How to hire companions in Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord

We talk about how to hire companions in the game, how the second name of wanderers affects their characteristics and traits, which companions are better for certain roles and tasks

Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord is a multifaceted game with many activities. In order to create a powerful kingdom and conquer the whole world, players must gather a large army that can withstand numerous factions. Each lord (NPC) leads a separate army, which includes archers, melee warriors, and/or cavalry. Along with the regular troops that you can recruit into the army, the game has a lot of companions – unique, randomly generated NPCs, somewhat reminiscent of the main character.

In this guide, we will show you how to recruit followers in Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord. Moreover, we will give an example of the best satellites in all of Calradia.

How to find and hire a companion

To get another companion, the only thing you need to do is put aside some gold. Each potential companion will ask for the Nth amount of gold coins, and only after paying such will he become your ally. The amount of gold a follower requires depends on their starting skills and stats. As for the direct search for potential companions, then you should visit any major city (open the map, it’s not difficult). When you reach the city, go to the local tavern. When approaching the city, select the appropriate item!

On the next screen, you will see all travelers located in the local tavern. Pay attention to the cells in the upper right corner of the screen. As you can see in the image above, Fercread Cowthief is the only Wanderer available in Pen Cannock. So, after we find a potential companion, you need to start a conversation with him and understand what he wants to become your companion.

Hiring a Companion

To get started, start a dialogue with the character you want to recruit. To do this, LMB click on his portrait. Then select the “Talk to him” option. You will be transported directly to the NPC and will be able to learn more about him. For example, you can hear the character’s backstory (although you can skip it if you choose “Let’s skip the pleasantries and get straight to the point”). If you select the last option, you will find out how much it will cost to recruit him.

As soon as you choose the above option with dinars, the wanderer will join your squad. Congratulations! You have just received your first companion. This is a character that goes beyond the normal troops, since his abilities and, of course, equipment can be completely changed to your liking.

What are the best companions to hire?

As mentioned above, each potential companion in Bannerlord is unique in its own way. That is, each NPC companion is a randomly generated character unique to your save file. His first name will always be random, while his second name slightly reveals the character’s backstory and possible skills. Thus, based on the wanderer’s middle name, you will be able to determine whether it suits your play style or not.

Below you can see a list of wanderers, their middle names and starting characteristics.

All healers

• Surgeon(Empire culture) – 70 One-Handed, 70 Throwing, 70 Athletics, 80 Medicine, Generosity buff, Honesty and Mercy buffs.
• Willowbark(Sturgian culture) – 70 One-Handed, 70 Throwing, 70 Athletics, 60 Medicine, Generosity positive trait.
• Bitterdraught(Vlandian culture) – 70 One-Handed, 70 Throwing, 70 Athletics, 90 Charisma, 60 Medicine, Miser negative trait, Mercy positive trait.
• Healer(Battania culture) – 70 One-Handed, 70 Throwing, 70 Athletics, 80 Medicine, Dishonesty negative trait.
• Scholar(Aserai culture) – 100 One-Handed, 90 Throwing, 90 Athletics, 120 Medicine, Miser negative trait, Mercy positive trait.

