Mastering Engineering in Bannerlord: From Siege Novice to Castle Conqueror

So, you want to become a master engineer in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, eh? You’re in for a rewarding, albeit potentially time-consuming, journey. In essence, you learn engineering in Bannerlord by doing engineering things: constructing siege engines, building siege camp improvements, and using siege weapons in battle. The more you engage in these activities, the faster your engineering skill will increase. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty details of how to maximize your engineering prowess.

The Core Principles of Engineering Skill Growth

The path to becoming a skilled engineer in Bannerlord revolves around several key elements:

• Active Participation in Sieges: Sieges are the primary source of engineering experience. Actively participating in sieges, whether attacking or defending, is crucial.
• Hands-On Construction: Constructing siege engines and siege camp improvements personally (or having a designated engineer do so) grants the most significant experience boost.
• Siege Weapon Usage: Operating siege weapons during battles significantly contributes to your engineering skill. The more you use them, the faster you learn.
• Party Role Designation: If you’re not focusing on engineering yourself, designate a companion with high intelligence to the engineering role in your party. This allows them to level the skill and provides party-wide benefits.
• Reading Books: Locate and read engineering skill books. These can be found in cities or purchased from merchants. These books can provide a significant boost to your skill level.
• Focus Points: Invest focus points into the Engineering skill. This greatly accelerates the learning process.
• Companions: Using companions with the “engineer” or “scholar” name or background is useful because they typically have more focus points in intelligence and learning skills.

Maximizing Engineering XP During Sieges

Sieges offer the best environment for leveling your engineering skill. Here’s how to make the most of them:

1. Lead Sieges Yourself (Initially): While you’re actively trying to level the skill, leading sieges and assigning yourself as the engineer is the fastest way to gain XP.
2. Construct Everything: Before launching an assault, build all available siege engines (trebuchets, ballistas, catapults, siege towers, rams) and siege camp improvements (earthworks, palisades, mantlets).
3. Prioritize Trebuchets: Trebuchets are particularly effective at dismantling walls and siege defenses, leading to longer sieges and more opportunities for XP gain.
4. Man the Siege Engines: Don’t just build the engines; use them! Actively fire them at walls, towers, and enemy siege engines. This is a substantial source of experience.
5. Defend Sieges: Defending sieges, while less common, provides valuable engineering experience through repairing fortifications and using defensive siege engines.

Engineering Skill: What Does It Do, Exactly?

The engineering skill provides several critical benefits:

• Reduced Construction Times: Lower construction times for siege engines and buildings within settlements.
• Reduced Construction Costs: Significant cost savings on construction projects.
• Party Skill Bonus: Engineering is a party skill. This means that even if you assign the role to a companion, a portion of their skill level contributes to a party-wide bonus, up to a maximum effective level.

The Importance of Focus Points

Focus points are your best friends when it comes to skill development in Bannerlord. Invest these points early and often in the engineering skill. The more focus points you have, the faster you’ll learn, allowing you to quickly unlock crucial perks.

Books and Companion Specialization

Utilizing Skill Books

Keep an eye out for books that boost your engineering skill. These can be found in city shops or through quests. Reading these books can provide a significant, permanent increase to your skill level.

Companion Engineering Specialists

Consider finding a companion with a strong engineering background or intelligence stat, and then designating them to the Engineering role in your party. You can locate potential companions whose name includes the engineer or the scholar. They are randomly generated so if we give you a name they probably aren’t in your campaign. This allows you to reap the benefits of their skill while focusing on other areas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much does engineering skill reduce construction time and costs?

Each rank in engineering reduces construction times and costs by approximately 5%. At a high level, this can result in substantial savings and faster build times. As a party skill, if you have 10 (+4) ranks, you can have a maximum effective party skill level of 14 engineering, worth a 70% reduction in the construction costs.

2. What are the best siege engines to build for maximum engineering XP?

Trebuchets are generally considered the most effective for dismantling walls and defenses. They provide the longest sieges and the most opportunities for experience gain. Ballistas are useful for taking out enemy siege equipment and troops on walls, also contributing to siege longevity.

3. Can I level engineering without sieges?

While sieges are the primary source, you can gain some engineering experience through governing settlements and constructing improvements within them. However, this is a much slower method.

4. What is the “party skill” mechanic and how does it affect engineering?

Party skills are skills that provide a benefit to the entire party based on the highest skill level among party members. For engineering, the highest level individual, who is assigned the Engineer role, determines the party bonus. Note that there are diminishing returns past a certain point.

5. What are some useful engineering perks to prioritize?

Some popular perks include those that reduce construction costs, increase siege engine damage, and speed up construction times. Early on, focus on perks that enhance your ability to quickly and efficiently build siege engines.

6. How do I assign a companion to the engineering role?

Go to the “Clan” menu then select the party that you would like to designate the companion. From there, you can assign them to the engineering role.

7. How do I find engineering skill books?

Engineering skill books can be found in city shops (look for the “Books” section) or as quest rewards. You can also purchase them from traveling merchants. Check often, as their inventories change.

8. Is it better to defend or attack in sieges for engineering XP?

Both attacking and defending provide engineering XP, but attacking generally offers more opportunities. Building siege engines and actively using them provides a steady stream of experience.

9. What stats are important for an engineer companion?

Intelligence is the most important stat for an engineer, as it determines their learning rate. Skills like tactics are also beneficial for siege warfare.

10. Does the size of the garrison affect engineering XP gain?

The size of the garrison does not directly affect engineering XP gain, but a larger garrison can lead to longer sieges, providing more opportunities for building and using siege engines.

11. Should I specialize my character or a companion in engineering?

This depends on your play style. If you enjoy leading sieges and actively using siege engines, specialize your character. If you prefer to focus on other skills, designate a companion to the role.

12. How does honor affect engineering in Bannerlord?

While honor primarily affects your relationships with other lords, it does not directly influence engineering skill.

13. Does the quality of my siege engines affect engineering XP gain?

The quality of the siege engines does not directly affect XP gain, but better quality engines are more effective in battle, potentially leading to longer sieges and more opportunities for experience.

14. Are there any console commands or mods that can help me level engineering faster?

While console commands can be used to instantly level skills, this is generally discouraged as it removes the sense of progression. Mods can offer various bonuses to skill gain, but use them at your own risk.

15. What happens if I neglect the engineering skill?

Neglecting the engineering skill can severely hinder your ability to effectively conduct sieges, both offensively and defensively. It will take longer to build siege engines, cost more resources, and leave you vulnerable during assaults.

Become an Engineering Master

Mastering engineering in Bannerlord requires time, dedication, and a strategic approach. By actively participating in sieges, constructing siege engines, using siege weapons, and investing in focus points, you can transform yourself (or a companion) into a skilled engineer capable of conquering any castle or town in Calradia. Remember that the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org emphasizes the importance of strategic thinking and skill development in gaming, just like mastering engineering in Bannerlord. Now go forth and build your legacy!