Mount and Blade 2 is renowned for its complex strategic medieval elements. Players can RPG their way into taking over the entire empire through their ingenuity and wits alone. Gather resources and companions and fight or accomplish your way to the top.

Sounds exciting, doesn’t it? But hold your horse’s young warrior, although there are many ways to win in Mount and Blade, there are also a thousand ways you can die and fail in this game. Going into this game without any sort of guide is like asking a toddler to read a novel before learning the alphabet.

There are many things to know before you should jump in, especially if you’re new to the franchise. Here is the definitive beginner’s guide to getting you started on Mount and Blade 2.

7 Beginner Tips You Need to Know for Mount and Blade 2 Bannerlord

These are 7 early pieces of information we were able to gather on Mount and Blade 2. Before you go headfirst into the fray, remember to apply these tips when you start your first campaign.

1. Campaign or Sandbox?

There are two main modes in the game, Campaign and Sandbox modes. Campaign mode has a set main quest of the timeline to follow. For such a large game with a lot to do, this is a blessing since this provides structure.

Sandbox mode has a lot more freedom in determining your character so it’s a good mode if you’re looking to have fun.

2. Top 3 Cultures to Pick

There are 6 Cultures to choose from for our character. Newer players have no idea what each culture entails. So here are the 3 best cultures for starters.

• Aserai – perfect for a trade-focused campaign. It has a reduced price for caravans and a reduction of trade penalties
• Vlandians – for combat and adventure build. This culture provides a starting +5 more renown
• Battanians –  50% less penalty moving in forests, making you very fast in defense and offense

3. Character Build Basics

Character builds are dense. The best advice for choosing a character build is to choose the playstyle that you most personally enjoy.

It’s also generally better to specialize in two attributes rather than a single one.

4. Party Roles

The four-party roles for companions are:

• Quartermaster
• Engineer
• Surgeon
• Scout

Check the encyclopedia to assign the perfect companion for each role. For example, a party member with 60 medicine would be perfect as a surgeon.

5. Importance of Renown

On the clan tab, you can check your renown level on the upper right. Leveling up your renown is vital since it provides you with several benefits such as:

• Make your own kingdom
• Becoming a Mercenary
• Make more workshops
• Increase party size
• And more

6. Party Size

 Increasing party size is essential in increasing your strength. Aside from leveling up your renown, you can use the Steward skill. It grants 1 plus party size for every four levels.

Pick this up if you want to enlarge your party size as much as possible

7. Combat Tips and Money Management

For melee, there are two ways to wield your weapons, one–handed and two–handed. One-handed is the safest to use.

Attack damage for melee is good but swing speed is better. On foot, it’s important to stay with your shield wall. Stay patient and killing opportunities will come when the formation crumbles, giving you the opportunity to flank.

For mounted use a Thursted pull arm. While on the mount, make sure to keep moving so you don’t become an easy target

For ranged weapons, start with a bow and arrow or crossbow. Positioning is important as an archer, beginners start as low levels so it’s harder to hit long-range shots than mid-range.