All warriors

• Coalbiter(Sturgia culture) – 150 One-Handed, 200 Two-Handed, 170 Polearms, 110 Athletics, Generosity and Courage positive traits, Ruthless negative trait.
• Wanderer(Empire culture) – 100 One-Handed, 110 Polearms, Courage buff.
• Black(Empire culture) – 100 One-Handed, 90 Throwing, 90 Athletics, Generosity and Courage buffs.
• Boar(Empire culture) – 160 One Handed, 170 Polearms, Honesty and Courage positive traits, Ruthless negative trait.
• Hills(Empire culture) – 90 Two-Handed, 135 Archery, 70 Athletics, Miser negative trait, Honesty and Courage positive traits.
• Red(Battania culture) – 120 One-Handed, 170 Two-Handed, 140 Polearms, 90 Athletics, Dishonesty negative trait, Courage positive trait.
• Bloodaxe(Sturgian culture) – 150 One-Handed, 200 Two-Handed, 170 Polearms, 110 Athletics, Honesty positive trait.
• Grizzled(Vlandian culture) – 120 One Handed, 140 Crossbow Shooting, Honesty and Mercy buffs.
• Ironbelly(Battania culture) – 160 One-handed, 130 Throwing, 130 Athletics, Honesty and Courage positive traits, Ruthless negative trait.
• Shieldmaiden ( Sturgianculture) – 120 One-Handed, 170 Two-Handed, 140 Polearms, 90 Athletics, Integrity and Courage positive traits, Ruthless negative trait.
• Fairhair ( Battaniaculture) – 130 One-Handed, 140 Polearm, Generosity and Courage buffs.
• Wronged(Battania culture) – 130 One-Handed, 110 Throwing, 110 Athletics, Honesty, Courage, and Mercy buffs.
• Bull(Empire culture) – 120 One-Handed, 170 Two-Handed, 140 Polearms, 90 Athletics, Dishonesty negative trait, Courage positive trait.
• Wronged(Vlandian culture) – 120 One-Handed, 130 Polearm, 110 Throwing, 130 Riding, Honesty positive trait.
• Hawk(Khuzait culture) – 120 One Handed, 130 Archery, 120 Riding, Dishonesty negative trait, Courage positive trait.
• Fatherless ( Khuzaitculture) – 90 One Handed, 100 Archery, 100 Riding, Generosity, Courage, and Mercy buffs.
• She-Wolf(Khuzait culture) – 150 One-Handed, 200 Two-Handed, 170 Polearms, 110 Athletics, Courage buff.
• Wronged(Empire culture) – 90 “One-Handed”, 120 “Crossbow Shooting”, “Honesty” positive trait, “Ruthless” negative trait.
• Gray(Khuzait culture) – 90 One-Handed, 100 Archery, 100 Riding, negative trait “Avarice”, positive trait “Honesty”.
• Loud(Vlandia culture) – 130 One-Handed, 120 Two-Handed, 140 Polearms, 130 Riding, 90 Athletics, Miser negative trait, Courage positive trait.
• Ironeye(Khuzait culture) – 160 One Handed, 170 Polearm, Honesty and Courage positive traits, Ruthless negative trait.
• Barrelchest(Vlandian culture) – 90 One-Handed, 140 Two-Handed, 110 Polearms, 70 Athletics, Generosity and Integrity buffs.
• Breakskull(Sturgian culture) – 120 One-Handed 170 Two-Handed 140 Polearms, 90 Athletics, Courage positive trait, Ruthless negative trait.
• Swordsman(Aserai culture) – 150 One-Handed, 200 Two-Handed, 170 Polearms, 110 Athletics, Honesty and Courage positive traits, Ruthless negative trait.

All engineers

• Engineer(Aserai culture) – 90 One Handed, 120 Crossbow Shooting, 80 Engineering, Integrity and Courage buffs.
• Knowing(Khuzait culture) – 60 One Handed, 100 Crossbow Shooting, 80 Engineering, Miser negative trait, Mercy positive trait.
• Wainwright(Vlandian culture) – 50 One-handed, 70 Polearm, 70 Throwing, 90 Riding, 80 Engineering, Generosity positive trait, Ruthless negative trait.
• Scholar(Empire culture) – 70 One-Handed, 70 Throwing, 70 Athletics, 60 Engineering, Negative Trait Miser, Positive Trait Mercy.

All scouts

• Wanderer(Battania culture) – 100 One-Handed, 110 Polearm, 60 Scout, Courage buff.
• Wastes(Aserai culture) – 150 Two-Handed, 185 Archery, 110 Athletics, 140 Scouting, negative traits Miser and Dishonesty.
• Fish(Sturgia culture) – 100 One-Handed, 90 Throwing, 90 Athletics, 60 Intelligence, Generosity positive trait, Dishonesty negative trait.
• Blacktooth(Battania culture) – 100 One-Handed, 90 Throwing, 90 Athletics, 60 Intelligence, negative traits Miser, Dishonesty, and Ruthless.
• Alone(Khuzait culture) – 90 Two-Handed, 135 Archery, 70 Athletics, 60 Scouting, Honesty and Courage positive traits, Ruthless negative trait.
• Ragged(Battania Culture) – 90 Two-Handed, 135 Archery, 70 Athletics, 60 Scouting, Honesty and Mercy buffs.
• Hills(Vlandian culture) – 90 One Handed, 120 Crossbow Shooting, 120 Scouting, Caution negative trait, Mercy positive trait.
• Frostbeard(Sturgian culture) – 90 Two-Handed, 135 Archery, 70 Athletics, 80 Intelligence, Generosity, Courage, and Mercy buffs.
• Cowtheif(Battania culture) – 90 Two-Handed, 135 Archery, 70 Athletics, 60 Intelligence, Generosity and Courage positive traits, Ruthless negative trait.
• Huntress(Vlandian culture) – 120 One-Handed, 140 Crossbow Shooting, 100 Scout, Courage buff.

