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Mount & Blade II Bannerlord: All Factions Explained - Which is the Best Culture?

Published: Aug. 04, 2023
Updated: Dec. 04, 2023

German English

In Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord you can choose between six different cultures, and I will show you which of them is the best faction to choose in 2023.

Guide Highlights (TLDR):

  • In Mount & Blade 2 Bannerlord there are six factions
  • Some factions are suitable for beginners, others are more for specialized playthroughs like a trader dynasty with the Aserai.
  • For the community and me, Vlandia proves to be the best faction.
  • On the other hand, the worst faction is Sturgia.
  • In the following, you will learn all the important details:

All Factions & Cultures in Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord

  • Aserai
  • Battania
  • Khuzait
  • Northern Empire
  • Southern Empire
  • Western Empire
  • Vlandia
  • Sturgia

Not a single faction in Mount & Blade 2 is the same as another. From Vikings from the far north, and Mongol-inspired steppe tribes, to the empire that's based on ancient Rome, there is a suitable historical equivalent for every history fan. Each faction brings its own advantages and disadvantages, unique units & bonuses for trade, combat, or politics. Based on my personal gaming experience, I have compiled the best factions in Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord. Your list might differ from mine, so feel free to write your opinion in the comments! But now to the best list of M&B 2 factions:

Rank 6: Sturgia - Vikings high in the North

Lore: North of the Empire lies the culture of Sturgia. In the snowy forests live wild and tough warriors. They conquered the north of the Empire as it began to lose power and influence. These men were also shaped by harsh environmental conditions and therefore defy nature in their homeland.

Strengths
  • Culture: Recruitment & improvement costs for infantry reduced by 25%.
  • Culture: Armies lose 20% less cohesion.
  • Sturgia has strong infantry units.
  • Infantry units can be deployed in a shield wall.
Weaknesses
  • Culture: 20% higher penalty for royal decrees.
  • Starting area is a long corridor and difficult to defend against the strong neighboring factions.
  • The noble troops cannot keep up with other factions.
  • You have limited options for ranged and mounted units.

Player type for Sturgia: If you want some Viking feeling in Mount & Blade and focus especially on infantry, Sturgia is the best choice for you. Additionally, you have a lot of room to the other factions on the continent.

Sturgia faction artwork

This is the faction artwork of Sturgia.

Rank 5: Battania - Best Culture for a New Challenge

Lore: Once the Battanians were a great people and ruled almost all of Calradia. Nowadays, Battania has been pushed back to the northwest and is only a shadow of its former self. They strongly remind of the Celts, who were ultimately displaced by the Romans (the Empire). Tactical skill and avoiding position wars ensure that it can be challenging to play this faction.

Strengths
  • Culture: 50% less speed reduction in forests.
  • Culture: 15% higher visibility in forests.
  • Culture: 1 militia production in Battanian villages.
  • The noble unit (Elite Battanian Fian) is the strongest archer in the game.
  • Many units carry multiple weapons and are therefore very adaptable.
Cons
  • Culture: 10% slower construction speed for city projects in settlements.
  • Surrounded by 4 factions from the start.
  • The soldiers are almost exclusively lightly armored.
  • The infantry is usually less strong in direct combat.
  • To lead Battania successfully, tactics and strategic use of the various troops are particularly important.

Player type for Battania: If you love taking on a challenge and playing with tactical skill, you should choose Battania. Additionally, Battania is the best culture for you if you prefer the guerrilla tactic "Hit and Run" instead of a boring position war.

battania faction in MB2

Artwork: Battania

Rank 4: Aserai - Best Faction for Traders in Mount & Blade 2

Lore: The desert tribes of the Aserai live south of the Empire and were shaped by the harsh environmental conditions and the lack of resources. The rivaling groups were united under Sultan Banu Hulyan to show strength together. Since the Aserai have to cover long distances in the desert, their horses are swift. They are also able to do a lot of trade through their caravans. The Aserai are strongly reminiscent of the groups on the Arabian Peninsula before they were united by Islam.

Strengths
  • Culture: Construction costs for caravans reduced by 30%.
  • Culture: 10% less trade penalty.
  • Culture: No speed loss in the desert.
  • The Aserai have the most flexible army with a very good balance between the troops.
  • The best starting position of all factions with only two narrow borders to other factions.
Cons
  • Culture: Daily costs for troops increased by 5%.
  • The great distance makes traveling between settlements costly and time-consuming.
  • Desert bandits can cause problems if you are on a low level.

