Bannerlord multiplayer - competitive skirmish guide for new players by Matim

Bannerlord Competitive Skirmish Guide for New Players

Introduction to the Guide

• The guide is presented by Matim, focusing on competitive play in Bannerlord's skirmish mode.

• Mention of matchmaking issues and a Discord community led by Gota for active matchmaking support.

• Additional resources include links to official tournaments and a native link for small tournaments.

Joining the Matchmaking Process

• To participate, players must join the matchmaking Discord and follow registration instructions.

• Players should enter the Q voice channel and await assignment to a team voice chat.

• After being assigned, players check their class, teammates, and server details before joining.

Purpose of the Guide

• The guide aims to assist new players who struggle with skirmish mode due to lack of experience or knowledge.

• Experienced players often have to explain basic concepts repeatedly; this guide seeks to address that gap.

• A PDF guide is linked for further reading, requiring membership in EUMatchmaking Discord.

Common Mistakes Made by New Players

• Key mistakes include slow movement, dying solo during fights, and not understanding game objectives.

• Other errors involve poor unit selection, mismanagement of lives during rounds, and failing to follow IGL commands.

Overview of Gameplay Mechanics

• The gameplay consists of taking flags and engaging in fights based on player spawns and strategies.

• Matches are structured into two maps with four sets; each set has specific unit limits (archers, cavalry).

Map Strategies

• Maps are categorized based on flag positions: contested flags vs. non-contested flags affecting strategy choices.

• Understanding map types (closed vs. open maps), including how they influence unit deployment and tactics is crucial.

Unit Awareness & Economy Management

• Players should monitor enemy units displayed at the top screen for strategic advantages during gameplay.

Game Strategy and Mechanics Overview

Assessing Team Dynamics Post-Fight

• Use information after the first fight to evaluate player roles and remaining enemies.

• Constantly check teammates' status by pressing a specific key, except during critical fights.

• Adjust key bindings for easier access to team information, enhancing situational awareness.

Audio Settings for Optimal Gameplay

• Maximize effects volume while lowering master volume to improve sound cues.

• Turn off sound occlusion in-game for better cover awareness; a tutorial link is provided in the description.

Mouse Sensitivity and Visual Settings

• Recommended settings include 400 DPI with 0.5 in-game sensitivity for effective mouse control.

• Adjust visual settings like turning off shades to enhance visibility in dark areas.

Class Selection and Strategies

Class Recommendations Based on Skill Level

• New players should prioritize infantry classes for better map awareness unless excelling as damage dealers.

Specific Class Builds by Faction

• Vlandia: Sargent with improved armor; melee experts on the right side.

• Empire: Legionary with axe expert on the left; all perks focused on melee combat on the right side.

Tactical Choices for Other Factions

• Batania: Off sworn with improved armor; situational choices based on enemy type.

• Kuzait: Spearmen class with situational perks; focus on teamwork when requesting weapon exchanges.

Movement and Team Coordination

Importance of Movement Speed and Awareness

• Slow movement can jeopardize team coordination, making players vulnerable to attacks.

Effective Movement Techniques

• Move along walls to reduce vulnerability while maintaining awareness of team calls.

Handling Combat Situations

• Understand running speeds: light units are fastest, followed by heavy infantry, then mounted cavalry.

Understanding Defights

Definition and Importance of Defight

• A defight occurs when most infantry engage simultaneously, creating opportunities for archers and cavalry.

Strategic Considerations During Defights

• Avoid mindless aggression if an advantage is gained; retreat strategically if necessary.

Common Mistakes Among New Players

• AFK behavior during defights is detrimental—players must stay close to their teams or risk being ineffective.

How to Apply Pressure in Group Fights

Understanding the Basics of Group Fights

• In group fights, it's crucial to call for help and not remain silent; surviving without taking damage is a form of winning.

• The objective in a group fight involves holding an attack to threaten one player and then switching targets unexpectedly, relying on quick reaction times.

