Overthrowing Kings in Mount & Blade: A Guide to Usurping the Throne

▶

Can you overthrow a king in Mount & Blade? The answer, in its purest form, is no, not directly. You can’t simply stage a coup and declare yourself the new monarch of an existing kingdom. However, the game mechanics provide several paths, both subtle and explosive, to effectively become the ruler, even if it means dismantling the old regime along the way. This often involves starting your own kingdom or manipulating the existing power structures to your advantage.

The Indirect Routes to Power:

The key to “overthrowing” a king in Mount & Blade lies in understanding the nuanced ways you can seize power. These methods generally fall into a few categories:

• Starting Your Own Kingdom: This is the most direct, albeit challenging, path. You accumulate enough power, resources, and influence to break away from your liege and declare your independence. This act, by its very nature, challenges the existing king’s authority and effectively creates a new claimant to the throne – you.
• Exploiting Rebellions: When a town’s loyalty is low, it will sometimes rebel against the king, declaring independence. You can support this rebellion or swoop in and take control.
• Manipulating the Political Landscape: Through shrewd diplomacy, strategic alliances, and cunning warfare, you can weaken a kingdom from within. This might involve supporting rival claimants to the throne, instigating conflicts, or simply chipping away at the king’s power base until they are vulnerable.
• Succession Through Marriage (Warband Specific): In Mount & Blade: Warband, playing as a female character offers a unique opportunity. If you help a king ascend to the throne after eliminating the previous ruler, you can then marry him, potentially positioning yourself or your family to inherit the kingdom.
• Taking Over Through Election (Bannerlord Specific): In Bannerlord, you can’t directly choose to be King when you start your own faction. But, If the old ruler dies the clans will vote for a new ruler. Make your clan have the most influence and the vote is more likely to be in your favor.

The Art of Becoming King: A Step-by-Step Guide

Regardless of the specific game (Warband or Bannerlord), the general principles for rising to power remain consistent:

1. Build Your Clan/Party: Start by honing your combat skills, recruiting capable companions, and accumulating wealth. Early on, focus on completing quests, participating in tournaments, and engaging in profitable trade.
2. Become a Vassal: Swear fealty to a kingdom and serve your liege faithfully (at least initially). This provides access to land, resources, and opportunities to prove your worth.
3. Acquire Fiefs (Land): Consistently participate in sieges and battles, and then demand that captured castles and towns be awarded to you. This expands your power base and increases your influence within the kingdom.
4. Develop Relationships: Cultivate positive relationships with other lords and ladies. These relationships can be crucial for forming alliances and securing support when you decide to make your move.
5. Accumulate Right to Rule (Warband): In Warband, Right to Rule is essential for legitimizing your claim to the throne. You gain Right to Rule through completing quests, marrying a noble lady, and sending out companions on diplomatic missions.
6. Prepare for Independence: Once you have a strong power base, sufficient resources, and a loyal following, you can declare your independence. This is a critical decision, as it will likely trigger a war with your former kingdom.
7. Wage War Effectively: Defend your territory, capture new lands, and defeat enemy armies. Use strategic alliances, cunning tactics, and skilled leadership to gain the upper hand.
8. Establish Your Kingdom: Once you have secured enough territory and defeated your enemies, you can formally establish your own kingdom. This involves choosing a name, setting policies, and establishing a court.
9. Maintain Your Rule: Ruling a kingdom is just as challenging as conquering it. You need to manage your finances, maintain law and order, defend your borders, and keep your vassals happy.

Essential Considerations

• Diplomacy is Key: War isn’t always the answer. Sometimes, shrewd diplomacy and strategic alliances can be more effective than brute force.
• Manage Your Finances: A well-funded war effort is crucial for success. Ensure you have a steady income stream to support your troops and maintain your infrastructure.
• Keep Your Vassals Happy: Disgruntled vassals can be a major threat to your rule. Address their grievances, reward their loyalty, and maintain a strong sense of camaraderie.
• Be Prepared for Setbacks: The path to kingship is fraught with challenges. Be prepared for defeats, betrayals, and unexpected events. Adapt to changing circumstances and learn from your mistakes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I marry a king/queen in Bannerlord? No, in Bannerlord, you cannot marry a king or queen, nor can you marry into their immediate family. The game mechanics prevent these types of unions.

