Bratok
Regular
First of all, I've been a huge fan of the series since M&B
It seems that BL has the same economy issues that WB had, only these issues got even worse.
Since WB I prefer a stable sandbox gameplay. I like to stay independent as longer as possible, without becoming a vassal or a mercenary to a kingdom (I didn't want them to become hostile as well). I also did not want to settle down and invest into workshops or trade.
I just completed quests and fought bandits/deserters while getting stronger and raising a small but top tier army. Eventually my army reached the point (70-100 top tier soldiers) when I could no longer financially support it with free activities anymore. Food and wages cost too much, and I had to either mod the game (increase tournament bets, quest rewards etc.) or get involved into the above mentioned activities that I tried to avoid before.
The point is BL is even worse than WB in that regard. With BL's inferior loot (painfully terrible), inflated prices (hyperinfalted with indispensable RBM mod), and even worse tournament system (and I thought it was impossible!), I am constantly struggling for money even in early-mid game. With a company of 70+ high tier men (mostly Imperials and some Sturgians) my daily wage is roughly 700 denars, and I don't even have the most expensive troops, like heavy cavalry or noblemen.
With pathetic quest rewards and the sheer amount of time-consuming empty travelling/bandit chases, I burn through money stocks at an immense speed. It is not even funny anymore, every day is a constant struggle with inevitable bankruptcy.
I even disgraced myself with an attempt to exploit smithing, but levelling the skill takes so much time (even with infinite stamina mod), and all I do is running between hardwood/iron ore villages, buying raw materials, while still paying wages and feeding troops. I am currently on skill level 100 and crafted weapons are not profitable at all (I know that price depends only on damage output). I get about 200 gold for a normal two-handed sword (no crafting penalties) and javelin parts are still locked. Its hardly enough to break even. And the gameplay becomes even more tedious anyway.
So the question is, how can an independent party support itself in early-mid game (at least) without allying with kingdoms, doing the main quest or involving into trade/production, and stay profitable and progress at the same time?
It seems that BL has the same economy issues that WB had, only these issues got even worse.
Since WB I prefer a stable sandbox gameplay. I like to stay independent as longer as possible, without becoming a vassal or a mercenary to a kingdom (I didn't want them to become hostile as well). I also did not want to settle down and invest into workshops or trade.
I just completed quests and fought bandits/deserters while getting stronger and raising a small but top tier army. Eventually my army reached the point (70-100 top tier soldiers) when I could no longer financially support it with free activities anymore. Food and wages cost too much, and I had to either mod the game (increase tournament bets, quest rewards etc.) or get involved into the above mentioned activities that I tried to avoid before.
The point is BL is even worse than WB in that regard. With BL's inferior loot (painfully terrible), inflated prices (hyperinfalted with indispensable RBM mod), and even worse tournament system (and I thought it was impossible!), I am constantly struggling for money even in early-mid game. With a company of 70+ high tier men (mostly Imperials and some Sturgians) my daily wage is roughly 700 denars, and I don't even have the most expensive troops, like heavy cavalry or noblemen.
With pathetic quest rewards and the sheer amount of time-consuming empty travelling/bandit chases, I burn through money stocks at an immense speed. It is not even funny anymore, every day is a constant struggle with inevitable bankruptcy.
I even disgraced myself with an attempt to exploit smithing, but levelling the skill takes so much time (even with infinite stamina mod), and all I do is running between hardwood/iron ore villages, buying raw materials, while still paying wages and feeding troops. I am currently on skill level 100 and crafted weapons are not profitable at all (I know that price depends only on damage output). I get about 200 gold for a normal two-handed sword (no crafting penalties) and javelin parts are still locked. Its hardly enough to break even. And the gameplay becomes even more tedious anyway.
So the question is, how can an independent party support itself in early-mid game (at least) without allying with kingdoms, doing the main quest or involving into trade/production, and stay profitable and progress at the same time?