Honor Among Horse Lords: A Guide to Raising Your Honor in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

So, you’re looking to become a paragon of virtue in the treacherous lands of Calradia? Excellent! In Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, honor is more than just a fluffy stat; it’s a crucial aspect of your character’s reputation, influencing everything from diplomacy to recruitment. Increasing your honor requires a conscious effort to perform honorable deeds and avoid those that would tarnish your name. Here’s the breakdown:

The primary way to increase your honor in Bannerlord is by choosing honorable options in quests and interactions. This often involves:

• Releasing captured lords after battles: This is arguably the most reliable method. Instead of imprisoning them, let them go free. This demonstrates mercy and earns you a significant honor boost.
• Choosing the “right” dialogue options: Pay close attention to the wording in conversations. Opt for responses that prioritize justice, fairness, and the well-being of the common folk. Avoid options that are deceitful, greedy, or cruel.
• Completing quests in an honorable manner: Some quests offer choices that directly impact your honor. For example, when dealing with bandits, you can choose to negotiate peacefully or to attack them outright. Obviously, choosing peace (if possible) is the honorable route.
• Supporting honorable lords: Align yourself with lords who have a reputation for integrity. Their positive reputation will, to some extent, rub off on you.
• Refusing to raid caravans or villages: This should be a no-brainer. Raiding is a dishonorable act that will quickly deplete your honor.

Essentially, play the hero. Make decisions that benefit others, uphold justice, and demonstrate compassion. The path to high honor is not always the easiest, but it’s certainly the most rewarding in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Honor in Bannerlord

Let’s delve deeper into the nuances of honor in Bannerlord with these frequently asked questions:

What exactly does honor do in Bannerlord?

Honor has several key effects on your gameplay. It primarily influences your relations with other characters, especially lords. Lords with high honor are more likely to trust you, agree to alliances, and even join your faction. Conversely, low honor can lead to distrust, hostility, and even war. High honor also makes it easier to recruit mercenaries and be elected as a marshall. Furthermore, personality traits, which are heavily influenced by honor, can affect events that occur in the game.

How do I check my current honor level?

Unfortunately, Bannerlord doesn’t have a dedicated honor stat displayed prominently in your character screen. However, you can infer your honor level by observing your personality traits (e.g., honorable, just, cruel, deceitful) and your relationships with other characters. A positive relationship with honorable lords and a negative relationship with dishonorable ones are good indicators of your honor level. You can view your character’s personality traits in the character window.

How long does it take to raise my honor?

Raising your honor is a gradual process. It’s not something you can do overnight. Consistency is key. Regularly performing honorable actions will slowly but surely increase your honor over time. Think of it as a long-term investment in your reputation. The time it takes varies depending on how many dishonorable acts you’ve committed in the past, as you need to offset these transgressions.

Is there a “cap” on honor?

While there isn’t a visible numerical cap on honor, there’s a practical limit. Once you reach a certain point, the benefits of further increasing your honor become negligible. Focus on maintaining a consistently high honor level rather than striving for an impossible ideal.

What are some dishonorable actions that lower my honor?

Numerous actions can negatively impact your honor. These include:

• Executing lords: This is a major honor penalty.
• Raiding caravans and villages: Acts of blatant banditry.
• Breaking promises: Going back on your word damages your reputation.
• Choosing deceitful or cruel dialogue options: Prioritizing personal gain over the well-being of others.
• Exploiting loopholes or cheating: Unethical behavior never pays off in the long run.

How do personality traits relate to honor?

Personality traits are directly tied to your actions and influence your relations with other characters. For example, consistently performing honorable actions will eventually give you the “Honorable” trait, while repeatedly executing lords will earn you the “Cruel” trait. These traits then affect how other characters perceive and interact with you.

Does honor affect my companions?

Indirectly, yes. Your companions are influenced by your leadership and the decisions you make. If you consistently act dishonorably, your companions with high moral standards may eventually leave your party. Conversely, honorable companions will be more loyal and effective under your leadership.

Can I “redeem” myself if I have low honor?

Absolutely. It’s possible to turn your reputation around, but it will require significant effort and time. Consistently performing honorable actions, releasing captured lords, and choosing the “right” dialogue options can slowly raise your honor over time. Be patient, and don’t be discouraged by initial setbacks.

Is it always beneficial to have high honor?

While high honor is generally advantageous, there are some situations where it might be a disadvantage. For example, you might miss out on opportunities to exploit enemies or engage in morally ambiguous actions that could benefit your faction. However, the long-term benefits of high honor far outweigh the short-term gains of dishonorable behavior.

Does honor affect my ability to govern a settlement?

Yes. High honor makes it easier to maintain order and loyalty in your settlements. The populace is more likely to trust and respect a leader with a reputation for fairness and justice. Conversely, a dishonorable ruler may face rebellions and unrest.

How does honor compare to other reputation systems in games?

Honor in Bannerlord is similar to karma or reputation systems in other games, but with a more nuanced approach. It’s not just a simple good/evil meter. Your actions and decisions have real consequences that affect your relationships with other characters and the overall political landscape of Calradia.

Does marriage affect my honor?

Not directly, but marrying into a clan with a certain reputation can indirectly influence how others perceive you. Marrying into a clan known for its honor and integrity can improve your standing in the eyes of other lords, while marrying into a clan with a shady reputation can have the opposite effect.

Can you lose honor by being defeated in battle?

No. Losing a battle doesn’t directly impact your honor. However, how you behave after a battle can affect your honor. For example, if you’re captured and choose to break your parole to escape, that would be considered an dishonorable act.

What’s the relationship between honor and charm?

While separate skills, honor and charm are related. Having high honor can make it easier to persuade other characters, especially those with high moral standards. They’re more likely to trust and respect someone with a good reputation. Therefore, honor can indirectly boost your charm.

Does honor carry over into new playthroughs?

No. Each new playthrough starts with a clean slate. You’ll have to build your reputation from scratch each time. This allows you to experiment with different playstyles and moral choices without being constrained by your past actions.

Ultimately, honor in Bannerlord is about more than just stats and bonuses. It’s about the kind of leader you want to be. Do you want to be a respected and trusted ruler, or a ruthless and feared tyrant? The choice is yours. Choose wisely, and may your honor guide you on your path to glory in Calradia!

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