An Albion Online Siege Banner is an item used by an attacking guild during a territory’s Prime Time. Raising the banner weakens the territory’s Force Shield, allowing attackers to damage its walls and gates.
The attacking side must protect the banner carrier, break through the fortifications, and escort the carrier to the territory tower. Defenders can end the attack by killing the carrier and controlling the dropped banner until it disappears.
A Siege Banner starts either a raid or conquest attempt against an Albion Online guild territory. An undeclared attack creates a Raid Banner, while a previously declared attack creates a Conquest Banner. The banner must be raised during the territory’s Prime Time by a player with the correct guild permission.
What Is a Siege Banner in Albion Online?
Siege Banners were introduced with the Foundations update as part of Albion Online’s revised territory-warfare system. They are used when one guild attacks another guild’s territory in the Outlands.
Territories are protected by a Force Shield for most of the day. During the territory’s scheduled Prime Time, an attacking guild can raise a Siege Banner to weaken that shield.
Once the Force Shield has weakened sufficiently, the territory’s walls and gates become vulnerable. The attackers can then use Siege Hammers to break through the fortifications and move the banner carrier toward the territory tower.
The Siege Banner creates a clear objective for both sides:
- Attackers: Protect the carrier and reach the territory tower.
- Defenders: Kill the carrier and control the dropped banner.
Players who are new to guild territories, lethal zones, and large-scale combat can review the Albion Online beginner guide before joining an organized territory attack.
Raid Banner vs Conquest Banner
The Siege Banner changes into either a Raid Banner or a Conquest Banner based on whether the attacking guild declared an attack beforehand.
| Banner Type | When It Applies | Main Purpose |
| Raid Banner | The attacking guild has not declared a conquest attack in advance | Launches a raid against the territory during Prime Time |
| Conquest Banner | The attacking guild previously declared an attack | Begins an attempt to conquer the territory |
How a Raid Banner Works
A Raid Banner is raised when the attacking guild has not made a prior conquest declaration. Raising it alerts the defending guild and creates a clear starting point for the raid.
The raiding group still needs to weaken the Force Shield, breach the fortifications, and escort the banner carrier to the tower. However, the objective is a raid rather than permanent territory ownership.
How a Conquest Banner Works
A Conquest Banner is created when the guild previously declared an attack against the territory.
The banner must be raised within the first 15 minutes of the territory’s Prime Time. A conquest attempt also significantly strengthens the territory guards, making the attack more difficult than an undeclared raid.
Important: Missing the opening conquest window can prevent the guild from beginning the intended conquest attempt. Confirm the territory’s Prime Time and have the banner carrier ready before the window begins.
Requirements to Raise a Siege Banner
A player cannot begin a territory attack simply by entering the region. Several conditions must be met.
- The player must have a Siege Banner in their inventory.
- The player must belong to the attacking guild.
- The player must have the Raise Siege Banner guild permission.
- The territory must be inside its scheduled Prime Time.
- A conquest attempt must follow the applicable declaration and timing requirements.
- The group must be prepared to protect the carrier after the banner is raised.
Siege Banners are part of Albion Online’s siege-equipment system. Guilds can obtain them through crafting arrangements or the player economy, depending on current availability. Check the current in-game marketplace and crafting interface before the scheduled attack.
The guild leader should assign the Raise Siege Banner permission only to trusted and prepared players. Giving the permission to the wrong member can delay the attack or create confusion during the opening minutes.
How a Siege Banner Weakens the Force Shield
Albion Online territories are protected from normal attacks outside Prime Time. When a valid Siege Banner is raised during Prime Time, it begins degrading the territory’s Force Shield.
As the Force Shield weakens, the attacking group gains the opportunity to damage the territory’s fortifications. This includes the walls and gates that prevent enemies from entering the protected area.
The banner carrier remains central to the attack. The group cannot treat the banner as an object that is placed and forgotten. Attackers must protect the carrier as the battle moves toward the territory tower.
For a broader explanation of walls, gates, guards, upgrades, and territory layouts, read the guide to Albion Online territory fortifications.
How Attackers Win With a Siege Banner
A successful attack requires more than raising the banner. The group must coordinate movement, protection, fortification damage, and tower access.
- Prepare the Siege Banner. Confirm that the chosen carrier has the item and required guild permission.
- Check the Prime Time. Assemble the group before the territory becomes vulnerable.
