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Claiming Your Throne: How Much Renown Do You Need to Start a Kingdom in Bannerlord?

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So, you’ve got your eyes on the prize – carving out your own kingdom in the brutal world of Calradia. But before you start dreaming of banners and sieges, there’s a crucial hurdle to overcome: renown. The short answer? You need a Clan Tier of 4 to even consider founding a kingdom in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. This translates to a minimum of 900 renown.

However, reaching 900 renown is just the minimum requirement to even trigger the option. A successful kingdom launch requires more than just meeting a number. Let’s dive deeper into the importance of renown and the steps you need to take to build your own kingdom.

The Importance of Renown in Bannerlord

Renown is more than just a number; it’s your reputation and influence within Calradia. It dictates who respects you, who’s willing to join your cause, and ultimately, who’s going to see you as a legitimate ruler. Beyond the initial requirement for kingdom creation, renown impacts:

Faction Joining: A solid renown lets you join existing kingdoms.
Vassalage: Securing a position as a vassal under a powerful ruler becomes easier.
Political Power: Within a faction, your renown dictates the weight your voice carries in decisions.
Recruitment: Higher renown attracts skilled companions and troops to your banner.

Therefore, focusing on boosting your renown is a constant task.

Building Your Renown: A Step-by-Step Guide

Combat is Key: Winning battles, especially against larger forces, is the most direct way to earn renown. Look for opportunities to engage looters, bandits, and enemy lords.
Tournament Champion: Participate in tournaments across Calradia. Victory not only grants renown but also boosts your skills and provides valuable equipment.
Quest Completion: Accept and complete quests from nobles, villagers, and town officials. The rewards often include renown, improving your standing with various factions.
Raiding and Pillaging (Use with Caution): Raiding enemy villages can yield significant renown, but it damages your reputation and can incite wars. Only use this tactic when necessary.
Strategic Alliances: Forming alliances through marriage can also subtly increase your influence and thus, indirectly boost your renown over time.

Steps To Start Your Own Kingdom In Bannerlord

Once you have a clan tier of 4, you can assign a governer to a non-imperial fief (town or castle), then talk to the governer and say you want to start your own kingdom. But remember, starting a kingdom is difficult, and it’s important to build a strong foundation. Also, keep in mind that unlike in M&B Warband having your own kingdom is much harder, as you have to hunt down smaller clans that like you and have no land, to give them a ton of gold to join you.

Beyond the Number: Prerequisites for a Successful Kingdom

Simply hitting 900 renown and Clan Tier 4 isn’t enough. You need to prepare for the long game:

Strong Economy: Ensure a steady income stream. Own productive enterprises, control strategic trade routes, and manage your fiefs effectively.
Well-Equipped Army: A strong, loyal army is essential for defending your territory and projecting power. Recruit high-tier troops and equip them with the best gear.
Strategic Territory: Choose your initial fief wisely. Opt for a location with good resources, strong defenses, and easy access to trade routes. Ideally, take a non-imperial fief.
Experienced Companions: Gather a group of skilled companions to serve as captains, governors, and administrators. Choose companions with complementary skills.
Diplomacy and Alliances: Forge alliances with other clans and kingdoms. A strong network of allies can provide crucial support in times of war.
The Right Governor: Select a governor and talk with them at the fief.

The Trials of a New Kingdom

Be warned, establishing a kingdom is not for the faint of heart. You’ll face numerous challenges:

Immediate War: Declaring independence often triggers immediate war with your former liege lord and possibly other opportunistic kingdoms.
Economic Strain: Maintaining a kingdom is expensive. You’ll need to fund your army, develop your fiefs, and manage your treasury.
Internal Dissension: Keep your vassals happy. Dissatisfied vassals can lead to rebellions and destabilize your kingdom.
Constant Warfare: Prepare for near-constant warfare. You’ll need to defend your territory, expand your borders, and crush your enemies.

Starting a kingdom is the ultimate goal for many players. It requires careful planning, strategic thinking, and a relentless will to survive. The challenges are great, but the rewards – a kingdom of your own making – are even greater. Good luck, ruler!

If you are interested in learning more about the underlying educational principles and strategic thinking that makes games like Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord so engaging, be sure to visit the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens if I don’t meet the renown requirements?

If you haven’t reached Clan Tier 4 and the required renown, you will be unable to initiate the questline to form your own kingdom. The option simply won’t appear in dialogue with potential quest givers.

2. Does my character’s gender affect the renown needed to start a kingdom?

No, your character’s gender doesn’t influence the renown required to start a kingdom. The base 900 renown/Clan Tier 4 requirement applies to all characters. However, it can affect how easily you join a faction or become a vassal.

3. What is the maximum amount of renown I can have?

The theoretical maximum renown is 10,000. However, the game mechanics reduce renown gain as you accumulate it, making it incredibly difficult to reach the absolute limit.

4. How do I increase my clan tier quickly?

Focus on activities that grant large renown boosts, such as winning battles against superior forces, winning tournaments, and completing important quests. Upgrading your clan party size and recruiting high-tier troops will also contribute.

5. Do I need to control a fief to start a kingdom?

Yes, you need to control a fief (a town or castle) that is non-imperial. You need to have a non-imperial fief and put a governor in place. Go and talk with them at the fief and you can start a kingdom.

6. Can I start a kingdom with only one fief?

While technically possible, starting a kingdom with only one fief is extremely challenging. You’ll be vulnerable to attack and lack the resources to sustain your kingdom. It’s best to secure at least two or three well-developed fiefs before taking the plunge.

7. What’s the best strategy for defending my kingdom when I first start?

Focus on recruiting a strong garrison for your primary fief and maintaining a mobile force of elite troops. Prioritize defending against immediate threats and avoid overextending your forces. Also, negotiate peace with any factions you are at war with, especially if they are powerful.

8. How do I attract other clans to join my kingdom?

Clans that are landless and like you can be given a ton of gold to join you. To attract clans, focus on building a reputation for strength, justice, and prosperity. Secure strategic alliances, offer generous terms of vassalage, and demonstrate your ability to protect your vassals. Be prepared to offer land and titles to incentivize clans to join your cause.

9. Can I execute lords to eliminate threats to my kingdom?

Executing lords is a viable strategy for eliminating powerful enemies, but it carries severe consequences. It drastically reduces your honor, alienates other lords, and can trigger widespread rebellions. Use this option sparingly and only when absolutely necessary.

10. What happens if my kingdom is destroyed?

If your kingdom is completely conquered, you’ll revert to being a clan without any territory. You’ll need to rebuild your forces, reclaim your fiefs, and potentially pledge allegiance to another kingdom to survive.

11. Can I become a vassal king?

A vassal king is a king that owes allegiance to another king or emperor. This situation occurred in England after the Norman invasion of 1066. Duke William of Normandy was a vassal of the king of France. He later went on to conquer England and become its king.

12. Can you marry faction leaders?

You can’t marry faction leaders in either game. In Bannerlord you can’t marry clan leaders too.

13. Can you wipe out kingdoms in Bannerlord?

It’s tough to destroy a kingdom but not impossible and not only by killing everyone. When you beat a kingdom he becomes weaker, less territory and less gold. He have to grind to get them back.

14. Can you overthrow a kingdom in Bannerlord?

You cannot overthrow the King. You can leave the kingdom and take your fiefs with you. This will set you at war with your prior kingdom. You can then sue for peace (or fight them).

15. Who is the best wife to take to be governor in Bannerlord?

With 140 in leadership, tactics, and steward skills, Yana can lead large parties and help you in battle. Those same skills will make her a great governor for your towns and castles, and she is still a decent captain for your cavalry and horse archers.