Hey everyone! Are you ready to dive into the nitty-gritty of owning settlements in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord? This is a huge part of the game, and it can feel a bit overwhelming at first. But don't worry, we're gonna break it down together. Having your own towns and castles is the key to becoming a true power player in Calradia. It's where you get your income, troops, and the ability to really start shaping the world. So, let's get started on how you can get your hands on these prized possessions, how to manage them, and how to make them work for you. We'll cover everything from taking a settlement by force, to getting it gifted to you, and of course, how to make sure you're getting the most out of your new digs. Seriously, guys, owning settlements is a game-changer! It allows you to build a powerful economic base, amass an army of loyal troops, and influence the political landscape of the game. Let's start with the basics of how to acquire these important settlements.

Acquiring Your First Settlement: The Conquest Route

Okay, so the most direct way to get a settlement in Bannerlord is through good old-fashioned conquest. That means declaring war on a faction, finding a juicy castle or town, and then laying siege to it. Siege battles can be tough, requiring careful planning and execution. You need to make sure your army is well-supplied, with a mix of troop types to handle both ranged combat and close-quarters fighting. Your siege engines, like siege towers and battering rams, are important and they'll allow you to breach the walls. Once the walls are down, or your siege tower is in place, you’ll be able to assault the settlement directly. You’ll be facing off against the defenders, and you'll want to take advantage of any tactical advantages. If you're successful in the assault, you'll enter a screen where you can choose what to do with the settlement. You will be given the option to take the settlement for yourself. Before choosing, make sure you know that you will have to defend it against future attacks and make sure you have enough influence to claim the settlement for yourself. Think of it as a long-term investment that requires constant attention. After a successful siege, you'll be faced with some choices. You can either take the settlement for yourself, give it to a fellow clan member, or maybe even give it to another faction (though this isn't usually the best option).

So, before you start a war, make sure you're ready for the commitment. Consider the following before taking over a settlement. Firstly, do you have enough influence? As a clan leader, you'll be voting to keep the settlement. If you don't have enough influence, it could be given to another clan member. Next, do you have a strong enough army to defend the settlement from counterattacks? These settlements are valuable, and the enemy won't give them up easily. After the war is over, you will need to defend your land. Finally, consider the location and resources of the settlement. Does it have good trade routes, access to important resources, or a strategic location on the map? If the settlement is not worth the defense, the enemy will take over your settlement with no effort. The conquest route is the most direct way to gain a settlement, but it comes with a lot of challenges.

Receiving a Settlement as a Gift and Claiming Influence

Alright, so you're not always going to have to go to war to get your hands on a settlement. Sometimes, you might be lucky enough to have one gifted to you. This usually happens after you've proven yourself to your faction, like by winning battles, completing quests, or just being a generally helpful member of the kingdom. If the kingdom likes you, the ruler might grant you a settlement. The chance of this happening increases with your influence within your kingdom. Influence is a crucial resource that you earn through various activities, like winning battles, voting on policies, and completing quests for the kingdom. The more influence you have, the more likely you are to be considered when the kingdom is deciding who gets a new settlement. Even when a settlement is conquered, there is a vote among clan leaders to determine who gets it. The clan with the most influence is most likely to win the vote. To maximize your influence gains, get involved in kingdom politics. Participate in votes on policies and support decisions that align with your long-term goals. Being on good terms with the king and other influential nobles can also improve your chances of receiving a gift. Completing quests for nobles will also increase your influence. Think of it like a favor system: the more you do for others, the more they will do for you. To improve your odds of getting a settlement as a gift, focus on building up your reputation within the kingdom. Be a loyal and valuable member, and the rewards will follow. When your faction conquers a settlement, the leader will usually call for a vote to decide which clan gets the settlement. If your clan is not the leader, then the clan with the most influence will usually take over the settlement. So, work on building up your influence if you want to be gifted a settlement.

Managing Your Settlement: Prosperity, Loyalty, and Defense

Alright, you've got your settlement. Congratulations! But now the real work begins. Managing a settlement is a constant balancing act between prosperity, loyalty, and defense. Failing in any of these areas can lead to serious problems. First up, prosperity. This is all about making sure your town is thriving economically. It means having a good economy, a strong and stable market. This means having the right workshops, ensuring there is a steady flow of goods into and out of your town, and keeping taxes at a reasonable level. The more goods that flow through your city, the more money you make. The more money you have, the better you can make your city. Invest in workshops that produce valuable goods, such as breweries, smithies, and wood workshops. These generate income and provide employment for the town's population. Improving the infrastructure of the town is another way to increase prosperity. Build improvements to increase the town’s food production, storage capacity, and security. Keep an eye on the town's food supply and make sure it has enough food so the town's population can grow. If the town's food supply is not high, then the prosperity and population will go down.

Next, let’s talk about loyalty. This is the settlement’s overall relationship with you. A loyal town is a happy town, and a happy town is one that is less likely to be conquered by an enemy. Loyalty is affected by several factors. Making sure you are implementing fair policies, keeping the town's prosperity high, and keeping the town safe from enemy attacks are all things that will keep the town loyal. If loyalty drops too low, the settlement could rebel and join another faction, or even declare itself independent. You can also use policies to boost loyalty. Build improvements such as watchtowers, aqueducts, and town guards. These investments will improve the overall quality of life and boost loyalty. The more loyalty you have, the less likely your town will be attacked. Finally, there's defense. A well-defended settlement is one that will be less likely to fall to an enemy siege. Upgrade the town's walls and build defensive structures. Recruit a garrison of experienced troops to defend the settlement. Keep a close eye on the town's garrison to make sure they are well-equipped and well-supplied. If there is a siege, the garrison will protect the settlement. Managing your settlement is more than just collecting taxes and building structures; it's about building a thriving, loyal, and well-defended community that can stand the test of time.