- Raise the correct banner. The prior declaration determines whether it becomes a Raid Banner or Conquest Banner.
- Protect the carrier. Keep tanks, healers, and defensive players close enough to react to enemy pressure.
- Weaken the Force Shield. Maintain control while the banner affects the territory’s protection.
- Break the walls and gates. Assign Siege Hammer users to damage the fortifications.
- Advance toward the tower. Clear a route while preventing defenders from isolating the carrier.
- Complete the tower channel. The banner carrier must reach the territory tower and successfully channel the objective.
Attackers should not become distracted by kills that do not help the banner advance. A group can win several fights but still lose the territory objective if the carrier is left behind or eliminated.
How Defenders Stop a Siege Banner
Defenders do not raise a separate defensive Siege Banner. Their objective is to stop the attacking carrier from reaching and channeling at the territory tower.
- Identify the carrier. Determine which player is responsible for moving the banner.
- Delay the attackers. Use walls, gates, guards, and choke points to slow their advance.
- Protect the tower route. Prevent the carrier from reaching the final objective.
- Separate the carrier. Use displacement, crowd control, and focused pressure to divide the carrier from supporting players.
- Kill the carrier. Eliminating the carrier forces the banner to drop.
- Control the dropped banner. Keep attackers away until the banner despawns.
- Hold until Prime Time ends. If the attackers do not complete their objective before Prime Time finishes, the defenders win.
Defenders can also use Siege Hammers to repair damaged walls and gates. This can buy additional time, but repair players need protection because attackers may focus them before continuing the breach.
What Happens When the Banner Carrier Dies?
When the banner carrier is killed, the Siege Banner drops. This creates a temporary control objective around the dropped banner.
The attacking group must recover control before the defenders can hold the area long enough for the banner to despawn. The defenders do not convert the dropped banner into their own territory attack. Their goal is to deny recovery and end the current raid or conquest attempt.
The carrier should therefore avoid:
- Moving too far ahead of the main group
- Entering choke points without defensive support
- Separating from healers
- Chasing low-health enemies away from the objective
- Standing in predictable damage or crowd-control areas
What Happens if the Carrier Leaves the Territory?
If the banner carrier leaves the territory’s proximity, the banner is dropped. This prevents the carrier from removing the active objective from the battle area or carrying it indefinitely away from the territory.
Attackers should clearly communicate the permitted movement area before the fight. During a retreat or repositioning call, the carrier must avoid crossing too far outside the territory while still holding the banner.
How Siege Hammers Work During Territory Attacks
Siege Hammers are the relevant tools for interacting with territory walls and gates. They should not be confused with the Siegebow, which is a combat weapon in the Crossbow weapon line.
| Side | Siege Hammer Role |
| Attackers | Damage vulnerable walls and gates to create access into the territory |
| Defenders | Repair damaged walls and gates to delay the attacking group |
Not every player needs to carry a Siege Hammer. The group should assign enough hammer users to handle the fortifications while preserving sufficient healing, damage, crowd control, and protection for the banner carrier.
Best Roles for a Siege Banner Attack
There is no single universal composition for every territory battle. Guild size, enemy numbers, territory layout, fortification level, and available equipment can all affect the group setup.
Banner Carrier
The carrier should be reliable, responsive to the shot caller, and prepared to prioritize survival over personal damage. The best carrier is not necessarily the player with the highest Fame.
Defensive Tanks
Tanks protect the carrier, control choke points, interrupt enemy engages, and create space for the group to move through walls and gates.
Healers and Support Players
Healers must keep the carrier alive without exposing themselves unnecessarily. Support players can provide defensive cooldowns, cleanses, movement assistance, or other utility required by the composition.
Damage Dealers
Damage players should pressure defenders who threaten the carrier or block the route. Chasing unrelated targets can leave the objective unprotected.
Siege Hammer Users
These players focus on walls and gates when the Force Shield allows the fortifications to take damage. They should remain protected while using the siege equipment.
Scouts
Scouts monitor entrances, enemy reinforcements, flanking groups, and movements outside the immediate fight. Their information helps the shot caller decide whether to advance or reposition.
Shot Caller
The shot caller coordinates the banner movement, target selection, fortification breach, defensive cooldowns, and final push toward the tower.
Players preparing for coordinated fights can review basic Albion Online group PvP fundamentals, including positioning, communication, escape planning, and equipment risk.
