Becoming King: A Comprehensive Guide to Rule in Mount & Blade
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So, you dream of trading your mercenary rags for a king’s crown in the harsh lands of Calradia? Whether you’re playing Warband or Bannerlord, the path to kingship is fraught with peril, political maneuvering, and plenty of bloody battles. But fear not, aspiring monarch! This guide will equip you with the knowledge and strategies you need to claim your throne.
The core principle remains the same across all Mount & Blade games: to become king, you must establish your own kingdom. This can be achieved in a few primary ways:
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Founding a new kingdom while unaligned: This involves capturing a fief (castle or town) while not sworn to any existing faction. This is often the most difficult, as you’ll be vulnerable to attacks from all sides.
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Rebelling against your liege: As a vassal, you can declare independence if you feel your contributions aren’t being recognized, particularly if you are denied a fief you believe you deserve. This will plunge you into war with your former kingdom but gives you a substantial power base to start with.
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Exploiting marriage and alliances (mainly Bannerlord): In Bannerlord, marrying into a powerful clan can give you leverage to eventually usurp control of the kingdom or start your own with their backing.
Stages to Kingship
Regardless of the specific method you choose, certain steps are crucial on your path to becoming king:
1. Building Your Power Base
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Hone your skills: Combat prowess, leadership, and stewardship are essential. Focus on training your character in areas that complement your chosen playstyle.
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Gather companions: Recruit capable companions with diverse skills. They can lead parties, manage fiefs, and serve as skilled warriors in your army.
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Accumulate wealth: A well-funded war effort is crucial. Engage in trade, complete quests, and participate in tournaments to build your treasury.
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Boost your renown: Renown is a measure of your fame and influence. Win battles, complete quests, and distinguish yourself in tournaments to increase your renown.
2. Choosing Your Moment
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Seizing a Fief (Unaligned Start): Identify a weakly defended fief. Gather a strong force and lay siege. Be prepared for swift retaliation from neighboring factions.
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Triggering Rebellion (Vassal Start): Consistently demand fiefs after capturing them. When your liege inevitably refuses, choose to rebel. Be prepared for war against your former faction.
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Political Maneuvering (Bannerlord): Build strong relationships with influential clan leaders within your faction. Position yourself as a strong successor or exploit internal conflicts to weaken the current ruler.
3. Establishing Your Kingdom
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Claim Your Kingdom: Once you control a fief, declare your independence and establish your kingdom. Choose a name, colors, and policies for your realm.
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Recruit Lords: Persuade disaffected lords from other factions to join your cause. Offer them land, titles, and positions of power to secure their loyalty.
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Defend Your Territory: Prepare for war. Strengthen your garrisons, recruit troops, and forge alliances with other factions (if possible).
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Manage Your Kingdom: Oversee your economy, maintain relations with your vassals, and enact policies that benefit your realm.
4. Securing Your Legacy
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Expand Your Territory: Continue to conquer new lands and expand your kingdom’s borders.
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Develop Your Infrastructure: Invest in infrastructure improvements in your fiefs to increase prosperity and loyalty.
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Establish a Dynasty (Bannerlord): Ensure the succession of your kingdom by having children and grooming them to be capable rulers.
The path to kingship is challenging, but the rewards are great. With careful planning, strategic execution, and a healthy dose of ambition, you can carve out your own kingdom and become a legend in the world of Mount & Blade.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you become king in Mount and Blade Warband?
Yes, becoming king is a core feature of Mount & Blade: Warband. You can found your own kingdom by capturing a fief while unaligned or rebelling against your liege after being denied a fief.
2. What is the quickest way to become king in Mount and Blade Warband?
The quickest method is generally to become a vassal, capture enemy castles or towns, and consistently demand them as rewards. When your liege inevitably denies your claim, rebel and take your fiefs with you, thus founding your kingdom.
3. Can you become king in Mount and Blade Bannerlord?
Absolutely. Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord offers multiple paths to kingship. You can establish a new kingdom by following the main storyline, taking a fief while unaligned, or rebelling. You can also rise through the ranks of an existing faction and potentially usurp the throne through political maneuvering.
4. How do you declare yourself king in Mount and Blade Bannerlord?
In Bannerlord, declaring yourself king involves either completing the main questline to trigger the option to form a kingdom or, more commonly, capturing a fief while independent and then declaring your own kingdom.
5. Can you overthrow a king in Mount and Blade?
Yes. By repeatedly capturing fiefs and demanding them, a king will eventually deny your request, giving you the option to rebel. This act effectively overthrows the king’s authority over you and your holdings.
6. Can you become a king in Mount and Blade Fire and Sword?
Yes, Mount & Blade: With Fire & Sword also allows you to found your own kingdom by capturing and holding fiefs.
7. Can you have multiple wives in Mount and Blade 2 Bannerlord?
No, Bannerlord only allows for one marriage per character. While you can flirt with various characters, you can only have one spouse at a time. However, you can remarry if your spouse dies.
8. Can you marry a leader in Bannerlord?
You cannot marry faction leaders or clan leaders within factions in Bannerlord. You can, however, marry members of their clan, such as their children or siblings.
9. What is the most powerful unit in Mount and Blade Warband?
In Warband, the Nord Huscarl is widely considered one of the most powerful melee infantry units. Their heavy armor and axes make them formidable in close combat.
10. Who are the most powerful lords in Mount and Blade Warband?
Among the most formidable lords in Warband are Boyars Nelag, Doru, Gastya, and Kumip (from the Vaegirs) and Noyans Brula, Sebula, Tansugai, and Dundush (from the Khergits), known for their high stats and skills.
11. Can you have a son in Mount and Blade?
Yes, in Bannerlord, married couples can have children. The likelihood of pregnancy seems to be determined by in-game time cycles. This mechanic is important for securing the future of your clan.
12. How big can your army get in Warband?
The maximum army size in Warband‘s Native expansion is typically capped between 400 and 500 troops. However, maintaining high morale and speed becomes increasingly difficult as the army size grows significantly over 250.
13. What happens if you lose your kingdom in Mount and Blade Warband?
If you lose all your fiefs and are the sole lord of your faction, your kingdom will disappear from the faction list. You will essentially revert to being a clan leader without any territories.
14. Who is the best wife in Bannerlord?
Several female characters in Bannerlord make excellent wives. Characters like Liena are particularly strong choices due to their high stewardship, leadership, and tactical skills.
15. What happens when you execute all lords in Bannerlord?
If you execute all lords of a clan in Bannerlord, the clan will be completely destroyed and removed from the game. This has significant consequences for the political landscape of Calradia.
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