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Mastering Morality: A Guide to Increasing Honor in Mount & Blade

The Mount & Blade series plunges you into a medieval sandbox where your choices shape your destiny. A key aspect of this destiny is your honor. A character with high honor will have an easier time gaining the trust of lords and recruiting powerful companions, while a dishonorable character will struggle to find allies and may even face the wrath of powerful enemies. So, how do you increase honor in Mount & Blade: Warband? Primarily, you increase your honor by making chivalrous decisions and performing honorable deeds, often at your own expense. These actions include:

Releasing captured lords after battle: Letting a defeated enemy go free demonstrates mercy and generosity, increasing your honor significantly.
Refusing rewards for services: When a lord or notable offers payment for completing a task, declining the reward increases your reputation for being selfless and honorable.
Completing quests with integrity: Choose the morally righteous path, even if it means foregoing personal gain. For example, side with villagers over bandits, or expose corrupt officials.
Treating villagers fairly: Protect villagers from bandits and avoid raiding their villages for supplies.
Showing mercy to enemies: Avoid unnecessary violence and cruelty, even towards your enemies.
Choosing honorable dialogue options: In conversations, select the dialogue choices that reflect kindness, honesty, and fairness.
Defending the weak and innocent: Stand up for those who cannot defend themselves, even if it puts you at risk.
Supporting just rulers: Align yourself with lords and factions known for their fairness and integrity.

Understanding Honor in Mount & Blade: Warband

Honor in Warband isn’t just a number; it’s a reflection of your character’s reputation and influences how other characters perceive you. High honor leads to increased relationships with honorable lords, while low honor can lead to distrust and even hostility.

Honor’s Impact on Gameplay

Lord Relations: Honorable lords will be more likely to join your faction or support your claims.
Companion Morale: Companions with high moral standards will be happier in your party and less likely to leave.
Kingdom Management: A king with high honor is more likely to maintain peace and inspire loyalty among vassals.
Gameplay Consequences: Low honor can lead to being targeted by bounty hunters or even trigger wars.

Frequently Asked Questions About Honor

Here are some frequently asked questions about honor in Mount & Blade:

What is the maximum honor in Warband? Your character’s honor starts at 0 and can range from -99 to +99 (or beyond with certain events or mods).
Is honor important in Warband? Yes, in Warband positive honor improves your relations with some lords; for every 3 points in honor, your relation score increases by 1. Low honor can lead to a bounty on your head or even wars.
How do I gain honor from quests? Complete quests in a manner that benefits the innocent and upholds justice. Favoring villagers over bandits, exposing corruption, and refusing payment will all increase your honor.
Does releasing lords always increase honor? Yes, releasing lords after battle is one of the most reliable ways to increase your honor. The amount gained depends on the specific circumstances.
What happens if my honor is very low? If your honor is very low, you may gain the negative reputation “known for cruelty” and suffer penalties to relations with many characters.
Can I lose honor? Yes, engaging in dishonorable actions, such as raiding villages, attacking caravans without provocation, or breaking your word, will lower your honor.
Does my faction’s honor affect me? While your personal honor is most important, aligning yourself with a faction known for its honor will indirectly benefit your reputation.
How does honor affect my companions? Companions have moral alignments. If your honor is consistently at odds with their values, they will eventually leave your party.
Is there a way to check my honor level? Yes, you can check your honor level in your character’s profile within the game.
Does difficulty level affect honor gain or loss? No, the difficulty level does not affect the amount of honor you gain or lose from your actions.
Can I use cheats to increase my honor? While cheats are available in Mount & Blade, using them to artificially inflate your honor can detract from the gameplay experience and may have unintended consequences. It’s generally more rewarding to increase your honor through legitimate in-game actions.
What are the benefits of having high honor when starting my own kingdom? High honor makes it easier to recruit honorable lords to your kingdom and maintain the loyalty of your vassals. It also improves your kingdom’s reputation, making it more attractive to potential allies.
Does marrying affect my honor? Marrying a noble lady can increase your right to rule and influence, but it doesn’t directly affect your honor. However, treating your spouse with respect and upholding your marital vows will indirectly contribute to your reputation.
Are there any unique events that affect honor? Yes, certain random events and quest outcomes can significantly impact your honor, either positively or negatively. Be prepared to make difficult choices and accept the consequences.
How can I roleplay an honorable character effectively? Focus on making choices that reflect integrity, compassion, and justice. Always strive to do the right thing, even when it’s difficult, and let your actions speak louder than words. Consider how your actions will impact the world around you.

Other Important Information in Mount & Blade

Increasing your honor is just one aspect of mastering Mount & Blade. Here’s some additional information that can help you succeed:

Right to Rule: Gain right to rule by convincing lords to join you, marrying, and getting recognized by other faction leaders. Aim for at least 30 right to rule before starting your own kingdom.
Companions: Recruit a diverse group of companions with complementary skills and moral alignments. Good choices include Lezalit, Artimenner, and Firentis.
Factions: Choose a faction that aligns with your playstyle and goals. The Aserai are strong overall due to their versatile troops.
Troops: Build a balanced army with a mix of infantry, archers, and cavalry. Swadian Knights and Sarranid Mamluks are excellent heavy cavalry options.
Weapons: Choose weapons that suit your fighting style. The long arming sword is a versatile one-handed weapon. Blunt weapons are useful for capturing prisoners.

Bannerlord Considerations

While the information above primarily focuses on Mount & Blade: Warband, some aspects of honor carry over to Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. In Bannerlord, maintaining a positive reputation still influences relationships and interactions with other characters. Completing quests for notables honorably, such as those that involve helping villages in need, will increase your reputation. Winning battles and tournaments also contribute to your overall standing.

Learning and Gaming

Understanding the mechanics of games like Mount & Blade can be enriching. These games often reflect complex social and political dynamics, offering players opportunities to learn about leadership, strategy, and ethics. To explore the intersection of gaming and education, visit the GamesLearningSociety.org.

In conclusion, increasing honor in Mount & Blade is a rewarding endeavor that enhances your gameplay experience and shapes your character’s legacy. By making honorable choices and upholding your principles, you can earn the respect of your peers and become a true hero of Calradia.

How do you increase honor in Mount and Blade?