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Understanding Weapon Handling in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord is known for its deep and complex combat mechanics. One such aspect that players often wonder about is the weapon handling stat.

What does handling do, and how can it affect your gameplay? In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Weapon Handling in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord.

What is Weapon Handling in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord?

Basic Definition

In Bannerlord, handling refers to the ease with which you can use a weapon. It’s a measure of how quickly and effectively you can maneuver a weapon during combat.

Essentially, higher handling makes your weapon feel more responsive and easier to control.

How Handling Works

Handling is influenced by several factors:

Weapon Type: Different weapon types have inherent handling characteristics. For instance, a short sword will generally have better handling than a long spear.
Weapon Weight: Lighter weapons are easier to handle than heavier ones.
Character Skills: Your character’s proficiency with a particular weapon type can also affect handling.

The Importance of Handling

Combat Efficiency

Good handling can significantly improve your combat efficiency. Here’s how:

Faster Strikes: Weapons with high handling allow you to swing faster, giving you an edge in close combat.
Quicker Recovery: After making an attack, weapons with better handling let you recover more quickly, readying you for the next move.
Improved Blocking: High handling also enhances your ability to block incoming attacks, making defensive maneuvers more reliable.

Maneuverability in Battle

In the heat of battle, maneuverability can be a game-changer. Handling affects how easily you can adjust your weapon’s direction and angle of attack.

Directional Changes: Quick directional changes are crucial in fights against multiple opponents. High handling lets you adapt to changing combat situations more fluidly.
Accuracy: Better handling improves your accuracy, making it easier to hit moving targets or land precise strikes.

A large battalion of troops facing off against their enemy

Handling Across Different Weapon Types

Melee Weapons

Swords: Generally have high handling, making them versatile and effective in most combat scenarios.
Axes: Slightly lower handling than swords but compensate with higher damage output.
Spears and Polearms: Tend to have lower handling due to their length, but they offer reach advantage.

Ranged Weapons

Bows: Handling affects how quickly you can nock an arrow and draw the bow. High handling bows allow for faster shooting.
Crossbows: Handling impacts the reloading speed and ease of aiming.
Throwing Weapons: Better handling makes it easier to aim and throw accurately.

How to Improve Handling

Weapon Selection

Choosing weapons with inherently high handling can give you an immediate advantage. Look for weapons that suit your combat style and offer good handling characteristics.

Short Swords and Daggers: Excellent handling, suitable for fast, close-quarters combat.
Light Bows: High handling for rapid shooting, ideal for skirmishers and ranged support roles.

Character Skills

Investing in relevant skills can improve handling for different weapon types.

One-Handed Skill: Increases handling for swords, axes, and maces.
Polearm Skill: Boosts handling for spears and polearms.
Bow and Crossbow Skills: Enhance handling for their respective ranged weapons.

Perks and Upgrades

Some perks and equipment upgrades can also enhance handling.

Skill Perks: Certain perks in the weapon skill trees provide bonuses to handling. Choose these perks to make your weapons more manageable.
Weapon Mods: Upgrades like lighter materials or improved grips can increase handling.

Practical Tips for Utilizing Handling

Balance Your Loadout

A balanced loadout that includes both high-handling and high-damage weapons can give you flexibility in combat.

Primary Weapon: Choose a weapon with good handling for general use.
Secondary Weapon: Carry a high-damage weapon for situations where you need to deliver powerful strikes.

Practice Makes Perfect

Handling improves with practice. Spend time training with different weapons to get a feel for their handling characteristics.

Training Grounds: Utilize the training grounds to practice with various weapons and improve your handling.
Real Combat: Engage in battles frequently to gain practical experience and enhance your handling skills.

Adapt to Combat Situations

Be adaptable in combat. Switch to weapons with better handling when facing fast or numerous opponents.

Close Combat: Use high-handling weapons like swords in tight situations.
Crowd Control: Opt for weapons with better handling to deal with multiple enemies, such as bandits, effectively.

Conclusion

Mastering Handling

Understanding and mastering handling in Bannerlord can significantly improve your combat performance. By choosing the right weapons, investing in skills, and practicing regularly, you can make handling work to your advantage.