Capturing your first settlement without relying on another kingdom is one of the most satisfying moments in Bannerlord. Up until then, you're usually fighting somebody else's wars, helping allied armies, or chasing enemy lords around the map. Taking a castle or town for yourself feels different because it's the point where you start building something that actually belongs to you.

I still remember my first successful conquest. I thought the difficult part would be winning the siege itself, but I quickly discovered that preparation mattered far more than the battle. By the time the siege began, most of the work had already been done.

If you're planning to capture your first castle or town on your own, here are the things that have consistently worked best for me.

Pick The Right Target

The biggest mistake I see players make is attacking the first settlement they come across.

Not every castle or town is worth taking, and not every target is realistic depending on the stage of your campaign. If you're still building your clan and only have a few hundred troops available, attacking a heavily defended city in the middle of enemy territory is usually a bad idea.

Personally, I always look for opportunities rather than forcing them. Rebel towns are often excellent targets because they don't belong to a major kingdom anymore, which means capturing them usually creates far fewer political problems. Weakly defended border castles can also be good options if their owner is already busy fighting another war.

Patience helps a lot here. Waiting for the right target is often easier than trying to take the strongest one available.

Build Your Army Before Starting The Siege

This might sound obvious, but I've seen plenty of players rush into a siege simply because they finally found a settlement they wanted.

The reality is that sieges are expensive. Even if you win, you'll probably lose troops, and replacing elite units isn't always easy. Before launching an attack, I like to make sure my army is already stronger than what I expect to face inside the settlement.

That doesn't necessarily mean overwhelming numbers. High-tier troops can make a huge difference during sieges, especially when fighting on walls or pushing through narrow choke points. I'd much rather bring a smaller force of experienced soldiers than a massive army filled with recruits.

Quality matters just as much as quantity.

Bring Plenty Of Food

This is something I completely ignored during my first few campaigns.

When you're focused on gathering troops and preparing for battle, it's easy to forget that armies need supplies. Running out of food in the middle of a siege can create all kinds of unnecessary problems, especially if you're planning to starve out the defenders or wait for siege engines to finish construction.

These days, I always check my food reserves before starting a major siege. It's a simple habit, but it prevents a lot of frustration later.

Don't Rush The Assault

One of the hardest lessons Bannerlord teaches is that attacking immediately isn't always the best option.

Whenever possible, I prefer spending time building siege equipment and weakening the settlement first. Destroying enemy defenses, reducing their ability to fight back, and creating multiple breach points can dramatically increase your chances of success.

There have been plenty of occasions where waiting an extra day or two made the final assault significantly easier. It can be tempting to click "Lead Assault" the moment the siege begins, but patience often saves hundreds of troops.

Use The Terrain Inside The Settlement

Once the battle starts, the fight usually becomes a matter of controlling choke points.

Whether you're attacking through a broken wall, climbing ladders, or forcing your way through the gates, defenders will often try to funnel your troops into narrow areas.

Understanding where those bottlenecks are and reinforcing them with your strongest units can make a huge difference.

Whenever I'm attacking, I try to pay attention to where the fighting is actually happening instead of simply letting the battle play out on its own. A small adjustment at the right moment can completely change the outcome of a siege.

Towns Are Usually Harder Than Castles

This isn't a strict rule, but it's something I've noticed across multiple campaigns.

Castles tend to have smaller garrisons and fewer defenders overall, which often makes them easier targets for independent clans. Towns usually offer greater rewards, but they also require more preparation and stronger armies to capture successfully.

Because of that, I generally recommend taking a castle first if you're attempting your first solo conquest. The experience you gain from that siege makes future town assaults much easier to manage.

Think About What Happens After The Siege

Winning the battle is only part of the challenge.

A lot of players become so focused on capturing a settlement that they forget they'll need to hold it afterward. If your new castle is surrounded by hostile kingdoms and defended by a tiny garrison, there's a good chance somebody will try to take it back almost immediately.

Whenever I capture my first settlement in a campaign, I start thinking about defense before the siege has even ended. Bringing extra troops, improving the garrison, and maintaining a healthy treasury can make the difference between keeping your conquest and losing it a few days later.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, conquering my first castle felt like a much bigger achievement than many of the battles that came afterward. It wasn't just about winning a siege. It was about reaching the point where my clan was finally strong enough to carve out a place in Calradia and defend it.

The biggest piece of advice I can give is not to rush. Pick the right target, build a strong army, bring enough supplies, and think beyond the siege itself. If you prepare properly, the actual battle is often the easiest part of the entire process.

And once you see your banner flying over that first castle or town, you'll probably start looking for the next one almost immediately.

How To Conquer Your First Castle Or Town Solo In Bannerlord