Are you ready to swap muddy battlefields for the open ocean? The new Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord – War Sails expansion promises to elevate one of the most beloved medieval RPGs even further. This exciting addition transforms your soldiers into seasoned sailors, challenging them to row their vessels into the heart of battle when the winds aren’t in your favor, then engage in intense combat using ballistae and hand-to-hand skirmishes across ship decks. For a mere $25, it’s a far more accessible way to experience grand naval warfare than trying to borrow a real longboat!
With War Sails, you’ll captain your fleet’s flagship, while your loyal companions and allied nobles command the other vessels. You have the strategic freedom to deploy up to eight ships, dictating their formations on the high seas. For those who prefer a more hands-off approach to naval tactics, an auto-deploy option lets you dive straight into the action. A gameplay showcase provides a glimpse into this thrilling new aspect of the expansion.
TaleWorlds, the developer, emphasizes that mastering naval combat begins with understanding the wind. You’ll quickly learn this lesson if you hoist your sails only to be pushed back to port! To assist players in navigating air currents, a convenient wind dial indicates the breeze direction with distinct red and green rings. A quick heads-up for colorblind players: there doesn’t seem to be a specific in-game accessibility feature for this, so you might face an extra challenge. Exploring community-created modifications might offer solutions.
Should the wind die down, or if frustration with the wind dial sets in, you can always rely on your oarsmen to propel your fleet forward or backward. Interestingly, you’re also able to join in the rowing effort yourself, whether to foster team spirit or to simply take matters into your own hands.
Once you encounter enemy ships, each vessel functions as an independent unit, allowing you to issue classic formation commands rather than micro-managing individual sailors. You can also delegate control to your AI captains, who will assist allies, skillfully avoid collisions, or, for those with a more aggressive streak, strategically ram an enemy ship for boarding. Similar to siege warfare, you can bombard your adversaries with bolts, stones, or fire pots from powerful ballistae, while your ranged units engage in skirmishes from a distance.
The Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord – War Sails expansion is set to release on Wednesday, November 26, priced at $24.99.
Preparing your naval crew? You’ll want to enlist the most formidable companions to lead your ships into battle. If you’ve already thoroughly explored the base game and are eager for more medieval combat before the expansion drops, consider trying out other popular Viking-themed games.
We’re eagerly anticipating the spectacular ship-on-ship collisions this expansion promises. We encourage you to share your most epic naval ‘bonks’ with the community on launch day!