Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord War Sails – Best Weapons Tier List & Builds (Updated 2026)

Why “best weapon” depends on your playstyle

This is the complete Bannerlord War Sails best weapons tier list, with quick picks for polearms, couchable lances, bows, and boarding builds.

Bannerlord doesn’t have one single “best weapon” for everyone. The strongest picks depend on whether you fight on foot, on horseback, in sieges, or you want a safe, consistent build that works in every situation.

This list focuses on weapons that consistently perform at the top because they combine:

• High damage (or reliable kill pressure)
• Strong reach or speed (or both)
• Versatility across real fights (formations, sieges, cavalry charges)

1) Rhomphalia (Two-Handed Polearm)

If you want a weapon that feels unfair in big infantry fights, this is it. The Rhomphalia is famous for brutal swing damage and the ability to cut through multiple enemies when engagements get tight.

Best for: Infantry battles, choke points, sieges, fighting outnumbered
Playstyle tip: Stay slightly behind your frontline and punish anyone who steps into range.

2) Glaive or Menavlion (Two-Handed Polearms)

These polearms shine because they offer excellent reach and deadly thrust potential. They’re especially strong against mounted threats, because a clean thrust can quickly turn cavalry into a problem you solved.

Best for: Mixed fights, anti-cavalry, field battles
Playstyle tip: Use your range to win before enemies can even trade hits with you.

3) Crafted Two-Handed Polearms (Smithing “Best-in-Slot” Option)

If you’re willing to smith, crafted polearms can become the real endgame. With smart part selection, you can create a polearm that’s powerful, lightweight, and tuned to the exact length you want.

The goal: Maximum damage and control without making the weapon feel slow or clunky.
Common “strong recipe direction”:

• A high-damage long blade/head (glaive-style)
• A shaft choice that keeps handling reasonable
• Length optimized for your fight style (longer for safety, shorter for speed)

Best for: Players who want the “best possible weapon” tailored to them
Playstyle tip: Craft one version for open-field battles (longer) and one for sieges (slightly shorter).

4) Couchable Lances (Heavy Lance, Long Knight’s Lance, and similar)

A couched lance charge is one of the most lethal mechanics in the game when you do it right. With good speed and positioning, you can delete heavily armored enemies instantly.

Best for: Cavalry builds, open field fights, hit-and-run tactics
Playstyle tip: Don’t tunnel vision. Reset your angle, keep speed, and farm clean lines through weak spots.

5) Heavy Executioner Axe (Two-Handed Axe)

Two-handed axes are terrifying because they’re not just about damage. They also excel in the kind of messy fights Bannerlord loves: sieges, tight formations, and shield-heavy brawls. Axes are a nightmare for shields.

Best for: Sieges, pushing through shield walls, formation fights
Playstyle tip: Let enemies bunch up, then swing where shields overlap.

6) Noble Long War Sword or Thamaskene Steel Two-Hander

Top-tier two-handed swords are the “balanced kings”: good reach, strong damage, and handling that makes them feel clean in duels and chaotic fights.

Best for: Duels, general field battles, players who want a reliable main weapon
Playstyle tip: Use footwork and timing. Swords reward precision more than brute force.

7) High-Tier Throwing Axes and Javelins

Throwables can be disgusting when paired with the right perks. They’re not only ranged burst damage, they also stay useful when a fight collapses into close quarters because you can still use them as melee weapons in emergencies.

Best for: Shield pressure, skirmishing, flexible builds
Playstyle tip: Aim to punish shield users and soften elites before the clash.

8) Heavy Recurve Bow and Noble Bow

If you’re going full archer, these bows are known for top-end performance: damage, accuracy, and consistency. You feel the difference immediately when you start landing reliable shots at range.

Best for: Archer characters, army support, siege defense
Playstyle tip: Don’t play like a turret. Reposition constantly so cavalry can’t lock onto you.

9) High-Tier Crossbows (Bound Crossbow, Arbalest, etc.)

Crossbows hit hard and are extremely practical because they don’t demand the same skill ramp as bows. They’re a strong solution if you want ranged lethality without building your entire character around archery.

Best for: Hybrid builds, commanders, players who want ranged value without heavy investment
Playstyle tip: Take clean shots and play cover. Crossbows reward patience and angles.

10) One-Handed Mace + Shield (Fine Steel Mace-style setup)

Blunt damage is the answer to heavy armor, and it also makes capturing prisoners easier. Pairing a strong one-handed mace with a good shield gives you a build that’s safe, tanky, and consistent in towns and formation brawls.

Best for: Fighting armored units, staying alive in dense fights, taking prisoners
Playstyle tip: Stay disciplined. This build wins by durability and control, not flashy trades.

Quick Recommendations: “Pick your best weapon”

If you want a simple decision guide:

• Best for infantry slaughter: Rhomphalia
• Best all-around polearm: Glaive / Menavlion
• Best “true endgame” if you smith: Crafted two-handed polearm
• Best cavalry one-shot tool: Couchable lance
• Best siege bully weapon: Heavy Executioner Axe
• Best dueling + general purpose: High-tier two-handed sword
• Best versatile ranged burst: Javelins / throwing axes
• Best archery setup: Noble Bow / Heavy Recurve Bow
• Best ranged without huge skill investment: High-tier crossbows
• Best tanky anti-armor setup: One-handed mace + shield