Comparing progressed PvP characters? Siege Banner battles depend primarily on guild permission, coordination, positioning, and group composition. Players who are separately considering established characters can compare progressed Albion Online accounts by server, Fame, weapon specialization, equipment, and included assets.
Siege Banner vs Faction Battle Standard
Siege Banners and Faction Battle Standards are separate systems. They belong to different types of PvP content and should not be described as two names for the same objective.
| Feature | Siege Banner | Faction Battle Standard |
| Content type | Guild territory warfare | Faction Warfare |
| Main purpose | Start and complete a territory raid or conquest attempt | Build Prestige through faction activity and deliver the objective for rewards |
| Main area | Outlands guild territories | Active Faction Warfare provinces |
| Player requirement | Siege Banner item and guild permission | Faction-flagged participation |
| Primary destination | Enemy territory tower | A friendly faction outpost |
| Main opponent objective | Kill the carrier and control the dropped banner | Steal or capture the Battle Standard |
When searching for an “Albion Online banner,” check whether the discussion concerns guild territories or Faction Warfare. The surrounding content determines which banner system is relevant.
Common Siege Banner Mistakes
- Raising the banner at the wrong time: The territory must be within its Prime Time.
- Missing the conquest opening window: A Conquest Banner must be raised within the first 15 minutes.
- Forgetting the guild permission: Carrying the item is not enough without Raise Siege Banner access.
- Leaving the carrier unsupported: The carrier is the central objective and requires consistent protection.
- Focusing only on player kills: Kills matter only when they help the banner reach the tower.
- Ignoring fortifications: Walls and gates must be breached before the group can advance effectively.
- Using a Siegebow as a siege tool: The Siege Hammer is used against walls and gates.
- Allowing defenders to control the drop: Attackers must regain control quickly after the carrier dies.
- Leaving the territory area: Moving outside the permitted proximity causes the banner to drop.
- Confusing Siege Banners with Faction Battle Standards: The two systems serve different PvP activities.
FAQ
What does a Siege Banner do in Albion Online?
A Siege Banner weakens a guild territory’s Force Shield during Prime Time. This allows attackers to damage walls and gates and begin a raid or conquest attempt.
How do you obtain a Siege Banner?
Siege Banners are part of the siege-equipment crafting and player-economy system. Check the current marketplace, guild supplies, or in-game crafting interface before the attack.
What is the difference between Raid and Conquest Banners?
A Raid Banner is raised when the guild has not declared a conquest attack. A Conquest Banner is raised after a prior attack declaration and must be activated within the first 15 minutes of Prime Time.
When can a Siege Banner be raised?
It can be raised during the targeted territory’s Prime Time by a player carrying the item and holding the Raise Siege Banner guild permission.
The banner drops. Attackers can try to regain control, while defenders attempt to control the area until the banner despawns and the attack ends.
Can defenders pick up the Siege Banner?
The documented defensive objective is to control the dropped banner until it despawns. Defenders do not use the attacker’s dropped banner to begin their own territory attack.
What happens when Prime Time ends?
If the attackers have not completed the objective by the end of Prime Time, the defenders are declared victorious.
Is a Siege Banner the same as a Faction Battle Standard?
No. Siege Banners are used for Outlands guild territory attacks. Faction Battle Standards are carriable objectives connected to Faction Warfare.
What permission is required to raise a Siege Banner?
The player needs the Raise Siege Banner guild permission in addition to carrying a Siege Banner item.
Do attackers need Siege Hammers?
Yes, attackers use Siege Hammers to damage vulnerable walls and gates. Defenders can also use Siege Hammers to repair those fortifications.
Conclusion
Albion Online Siege Banners turn territory attacks into objective-focused battles. Attackers must raise the appropriate Raid or Conquest Banner, protect its carrier, weaken the Force Shield, break through the fortifications, and reach the territory tower.
Defenders must delay the advancing group, isolate and kill the carrier, and control the dropped banner until it despawns. If the attacking guild cannot complete the objective before Prime Time ends, the defenders win.
Success depends on preparation, correct guild permissions, carrier protection, Siege Hammer assignments, communication, and disciplined movement toward the tower. It does not depend only on winning individual fights.
Looking for more territory warfare, PvP, equipment, and progression advice? Explore more Albion Online guides for additional strategies and gameplay resources.
