Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord lets you call the militia into your army

Image credit: RAB130 / Militia Enlistment

When a war breaks out in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, it's nice to know the people defending your settlements might be willing to do a little more than stand around waiting for a siege. RAB130's Militia Enlistment introduces a system for raising local militia directly into your army, allowing eligible clans to draw basic and veteran troops from their towns, castles, and villages. Recruitment doesn't cost anything upfront, although those freshly enlisted soldiers will still expect their regular wages. Apparently, patriotism only stretches so far.

What makes this interesting is that the system isn't reserved for the player. AI lords can also draw on their own settlements during wartime, within limits intended to prevent them from completely emptying local defenses. Surviving militia can be sent home, and settlements temporarily lose the troops they've contributed until those soldiers return or their numbers recover. This first public beta supports Bannerlord 1.4.7 and 1.4.8, with longer campaigns and some mod combinations still untested. It's a promising addition for anyone who wants the game's wars to feel a little more connected to the communities fighting them.