The Importance of Policies and Governors

Okay, let's dive into some of the finer details of settlement management, starting with policies. Policies are the laws and regulations that govern your settlement, and they can have a massive impact on its prosperity, loyalty, and defense. Each settlement has its own set of policies, and you, as the owner, get to decide which ones to implement. There's a wide range of policies available, so choosing the right ones can be a bit overwhelming. Some policies focus on boosting economic output, like those that increase workshop productivity or reduce taxes. Others are aimed at improving loyalty, such as those that provide bonus income or reduced crime. And still others focus on defense, by increasing the size and effectiveness of the garrison. The best approach is to carefully consider the specific needs of your settlement and choose policies that align with your goals. Are you struggling with low loyalty? Implement policies that improve citizen happiness. Are you focused on building a strong economy? Implement policies that boost workshop productivity. Keep in mind that some policies can have negative side effects. For example, policies that reduce taxes can increase loyalty but also reduce income. Also keep an eye out for policies that boost both loyalty and production.

Next up, governors. A governor is a clan member you can assign to manage a settlement. They have a significant impact on your settlement's success. Your governor will determine the town's defense, prosperity, and loyalty. A good governor can make a huge difference, while a bad one can quickly lead to disaster. When choosing a governor, consider their skills. Look for characters with high skills in areas like stewardship (for improving income), leadership (for boosting loyalty and morale), and tactics (for improving defense). Different governors have different strengths, so choose one that matches the specific needs of your settlement. Governors can also be assigned to develop specific infrastructure in the settlement, such as walls and watchtowers. You should check in with your governor regularly. Review their progress, provide them with feedback, and make sure they are making the right decisions. With a strong governor in place, you can ensure that your settlement runs smoothly. Policies and governors are both essential to managing your settlement, and mastering them can be the difference between a thriving town and a conquered territory.

Dealing with Raids and Sieges

Even with the best management, you're going to face some challenges, like raids and sieges. Raids are small-scale attacks by enemy parties that try to disrupt your settlement's economy, steal resources, and generally cause chaos. Raids usually involve fewer troops, so you should be able to take on the enemy. If your settlement is raided, the enemy will begin by attacking any parties near the settlement. If you are near the settlement, you can engage the raiding party directly to stop the raid. If not, the enemy may get to burn down the village. If the raid is successful, they’ll attempt to sack the settlement. The best way to deal with raids is to be proactive and prevent them from happening in the first place. Keep a close eye on the surrounding area and be ready to respond to any threats. If you have a strong garrison in your settlement, the enemy will know it will be too hard to attack. If the raid is successful, be ready to defend your town. Your settlement's garrison will take the defense, and your clan can help fend off the raiders. If you're nearby, you can also join the garrison to defend the settlement.

Sieges are a much more serious threat. These are large-scale attacks where an enemy army surrounds your settlement and attempts to breach its walls. Sieges are much more complex and dangerous. A siege is a battle for the settlement. If you are in the city, you will be on defense, fighting off the enemy until you run out of troops or the enemy manages to break through the walls. If you are not in the city, you can choose to enter the siege and support the defense. If you are successful in defending the siege, then the enemy will retreat. The key to surviving a siege is to be prepared. Ensure that your garrison is well-equipped and has enough food and supplies. Upgrade your town's walls, build defensive structures, and position your troops strategically. If you are outside the walls, try to bring a large army to reinforce the garrison. Make sure your army has good siege equipment. Use your superior numbers to crush the enemy and drive them away.

The Long Game: Building a Dynasty

Owning settlements isn't just about immediate gains. It's about playing the long game and building a dynasty that will last for generations. Think about your long-term goals. Do you want to build a vast empire, or are you happy with a smaller, more focused territory? What resources are most important to you, and how can you leverage your settlements to acquire them? As your settlements grow, so will your clan's power and influence. You can use your settlements to produce the resources and troops you need to expand your empire. The more settlements you own, the more resources you'll have to fund your wars and support your allies. Use your settlements to create a network of trade routes. Connect your settlements to ensure a steady flow of goods and resources. If you are in the kingdom, try to become the leader to set kingdom-wide policies that support your long-term goals. You will be able to influence the political landscape and shape the future of Calradia. Building a dynasty is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient, strategic, and always focused on your long-term goals. With the right approach, you can create a legacy that will be remembered for centuries to come.

Final Thoughts

So there you have it, guys. Owning settlements in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is a complex, but rewarding, aspect of the game. It's about more than just grabbing land; it's about careful planning, strategic thinking, and making smart decisions. From conquering castles, to managing your towns, and protecting them from raids and sieges, you'll be constantly challenged. Remember to focus on prosperity, loyalty, and defense. Choose your policies wisely, select the right governors, and always be prepared for war. By mastering the art of settlement ownership, you'll be well on your way to dominating Calradia. Good luck out there, and happy conquering!