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How to Get Influence in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

Table of Contents

Understanding Influence: The Currency of Power

Foundational Methods: Building Your Reputation

Advanced Strategies: Warfare and Politics

Clan Management and Policies

Efficient Influence Spending and Common Pitfalls

In the vast and unforgiving continent of Calradia within Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, power is not measured solely by gold or the size of an army. The true lifeblood of political and military advancement is Influence. This intangible resource governs a lord's ability to command armies, enact kingdom policies, and sway the decisions of rulers. Without a steady stream of Influence, even the wealthiest warlord remains a marginal figure. This guide delves into the multifaceted systems of acquiring and utilizing Influence, providing a comprehensive roadmap to becoming a dominant force in Calradian politics.

Influence functions as the political capital of Bannerlord. It is the currency spent to propose and support policies in a kingdom's council, to form and lead armies, and to override the votes of other clans. Unlike Denars, Influence cannot be directly traded; it must be earned through deeds and status. Every noble in a kingdom possesses an Influence pool that naturally decays over time, incentivizing constant activity. The rate of gain and decay is often affected by the kingdom's active policies, making political engagement a cycle of earning and spending to secure long-term advantages.

The most reliable and consistent method for generating Influence is through the ownership of fiefs, particularly settlements. Each day, a lord receives a base amount of Influence from every owned castle or town. This passive income forms the bedrock of a clan's political stability. Ensuring these fiefs are prosperous, secure, and have high loyalty directly increases this daily yield. A well-governed, bustling town is not just an economic asset but a continuous font of political power. Furthermore, simply being a vassal of a kingdom or a mercenary company grants a small daily trickle of Influence, rewarding continued allegiance.

Military service offers the most immediate and substantial bursts of Influence. Donating captured troops to a friendly settlement's dungeon is an exceptionally efficient method. The Influence reward scales with the tier and number of the donated prisoners, making high-level troop donations incredibly lucrative. Victorious battles are another primary source. Winning battles against superior odds, defeating large enemy parties, and successfully completing quests for notables that involve combat all grant significant chunks of Influence. The key is consistent, proactive military engagement against the kingdom's enemies.

For rulers and influential vassals, the political arena is where Influence can be generated and multiplied. Forming an army costs Influence upfront, but maintaining it and winning battles with it generates more, creating a positive feedback loop for expansionist leaders. Voting in the kingdom's policies is crucial. Supporting or opposing laws not only shapes the realm but also rewards participants with Influence for voting in line with the ruler's decision or, in some cases, for simply being on the winning side of a vote. This encourages lords to pay attention to the political landscape and align their actions with the ruling consensus or their faction's interests.

Clan management plays a subtle yet vital role. Increasing your clan's tier is a fundamental long-term goal. Higher clan tiers grant larger party sizes, more companion-led parties, and critically, a higher daily Influence gain rate. Deploying family members or companions as governors in your fiefs can boost security, loyalty, and construction speeds, indirectly supporting your passive Influence income from those holdings. A large, well-managed clan is inherently more influential than a minor one.

Enacting specific kingdom policies can permanently alter the Influence economy for every lord in the realm. Policies like "Royal Guard," which increases Influence gain from battles for the ruler, or "Senate," which grants daily Influence to all clans based on their fiefs, are powerful tools for centralizing or distributing power. A shrewd ruler will propose policies that benefit their own clan's Influence generation while perhaps stifling that of rivals. Conversely, a vassal must be strategic in supporting policies that ensure a fair distribution of this precious resource.

Accumulating Influence is only half the battle; spending it wisely is paramount. The most critical expenditure is on army formation. Leading a powerful army is essential for capturing new fiefs and defending the realm. Influence is also the key tool in political struggles. Spending large amounts to override votes on policy decisions or fief awards can decisively shape the kingdom's future in your favor. However, reckless spending can deplete reserves, leaving a lord powerless at a critical moment. The balance between hoarding for a major political move and spending to maintain military momentum defines masterful play.

Common pitfalls include neglecting fief development, which cripples passive income; engaging in endless, costly wars without donating prisoners or winning decisively; and ignoring the political council, missing out on voting rewards and allowing harmful policies to pass. Influence generation is a holistic endeavor that requires attention to governance, military success, and political savvy.

Mastering Influence in Bannerlord is the definitive path from a mere warrior to a sovereign power. It requires a blend of martial prowess, shrewd governance, and political cunning. By securing prosperous fiefs, achieving military dominance, engaging actively in the council, and manipulating kingdom policies, a lord can build an unassailable reserve of political capital. In the end, Influence is more than a number on the screen; it is the manifestation of a leader's reputation, the respect of peers, and the undeniable authority to command the fate of Calradia. The journey to gain it is the very journey to rule.

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