Tired of slogging your troops through endless muddy landscapes? The new Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord – War Sails expansion is here to change that, elevating one of the best medieval RPGs even further. War Sails transforms your seasoned soldiers into formidable sailors, ready to navigate the open waters. You’ll need to master rowing when the wind abandons you, and engage in intense battles from behind ballistae and across the decks of enemy vessels. All this for just $25, a much more affordable option than trying to recreate these epic naval clashes in your own backyard!
With War Sails, you command the flagship of your fleet, while your trusted companions and allied nobles helm the other vessels. You can deploy up to eight ships, taking full control of their formations. Or, if you’re like me and struggle with even simple decisions, there’s an auto-deploy button to simply unleash chaos upon the waves. Want a sneak peek? Check out the gameplay showcase below for a glimpse into the new Mount and Blade 2 expansion.
Developer TaleWorlds emphasizes that mastering the wind is crucial for any naval engagement. You’ll quickly learn this lesson when your massive sails get you nowhere fast. A helpful wind dial, with red and green rings, indicates the breeze’s direction – though a note to our colorblind friends, there isn’t a specific in-game accessibility feature for this, so you might face an extra challenge. For those moments, you might want to explore the best Bannerlord mods for assistance.
Once the wind dies down or you’ve had enough of its unpredictability, you can command your oarsmen to propel your fleet into or out of battle. You can even join in the strenuous rowing yourself, whether to boost morale or simply declare, “Fine, I’ll do it myself!”
So, what happens when you finally spot an enemy ship on the horizon? Each ship acts as an individual unit, allowing you to issue classic formation commands rather than micro-managing every sailor. You can even delegate to your AI captains, letting them support allies, avoid collisions, or — for those with a mischievous streak — ram an enemy vessel and initiate boarding. Just like in siege battles, you can bombard your foes with bolts, stones, or fire pots from your ballistae, while your ranged troops exchange volleys from a distance.
If you’re commanding a large enough ship, you can ram directly into your adversary, creating a critical opening for your footmen to board and engage the crew in close-quarters combat. The success of a ramming attack depends on speed, angle, ship weight, and impact point, with a perfectly executed strike potentially sinking an enemy craft in a single, decisive blow.
The Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord – War Sails expansion is scheduled for release on Wednesday, November 26, priced at $24.99.
Are you ready to assemble your ultimate crew for naval dominance? Explore options for the best Bannerlord companions to lead your fleet. And if you’ve already conquered everything the base game offers, but can’t wait for the expansion, why not try some of the best Viking games in the meantime?
The development team’s ship-smashing demonstrations are already captivating, so be sure to share your most epic “bonks” with us on launch day!