2. How do I start my own kingdom in Bannerlord? To start your own kingdom in Bannerlord, you first need to reach Clan Tier 4. Then, either capture a settlement or gain control of one through rebellion and declare your independence.

3. What is Right to Rule, and how do I increase it (Warband)? Right to Rule is a measure of your legitimacy as a ruler. You increase it by completing quests, having companions spread word of your legitimacy, and marrying into nobility. It reduces the likelihood of other factions declaring war on you and helps you recruit lords to your cause. However, the original article is incorrect. Right to rule has no impact on whether or not other factions declare war on you in Warband. It is a common mistaken belief that it does. However the internal script that decides to declare war does not check this variable.

4. Can I execute lords in Bannerlord? Yes, you can execute lords in Bannerlord. However, this action has severe consequences, leading to significant relationship penalties with other lords and potentially triggering widespread animosity.

5. What are the best policies to enact as a ruler in Bannerlord? The best ruler policies in Bannerlord depend on your playstyle and the needs of your kingdom. Some popular options include “Royal Privilege” for increased influence, “Royal Guard” for improved security, and “Land Tax” for increased revenue.

6. How do I capture a settlement in Bannerlord? To capture a settlement in Bannerlord, you need to besiege it with an army. Build siege engines, breach the walls, and defeat the garrison in battle. Once the settlement is captured, you can decide to keep it for yourself, give it to a vassal, or pillage it.

7. Can I become a bandit in Bannerlord? Yes, you can embrace a life of banditry in Bannerlord. You can raid caravans, plunder villages, and engage in other criminal activities to earn money and disrupt the established order.

8. How does marriage work in Mount & Blade? Marriage in Mount & Blade is a way to gain influence, improve relationships, and secure alliances. You can marry a noble lady to increase your Right to Rule (Warband) and gain access to her family’s resources.

9. What are the benefits of being a vassal? Being a vassal provides access to land, resources, and military support from your liege. It also allows you to participate in wars, earn renown, and gain experience in leadership.

10. How do I manage my kingdom’s finances? Managing your kingdom’s finances involves collecting taxes from your fiefs, investing in infrastructure, and controlling expenses. You can adjust tax rates, develop workshops, and manage your garrison sizes to optimize your income.

11. Is there an end to the campaign in Bannerlord? Bannerlord’s campaign is open-ended, meaning there isn’t a specific “end” in the traditional sense. You can continue to expand your kingdom, conquer new lands, and achieve various goals indefinitely.

12. Can I play as a female ruler in Mount & Blade? Yes, you can play as a female ruler in Mount & Blade. In Warband, playing as a female character offers unique opportunities, such as marrying a king to secure your position.

13. What is the best way to recruit lords to my kingdom? Recruiting lords to your kingdom involves building relationships with them, offering them attractive fiefs, and demonstrating your strength and stability as a ruler.

14. How do I deal with rebellions in my kingdom? Dealing with rebellions requires a combination of diplomacy and force. Address the underlying causes of the rebellion, negotiate with the rebels, and, if necessary, use military force to suppress the uprising.

15. What is the best way to learn more about Mount & Blade? Engage with the community through forums, wikis, and gameplay videos. Furthermore, understanding the game’s mechanics can be enhanced by exploring research on how games like Mount & Blade can foster learning and skill development, as highlighted by the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Ultimately, “overthrowing” a king in Mount & Blade is not a single event, but a process of strategic ambition, political maneuvering, and military prowess. It’s a testament to the game’s depth that allows players to carve their own path to power, whether through diplomacy, conquest, or cunning manipulation.