Companion Roles in Bannerlord: Recruitment, Oaths, and Outsourcing Strategies

If you’re immersed in *Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord*, you’ve probably encountered the game’s dynamic companion system. Companions aren’t just faceless allies—they’re the lifeblood of your growing faction. Whether you’re navigating the early-game skirmishes or preparing for full-blown empire-building, understanding their roles, recruitment methods, and how to maximize their potential is key to success.

Why Companions Are Essential

Imagine attempting to conquer Calradia solo—it’s impossible. From day one, you’ll need help. Companions bring unique abilities, backgrounds, and skills that complement your leadership. These aren’t just disposable units—they’re named characters with their own stats, histories, and quirks. While they excel in combat, their true strength lies in their versatility. From managing food supplies to leading armies, they handle everything from mundane logistics to critical decision-making.

Their presence transforms your journey from a chaotic grind into a structured climb toward sovereignty. Need someone to stabilize your economy? Assign a skilled steward. Want to outwit your rivals? Deploy a cunning strategist. Companions are more than soldiers—they’re your closest advisors, governors, and strategists.

Types of Companions

While Bannerlord doesn’t explicitly categorize companions, the community has identified common roles based on their skills and functions:

Party Roles

1. Quartermaster

   • Skill: Steward
   • Responsibilities: Manages food, morale, and party size.
   • Best For: Big campaigns, sieges, and multi-warband leadership.
   • Examples: "The Spicevendor," "Willowbark," "The Wainwright"

2. Surgeon

   • Skill: Medicine
   • Responsibilities: Keeps your companions and troops alive.
   • Best For: Intense battles, preventing permanent deaths.
   • Examples: "The Surgeon," "Willowbark," "The Healer"

3. Scout

   • Skill: Scouting
   • Responsibilities: Explores terrain, detects enemies, and triggers ambushes.
   • Best For: Avoiding ambushes, mapping enemy movements.
   • Examples: "Of The Wastes," "The Grey Falcon," "The Ragged"

4. Engineer

   • Skill: Engineering
   • Responsibilities: Enhances siege capabilities and fortifications.
   • Best For: Siege warfare, reducing construction time.
   • Examples: "The Engineer," "The Scholar," "The Wainwright"

Governor Roles

For larger realms, companions excel as governors, shaping the prosperity of your towns and castles:

• Steward: Increases food production, population stability.
• Charm and Leadership: Boosts loyalty and influence.
• Engineering: Accelerates construction and fortifies defenses.
• Tactics and Roguery: Useful for unconventional strategies.

Recruiting Companions

Finding and hiring companions requires a keen eye and strategic planning. They’re typically found in taverns across Calradia. Visit the tavern in each city to check for recruitable companions. Alternatively, use the Encyclopedia (default key: N) to search by title or location.

Once located, initiate a conversation in the tavern to hire them for a nominal fee. Pay attention to their stats and titles, as these hint at their potential roles. For example, "The Engineer" excels in siege-related tasks, while "The Healer" shines in medical emergencies.

Maximizing Companion Potential

After recruitment, assign companions to roles that match their strengths. Use the Party Roles menu (L key) to delegate tasks like Quartermaster, Surgeon, Scout, or Engineer. Each role ties directly to a specific skill, ensuring maximum efficiency.

Assign governors to settlements to boost loyalty, prosperity, and construction speed. Ensure combat-capable companions lead parties, while non-combatants handle administrative roles.

Dismissing Companions

Sometimes, companions outlive their usefulness. To dismiss one, select them in the Party Menu, initiate a conversation, and choose the appropriate dialogue option. Keep in mind that they retain their gear and leave the game permanently. Only release companions whose roles are redundant or who no longer contribute meaningfully to your goals.

The Future of Companions

As the War Sails expansion approaches, companions will evolve further. Expect new sea-focused roles, such as naval commanders and supply captains. Customize your fleet and lead maritime campaigns, adding another layer of strategy to their already diverse contributions.

Companions are more than tools—they’re the heartbeat of your faction. Their evolution mirrors your journey, from humble beginnings to grand conquests. Choose them wisely, and they’ll become the foundation of your legacy.