Bannerlord’s Next Expansion, War Sails, Brings Full-Scale Naval Battles

War Sails Set to Transform Bannerlord with Deep Naval Gameplay

Taleworlds Entertainment’s first major DLC for Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, titled War Sails, is charting a new course: naval combat. Originally aimed for a summer release on June 17, 2025, the expansion has now been delayed to early fall 2025 to ensure a polished and immersive experience.

Complex Sailing Dynamics

War Sails introduces a realistic nautical layer to Bannerlord:

• Ships will be affected by wind direction, ocean currents, storms, and even boat draft, adding tactical depth.
• Rivers across Calradia are being widened, bridges redesigned, and towns repositioned to allow navigation far inland.

Storms, Currents & Tactical Routes

Players will navigate both high seas and inland waters, choosing side routes to avoid storms or ride favorable currents. Coastal navigation will play a critical part in strategy, offering trade and war advantages.

New Faction: The Nords

The expansion adds the Viking-inspired Nord faction, originating from the newly revealed Northern Kingdom, complete with its own lands, architecture, cosmetics (hair, tattoos, armor), and a unique naval-themed skill tree.

18 Distinct Ships & Naval Warfare

• A lineup of 18 ship types, each with unique handling shaped by realistic water and wind physics.
• Command vessels equipped with rams, ballistae, boarding parties.
• Ship-to-ship combat includes boarding, ramming, and disabling enemy sails to control battles.

Siege Tactics & Blockades

Naval assets will reshape sieges: controlling sea routes and blockading ports becomes crucial to cut off enemy reinforcements and supplies.

Why Delay?

Initially scheduled for June 17, developers opted to delay War Sails, citing a need for additional polish. This pause ensures the expansion pays off on its ambitious scope and depth.

Bigger World, Bigger Gameplay

The continental map is growing—rivers widen, coastal towns shift, and a frost-bitten northern region opens to exploration and conquest.

Final Word

War Sails is shaping up to be a game-changer—literally—bringing rich nautical simulation into Bannerlord’s medieval sandbox. With realistic sailing physics, a new Viking faction, naval logistics, and siege warfare, it’s a huge leap forward. Despite the delay, ambition looks set to be rewarded.

Stay tuned—this fall, prepare to set sail, conquer the waves, and reshape Calradia’s destiny.