Bannerlord War Sails Tips and Tricks Guide
© GamerBlurb.com | Published on 12/1/2025 at 1:02 AM CST (USA)
If you’re diving into War Sails and wondering how to make the most of naval combat, fleet growth, and those shiny new ship upgrades, this guide covers the key mechanics every captain should know. From figureheads and wind control to fleet management and raiding strategy, here’s how to sail smarter across Calradia’s new seas.
Make The Wind Work For You
Sailing depends heavily on wind direction. Square sails catch speed with a tailwind but lose power when going against it. Lateen rigs handle better from side winds but start slower. If the wind isn’t in your favor, stow the sails and switch to oars for control. Learn to pivot your ship mid-battle with wind breaks or short bursts of rowing to stay on target during ramming maneuvers.
Figureheads and Ship Bonuses
Figureheads are ship-mounted trophies that give stat bonuses when installed on the Fore Slot. You unlock them by defeating naval lords or performing specific actions in battle.
Ram’s Head increases ramming damage and reduces collision recoil
Sea Serpent improves storm handling and travel speed
Horse Head boosts morale during boarding fights
Swan improves ranged accuracy on deck
You can switch figureheads freely at ports, and each faction’s design reflects its cultural theme.
Pirate Raiding and Convoy Hunting
Merchant convoys are the best early-game money makers. Nords and Vlandians control the busiest trade routes along the western coast, while Aserai merchants run long, valuable routes through southern seas. Capturing or sinking convoys can earn anywhere from 20k to 50k denars depending on luck and cargo.
Attack isolated convoys rather than full fleets
Sell captured ships immediately to avoid upkeep
Target choke points between ports to trap traders
Repair after every two or three battles to maintain speed
Understand Fleet Size Limits
Your fleet starts capped at three combat ships. That limit can rise through skill perks and army formation bonuses. Two of the new hero skills each add +1 ship command, and joining an army adds another +2 temporary slots. Beyond that, extra ships in your inventory slow you down and drain resources. The best setup is three active warships with one storage vessel following as support.
Early Game Builds That Work
Nord captains have the best start thanks to fast longships and easy convoy raiding. Two light ships and one Drakkar can dominate early routes. Aserai and Empire players lean toward trade-heavy starts, building wealth before investing in war fleets. Avoid Burbs or your ships may get slowed down. If you’re playing as a mercenary, avoid vassal duties until clan tier 3 so you can freely switch factions or flee bad wars.
Storage, Upgrades, and Shipyards
Always keep a fourth ship as storage when raiding far from home. Shipyards allow you to:
Install upgrades like braziers, extra quivers, and reinforced hulls
Rename ships and manage their crews
Sell captured vessels for fast gold
Some ports only stock culture-specific upgrades, so travel between regions to unlock better options.
Boarding and Climbing Nets
You can climb nets hanging along the sides of larger vessels to board or repel enemies. Smaller ships can use these to flank without ramming directly. Use this during duels or pirate chases to gain the upper deck advantage before heavy crews can turn their ships around.
Final Blurb
War Sails rewards patient captains who understand movement, positioning, and fleet balance. Keep your ships light, your crew happy, and your figureheads polished, and you’ll control Calradia’s sea lanes before any king can stop you. The early grind is tough, but once your fleet hits full stride, every voyage becomes pure profit.
FAQ
How big can your fleet get
Up to eight ships with the right perks and army bonuses.
How do you unlock figureheads
Defeat faction leaders or complete special naval victories to gain them.
What’s the best starter ship setup
Two light longships for speed and one medium Drakkar for boarding.
Do faction cultures affect sailing
Yes, each has unique ship handling traits and figurehead styles.
Is fast mode worth using
Yes, it speeds up skill gain and lets your clan progress faster between wars.
© 2025 GamerBlurb. Linking is welcome with credit to GamerBlurb.com. Copying or reproduction without permission is prohibited.
More Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord
