Easily Become a Bannerlord Commander: Eight Simply Things to do Volume I: Easy Mode

In these, easy to see battles, using the RTS overhead mod, we share tactics that even fairly new players can adopt easily and incrementally boost their command ability AND their chances to win. Contrasting with our massive Epic Sieges and Titanic battles in our death match campaign, this episode is aimed at the newer Bannerlord player and future Commander, sharing eight small things you can do and add to battle that WILL help you get better. Here's to success, fellas, Cheers!
Please comment, like and subscribe if you're interested in more of my ultra-late-game campaign, that may end up ending in utter despair, but that's the challenge of it. Any challenge where success is assured is no challenge at all.
My campaign is an extremely late-game campaign where I am resolved to give no peace to these scum Kingdoms attacking me - seven of the eight have been at war for years, with only Sturgia at a neutral stance. My family of warriors is now large though and with what remaining strength and valor we can must, we stand against the map of Calradia.
Join me on this adventure if you like huge battles, the use of advanced tactical maneuvers and intense Bannerlord gameplay, and subscribe to my channel if you want to follow along. This campaign is very lightly modded:
I use four mods:
Lord Retinue Uptier(Makes the enemy forces stronger, much less peasants and lower ranked troops)
www.nexusmods....
Improved AI Troops(Also makes enemy lords and their armies tougher by giving them a higher daily xp rate. This means you'll routinely face armies with HUGE numbers of the highest tier units, sometimes four or five times the normal amount in vanilla Bannerlord): www.nexusmods....
Death for all: This mod allows you to set the rate at which nobles die more often. I want both a harder challenging late-game but also a more realistic game. If you're cut down with a massive aserai two-handed axe, you shouldn't just be injured 99.9% of the time. It's a very customizable mod so you can just a little more death or set the death rate so high you get several deaths every battle. The number I often like is '10', some deaths but not a massacre of nobles...
www.nexusmods....
I also use the Dismemberment Plus Mod: It's highly customizable and works seamlessly with the new beta(and versions back to 1.28). I thoroughly recommend it if you enjoy carnage!:
steamcommunity...
I've also used Realistic Battle Mod in the past and highly recommend it for Ai and battle realism BUT I find the pace too slow for my taste and the AI is actually rather predictable after a half dozen battles. Still I wanted to put a plug in for it here, it's a GREAT mod and highly configurable. www.nexusmods....
Much of the music and inspiration for this and other videos in the channel are inspired by Epic History TV - probably THE best channel on youtube(and the internet for that matter) covering the Napoleonic wars. With amazing work Epic History TV takes you through the dramatic and incredibly story of Napoleon covering all of his most famous battles. I HIGHLY recommend it.
Epic History TV:
/ @epichistorytv
#bannerlord #war #medieval #bannerlordgameplay #bannerlordmod

[@RprinceV]

Also gotta say, not being lazy and investing on dividing the army into several squadrons, gives a most entertaining upper hand

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

I very much agree in the affirmative

[@thatgreenguy3969]

This was nice as a mid game kinda guide. I like the 2 division cavalry also lol. That's one of the reasons I haven't added any cavalry yet to my army. Like the videos, commentary, and history lessons. Keep it up ;)

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

You got it friend, cavalry aren't useless they're just not the behemoths they actually were in the medieval era

[@RprinceV]

Love how in the f1f3 showcase, just as soon as the ai retreated their archers to a line raining down on the battlefield red text started flowing

[@tomasdalvit7697]

Excelent video!!

[@ShacolateClown]

i just used your strategy to place archers inside the wall when being sieged. i won a 550 vs 1700+ siege against the southern empire. they managed to make 2 towers. only managed to destroy 1. had my archer hold inside the wall while the sturgian infantry was holding the stairs while they were coming down. your tips helped me out so much fighting outnumbered fights :D it was close though i only had 41 left xD damn but hey a win is a win

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

Absolutely my favorite kind of comment - you fellas who had a hard time before or felt siege defenses were impossible, now pounding your chest as you stand on the walls, yelling "Come get some, Bitches!" with your 400 defenders, knowing you have the tool bag and tactics to make them your bitch. Ahahhhaaha, beautiful. Keep it up!

[@kilowhiskyforge4337]

Not only is this the perfect video for me to slowly come to understand basic tactics, holy shit it came out 2 days ago so i got up to date info. I really have no idea why, but I recently got addicted to this game...again haha

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

Seems like providence then, glad to help mate, crush it!

[@serch9]

Watching these videos and understanding the tactics and their benefits hooked me up to the game, again..

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

@@serch9 Glad to enable you brother, I think tactics ARE THE REASON to play Bannerlord. Cheers!

