Best Way to Make Money in Bannerlord: A Strategic Guide to Wealth Without War
Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord isn’t just about swinging swords and commanding armies — it’s also a deep economic sandbox where smart players can amass fortunes without ever drawing blood. Whether you’re a lone adventurer or an aspiring kingdom-builder, knowing the best way to make money in Bannerlord is essential to surviving — and thriving — in Calradia’s chaotic landscape.
Many newcomers assume raiding villages or looting battlefields is the fastest route to riches. But seasoned players know that sustainable wealth comes from commerce, not carnage. In this guide, we’ll break down the most effective, low-risk, and scalable methods to fill your coffers — even if you’d rather haggle than hack.
Why Money Matters More Than You Think
Before diving into tactics, understand this: money fuels every aspect of your rise to power. You need it to recruit troops, upgrade equipment, bribe lords, fund sieges, and even marry into noble families. Running out of cash can stall your progress for hours — or force you into desperate, high-risk battles.
The game’s economy is dynamic. Prices shift between towns based on supply, demand, security, and prosperity. This isn’t Monopoly — it’s a living market. And if you learn to read it, you’ll always have gold in your purse.
The Merchant Method: Buy Low, Sell High (The Smart Way)
The most reliable — and peaceful — best way to make money in Bannerlord is through trading. But don’t just wander from town to town clicking “Buy All” and “Sell All.” That’s amateur hour.
Here’s how to do it right:
-
Track Prosperity and Security
Towns with high prosperity produce surplus goods — meaning lower local prices. Towns with low security (due to bandits or war) suffer shortages — meaning higher prices for imports. Use the in-game encyclopedia or mods like Bannerlord Tweaks to monitor these stats. -
Focus on High-Margin Goods
Not all items are worth hauling. Look for goods with wide price gaps — like honey, linen, silk, or tools. A sack of honey bought in a prosperous southern town can sell for 3x the price in a war-torn northern settlement. -
Invest in Trade Skills and Perks
Level up your Trade skill. At level 30, unlock the Bargain Hunter perk to reduce purchase prices by 30%. Pair it with Eagle-Eyed Merchant to spot profitable routes on the map. These aren’t optional — they’re essential. -
Use Caravans (Once You Can Afford Them)
Once you hit 20k–30k denars, invest in a caravan. Assign a steward, give them 10k–15k starting capital, and send them on automated trade routes. They’ll generate passive income — often 1k–3k denars per day — while you’re off questing or training.
Case Study: Player “SilkRoadSam” started with 5k denars and focused exclusively on linen and silk trade between southern and northern towns. Within 12 in-game days, he turned 5k into 47k — without ever joining a battle.
Crafting & Workshop Empire: Passive Income on Steroids
Once you’ve saved up 30k–50k, buy workshops in thriving towns. Workshops are hands-off money machines — if you pick the right ones.
Key Rules:
- Only buy workshops in towns with high prosperity and low workshop competition. Too many workshops in one town saturate the market and crash profits.
- Prioritize workshops that produce high-demand goods: weapons, armor, and ale. A well-placed smithy in a military town can net 1.5k–2.5k denars daily.
- Upgrade them. Each upgrade increases output and profit. Three upgraded workshops can easily generate 6k–8k denars per week.
Pro Tip: Don’t spread yourself thin. Start with one or two workshops in your favorite faction’s territory. Expand only when you’ve stabilized cash flow.
Quests & Contracts: Fast Cash, Minimal Risk
While trading builds long-term wealth, questing is your best way to make money in Bannerlord quickly — especially early game.
Focus on:
- Village quests (deliver grain, escort traders, eliminate bandits). These reward 500–1,500 denars and boost village relations — which unlocks better trade prices.
- Guild contracts in towns. These refresh every few days and pay reliably. The “Hunt Deserters” quest, for example, often nets 800–1,200 denars for 10–15 minutes of riding.
- Clan quests from your own clan members. These scale with your influence and can pay 2k–5k denars at higher tiers.
Avoid bounty hunting unless you’re heavily armored. The risk/reward isn’t worth it until you’ve got a solid party.
Raiding? Only If You’re Strategic
Yes, raiding caravans or looting battlefields can be profitable — but it’s volatile, reputation-killing, and often less efficient than trading.
If you insist on raiding:
- Target enemy faction caravans during wartime — no reputation loss.
- Loot battlefields after the fight. Collect armor, weapons, and horses — then sell them in towns where those items are scarce.