The latest update for Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord has dropped, bringing significant quality-of-life improvements to both the base game and the War Sails expansion. If you have been frustrated by the survivability of your high-tier Nord units or stuck staring at loading screens, patches WS v1.0.2 and BL v1.3.6 are addressing those pain points directly.
Making the Nords Fearsome Again
For those of us attempting to forge a kingdom in the north, nothing is more disheartening than spending gold and XP on elite troops only to watch them fold like paper in a shield wall. The developers addressed this head-on in the War Sails update. High-tier Nord troops have received substantial buffs to their armor ratings.
Specifically, the patch corrects the equipment stats for their armor, helmets, and gloves. This isn't just a cosmetic tweak; it ensures that these units actually perform like the elite heavy infantry they are supposed to be. If you rely on Nords to anchor your infantry line during sieges or open-field battles, you should notice significantly better damage mitigation immediately.
Optimization and Quest Fixes
Beyond the battlefield balance, the technical side of the expansion received some much-needed love. The initial loading times for War Sails have been significantly decreased. In a game like Bannerlord, where you are constantly transitioning between the campaign map, battles, and settlements, shaving time off loading screens creates a much smoother, more immersive loop.
The patch also cleans up several progression blockers:
- Ship Controls: Fixed issues where ships would become unresponsive during naval maneuvers.
- Quest Bugs: Addressed crashes and blockers in specific storyline missions that were preventing players from advancing the narrative.
What changed in the Base Game (v1.3.6)?
While the expansion got the bulk of the attention, the base game version v1.3.6 includes critical stability fixes. The most notable is a fix for crashes occurring during stealth missions and when disembarking. Furthermore, troop logic regarding retreat orders has been patched. Previously, ordering a retreat in certain mission types could cause erratic behavior or technical issues; this should now function as a valid tactical option without breaking the game state.
Whether you are sailing the new seas or sticking to the classic conquest of Calradia, these changes help stabilize the sandbox so you can focus on building your dynasty rather than fighting bugs.
Soren