Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Forging Build Guide: Early Riches

While Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord doesn't have a clear season system, the latest stable version at the time of research is "v1.2.x", with "v1.3.x" and "v1.4.x" available in beta and console versions. Significant balance adjustments related to forging have been made in the past, particularly changes affecting early-game money-making efficiency (e.g., changes to materials obtained from certain items). This article is based on information relevant to these current versions.

In the vast lands of Calradia, you'll dream of hiring soldiers, building castles, and founding a kingdom. However, all of this requires immense funds. While combat and trade are viable, the most reliable and efficient way to accumulate wealth is through "Forging." This guide thoroughly explains the definitive "Forging for Profit Build" that will ensure beginners never struggle for money, starting from character creation. Without even engaging in combat, you can create the strongest weapons and immense riches with your own hands.

Build Overview and Stat Distribution

This build is an "economy-specialized" build designed to completely resolve early-game financial difficulties by focusing on the forging skill from the start of the game, producing and selling weapons. By prioritizing production capabilities over combat prowess, you establish a foundation that gives you a significant advantage in later gameplay, such as acquiring powerful self-made equipment or hiring soldiers with ample funds.

Recommended Stat and Focus Point Distribution

The distribution during character creation is extremely important. Use the table below as a guide to prioritize Endurance and Smithing.

Early Game Progression: Aim for Smithing Skill 25 as Fast as Possible

Your actions immediately after starting the game will determine the success of this build. Follow these steps to efficiently lay the foundation for forging.

1. Secure Initial Funds (~5,000 Denar)
   First, you need working capital. Participate in arena tournaments held in various cities and aim for the championship prize. You can join without equipment, gaining funds and Renown without risk. Completing simple quests is also a good option. Aim for about 5,000 Denar.
2. Procure Wood
   Once you have enough funds, head to villages and towns in the Battanian region. This area is rich in forest resources, and you can purchase "Hardwood" cheaply. Buy as much as your Denar allows.
3. Charcoal Production and Skill Leveling
   Go to a city's smithy and select the "Refine" menu. Use the purchased Hardwood to produce "Charcoal." Initially, you'll only make 1 Charcoal from 2 Hardwood, but by repeating this process, your Smithing skill will increase. The Charcoal you produce can be used as fuel for forging, and it can also be sold for profit.
4. Acquire the Most Important Perk
   Continue making Charcoal diligently until your Smithing skill level reaches 25. Once you hit skill level 25, be sure to acquire the perk "Efficient Charcoal Maker." This will allow you to produce 3 Charcoal from 2 Hardwood, dramatically improving production efficiency. This is your first major goal.

Mid-to-Late Game Money Making: Accumulate Wealth with High-Value Weapons

Once your Charcoal production foundation is established, it's time to move into the full-fledged money-making phase through forging high-value weapons. The keys here are "unlocking blueprints" and "combining high-value parts."

Efficient Ways to Unlock Blueprints

Blueprints for new weapon parts are randomly unlocked by "Smelting" or "Forging" weapons of the same type. In the early game, gather blueprints efficiently using the following methods:

• Smelt Bandit Weapons: Even the crude weapons obtained from bandits in combat can provide valuable materials and opportunities to unlock blueprints when smelted. Don't discard them; take them with you.
• Buy Cheap Weapons: Especially the "Tribesman Throwing Dagger" sold cheaply in Aserai cultural cities is highly efficient for both gaining high-quality materials and unlocking blueprints when smelted. If you see them, buy them all and smelt them.

Once your Smithing skill level reaches 75, we strongly recommend acquiring the perks "Curious Smelter" and "Curious Smith." These increase the chance of unlocking parts by 100%, dramatically improving the efficiency of blueprint collection.

How to Make High-Value Weapons and Recommended Parts

Once you have a good number of blueprints, it's time to forge weapons. Generally, "two-handed swords," "two-handed axes," and "polearms" tend to sell for higher prices compared to other weapon types. The value of a weapon varies greatly depending on the Tier (quality) of the parts used and size adjustments.

One particularly famous high-value part is the Tier 4 two-handed sword blade, the "Pointed Falchion Blade." Despite being craftable with relatively few materials (e.g., 2 wrought iron, 1 steel), this blade can be combined with other parts to create weapons worth thousands to tens of thousands of Denar. If you can unlock this part, your money-making will accelerate significantly.

Keys to Efficiency: Utilizing Companions and Synergistic Elements

Forging consumes "Forging Stamina," and once stamina is depleted, you cannot continue working. Stamina recovers by waiting in a city, but utilizing companions eliminates this waiting time and maximizes efficiency.

Synergistic Factions and Companion Role Assignments

• Synergistic Factions: Battania offers cheap "Hardwood" and is optimal as an early-game base. The Aserai culture is worth visiting in the mid-to-late game as "Tribesman Throwing Daggers," suitable for smelting, are easily acquired there.
• Companion Role Assignment: Forging Stamina is independent for each character. By hiring companions and switching the working character on the smithy screen, you can continue working even after your own stamina runs out. Companions with epithets like "the Smith" have high starting skills and can be immediately effective, so prioritize hiring them. The following role assignments are effective:
  • Main Character: Having the highest skill, takes charge of "Forging" high-value weapons.
  • Companion A: Learns "Efficient Charcoal Maker" and focuses on "Charcoal Production."
  • Companion B: Handles "Smelting" weapons.
  • Companion C: Takes charge of "Refining" to create higher-tier materials.

Synergistic Skills and Perks

The Athletics skill further enhances the forging build. Since raising Endurance naturally increases its skill cap, it has excellent synergy. In particular, the perk "Stamina" obtainable at Athletics skill level 75, which increases stamina recovery while waiting in a city, will further boost your forging efficiency. Be sure to consciously raise your Athletics skill in parallel with forging.

Conclusion

The "Forging for Profit Build" in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is a powerful strategy that resolves early-game financial struggles and dramatically increases your freedom in the game. By mastering the process—starting with character creation stat distribution, leveling up skills through charcoal making, and collaborating with companions to mass-produce high-value weapons—you will no longer worry about money. Use your immense wealth to hire the best soldiers or purchase cities and castles for your clan. The path to becoming a ruler of Calradia begins from the hot forge. Please use this guide to enjoy your own rich gameplay.