Taking the Throne: Your Guide to Kingdom Domination in Bannerlord
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Yes, it is absolutely possible to take over a Kingdom in Bannerlord. The game offers multiple paths to achieving this ambition, from becoming the ruler of an existing faction to forging your own kingdom from the ashes of the old. It’s a challenging but rewarding endeavor, requiring a blend of military prowess, political maneuvering, and shrewd resource management. Prepare to immerse yourself in the intricate world of Calradia and seize your destiny!
Paths to Ruling Calradia
There isn’t a single, definitive “correct” way to become a ruler. Bannerlord prides itself on offering player agency. Here are the most common paths you can take:
- Inheriting Leadership: The most straightforward, albeit passive, method is to join a kingdom as a vassal, build strong relationships with the ruling clan and other lords, and then wait for the current ruler to die. If you’ve garnered enough influence and respect, you can be elected as their successor. This approach requires patience and a focus on diplomacy.
- Rebellion: A more proactive approach involves becoming a vassal, acquiring a fief (town or castle), and then deliberately provoking the king. If you feel unfairly treated, especially if a conquered fief is denied to you, you can rebel. This immediately puts you at war with your former kingdom, but it also gives you a power base from which to launch your campaign.
- Founding Your Own Kingdom: This is perhaps the most challenging but also the most rewarding path. To found your own kingdom, you need to be independent and capture a fief. Being unaligned gives you the option to declare a new kingdom upon taking a town or castle. Alternatively, if you’re already married, your spouse can assist in initiating a rebellion.
- Conquest and Consolidation: Regardless of how you start, the ultimate goal is the same: to conquer enough territory to secure your kingdom’s survival and dominance. This involves winning battles, sieging castles and towns, managing your economy, and maintaining the loyalty of your vassals.
The Essential Steps to Kingdom Ownership
While the specific route may vary, certain key steps are essential to achieving your ambition of ruling Calradia:
- Clan Tier Matters: You need to reach at least Clan Tier 2 before you can become a vassal. This means gaining renown through battles, tournaments, and completing quests.
- Build Renown and Influence: Renown unlocks higher Clan Tiers. Influence is your political currency within a kingdom. Earn both through military victories, completing quests, and making wise decisions.
- Become a Vassal: Join a kingdom that aligns with your goals. Consider their location, strengths, and weaknesses.
- Acquire Fiefs: Fiefs provide income, troops, and a base of operations. Capture them yourself or be granted them by your liege lord.
- Develop Your Skills: Focus on skills like Leadership, Tactics, Steward, and Medicine. These are crucial for managing your kingdom, leading armies, and governing your settlements.
- Recruit Companions: Companions can be trained as skilled warriors, governors, or quartermasters. They are invaluable assets in building and managing your kingdom.
- Manage Relations: Keep your vassals happy. A united kingdom is a strong kingdom. Address their concerns and reward their loyalty.
- Diplomacy is Key: Don’t rely solely on warfare. Negotiate alliances, truces, and trade agreements to secure your kingdom’s future.
- Prepare for War: Once you leave your current kingdom, you’ll likely be at war with them. Ensure you have enough troops, resources, and a defensible territory before making the leap.
- Establish Policies: Once you start your kingdom, you can establish policies to shape it’s culture.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can you overthrow a king in Bannerlord?
No, you cannot directly overthrow a king within their existing kingdom. The game doesn’t allow for internal coups or assassinations. However, you can leave the kingdom, taking your fiefs with you, and declare war, effectively trying to conquer them and depose the king through force.
2. Can I become the leader of an existing kingdom?
Yes, if you are a vassal within that kingdom. You need to build strong relationships with the other lords and accrue significant influence. When the current ruler dies, a vote will be held to determine the successor, and your popularity will determine your chances of being chosen.
3. How do I found my own kingdom?
You can found your own kingdom by either capturing a fief while unaligned, rebelling against your liege as a vassal after being denied a fief, or having your spouse help you start one. Once you control a fief while independent, you’ll be given the option to declare yourself king/queen.
4. What is the best kingdom to join in Bannerlord?
There’s no single “best” kingdom. It depends on your playstyle and goals. The Aserai are strong in the desert, Vlandia boasts powerful cavalry, the Khuzait excel with horse archers, and Battania thrives in mountainous terrain. Consider their strengths, location, and political situation before making your choice.
5. Can I marry a faction leader in Bannerlord?
No, you cannot marry faction leaders or clan leaders. However, you can often marry their children or other members of their clan, which can be strategically advantageous.
6. Can I be a governor in Bannerlord?
While you cannot govern your own town or castle, governor effects are useless to have on the player.
7. How do I become the King of Vlandia?
Join Vlandia as a vassal and gain the support of other Vlandian lords through acts of kindness. When Derthert (the current king) dies, a vote will be held. If you have enough influence and positive relationships, you’ll likely be elected as his successor.
8. Is it wise to execute lords in Bannerlord?
Executing lords has significant consequences. It improves your influence and standing with your current ruler. You will have to suffer relationship decreases with their clan members. The negative impact on your honor can make it harder to recruit lords to your kingdom.
9. What is the penalty for leaving a faction in Bannerlord?
If you leave a kingdom and keep your fiefs, the other lords will get a -40 relations penalty for betrayal, and the kingdom will immediately declare war on you. Be prepared for a tough fight if you choose this path.
10. Can I build castles in Bannerlord?
You cannot build castles from scratch on open land. You can only build a castle connected to your village and use the village for resources.
11. How do I manage a city in Bannerlord?
When managing your settlement, you can choose to build structures, upgrade existing structures, invest in reserves, and set a ‘Daily Default’ option to automate certain tasks. Investing in infrastructure is crucial for improving your settlement’s prosperity and stability.
12. Is it better to be a mercenary or a vassal in Bannerlord?
Being a mercenary is a good way to earn money and gain experience early on. However, becoming a vassal offers more long-term benefits, such as the opportunity to acquire fiefs, build relationships, and eventually become a ruler.
13. How do you unify the Empire in Bannerlord?
To “unite the Empire,” you need to control a specific number of imperial towns (usually 13) or succeed with the conspiracy quests. Defeating the three strongest barbarian factions will unite all the fiefs and clans of other imperial factions under your rule.
14. How do I increase my clan size in Bannerlord?
The clan member limit seems to be capped at around 55-60.
15. Who is the best companion to marry in Bannerlord?
The best wife will depend on what skills you need to fill in. Someone with leadership, tactics, and steward skills can lead parties, help you in battle, and make her a great governor for your towns and castles.
Taking over a kingdom in Bannerlord is a long and arduous journey, but the rewards are well worth the effort. By mastering the game’s mechanics, building strong relationships, and leading your armies to victory, you can carve out your own empire and become the true ruler of Calradia.
Learning doesn’t stop in the game world. Explore the real-world dynamics of strategy and leadership at the Games Learning Society website, GamesLearningSociety.org. You’ll find valuable insights into how games like Bannerlord can teach us about decision-making, collaboration, and problem-solving.