TaleWorlds has pulled back the curtain on War Sails, the upcoming expansion for Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, launching November 26, 2025, across PC and consoles for $24.99. This add-on introduces naval warfare to Calradia's turbulent seas, letting you command fleets amid the empire's civil strife and rising kingdoms.
In the fractured world of Calradia, where civil war ravages the old empire and new powers emerge, War Sails opens up maritime conquests. You'll navigate wind-swept battles, choosing from square, lateen, or hybrid sail rigs that dictate your ship's speed and handling—factors that could turn the tide in forging your hegemony.
Mastering the Waves: Core Mechanics Revealed
Take direct control of your flagship while issuing orders to up to eight allied vessels per side. Ballistas become your ranged arsenal, chipping away at enemy hulls or setting them ablaze. Ramming demands precise angles and momentum for devastating impacts, while boarding via grappling hooks and rope bridges lets your troops swarm foes in close-quarters chaos.
Damage simulation gets gritty: hull breaches lead to sinking, fires spread havoc, and overboard soldiers can swim briefly before fatigue sets in. Commandeer enemy ships mid-battle, expanding your fleet and shifting power dynamics on the fly.
What Does Naval Combat Mean for Bannerlord's Strategy?
This expansion weaves naval elements into Bannerlord's sandbox of army management and kingdom-building. Imagine blockading trade routes to starve rival factions or launching amphibious assaults on coastal strongholds—options that deepen tactical layers and narrative paths in your quest to reshape Calradia.
How Will War Sails Change Siege Warfare?
Sieges evolve with sea-based approaches, where bombarding fortifications from ships adds new siege strategies. It ties into the game's lore of endless conflict, giving players fresh ways to summon followers and win glory across expanded battlefields.
War Sails builds on Bannerlord's core of player-driven stories, potentially altering how you build empires from humble starts. Check TaleWorlds' channels for more previews as the release nears.