How to Make Money FAST in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord (2025)
Greetings, future conquerors of Calradia!
If you've just started a new campaign in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, you are likely facing the biggest problem of a mercenary leader: lack of money. Soldiers demand daily wages, food costs money, and high-tier equipment seems impossible to afford.
In this guide, I'll show you exactly how to turn empty pockets into a King's treasury, using tested methods for the Early Game.
📺 Watch the Video Guide
Before diving into the details, I invite you to watch my video where I show you exactly how I apply these methods in-game:
1. Tournaments (The Arena)
The safest method to make your first 10,000 - 20,000 Denars without risking your troops' lives is participating in Tournaments.
How it works: Go to major cities (Towns), enter the Arena, and choose "Join the Tournament".
- Bet on Yourself: In every round, bet the maximum amount on yourself.
- Sell the Prize: The real value isn't the betting money, but the physical prize. Sometimes you can win war horses (Tyal Horse, Asaligat) or high-tier helmets that can be sold at the market for 15,000 - 20,000 Denars.
💡 Kcrypton Tip: Tournaments in Empire or Vlandian towns often offer the most expensive prizes.
2. Smithing: The "Money Printer"
Even after numerous updates, Smithing remains the most profitable method in the game, although it requires a bit of patience at the start.
Steps for profit:
- Buy Hardwood: You can find it cheap in Battanian villages (e.g., Seonon).
- Smelt Looted Weapons: Don't sell weak weapons from bandits; smelt them to get materials.
- Craft Two-Handed Swords: Once you unlock a few parts for two-handed swords, you can craft weapons that sell for tens of thousands of denars each.
3. Hunting Bandits
Do not underestimate the classic method. At the start, the map is full of Looters and Sea Raiders.
- Looters: They are weak and perfect for leveling up your troops.
- Sea Raiders: You find them on the northern coast. They are dangerous but drop much more expensive equipment.
- Ransom Prisoners: Always go to the Tavern and look for the "Ransom Broker" to get better prices for your prisoners.
Conclusion
Starting out in Bannerlord is tough, but once you've gathered your first 50,000 Denars, you can invest in Workshops and Caravans for passive income.
What is your favorite method to make money?
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