Say it with me: boats rule.

This year will see the release of the first major expansion for Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, following three years of updates since its 2022 debut. The ‘War Sails’ expansion will elevate your medieval adventures to the high seas, enhancing the game with ownership of ships and naval combat alongside its renowned land battles.

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord War Sails (Image credit: TaleWorlds)

The expansion includes the Nord civilization and extends the map of Calradia to incorporate their northern and eastern homelands. Famous for their seafaring raids, the Nords evoke parallels to our world’s Vikings.

Taleworlds has provided extensive details about the expansion’s features, revealing an unexpected level of depth, especially regarding maritime experiences. Current systems, wind directions and storms will all affect your journey, not limited to bay conditions but also relevant to newly navigable rivers. This complexity introduces new dimensions to gameplay, including strategic considerations for bridge placement and navigation.

Purchasing ships will mimic historical practices, where warships will command hefty prices, showcasing affordability that reflects the high stakes in naval warfare.

Furthermore, ships will enable blockades, crucial for siege strategies against coastal settlements. If any title should delve into the intricacies of maritime dynamics, it certainly is Mount & Blade II.

For more insights into the upcoming War Sails expansion, you can peruse the development diary on Steam or check the page for War Sails.