Part 12

Learn how to master warfare and combat in Mount & Blade: Warband. Discover tips on pillaging, prisoner management, army building, and battlefield tactics.

Alright, let's dive into the nitty-gritty of how to actually make some coin and win battles in Mount & Blade: Warband. This section covers a few key areas that'll help you get ahead, from managing your own lands to dominating the battlefield.

Making Money from Fiefs: Once you've earned the king's favor, he might award you with fiefs (castles or towns). While conquering them yourself is satisfying, having too many can actually reduce your chances of getting new ones. If you're running your own faction, you get to decide who gets awarded these valuable properties, giving you a lot of control.

Pillaging: Feeling a bit more aggressive? You can pillage villages by choosing a hostile action when you visit. This will, naturally, lower your standing with that village, but you'll get a good haul of goods. You can then sell these off or use them yourself. Just be prepared for the diplomatic consequences!

Prisoner Management: Prisoners are a great source of income. You can sell them to traveling ransom brokers who pop up in taverns. The tougher the prisoner (higher tier), the more denars you'll get. Also, keep an eye out for Ramun the Slave Trader in Tihr; he'll pay a flat 50 denars for any prisoner you bring him.

Looting Battles: Every battle you win nets you some random weapons and armor. If you're looking for the best gear without starting a full-blown war, pick fights with Sea Raiders. They tend to carry the most valuable equipment.

Building Your Army: For a strong army, you'll want a good number of heavy hitters like Knights or Mamlukes. While other units can fill in, these heavy cavalry are generally the strongest. Archers and Crossbowmen are fantastic for defending during sieges. To train your soldiers faster, having companions skilled in the Trainer skill is a huge help – their bonuses stack!

Battlefield Strategy: Having a high party speed is crucial for executing strategic moves. While the game isn't overly complex, smart strategy can win battles. A key tactic is to divide your enemies by luring them around the map until they're spread thin enough to engage in smaller, more manageable fights.

Tactics and Commands: During a battle, hitting the Delete/Backspace key brings up a minimap and a list of commands you can issue to your troops. You can also check your controls for specific keystrokes to manage your army on the fly. This is super useful if you're trying to use only blunt weapons to capture prisoners for profit or specific missions.