Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Siege Guide: Conquer Fortresses with Strategy

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord does not have a typical game "season" system. The latest stable patch version effectively represents the current game environment. As of May 2026, version 1.3 series has been confirmed, but the exact latest version should be checked periodically on official forums and Steam announcements. Please refer to this information as current.

Sieges are unavoidable on your path to becoming the ruler of Calradia. Have you ever experienced your elite troops falling one after another due to neglecting preparations, even when challenging with overwhelming force? But rest assured. Bannerlord's sieges can be conquered with minimal casualties, even impregnable fortresses, if you understand the correct procedures and strategies. This article thoroughly explains everything about sieges, from the preparation phase to the moment of assault.

Recommended Formations and Command for the Assault Phase

During the assault phase, the climax of a siege, appropriate formations and command significantly impact soldier survival rates. Below are the basic troop deployments and roles.

The "Preparation Phase": Everything That Determines Siege Success

It's no exaggeration to say that preparation before combat accounts for 90% of victory in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord sieges. Brute force will only lead to the futile deaths of valuable soldiers. Follow strategic procedures and approach with full readiness.

Importance of Siege Camp and Engineering Skill

When besieging an enemy castle or town, the first step is to establish a "siege camp." The construction speed heavily depends on your warband's "Engineering" skill. Not only your character's skill, but also the Engineering skills of other lords participating in your army are combined and contribute. Therefore, including companions or lords with high Engineering skill in your army is crucial for advancing the siege quickly.

Most Important Tactic: Trebuchet Construction and Operation

Once the siege camp is complete, the next step is to construct siege engines. The highest priority here is the "Trebuchet," known for its long range and high power. It can unilaterally attack from beyond the range of the defending side's weapons, safely reducing the enemy's defensive capabilities.
The most effective and established tactic is as follows:

1. Set 4 Trebuchets in the construction slots.
2. Once the first one is complete, click and select "Move to Reserves." This prevents the completed engine from being destroyed by enemy attacks.
3. Do the same for the second and third ones; move them to reserves as soon as they are complete.
4. Just before the fourth one is completed, deploy (place) all three previously stored in reserves.

This procedure allows all four Trebuchets to begin shelling simultaneously, overwhelming and neutralizing the defending side's engines in a short amount of time. Destroying all enemy catapults is an absolute prerequisite to minimize your warband's casualties.

Types and Roles of Siege Engines

• Trebuchet: Long range, high power. Main weapon against enemy engines and walls. Downside is long construction time.
• Onager (Catapult): Shorter range than a Trebuchet, but effective against personnel and enemy engines. Relatively fast to construct.
• Ballista: Primarily an anti-personnel weapon. Can be used to snipe soldiers on the walls, but has low destructive power.
• Siege Tower: An engine to safely transport soldiers onto the walls while protecting them. Significantly safer than ladders.
• Battering Ram: Specialized in destroying castle gates. Sturdy, but tends to be an easy target for enemy catapults and other projectile weapons.

Command and Tactics for the Assault Phase

Once enemy defensive engines are completely silenced, and at least two breaches are opened in the walls or the castle gate is destroyed, it's time to begin the general assault.

Command Examples for Each Combat Phase

1. Opening (Artillery Duel): At this stage, there's no need to advance your soldiers. Delegate command to a sergeant using the F6 key, and the player should observe the battle from the rear or keep troops waiting in a safe location.
2. Mid-Phase (After Wall Breach): Once a breach opens in the walls, first select your archer unit and advance them to a favorable position for support fire using F1→F4. Order your infantry unit to form a "Shield Wall" with F1→F2, advancing cautiously to the breach to block enemy arrows.
3. Final Push (General Assault): Once lines of fire are secured and infantry are positioned, order your infantry unit to "Charge" with F1→F3. Soldiers will rush into the breach, and melee combat will begin inside the castle. Once the interior is secured, send in the waiting cavalry to mop up fleeing enemy troops.

Situational Handling

• If the breach is narrow and your troops become too concentrated: Do not force a charge; withdraw your troops once. Consider shelling again with Trebuchets or Onagers to widen the breach or create another one.
• If many enemy archers remain on the walls: If you have a Siege Tower, use it as the highest priority. If not, order your archer unit to concentrate fire with F1→F6 to reduce the enemy's ranged forces before sending in infantry to charge.
• If the castle gate is destroyed by a Battering Ram: The area around the gate often becomes a kill zone with concentrated enemy troops. Always send elite shield-bearing infantry first, pushing forward while maintaining a strong "Shield Wall" defense.

An Ironclad Defense! Basic Defensive Strategy

The defending side has a bonus to engine construction speed and fights from a geographically advantageous position. Prioritizing the destruction of powerful siege engines like Trebuchets that the attackers are building, using your own catapults, is the shortest path to victory.
For troop deployment, place elite shield-bearing infantry in a "Shield Wall" inside the castle gate or at points where ladders will be placed to block entry routes. Distribute archers evenly along the walls to target approaching enemy troops and siege engine operators. It is also highly effective for the player to operate ballistas or catapults themselves, directly targeting enemy siege engines or concentrated units. The thrill of taking down multiple enemies with a single shot is exceptional.

Engineering Skill Perks to Gain an Advantage in Sieges

By developing your Engineering skill, you can acquire perks that further your advantage in sieges. Here are some particularly important ones:

• Lv.25『SCAFFOLDS』: Increases Battering Ram and Siege Tower construction speed by 30%. Allows you to quickly prepare engines that enhance the safety of your assault.
• Lv.125『FOREMAN』: Increases Onager and Trebuchet hit points by 33%. Makes your engines stronger in artillery duels.
• Lv.175『dungeon / prison ARCHITECT』: Reduces the chance of your siege engines being targeted by enemy ranged attacks by 20%. This is a powerful perk that significantly improves engine survivability.

Conclusion

Sieges in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord are determined not by brute force, but by strategy and preparation. Always be aware that the key to a siege lies in the "preparation phase" before combat even begins. In particular, emphasizing Engineering skill and deploying four Trebuchets simultaneously is a proven tactic for minimizing casualties. By faithfully adhering to the basics of neutralizing enemy defensive engines and securing multiple routes of invasion, even the most formidable fortress will eventually fall before you. Master strategic sieges as you strive to unite Calradia.