Are you tired of leading your armies through endless hills and muddy marshes? The upcoming Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord – War Sails expansion is poised to transform one of the most beloved medieval RPGs, adding an exciting new dimension to its already rich gameplay. This expansion will see your seasoned troops trading their horses for longships, turning them into formidable sailors ready to conquer the high seas. Prepare for epic naval battles, where you’ll command your fleet, deploy powerful ballistae, and even engage in thrilling deck-to-deck combat. At just $25, it’s a far more accessible way to experience grand-scale maritime warfare than, say, chartering a real Viking longboat!
With War Sails, you’ll take command of your fleet’s flagship, while the remaining vessels are bravely manned by your loyal companions and allied nobles. You have the strategic freedom to deploy up to eight ships, meticulously controlling their formations. Or, if you’re like me and prefer to dive straight into the action, a convenient auto-deploy button lets you throw caution to the wind and let your captains handle the initial setup. For a taste of what’s to come, watch the exhilarating gameplay showcase for the new Mount and Blade 2 expansion.
(Video: Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord – War Sails Gameplay Showcase)
TaleWorlds, the developers, highlight that mastering naval combat begins with “feeling the wind.” You’ll quickly discover the importance of this as you try to navigate your massive sails, only to be unexpectedly carried back to port. To assist players, a practical wind dial indicates the breeze’s direction using red and green rings. A helpful note for colorblind players: there doesn’t appear to be an in-game colorblind accessibility feature, which could present an additional challenge in the heat of battle. Perhaps some community-created Bannerlord mods might offer a solution.
Should the wind die down, or if you simply lose patience with its whims, you can command your oarsmen to propel your ship into or out of the fray. Interestingly, you’re also able to lend your own strength to the oars, whether out of a sense of shared effort with your crew or a determined “I’ll do it myself” attitude.
Once you locate your enemy on the open water, the real action begins. Each ship functions as an individual unit, allowing you to issue classic formation commands rather than micromanaging individual sailors. For a more relaxed approach, you can delegate control to your AI captains, who will support allies, skillfully avoid collisions, or — for those with a more aggressive streak — attempt to ram and board enemy vessels. Much like land-based sieges, you can bombard your adversaries with bolts, stones, or even fire pots from ballistae, while your ranged troops exchange volleys with the enemy from a distance.
Maneuver a sufficiently large ship close enough, and you can powerfully smash into your enemy. This brutal tactic creates an ideal opening for your footmen to board and engage the opposing crew in close-quarters combat. The effectiveness of ramming depends on several factors, including your ship’s speed, the angle of impact, its weight, and the precise point of contact. A perfectly executed ram can even threaten to send an enemy craft to the depths in one devastating blow.
The Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord – War Sails expansion is set to release on Wednesday, November 26, and will be available for $24.99.
Are you ready to assemble the ultimate crew for your naval conquests? You’ll want to find the strongest and most capable companions to captain your formidable fleet. If you’ve already explored everything the base game offers and are eagerly awaiting this month’s expansion, consider diving into some of the excellent Viking games available to tide you over.
We’re already captivated by watching the development team demonstrate the sheer impact of ship-to-ship collisions. We encourage you to share your most spectacular naval “bonks” with the community on launch day!