Player type for the Aserai: If you are more interested in economic pursuits and prefer to take care of business development and trade, the Aserai as the best faction is your choice. With a focus on the economy, you have a job that can do everything, but also nothing.

Aserai Artwork

Artwork of Aserai

Rank 3: Khanate of the Khuzait - Steppe Warriors from the East

Lore: The Khuzait are strongly reminiscent of the Mongols and their hordes from the steppe. Dissatisfied with their own barren homeland and reunited by the Khan, they aim to conquer more cities and lands. Their close bond with horses ensures that the Khuzait produce the best mounted units.

Strengths
  • Culture: 10% lower cost for recruiting & improving mounted units.
  • Culture: 25% production bonus for horses, mules, cows, and sheep in Khuzait villages.
  • Very strong mounted units.
  • Noble cavalry is the best mounted unit in the game.
Weaknesses
  • Culture: 20% less tax revenue from cities.
  • All attack targets are in the forest, where their riders are at a disadvantage.
  • Limited options for infantry.
  • The Khanate uses almost exclusively polearms and bows. This makes the warriors easy prey if they lose their horse.
  • Weak infantry makes sieges very difficult.

Player type for the Khanate: If you've always wanted to live out your Mongolian warrior fantasies, the Khanate of the Khuzait is the best faction for you. You avoid direct fights as much as possible and want a horse-oriented gaming experience.

Khuzait Faction Artwork

Khuzait Faction Artwork

Rank 2: The Empire - Best Culture for Beginners

Lore: In Bannerlord, the once great imperial realm of Calradia is in turmoil and threatens to fall apart. You can also support the Empire and help it return to its former glory. The realm is divided into three parts - the North, South, and West. The old orders and traditions prevail everywhere. After the death of the Emperor, the three rulers are trying to assert their claim to leadership, if necessary by force. Historically, the Empire is very reminiscent of the Roman Empire.

Strengths
  • Culture: 20% less garrison troop costs.
  • Culture: 25% more influence while you are in an army.
  • The imperial legionnaires are the strongest infantry unit in the game.
  • The Imperial Cataphract is the strongest heavy cavalry unit in Bannerlord.
Weaknesses
  • Culture: 20% less growth of hearthfires in villages.
  • Has no polearm unit.
  • Due to the civil war, you will have to fight other Imperials.
  • The Empire is surrounded by enemies from the start.

Player type for the Empire: The Empire is particularly beginner-friendly and a relatively easy faction to play. It impresses with generally well-armored units and a high variety of units. The Empire is the best culture if you want to quickly find your way around the game.

Empire Artwork

Empire Artwork

Rank 1: Vlandia - Popular & Best Faction in Bannerlord

Lore: Originally, the people of Vlandia were mercenaries hired by the Empire to suppress uprisings and hostile tribes in exchange for land. But instead, at some point, the people on the west coast of Calradia proclaimed their own realm called Vlandia. As it is a young realm, it is also the most modern of the six nations.

Strengths
  • Culture: 5% more renown from won battles + 15% more income as a mercenary
  • Culture: 10% production bonus in villages around castles.
  • The sharpshooters are the strongest crossbow unit.
  • Noble troops become Banner Knights, an excellent heavy cavalry unit.
  • Vlandia borders only two factions (western Empire & Battania).
  • Good geographical location, only a few entrances to the starting area.
  • Almost all units have polearms and are strong against cavalry.
Weaknesses
  • Culture: Recruiting lords for the army costs 20% more influence
  • Weak heavy infantry.
  • Weak spearmen.
  • A large lack of shields for the units.
  • Due to the crossbows, the ranged fighters take a long time to reload.

Player type for Vlandia: If you want to experience the aesthetics of European medieval warfare up close, Vlandia is the best culture for you. You mainly use polearms and cavalry and can especially benefit from the starting bonus at the beginning, which supports you throughout the game.

Vlandia faction artwork

Vlandia Faction Artwork.

Would you like to join our community and discuss Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord? Then join our new Discord server or visit us on Facebook, we look forward to seeing you!

Every tip mentioned in this guide has been practically tested by our team to ensure you receive reliable and accurate information.
The interest in digging deep into the gaming industry stems from the DayZ Mod for Arma 2 in 2012. Kevin started working in the gaming industry in 2016. First as a trainee at Survivethis, the biggest German Survival-Games-Site at that time. Only half a year later, he got accepted at Gamestar and later MeinMMO. Now, on Guided.news he implements all his Knowledge to deliver comprehensive news, guides, interviews and more unique topics.
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