How to make money with Caravans and Convoys in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord

Caravans and trade convoys are some of the best passive income methods in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. Once you set them up properly, they continue generating denars in the background while you focus on wars, sieges, recruiting troops, or building your kingdom.

However, there are some important costs and risks you should understand before investing in them.

Caravan And Convoy Prices

• 15,000 denars — Normal land caravan

• 30,000 denars — Land caravan with better troops

• 30,000 denars — Naval trade convoy

• 45,000 denars — Armored naval trade convoy

Trade convoys are usually more profitable than normal caravans, but they also come with significantly higher risks. Pirates, sea raiders, and enemy lords are far more active on sea routes, especially during wars.

Because of this, investing in the armored convoy option is usually the safer long-term choice.

Best Companion Skills For Caravans And Convoys

Before creating a caravan or convoy, press N to open the encyclopedia and search for companions under:

• Heroes

• Alive

• Wanderer

Best Skills For Land Caravans

The most important companion skills are:

• Trade

• Scouting

• Riding

• Tactics

• Medicine

Trade directly affects profits, while Scouting and Riding help caravans move faster and avoid enemies more efficiently.

Best Skills For Naval Trade Convoys

For naval convoys, sea-related skills become extremely valuable:

• Mariner

• Boatswain

• Shipmaster

These skills help companions manage ships and naval trade routes much more effectively.

Best Wanderer Titles To Look For

Some wanderer surnames are especially strong for naval gameplay:

• Sea-Raider

• Of The River

• The Fish

These companions usually start with much stronger naval-related skills compared to regular wanderers.

Once you find a suitable companion, check where they were last seen, travel to that town, enter the tavern, and recruit them.

How To Create A Caravan

To create a standard land caravan:

1. Travel to any inland town

2. Speak to a merchant

3. Select:

   “I wish to form a caravan in this town.”

You’ll then choose between:

• Standard caravan

• Caravan with better troops

Most players simply choose the cheaper caravan option because upgraded troops tend to get replaced over time anyway.

After assigning a companion as the caravan leader, it will automatically begin trading between towns.

How To Create A Trade Convoy

Trade convoys work similarly to caravans, but they can only be created in port towns.

You can recognize port towns by the large anchor icon connected to the sea.

Inside the town:

1. Speak to the merchant

2. Choose to create a convoy instead of a caravan

You’ll then select between:

• Normal trade convoy

• Armored trade convoy

Convoys usually generate more profit because sea trade routes are incredibly valuable. However, they are also much more dangerous.

Sea raiders and pirates are significantly stronger than regular bandits, and enemy lords aggressively patrol sea routes during wartime.

Because of this, armored convoys are generally the safer investment.

Convoys Carry Extremely Valuable Goods

Trade convoys often transport massive quantities of expensive resources, including:

• Weapons

• Armor

• Jewelry

• Tools

• Food

• Hardwood

• Iron ore

• Livestock

• Trade materials

Some convoys carry hundreds of food items alongside luxury goods such as:

• Velvet

• Silver ore

• Oil

• Jewelry

Because of this, convoy routes become extremely valuable both economically and strategically.

Best Perks For Caravans And Convoys

Certain perks are particularly effective for caravan and convoy leaders.

Best Trade Perks

• Wholesaler

• Caravan Master

• Insurance Plans

• Great Investor

Best Scouting Perks

• Day Traveler

• Pathfinder

• Unburdened

Best Perks For Attacking Convoys

If you plan on raiding convoys instead of operating them, the Mariner perk tree becomes extremely powerful.

• Pirate’s Prowess — Grants 30% more loot from defeated merchant convoys

• Roguery perks — Further increase battle loot rewards

Final Thoughts

Caravans are cheaper, safer, and easier to maintain, while trade convoys are more expensive but potentially far more profitable.

If you want steady passive denars with lower risk, land caravans are usually the best starting option.

If you can afford stronger protection and higher upfront costs, trade convoys can generate enormous profits over time, especially during long periods of peace.