Bannerlord War Sails How to Play & Master Naval Combat
© GamerBlurb.com | Published on 11/26/2025 at 9:40 PM CST (USA)
The War Sails expansion changes how you play Bannerlord by adding real naval exploration and fleet command to the world of Calradia. Here’s how to actually start sailing, fight at sea, and grow your power on the water.
How To Start War Sails
After installing War Sails, you’ll get a new questline that begins once you load into the campaign. It guides you through the basics of naval control, combat, and fleet management. Completing it unlocks shipyards, crew options, and sea routes on the expanded northern map.
If you already have a save, you’ll need to travel north toward the new Nord region to access docks and naval content. For full immersion and stability, it’s better to start a new campaign.
Getting Your First Ship
To build or buy a ship, visit a coastal town that has a shipyard. These towns display ship vendors and let you:
Buy your first vessel using denars
Customize it with sails, rams, and siege weapons
Assign crew and captains from your party
Store trade goods or supplies in its cargo hold
You can also capture ships during naval battles and add them to your fleet later.
Sailing Controls And Travel
When you board your ship, the campaign map zooms out and transitions to naval mode. The wind direction affects your movement speed, and storms can slow or damage your fleet. Use wind currents to travel faster, or hug coastlines to avoid attrition.
You can dock at any visible mooring point to rest, trade, or repair. Escaping or capsizing teleports you back to your last docked location.
Naval Combat Basics
Battles at sea play out differently from land fights. Ships have health, buoyancy, and momentum. You can choose to ram, board, or engage from range.
Ramming deals hull damage and can throw enemies overboard
Boarding starts close combat between crew members
Ballistas and archers can ignite sails or destroy oars
Currents and wind shift the battlefield as the fight continues
Winning a battle lets you capture ships, loot cargo, and recruit survivors from defeated crews.
Building A Fleet
As you progress, you can own multiple ships with different roles:
Warships handle boarding and heavy combat
Trade ships carry valuable goods between ports
Fishing vessels provide cheap, steady income
Upgrades like better sails, cargo holds, and reinforced hulls make long expeditions safer. You can also assign companions as ship captains for bonuses to morale, navigation, and speed.
Managing The Northern Campaign
The Nord lands introduce new factions, sea trade routes, and pirates. You can become a privateer, merchant, or conqueror by aligning with or against the Nord clans. Coastal sieges now use naval blockades, letting you cut off supplies and starve enemy settlements before attacking.
Custom Naval Battles
If you want to practice or skip the campaign setup, go to Custom Battles and select a naval map. You can set wind, weather, time of day, ship types, and crew strength before jumping into a fight instantly.
Final Blurb
War Sails completely transforms Bannerlord into a full naval sandbox. Once you get your first ship and feel the wind push you across Calradia’s northern waters, it’s hard to go back to dry land. Build fleets, raid coastlines, or trade across the seas—just keep an eye on the weather and your sails.
FAQ
How do I unlock ships
Visit any shipyard in a coastal town to buy your first vessel.
Can I sail with companions
Yes, you can assign them as ship captains for bonuses.
Do I need a new save
Starting a new campaign is recommended to access all naval content cleanly.
Can I lose ships in battle
Yes, if a ship sinks or is captured, it’s gone unless you recapture it.
Can I trade by sea
Yes, trade routes connect northern ports and coastal cities for faster profits.
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