Summary
Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government, but having a good weapon more than helpsa would-be ruler. Such is the case inMount and Blade 2: Bannerlord.Often, players will have to dirty their hands with blood if they want to gain followers or respect, and weapons make that endeavor a whole lot easier.
With the plethora of options in the game, though, it can be overwhelming to determine favorites based on practicality. In hindsight, nearly everything is overwhelming inMount and Blade 2: Bannerlord. Thankfully, these weapons are tried and tested steel for those looking for the stabbiest sticks and the sharpest shivs.
Updated on April 11th, 2025, by Mati Kent-Nye:Choosing which weapon type to specialize in isnot a decision to be taken lightly, as players must invest a great deal of time, skill points, and money into their chosen weapon type if they’re to become mighty warriors. Every weapon boasts unique advantages and drawbacks, from lengthy polearms and vicious two-handed axes to deadly crossbows. Ranged weapons are perfect for picking off enemies in relative safety, but they’re all but useless in close combat. Melee weapons, meanwhile, can quickly dispatch enemies, though they force the player right into the midst of the ever-dangerous battlefield.
In Bannerlord, it’s up to players to discover which weapon best suits their playstyle, whether on horseback or on foot.
57
91/93
119
Handling
84
Two-handed swords aren’t exactly the best weapons for beginners looking to prolong their life inthis medieval sandbox, but if players are pushing with that stubbornness, then here’s the best at the very least. The Thamaskene Steel Two Hander is a wild weapon that’s usually reserved for the toughest of bruisers.
It doesn’t have the best handling among the two-handed swords or weapons in the game, but it will lop off heads the easiest. It’s great for dealing damage to multiple enemies and thinning the frontlines, and its speed is impressive, too. Players just need to be careful about getting swarmed.
74
27
Length
41
Throwing axes are among some of the more versatile weapons found in the world ofBannerlord, being able to be used both at range and in melee combat. These axes are also perfect for tearing down an enemy’s defenses, as they deal bonus damage to shields. Highland Throwing Axes have the highest damage of all the throwing axes, making them an excellent choice for players looking to soften up stronger enemies from a distance.
The high damage of Highland Throwing Axes comes with the trade-off of a slightly lower length, making them less than ideal for melee combat. While this might pose some difficulties for beginners, experienced players almost always carry a powerful melee weapon to switch to once enemies get too close.
42
82/88
110
78
The Engraved Backsword is an expensive weapon, but it’s worth every coin of gold spent on it. It’s not as fast as the two-hander above, but players can at least equip shields on their off-hand to protect themselves. Like a lot of top-tier weapons in the game, this one doesn’t have the best handling.
A lot of control is sacrificed for damage, though players who are rocking this tier of weaponought to be skilledat controlling their attacks anyway. In any case, it’s a more ideal weapon for those new to the game since players can use it in tandem with a shield.
33
32
39
Throwing knives may be the weakest throwing weapon inBannerlord, but they make up for it with their fast speed and high accuracy when compared to their axe and javelin counterparts. These knives are handy for softening up powerful enemies even at short range; their high speed allows players to fill them with daggers as they approach. Broad Bladed Throwing Knives are particularly well-suited in this regard, dealing the most damage of all the throwing knife types.
While high in damage, Broad Bladed Throwing Knives are short. Thankfully, this isn’t much of a problem, as players shouldn’t be using throwing knives in close combat because they make poor melee weapons.
76
138
69
For those who prefer to get in touch with their inner barbarian, the Heavy Executioner Axe is the best axe inMount and Blade 2: Bannerlordin terms of power. It’s not as powerful as the best two-handed sword in the game, but it has the advantage of being a longer weapon.
This gives players more room between their target and themselves, which is a big factor in survivability. It’s probably not the best in duels due to its low speed and poor handling, but it’s great for flanking enemy squads and wreaking havoc on their backlines.
62/90
205
52
Players ought to get themselves a polearm that can cut as much as it can stab. The Warrazor is just that, offering cut damage that is significantly better when compared to a two-handed sword. In fact, it probably has the highest swing damage out of all the weapons in the game.
The pierce or thrust damage is alright, and the length isn’t the best, but players usually only need to swing once tothin the herdand drop the enemy’s morale due to the sheer terror dished out by this weapon. If not, then players can just poke them repeatedly and fast. The Long Glaive is a good alternative, though its damage is nowhere near this good.
80
94
100
Missile Speed
90
Some players might prefer to play it safe and poke at enemies using arrows while perched on their high horse. If so, the Noble Bow is the best option. There is a Noble Longbow in the game, too, but the Noble Bow shoots arrows faster and is generally lighter.
This bow is perfect for some horseback archery, which is the ideal combat style for dishing out damage while staying alive in battles. The damage isn’t that high, but well-placed headshots will more than make up for this shortcoming. Of course, for ground archery, the Noble Longbow is better, or perhaps a crossbow.
63
97
The Bound Crossbow is even better in terms of damage compared to the Noble Longbow, at least when it comes to ground archery. It’s slow and can only hold one arrow at a time, so reloading is impossible on horseback, but that’s where this weapon shines anyway.
Players can simply snipe enemy officers from afar using this crossbow and do more damage that way. It has by far the highest damage out of all the bows in the game and since it comes with high piercing damage, not even heavily armored knights are safe from those furious bolts.
2.1
85
Hit Points
540
Shields technically aren’t weapons, but one can treat them as a DPS increase, especially if players have trouble staying alive during clashes. Lessworrying about survivalmeans a better focus on dishing out damage, and the Tall Heater Shield is the most protective of them all.
It has the highest hit points out of all the shields and is also relatively light. The blocking speed isn’t the highest, but it’s more than decent. Players can certainly turtle behind this portable wall and just poke their duel enemies into submission or death— usually both, one after the other.
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89
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The beauty of the Triangular Throwing Spear is that players don’t have to throw it if they don’t want to. It can double as a one-handed polearm for those who prefer to joust, although the damage will be notably lower this way.
It’s also shorter than most bonafide polearms in the game since it’s merely a javelin. The damage is staggeringly high, though, and players can also use these to take out commanders and officers fast while weaving in and out of combat range. As a result, it’s one of the most versatile weapons in the game.