• Timing is essential; release your held attack during the enemy's wind-up animation to punish them effectively.

Key Techniques for New Players

• Kicking is a useful skill but can be skipped by beginners. Outranging enemies with longer weapons, like Vlandia Swords, is recommended.

• Striking an enemy's long-held block can create openings for follow-up attacks without risk if timed correctly.

Awareness and Team Dynamics

• While applying pressure, maintain awareness of archer positions and potential threats from cavalry; dying unnecessarily can harm team dynamics.

• New players often die early in fights, which can lead to their team being outnumbered in subsequent rounds—it's vital to manage lives effectively.

Reinforcement Strategies

• Avoid reinforcing a fight with second lives unless absolutely necessary; assess the game state before committing.

• Staying outside enemy push range while providing cover minimizes risks and allows for strategic plays against archers.

Managing Advantages During Combat

• Once you have a numbers advantage, focus on avoiding damage rather than becoming overly aggressive; this preserves your team's strength.

• Communicate about archer and cavalry positions before applying pressure on infantry units to avoid unnecessary losses.

Effective 2v1 Tactics

Strategies for Engaging in 2v1 Situations

Understanding Positioning and Threat Awareness

• In a 2v1 scenario, one player can either engage the closer enemy or escape, while both players should focus on the Kav's positioning.

• Lower skill levels allow Kavs to score significantly; using a spear effectively can dismount a Kav quickly. Always be aware of enemy Kavs' locations unless directed otherwise by an IGL.

Importance of Team Coordination

• When facing aggressive Kavs, having a spear is crucial to counter their tactics. Stay close to infantry (infs) to provide support rather than being distant.

• Players should avoid dying to couch attacks and maintain situational awareness during fights. Defending your spear and archer is essential as they are key objectives.

Objectives and Tactical Movements

• Capturing flags is vital; holding two flags often leads to victory if the enemy does not contest. If an enemy holds two flags, you can still capture the last one without completing it in the final seconds.

• As infantry, prioritize defending archers and spears over engaging with enemy infs mindlessly. Focus on objectives during engagements.

Adapting Strategies Based on Enemy Strength

• Only pursue archers when there’s a significant advantage; otherwise, risk losing control of defied situations.

• Ignoring flags may be effective against unprepared teams or weak Kavs but requires careful assessment of the situation.

Countering Pushes Effectively

• Infantry must stay together when countering pushes; use cover strategically while preparing for coordinated pressure from both sides.

• Pushing past mid-flags without an advantage typically results in losing ground; maintaining flag control is generally more beneficial.

Analyzing Enemy Strength and Adjusting Tactics

Recognizing Patterns in Opponent Play

• Assess MMR concentrations before matches to identify strong opponents. During gameplay, observe what strategies are most effective against your team.

Tactical Adjustments Based on Enemy Composition

• If facing stronger Kavs or archers, consider alternative strategies like pushing instead of contesting flags directly.

Prioritizing Survival Over Aggression

Gameplay Strategies for Infantry and Cavalry

Infantry Tactics

• Emphasize the importance of infantry coordination, focusing on micro-management issues such as blocking, positioning, and target swapping.

• When playing as an archer on open maps, prioritize taking a safe position to shoot at contested flags while keeping infantry between you and enemy forces.

• If faced with a solo enemy, survival is key unless they are skilled at kicking; call for infantry support to engage enemies from a distance.

Archer Guidelines

• For players considering archery in open maps, it’s advisable to practice in Team Deathmatch first. The primary goal is to capture flags without losing horse health early on.

• Coordinate initial charges from behind enemy lines while avoiding spears; sometimes holding back can be more beneficial than risking dismounting.

Cavalry Engagement

• Charge from positions where archers cannot easily target you; after charging, reposition quickly to avoid being shot while maintaining pressure on the enemy.

• During engagements, consider focusing on enemy cavalry if they pose a threat. Holding an enemy archer hostage can shift the battle dynamics significantly.

Closing Thoughts