All strategists and squad leaders

• Wanderer(Aserai culture) – 120 One-Handed, 130 Polearms, 110 Throwing, 130 Riding, 80 Scouting, 100 Tactics, Courage buff.
• Brave(Vlandian culture) – 100 One-Handed, 90 Two-Handed, 110 Polearms, 110 Riding, 70 Athletics, 60 Tactics, Honesty and Courage buffs.
• Lucky(Sturgia culture) – 90 One-Handed, 140 Two-Handed, 110 Polearms, 70 Athletics, 60 Tactics, Generosity and Courage buffs.
• Silent(Empire culture) – 130 One-Handed, 120 Two-Handed, 140 Polearms, 130 Riding, 90 Athletics, 60 Tactics, Generosity, Courage, and Mercy buffs .
• Outcast(Khuzait culture) – 90 One Handed, 100 Archery, 100 Riding, 60 Tactics, Generosity positive trait, Dishonesty negative trait.
• Falcon(Aserai culture) – 120 One Handed, 130 Polearms, 110 Throwing, 130 Riding, 100 Tactics, Generosity and Courage buffs.
• Golden(Aserai culture) – 180 One-Handed, 190 Polearms, 150 Throwing, 170 Riding, 100 Tactics, Negative Trait Miser.
• Horsethief(Battania culture) – 120 One-Handed, 130 Polearms, 110 Throwing, 130 Riding, 100 Tactics, Generosity positive trait, Dishonesty negative trait.

All robbers

• Accursed ( SturgianCulture) – 90 Two-Handed, 135 Archery, 70 Athletics, 60 Robbery, Miser negative trait, Honesty, Courage, and Mercy positive traits.
• Mad(Khuzait culture) – 100 One-Handed, 90 Throwing, 90 Athletics, 60 Robbery, Dishonesty negative trait.
• Hyena(Aserai culture) – 160 One-handed, 170 Polearm, 100 Rogue, negative traits Miser, Dishonesty, and Ruthlessness.
• Robber(Empire culture) – 100 One-Handed, 90 Throwing, 90 Athletics, 60 Rogue, positive traits Generosity and Mercy, negative trait Dishonesty.
• Black(Vlandia culture) – 120 Two-Handed, 160 Archery, 90 Athletics, 80 Scouting, 120 Robbery, Generosity and Courage positive traits, Ruthless negative trait.
• Butcher(Empire culture) – 130 One-Handed, 110 Throwing, 110 Athletics, 60 Robbery, negative traits Miser, Dishonesty, and Ruthlessness.
• Leopardess(Aserai culture) – 100 One-Handed, 90 Throwing, 90 Athletics, 100 Robbery, Generosity and Courage buffs.
• Prince(Aserai culture) – 130 One-Handed, 110 Throwing, 110 Athletics, 140 Rogue, positive traits Generosity and Mercy, negative trait Dishonesty.
• Shark(Vlandian culture) – 130 One-handed, 110 Throwing, 110 Athletics, 60 Robbery, negative traits Miser, Dishonesty, and Ruthlessness.
• Longknife(Sturgian culture) – 100 One-Handed, 90 Throwing, 90 Athletics, 60 Robbery, Generosity positive trait, Dishonesty negative trait.

All merchants and managers

• Spicevendor(Aserai culture) – 120 One-Handed, 140 Crossbow Shooting, 100 Trade, 100 Management, Honesty and Mercy buffs.
• Swift(Khuzait culture) – 90 Two-Handed, 135 Archery, 70 Athletics, 100 Rogue, 80 Trade, 80 Management, Generosity, Courage, and Mercy buffs “.

The only blacksmith

• Smith(Vlandia culture) – 90 One-Handed, 140 Two-Handed, 110 Polearms, 70 Athletics, 60 Blacksmithing, Generosity and Mercy buffs.

Now let’s focus on the best NPCs for the most common roles/classes/tasks.

The best doctor companion (doctor, healer)

The best companion you can hire in terms of medical skills can go by two names – The Healer and The Surgeon. Both characters have a starting health of 80, making them the best starting companions with an emphasis on healing. Keep in mind that the skill can be upgraded as the game progresses.

The Doctor Companion is a huge help early in the game. As you develop his skills and perks, you will unlock more options and be able to keep your people healthy for much longer. Passive healing perks are a great help during long-term battles.

Best two-handed companions

If you are looking for a real berserker and an aggressive warrior with powerful starting parameters, we recommend that you pay attention to wanderers named The Coalbiter or The Swordsman. These NPCs start with a whopping 200 points in the Two-Handed Weapon attribute. Not to mention, they have a pretty good 170 halberd skills (making them the second-best halberd wielding companions).

The best companions are archers or scouts

Having a strong archer on your team will allow you to quickly kill enemy foot soldiers. The best archer you can find among the wanderers is called Of the Wastes. The starting bow skill of such a character is 185. Equip light armor, a decent bow and enjoy the fact that your ally takes out enemy infantry somewhat quickly. With such a companion, no one will come close to you.

This NPC also starts with the highest scouting skill of any wanderer available for hire, so if you find one be sure to recruit as he can do two things at once!

Best Blacksmith Companion

Unsurprisingly, the best blacksmith character you can get as a companion goes by the name of The Smith (which translates to blacksmith). The starting value of the Blacksmithing skill for such a character is level 60. As you know, blacksmithing in Bannerlord has a certain imbalance, allowing you to earn thousands of dinars by constantly upgrading weapons in the forge. The presence of a blacksmith character only speeds up this process. Moreover, the blacksmith will be able to forge good weapons and armor for use by the main character or his companions.