The “Short” story of Bannerlord’s War Sails DLC. Naval blockades, pirates, and all we know about the Nords so far

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While we don’t have a firm release date yet – and it could be pushed back – the first expansion for Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord is coming. Fans have felt a bit in the dark about “War Sails” lately, as TaleWorlds hasn’t shared much news. However, their recent YouTube shorts have revealed quite a bit. They’ve even given us a sneak peek at what looks like the game’s most powerful warship, so let’s take a closer look at everything we’ve learned.

A sneak peek at naval blockades

So, TaleWorlds just dropped a little info about how naval blockades are going to work in the game, and it looks pretty cool. Basically, when you show up at a coastal town with your ships to lay siege, a blockade automatically kicks in. From there, you’ve got a few choices. You can fight it out with the enemy fleet, pull back, or try to send supplies and reinforcements to the town by sea. If you win a naval battle, the blockade stays up. Lose, and it’s over. If you just withdraw, the land siege continues, but the enemy can still get supplies in by water. To really help the town, you can either break through the blockade or just go straight for the enemy fleet and take them down.

Shiver me timbers, the sea be a cruel mistress!

Expect to encounter pirates while sailing! The new *War Sails* update introduces the Corsairs, formidable sea raiders who significantly increase the dangers of naval travel in Calradia. These pirates are based on the historical Barbary Coast pirates. They come in three tiers, and with the Veteran Respect perk, you can even recruit and upgrade Corsairs into Aserai units, ultimately forming powerful elite troops such as the Mamluke Palace Guard.

All about the Nords

I’m really excited about the new Nordic Huscarls in *Bannerlord*! They’re basically the elite infantry of the Nords, and they look incredible. They’re decked out in heavy armor – chainmail, leather, and fur – and carry swords, axes, spears, even throwing axes! They’re clearly designed to be the backbone of the Nord army, holding the line and smashing through enemy formations in a brutal close-quarters fight. Honestly, the Nords are shaping up to be a fantastic faction to play as.

The video also showcased new character customizations for beards, hair, and tattoos, all inspired by the Nord people. We got a detailed view of the new buildings Nords can construct and how they strengthen their settlements. Plus, they revealed King Halthdar and a glimpse into his background.

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2025-09-20 14:02