Do you want to be the master of combat in the game Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord? Then you need to know the tactics used by the Normans to conquer their enemies and dominate the battlefield! In this guide, you’ll learn how to use these strategies to be the best warrior in the game.
Introduction
In the 11th century, no warrior stood taller than the knights of Normandy. Esteemed as the most dangerous heavy cavalry in Europe, the Normans ventured forth from their northern French duchy to carve out realms from the Scottish Lowlands to the Euphrates River.
Though Norman armies were a balanced fighting forces of cavalry, heavy infantry and archers (or crossbowmen); and Norman tactics (as we shall see) emphasized combined arms, it was the power of their heavy cavalry that made the 11th century the “Norman Century”.
Sometime between the 10th and 11th century, two changes occurred in cavalry equipment among the Normans (and Frankish cavalry in general) that greatly increased their effectiveness.
The first had to do with the saddle, and the stirrup attached to it. During this period, the front and back of the saddle grew higher; providing the knight with more support upon impact when charging with his lance, and a more secure seat when being struck. The stirrups grew longer, allowing the knight to stand rather than sit in the saddle. This was particularly important when striking with a sword, particularly in a downward motion against infantry. These improvements in horse furniture encouraged the second innovation, this one a weapon’s technique that would revolutionize cavalry warfare.
In this guide, I’ll be showing how adapting the tactics of the Normans- and in particular the Norman cavalry- can help you dominate the battlefields of Calradia.
Tactics
The archetypal Norman knight- Spear, Horse & Kite Shied
We can see this use of polearm, kite shield and heavy horse in the Bayeux tapestry, where William’s formations of tightly packed knights lay into the battle lines of the Saxons under command of Harold Hardrada.
Having shattered the enemy line, they would then break out and gallop to safety, before grabbing another lance and heading back into the fray. Often they would draw swords or maces and hack away at the foe, taking advantage of the height being on horseback afforded.
This development of the knight as a sort of medieval missile was put to good use in famous battles such as Hastings. Alongside such tactics were the feigned flight, in which knights would break and appear to flee, leading the enemy to break formation and charge after the fleeing knights, leading them into a deadly trap- either by waiting infantrymen, or the knights would turn back and charge once more into the now dissolved enemy line.
You ideally want your knight to be wearing as much heavy armor as you can afford. Pictured is my Norman/Vlandian knight, outfitted with pieces from the excellent Norman Armory[www.nexusmods.com] mod as well as the equally impressive Open Source Armory[www.nexusmods.com] (FWIW I never play BL without the latter it’s just too good and adds so many new armor pieces and is pretty stable).
Ready to dominate Aserai dogs!
As for armor weight: It would seem that neither your armor nor the horse’s armor weight affect the horse’s speed- so don’t worry about that! See this thread[forums.taleworlds.com] for a discussion on this topic (If I’m mistaken in this regard, hopefully someone can correct me).
Though history records the Normans using an overhand strike with their lances to strike above enemy shields, this attack works best for spearing other cavalry in Bannerlord. Attacking foot troops often requires the underhanded strike, though there are exceptions as we shall see.
Overhead Strike- good for spearing cavalry!
You want to be aiming for the head of your enemies to deal maximum damage. The spear on horesback requires some skill to master, and aiming for the head doubly so. Try to simply aim for the body as you rush past (you will not want to stop to fight). You will be charging at considerable speed, adding deadly force to your attacks. Charging and attacking enemy cavalry who are also charging at you doubles the speed at which you hit, making the skilled lance horseman particularly dangerous to cavalry.
Underhand Strike- the footman’s doom
Whether you choose to use a lance or a spear depends on personal choice. I personally prefer a lance for the added damage but I rarely use couch lance, preferring instead to ready my spear holding LMB down and striking as I ride past. This method also allows you to charge past the flank of an enemy and srtike with some distance between you and them. This is particulalry useful when fighting footmen armed with spears or pikes, which can stop a horse charge immediately, leaving you at a serious disadvantage. It also allow you to use overhand and underhand strike as the need arises.
So remember- charge in and get out, favouring a setup of heavy armor, spear and shield. Do not be tempted to pick a two-handed polearm- you’re gonna need that shield for when you harrass archers!
Don’t forget to bring a sidearm for when you are forced to get stuck in. For this, the trusty sword never fails.
Encircling the enemy takes advantage of your horse’s swift speed and keeps you out of range of pesky spearmen, as well as forcing nearby enemy cavalry to give chase. It also keeps you out of the line of fire of archers. This evasive movement can help tie up enemy forces, concentrate them and otherwise distract them. As you do so, friendly archers or other troops can bring misery upon the foe.
If you find yourself unable to charge in and out of a battle or are finishing off foot troops, a useful tactic is to encircle your foes, taking advantage of the horse’s superior speed. Whilst encircling you are free to strike at the foe with your lance in this instance, overhand strike allows you to reach over the enemy shields Be sure to encircle them counterclockwise so your shield is raised against the enemy should they strike at you.
Turning around the enemy, shield up
Overhead strike!
Ruthlessly effective
And that wraps up our share on Using Norman Tactics To Dominate In Bannerlord. If you have any additional insights or tips to contribute, don’t hesitate to drop a comment below. For a more in-depth read, you can refer to the original article here by Ryn, who deserves all the credit. Happy gaming!