Companions serve as the foundation of your warband in Bannerlord. This guide explores different companion types, optimal recruitment strategies, and how to maximize their potential.
Companions Matter In Bannerlord
Why You Can't Rule Calradia Solo
Bannerlord quickly teaches that transitioning from mercenary to monarch requires more than individual prowess. While starting as a solo adventurer, your ambitions will soon surpass what one warrior can achieve. Companions provide essential delegation capabilities, specialized skills, and long-term support for your growing kingdom.
These aren't generic foot soldiers - each companion is a unique character with distinct stats, skills, and backstory. They can serve as governors, independent commanders, or key officers in your clan hierarchy.
While combat effectiveness matters, companions truly excel at freeing you from micromanagement. They handle critical tasks like food management, settlement governance, troop recovery, and army leadership - allowing you to focus on strategic decisions. Their randomly generated titles (like "The Healer" or "Of the Hills") add personality and help identify their specialties at a glance.
Understanding Companion Types
Core Party Roles
While Bannerlord doesn't formally categorize companions, established roles have emerged based on their skill sets and practical applications:
Quartermaster
Manages party logistics with Steward skill, increasing party size and maintaining morale
- Ideal for large armies and extended campaigns
- Recommended titles: The Spicevendor, Willowbark
Surgeon
Essential for troop preservation with high Medicine skill
- Reduces permanent casualties
- Recommended titles: The Surgeon, Willowbark, The Healer
Scout
Enhances mobility and awareness via Scouting skill
- Crucial for raiding and evading threats
- Recommended titles: Of The Wastes, The Grey Falcon
Engineer
Improves siege efficiency through Engineering skill
- Accelerates fortification and siege equipment construction
- Recommended titles: The Engineer, The Scholar
Companion Specializations by Title
- The Accursed: Roguery, Two-Handed
- The Engineer: Engineering, Crossbow
- The Healer: Medicine
- The Spicevendor: Trade, Crossbow
Advanced Companion Roles
Settlement Governors
When managing multiple settlements, governor companions apply their skills locally:
- Steward boosts prosperity
- Engineering accelerates construction
- Charm/Leadership improve loyalty
Caravan Leaders and Specialists
Companions can operate independently as:
- Trade-focused caravan leaders
- Roguery specialists for raiding
- Tactical commanders for secondary warbands
Recruitment Guide
Finding Companions
Locate companions in city taverns or via the Encyclopedia (N key). The "Wanderer" filter shows all recruitable candidates with their current locations.
Strategic Hiring
Prioritize based on your campaign stage:
- Early game: Focus on Scouts and Surgeons
- Mid game: Seek combat leaders and Stewards
- Late game: Target Engineering and Tactics specialists
Companion Management
Role Assignment
Access role assignments via the Party Screen (L key). Designate:
- Quartermaster (Steward)
- Surgeon (Medicine)
- Scout (Scouting)
- Engineer (Engineering)
Clan Oversight
Advanced management options:
- Assign governors from settlement interfaces
- Create independent parties from the Clan screen
- Manage companion equipment for optimal performance
Future Developments
Upcoming expansions may introduce new naval-focused roles, potentially adding depth to companion utilization in maritime operations.
