stay in one place for too long. If enemies get too close, relocate.
• Ride a horse: For quick movement and combat.

The Cunning Strategist: A Party Leader and Commander Build

Are you more of a leader than a fighter? This build focuses on commanding large armies, managing your party, and outmaneuvering your enemies on the strategic level. This build is designed for players who enjoy leading armies, managing resources, and making strategic decisions. It prioritizes troop management, battlefield tactics, and diplomacy. This is for the players who wish to have the ability to command troops and influence the world.

• Attributes: Focus on Control and Cunning. You'll also need some Vigor for those skills, and Endurance for yourself and your troops.
• Skills: Focus on the following:
  • Leadership: Essential for increasing your party size, boosting morale, and getting more experience for your troops. Maximize this skill early.
  • Tactics: Important for battlefield control, troop formations, and winning battles. Choose perks that let you start battles with a tactical advantage.
  • Scouting: Crucial for spotting enemy armies, ambushing caravans, and avoiding unwanted fights. Improves your movement speed.
  • Roguery: Boost your influence within the game, and increase your chances of successfully persuading others.
• Perks: Choose perks that enhance your Leadership and Tactics skills. Look for perks that increase your party size, morale, and experience gain.
• Gear: Focus on armor and weapons that boost your skills. Focus on any items that increase your Leadership and Tactics skills.

Combat Tactics for Party Leader Builds

• Battlefield positioning: Use your Tactics skill to position your troops to maximize their effectiveness.
• Prioritize troop types: Make sure to have a good mix of troops, including infantry, archers, and cavalry.
• Use formations: Utilize formations to maximize your troop's effectiveness.
• Support your troops: Stay behind your troops and support them with ranged fire.
• Lead by example: Use your skills and abilities to inspire your troops and lead them to victory.

Choosing the Right Companions for Your Build

No matter what build you choose, having the right companions can make a HUGE difference. Companions can fill in your weaknesses, provide extra skills, and help you dominate the game. Here are some of the best companions to recruit, and how to use them.

• For the Warrior: Look for companions with high combat skills, such as combat and one/two-handed. These companions will be invaluable in close combat, and can help you win battles quickly.
• For the Ranged Assassin: Recruit companions with high bow or crossbow skills. They will provide additional ranged damage, and can help you take out enemies from a distance.
• For the Party Leader: Recruit companions with high Leadership, Tactics, and Scouting skills. They can act as commanders, scouts, and diplomats.
• General Companions: Look for companions with good medicine and engineering skills. These companions can keep your army healthy and maintain siege weapons.

Early Game vs. Late Game

Remember that early and late-game builds have different focuses. Early-game is all about survival and building up your character, while late-game is about conquering the world. When you start out, focus on building up your base skills and stats. The best way to start out is by joining armies or completing quests to earn money and experience. As you level up and gain access to more perks, you can start specializing in your chosen build.

• Early Game: Focus on skills that will help you survive, such as combat, athletics, and scouting. Complete quests and join armies to earn money and experience.
• Mid-Game: Focus on leveling up your chosen skills and unlocking perks. Start building your own party and expanding your influence.
• Late Game: Focus on dominating the battlefield and expanding your empire. Utilize your skills and perks to dominate your enemies.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the best build for beginners? A versatile warrior build is a great starting point, as it's easy to pick up and effective in all situations. Focus on one-handed combat, athletics, and riding.
• How do I respec my character? Unfortunately, there is no way to respec attributes in Bannerlord 2. You can, however, choose different perks when you level up skills.
• How important are companions? Companions are extremely important, as they provide extra skills and can help you win battles and manage your party. Focus on recruiting companions that compliment your build.
• Which skills are most important? One-Handed, Two-Handed, Bow, Riding, Leadership, and Tactics are all important skills. You'll want to choose a build that uses those skills and complements your playstyle.
• What is the best way to earn money early game? Completing quests, selling loot, and trading are all good ways to earn money early on.

Conclusion

So there you have it, folks! These are just a few of the best Bannerlord 2 character builds to get you started. Remember, the most important thing is to have fun and experiment to find a build that works for you. Bannerlord 2 is all about creating your own story. So go out there, raise your banner, and conquer Calradia! Good luck, and may the gods of war be with you! Keep experimenting with different builds and playstyles to find what works best for you and your goals in the game. Happy conquering!