[@arrgylerawrgyle3784]

Well stated and easily shown the basic building blocks of the fundamentals to becoming better in bannerlord. This is the first chapter in the practical book of what to do. Really wish more people would watch and absorb this even if you are a veteran.

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

Thanks Mr. Arrgyle, which you'd better tell me is not what you want to be called by now, heck I mention you in every fifth video ;o I think there are mostly more experienced players visiting the channel so I understand many subs skipping the beginner stuff. Still, I think a lot of players would benefit. We'll see how many take the course! :)

[@arrgylerawrgyle3784]

@@HeadlessHorsemanProductions Arrgyle is just fine lol. Honestly though this is where I will point people to. These are the basic ideas, along with Cav not being offensive, that I was working with, as I found your channel. Now that I have a better computer and not a potato with wires, putting all of this together has been tremendously helpful. This was a great visual aid to see that evolution.

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

@@arrgylerawrgyle3784 Right on mate, err... Arrgyle, stoked to have you among the many who've made major gains in their field command and now have a new found love and(probably) domination over your foes with some help here. Cheers!

[@CapriciousStoic2]

I use : 1 inf group shield group , 1 javelin inf group , 2 archers groups, 1 Horse archers groups , 1 Heavy Cav , and for the 7 and 8 group the is decision to to make : 1 Horse archers , 1 Jav Cav Usually and the companions in case i have them in large numbers either i split them in all the groups as second commanders in case i lose the first commander in group | or | i make a decision to put them all in Jav Cav group or one of the Horse archer group ( to protect them ) or Combine : Jav cav + the second Horse Archers Group together as nr. 7 and have as 8 group all for Companions as in task force mounted to gain experience ( send them alone to fight looters ) or have them follow me in the battlefield as my bodyguard's etc. Usually i set up the foot troops defensively and maneuver the ~4 Cav formations to deal with threats. I find the most challenging part neutralizing the enemy Cav as the only way to really win is to out match the enemy Cav with similar Cav numbers. To much enemy Cav can take out your large number of Archers, so going archers heavy is lose for me. Infantry can deal Cav partially. So i am forced to go 50% cav ( all my Cavs formations ) to match x2 enemy army size = that will make it so its 25-30% CAV composition of his double numbers are match by my mine CAV's in numbers. Then i deal with is CAV by fact that enemy spits is CAV formation in 2 wings. I concentrate on 1 wing at a time of the enemy with all my CAV's and i achieve x2 superiority in CAV number. Then i try to attack the other enemy Cav wing with my remains CAV's formations that is quite damaged that sometimes it already attached my foot Troops and is split. I may loose all my CAV's in the proceeds or win but i neutralize the enemy CAV. The rest of the CAV remaining at the end of CAV the fights will be used to attack the enemy archers or more to disrupt them. It will be lost at the end vs. so many archers. In foot troop & archers i will be outnumber x2 . I have to stall as much as possible the foot troop's encounters and i fight in retreat or at edge of the map. To really compete with enemy INF i have to be around 30-35% Inf ( all my infantry troops ) ( and 15% archers ) and to use shied formation and square to reduce the front contact point and achieve better defense. As i have also Jav INF that is position in the back a bit - they are perfect for using the big enemy INF's numbers that are wrapping on my Shield INF to use there Jav's in there sides plus my archers and they can achieve all together ( Shield INF + Jav INF + 2 Archers Formation + maybe some horse archers left living ) good angles and come on top of the Enemy INF that attacked my Defensive setup. Based on my calculation is should have 15% Archers /Crossbows and 35% INF ( shield + Jav ) and 50% Cav ( Lance Cav + Jav Cav + Horse Archers ) At the end there is only enemy Archers to deal with. They have depleted there arrows on my roaming CAV and on the obscured front that was taken over by there big INF and most likely will be with few arrows left and be more of 1H no Shield Infantry. All my INF with Shields and Archers can go after them in a big charge and destroy them. All of what i said works as i play with 1000 troops Settings but there is also the factor or reinforcements that can split the contribution of the troops ( mine and the enemy ) so there is also this aspect to control. My conclusion is sadly the 40% Archers composition recomandate'd is not working for me as i can get steamrolled by the Enemy overwhelming CAV . If i fight a even troop ( same number ) enemy then my 50% CAV composition ( with Jav Cav and HA Cav all the good stuff is no match for his etc. ) and i can win with minimal loses out maneuvering the enemy etc.

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

For cav, have you tried my shield and shock strategy? I have vids on that. Also separate those archers, even three groups is good, then protect them from cav with shield-wall infantry and cav. Finally square infantry and/or xbow when charged by cav.

