Gearing Up for Glory: The Ultimate Armor Guide in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

The quest for the best armor set in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is a pursuit undertaken by every aspiring warlord and seasoned veteran alike. While a single “best” set is elusive due to varying playstyles and priorities, the Imperial Heavy Scale Armor over Mail Hauberk, paired with carefully selected complementary pieces, stands out as a strong contender for overall protection and practicality. This combination offers excellent coverage and a balance between defense and mobility, crucial for surviving the brutal battles of Calradia. This is followed by Sturgian armor helmets, the battanian scale gloves and boots, and Aserai bronze scale pauldrons.

Understanding Armor Stats in Bannerlord

Before diving into specific pieces, it’s crucial to understand the core armor stats:

• Head Armor: Protection for your noggin. Getting hit in the head is bad, so prioritize this.
• Body Armor: Defends your torso, arguably the most vital area. High body armor is essential for survivability.
• Arm Armor: Protects your arms from slashes and stabs. Often overlooked, but crucial for prolonged combat.
• Leg Armor: Shields your legs from attacks. Important for preventing crippling injuries.
• Weight: The heavier the armor, the slower you move. Balance is key.

The Importance of Balance

Simply stacking the heaviest armor isn’t always the best strategy. Mobility is crucial in Bannerlord’s combat system. A nimble warrior can dodge attacks, flank enemies, and generally be more effective than a heavily armored but slow opponent. Therefore, finding armor that offers a good balance between protection and weight is key to optimizing your combat effectiveness.

Top Armor Pieces to Consider

Here’s a breakdown of some of the best armor pieces available in Bannerlord, categorized by body part:

Helmets

• Sturgian helmets Sturgian helmets are a top choice.

Body Armor

• Imperial Heavy Scale Armor over Mail Hauberk: As mentioned earlier, this is a strong contender for the best overall body armor. The high armor rating provides excellent protection against most weapons.
• Heavy Lamellar Vest of Sturgia: An excellent choice for lighter builds. It provides a good balance of armor and weight, making it ideal for mobile characters.
• Lordly Plate Armor: A very effective choice that can cost around 150,000 denars.

Shoulder Armor

• Aserai Bronze Scale Pauldrons: Offers a great balance of protection and weight.
• Battanian Scale Shoulders: A lighter alternative with slightly less protection.

Gloves

• Battanian Scale Gloves: Provide excellent protection for your hands.

Boots

• Battanian Scale Boots: Offer high leg armor without being excessively heavy.

Putting it All Together: Sample Armor Sets

Here are a couple of sample armor sets based on different playstyles:

• The Heavy Tank: Imperial Heavy Scale Armor over Mail Hauberk, Sturgian Helmet, Aserai Bronze Scale Pauldrons, Battanian Scale Gloves, Battanian Scale Boots. This set prioritizes maximum protection, making you a formidable force on the battlefield.

• The Agile Warrior: Heavy Lamellar Vest of Sturgia, Sturgian Helmet, Battanian Scale Shoulders, Battanian Scale Gloves, Battanian Scale Boots. This set sacrifices some protection for increased mobility, allowing you to dodge attacks and flank enemies more effectively.

Where to Find the Best Armor

Unlike some games with fixed loot locations, Bannerlord’s equipment availability is somewhat randomized and depends on several factors:

• Town Prosperity: Wealthier towns are more likely to stock high-quality armor.
• Faction Culture: Each faction has its own unique armor styles, and their towns are more likely to sell them.
• Your Trade Skill: A high Trade skill improves the quality of goods available in shops.

Tips for Finding Specific Armor

• Check towns frequently: Market inventories are randomized every few days.
• Visit towns of the appropriate culture: If you’re looking for Sturgian armor, visit Sturgian towns.
• Increase your Trade skill: This will improve the quality of goods available in shops.
• Loot defeated enemies: High-ranking lords and heavily armored troops are more likely to carry valuable armor.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is there plate armor in Bannerlord?

No, true full plate armor as seen in Warband is not present in Bannerlord. The game is set in an earlier historical period, analogous to the fall of the Roman Empire, where lamellar and scale armor were more common.

2. What’s the best light armor in Bannerlord?

The Heavy Lamellar Vest of Sturgia is widely considered the best light armor. It provides a good amount of protection for its weight.

3. How important is weight in Bannerlord armor?

Weight is very important. Heavier armor reduces your movement speed and stamina, making you less agile in combat.

4. How does Trade skill affect armor availability?

A higher Trade skill improves the quality of goods available in shops, including armor. You’ll see better items more frequently.

5. Can I craft my own armor in Bannerlord?

Yes, you can craft armor through the Smithing skill. However, crafting the best armor requires a high Smithing skill and rare materials.

6. What are the best perks to take for an armored character?

Perks that improve your endurance, shield skill, and armor effectiveness are ideal for an armored character.

7. Does armor degrade in Bannerlord?

Yes, armor can degrade during combat. Damaged armor provides less protection and needs to be repaired.

8. How do I repair armor in Bannerlord?

You can repair armor in towns at the smithy, or through the Engineering skill if you have the necessary perks.

9. Is it better to have high body armor or high head armor?

Both are important, but high body armor is generally more crucial since it protects a larger area.

10. Do different armor types offer different resistances (e.g., slashing vs. piercing)?

No, Bannerlord does not have specific armor resistances. The armor value is a general indicator of protection against all damage types.

11. What’s the most expensive armor in Bannerlord?

The most expensive armor is often Lordly Plate Armor. The exact price varies depending on your Trade skill and the town’s prosperity.

12. Can I customize the appearance of my armor?

Yes, to some extent. While you can’t completely redesign armor, you can mix and match different pieces to create a unique look. Mods can add more extensive customization options.

13. How does armor affect my character’s attributes and skills?

Armor weight can negatively affect your Athletics skill, reducing your movement speed and stamina. Some perks can mitigate these penalties.

14. What are some good armor choices for companions?

For melee companions, prioritize armor that provides good protection and suits their combat style. For ranged companions, lighter armor that doesn’t hinder their mobility is preferable.

15. Where can I learn more about Bannerlord strategies and gameplay?

There are many online resources, including forums, wikis, and YouTube channels dedicated to Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. Engaging with the community and experimenting with different strategies is a great way to improve your gameplay. The Games Learning Society, found at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, also has a forum that can help.