Endgame Strategies

Endgame Strategies

Congratulations, warlord! You've navigated the treacherous early game, established your reputation, and perhaps even sworn fealty to a king. Now, the true endgame of Mount & Blade: Warband begins: forging your own destiny, whether that's ruling a vast empire or becoming the wealthiest merchant in Calradia. This section will guide you through the advanced steps to solidify your power and achieve your ultimate goals.

Becoming a Sovereign Ruler

The pinnacle of power in Warband is establishing your own kingdom. This isn't a task for the faint of heart, but with careful planning and execution, you can crown yourself king or queen.

• Prerequisites for Kingship:
  • High Renown: Aim for at least 500 Renown to be taken seriously by other lords.
  • Good Relations with Lords: You'll need allies. Focus on improving relations with honorable lords (e.g., those with a "Good-Natured" or "Upstanding" personality) through quests, feasts, and releasing them after battle.
  • A Strong Army: A force of 100-150 elite troops is a good starting point. Focus on high-tier units like Swadian Knights, Vaegir Marksmen, or Rhodok Sharpshooters.
  • A Castle or Town: You need a base of operations. Capturing a castle or town is the first step.
• The Path to Independence:
  1. Capture a Fief: While serving a king, capture a castle or town that you desire. Ideally, choose one that is strategically important or has good resources.
  2. Request the Fief: Go to your liege and request the newly captured fief. If your relations are high and you have good standing, they might grant it to you.
  3. Rebellion: If your liege refuses to grant you the fief, you have the option to rebel. This will declare war on your former kingdom. Be prepared for immediate retaliation.
  4. Defend Your Claim: Once you rebel, other factions will likely declare war on you. Focus on defending your newly acquired territory. Use your strong army to repel sieges and defeat enemy lords in the field.
  5. Recruit Vassals: As your kingdom grows, you'll need lords to govern your new territories and lead armies. Approach lords with high relations and offer them a vassalage. Grant them captured castles or towns to keep them loyal.
  6. Consolidate Power: Continue to expand your territory, capture more fiefs, and defeat rival kingdoms. Eventually, other factions may recognize your sovereignty and sue for peace.

Mastering the Economy and Trade

Even as a king, a strong economy is crucial. If you prefer a less martial path, becoming a trade magnate can be an equally rewarding endgame.

• Enterprise Investments:
  • Location, Location, Location: Invest in enterprises in towns with high prosperity and low competition. For example, a Dye Works in Rivacheg or Curaw can be highly profitable due to the availability of raw materials and good trade routes.
  • Diversify: Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Invest in various enterprise types across different towns, such as Ironworks in Dhirim or Weaver's Shops in Praven.
  • Monitor Profits: Regularly check your enterprise reports in the town menu. If a particular enterprise isn't performing well, consider selling it and investing elsewhere.
• Advanced Trade Routes:
  • Luxury Goods: Focus on trading high-value items like Velvet (found in Praven, Dhirim, Sargoth) and Spices (found in Jelkala, Suno). These have high profit margins when sold in distant lands.
  • Strategic Resource Control: If you own towns, ensure they have access to essential resources. For example, a town with an Ironworks will benefit greatly from nearby iron mines.
  • Caravan Protection: As your wealth grows, so does the target on your back. Invest in a strong caravan guard to protect your valuable goods from bandits and hostile lords. High-level companions with good fighting skills are ideal for leading these groups.

Optimizing Your Companions and Party

Your companions are more than just fighters; they are invaluable assets in the endgame.

• Companion Roles:
  • Surgeon: A companion with high First Aid, Surgery, and Wound Treatment (e.g., Jeremus, Marnid) is essential for minimizing casualties and keeping your elite troops alive.
  • Engineer: For sieges, a companion with high Engineering (e.g., Artimenner, Borcha) will speed up siege tower construction and trebuchet deployment.
  • Scout: A high Pathfinding and Spotting companion (e.g., Deshavi, Rolf) will improve your map speed and detect enemies from further away.
  • Trainer: Companions with high Trainer skill (e.g., Matheld, Bunduk) will accelerate the training of your recruits into elite soldiers.
• Party Composition:
  • Elite Core: Maintain a core of 50-70 elite troops (e.g., Swadian Knights, Vaegir Guards, Rhodok Sergeants). These will be your shock troops in battle.
  • Ranged Support: A strong contingent of archers or crossbowmen (e.g., Vaegir Marksmen, Rhodok Sharpshooters) is crucial for softening up enemy lines before your cavalry or infantry engage.
  • Infantry Line: A solid line of infantry (e.g., Nord Huscarls, Swadian Footmen) can hold the line against enemy charges and protect your ranged units.

Legendary Gear and Unique Items

While not strictly an endgame strategy, acquiring the best gear will significantly enhance your capabilities.

• Lordly and Masterwork Items: Look for items with "Lordly" or "Masterwork" prefixes in town markets. These offer superior stats compared to standard equipment.
• Unique Weapons:
  • Sword of the Black Khergit: A powerful two-handed sword sometimes found on defeated Khergit lords or in high-tier loot.
  • Great Sword of the Conqueror: Another excellent two-handed sword, often found in similar circumstances.
  • Khergit Bow of War: A top-tier bow for mounted archers.
• Armor Sets:
  • Plate Armor: The best heavy armor in the game, offering maximum protection. Can be found in wealthy towns or on defeated enemy lords.
  • Gothic Plate Armor: A slightly lighter but still highly protective alternative.
  • Great Helmet: Provides excellent head protection.