[@macsonson1390]

Love the vids man helped me clear a 200 vs 1400 siege

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

That's awesome man, testimonials are the best way to encourage others to adopt tactics. cheers!

[@forevergold108]

If i get a chance to pick up this game. Its the rts mod that im most interested in. What i find most interesting about your strategies is you like to lull your enemies into traps. Its an interesting approach from what i see others do.

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

"All warfare is based on deception" ~Sun Tzu

[@alex2005z]

14:17 as an extra tip, use the same number for the left and right archers every time. You dont always have to use them on the sides, sometimes you do bring them toghether (maybe you have a bit of elevated terrain but its not very long), and when you do you should always have the same squad in front and back. For example, I use 2 for my left flank (also, crossbowmen go here) and 3 for my right flank, and then if I group them up I leave 2 in front and 3 behind

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

Thanks for adding that!

[@goinklersupreme]

This was great. Thanks

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

You're welcome!

[@rockybalboa5611]

Horses SHIELD wall And make enemy Archers run behind thé line than dismount And kill archers, infantry move to enemy and squere if they Closer to enemy, 2 squad Archers F6 and later adjustment if they do stupid. There Is also command face the enemy what I never tried.

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

Face the enemy works, sorta, but it's buggy sometimes too. Your tactics seem very sound to me.

[@rockybalboa5611]

@@HeadlessHorsemanProductions I am not sure if field battle AI is same 1.2.8 vs 1.2.10. If this is a passive AI tactic they move Rangers front line and 2 cavalry squads ready to charge (Valandia). When I am close they will move back line during that I stop one side cavalry charge and infantry other side. When archers starts shooting from back I move cav close to them and dismount. Their infantry is charging my infantry in squer.

[@steffens260]

Very subtle but still scenic intro compared to your battle videos

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

I'm trying to include a fair amount of tutorials mixed in with the huge battles. I recognize some people are here for entertainment but other guys want to emulate and have their own gigantic battles and you need tactics to win them

[@Burnyhands]

I know you don't play with RBM often - however, when you are talking about the strength of archers and talking about the Infantry-Archer-Cav ratio of your army, would you argue that you should skew more towards a Cav focus when playing with RBM?

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

There's no question. Now I haven't properly played RBM with every variation and all of the settings on. One of the creators of the mod pointed out to me that you need to include the troop overhaul for Archer's to be properly modified. That said I think almost everybody who plays RBM acknowledges that cavalry is very powerful probably too powerful. It's realistic historically but it obviously can unbalance the game a bit

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

The RTS Mod for Bannerlord can be found HERE: www.nexusmods.com/mountandblade2bannerlord/mods/355

[@alex2005z]

6:17 but you cant really end it there. Now you have undefended archers which would be slaughtered, getting little kills

[@SnaketheJake87]

Damn. I’ve been using decreased shield damage aggressively. 😂🤦🏻‍♂️

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

lmao!

[@alex2005z]

Is there any way to get custom battles with the bandit troops? It makes it really hard to really see what they can do when you have to get them on a compaign, and doing so in large numbers can be hard

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

Not in my knowledge. I've farted around with the looter series but obviously I don't have very many of them(just LOTS of looters)

[@jackblack2557]

I'm on Xbox so controls are different, but is the F1F3 just charge command? And have u tried delegate command were ur Sargents take command of their units? Me personally I do that so my companions/family members get tactics and leadership skills so I don't have to micro manage as much

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

Yes, F1-F3 is charge(F1-F4 is engage)and unfortunately compared to managing your own tactics, sargeant controls (or F1-F6 on a PC) is just awful. I have some episodes coming up that illustrate that.

[@jackblack2557]

@@HeadlessHorsemanProductions ok sounds good, looking forward to seeing it💪🏼

[@KnowzsPenge]

Using a mod? Well that doesn't help much then, I find the controls to be so janky and not user friendly , Im also playing the Online mod.. Ordering troops while fighting seems not all that easy.

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

It IS hard to fight and order troops, but practice makes excellent. The mod we're using here is the RTS mod which is outstanding for learning field command.

[@KnowzsPenge]

@@HeadlessHorsemanProductions Yes, thanks for the feed back.

[@GigglingGreg]

i been playing for 15 hours and have 5k and 8 troops is this normal

[@GigglingGreg]

im doing campaign

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

Very often I have 15-20k gold and 25 troops in the first day(2 hours or so). But I'm NOT very experienced at Bannerlord early-game.

[@GigglingGreg]

@@HeadlessHorsemanProductions okay i have 21 troops now and about 15k

[@HeadlessHorsemanProductions]

@@GigglingGreg You're doin' fine brother. Avoid losses, conquer.

[@GigglingGreg]

@@HeadlessHorsemanProductions i tried but and it ended badly they took it back