Best Units In Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord

As a seasoned campaigner who has seen my fair share of battles across the vast lands, I can confidently assert that these troops are nothing short of extraordinary. Having fought alongside many a valiant soldier from diverse cultures, I must admit, some of these units have left quite an impression on this old warrior’s heart.

In “Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord“, players engage in battles featuring hundreds of distinct soldiers simultaneously. The fighters vary widely, from peasant conscripts donning vibrant robes and wielding their fathers’ pitchforks, to highly armored elite shock troops capable of causing havoc on the battlefield.

Instead of asking “Which troops do it the best?”, you might consider rephrasing to something like: “What are the top-performing units in Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord based on their roles in combat?” or simply “Here’s our ranking of the most effective units in battle, categorized by role.” This helps to clarify that you’re interested in a comparison of units within specific roles rather than an overall best unit.

25 Vlandian Pikeman

Best Units In Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord

Polearm – 130
Two-Handed – 130
Athletics – 130

In battle, Vlandians are often challenged by anti-cavalry units, and the Pikeman proves to be an effective countermeasure. Although other options may offer more versatility as the fight progresses, the Pikeman truly shines when it comes to thwarting cavalry charges. Their one-handed sword is particularly efficient at dispatching riders whose horses have been slain.

In summary, the Vlandian Pikemen possess decent armor, but their defense weakens significantly against ranged attacks due to the absence of a shield. They excel in defensive roles on open battlefields, although it’s best to steer clear of such scenarios.

24 Imperial Palatine Guard

One-Handed – 130
Bow – 140
Athletics – 130

Instead of relying on crossbows, Imperial Palatine Guards serve as excellent counters for troops utilizing bows as their ranged weaponry. Their shorter bows enable them to swiftly reload and effectively target enemies from a mid to short distance.

It’s advisable to utilize these units primarily for defensive purposes, safeguarding your feudal territories. The vast majority of them in your military force ought to be deployed in this role. Although they do carry an adequate one-handed sword as a secondary weapon, it’s crucial to always position them behind any unit equipped with a shield for protection.

23 Aserai Vanguard Faris

Polearm – 200
One-Handed – 170
Riding – 170

The Aserai Vanguard Cavalry are exceptional units within the Aserai army, boasting sturdy armor and showcasing impressive skills both when riding and on foot. Contrary to their diminutive size, the shield they bear can endure an astonishing amount of punishment, complemented by their robust armor as well.

Each unit comes equipped with several javelins per unit, and it’s advantageous to maneuver around enemies slightly to tire them out before engaging with your spears. If a rider falls off, they can still wield their sword and shield effectively against many foot soldiers in combat.

22 Strugia Heavy Axeman

One-Handed – 130
Throwing – 130
Athletics – 130

As a dedicated gamer, I’ve come to know the Strugians for their formidable ground forces. Among them, the Axeman stands out as a cost-effective foundation of their military might. Equipped with a substantial shield, these warriors are an excellent choice against oncoming charges from close combat or ranged units in the battlefield, or those tasked with defending a fortress.

They don an intermediate armor, light enough for swift movement yet robust enough to safeguard effectively against any penetrations beyond their defensive barriers. Additionally, they arm themselves with various ranged weapons, providing an added advantage when engaging infantry from rival factions on the same level.

21 Aserai Mameluke Heavy Cavalry

Riding – 130
Bow – 130
One-Handed – 130

The Aserai lack numerous mounted archers, but their top-tier unit, the Aserai Mameluke Heavy Cavalry, is an advanced version of the few they possess. These archers use short bows for rapid firing, while their lightweight armor ensures swift horse movement.

Even though they are not heavily armored like the Aserai Mameluke Cavalry, these units possess superior armor ratings. However, it is infrequently advisable to employ them in combat to utilize their backup one-handed sword, whether mounted or on foot.

20 Battanian Veteran Falxman

Polearm – 130
Athletics – 130
Throwing – 120

The seasoned Battanian soldier Falxman stands out as an economical yet potent choice against cavalry units compared to other options available. Despite being reasonably priced, he possesses a serviceable Polearm and the knack to effectively wield it. Interestingly, he enters every battle equipped with throwing axes, a common feature among Battanian troops.

Instead of just carrying two throwing axes, these serve as effective tools for engaging with enemy infantry in close combat. Additionally, their range makes them useful against mounted archers as well.

19 Ghulam

Polearm – 110
Riding – 100

In the game Bannerlord, options for deploying camel cavalry are limited, but among them, the Ghulam stands out as the superior choice, even rivaling some top-tier horse riders at levels 4 and 5. Unlike their Jawwal Bedouin counterparts, Ghulam units offer better protection in terms of armor, often withstanding multiple attacks before being defeated.

From my perspective as an avid gamer, it’s evident that their offensive prowess leaves something to be desired. With a Polearm skill of merely 110 and One-Handed skill of 90, and average weaponry at hand, they don’t pack the punch expected from Tier 4 mounted units. However, they certainly bring a unique and refreshing flavor to my army roster.

18 Sturgian Heavy Spearman

One-Handed – 140
Polearm – 140
Athletics – 125

If you are looking for a solid anti-cavalry unit, the Sturgian Heavy Spearman is one of the better choices. They wield a steel spear, which can be braced to deal devastating damage to incoming charges. Unlike other polearm infantry, they also carry a shield, which is a blessing when going up against archers and infantry in close-quarters combat.

Though they might not excel as top-tier anti-cavalry units in the game, these footsoldiers can certainly complete the task at hand, and they prove especially formidable against the formidable horse archers of Khuzait.

17 Sturgian Druzhinik Champion

One Handed – 200
Polearm – 170
Riding – 170

In spite of the fact that Strugia isn’t recognized for its formidable cavalry, Druzhinik Champions excel in mounted combat. These costly and uncommon units are heavy cavalry, boasting armor, shields, and polearms that can swiftly defeat enemy riders in a skirmish.

Additionally, these units carry a single-handed sword useful for fending off infantry they encounter during charges, and this weapon ensures their effectiveness in battle even if the mount collapses prior to the rider. These units boast substantial shields and armor, making them tough adversaries on the battlefield, further bolstered by the swiftness of a horse.

16 Imperial Bucellarii

One-Handed – 130
Bow – 130
Riding – 120

As an admirer of the strategic world, I’d put it this way: Compared to the horse-riding warriors of Khuzait, the Imperial Bucellarii stand out as a different yet capable horse archer unit. They boast a superior Bow skill, with 10 more points at 140 compared to their counterparts from Khuzait. However, they fall behind in Riding skills by 10 points and are less armored. Additionally, they have a slightly lower arrow count and deal slightly reduced damage.

No matter if players wish to deploy horse archers from another culture or find themselves unable to enlist fresh troops due to war with the Khuzaits, these riders make an excellent substitute in such situations.

15 Sturgian Heroic Line Breaker

Two-Handed – 150
Athletics – 150
Throwing – 130

Completely living up to their title, Line-Breaking Heroes are built for shattering and overwhelming the opposition’s infantry. Their double-handed axes are lethal in close combat, capable of turning a shield into fragments within mere instances. Moreover, they possess throwing axes that serve as an initial assault against the enemy ranks.

Regrettably, Heroic Line Breakers are equipped with underwhelming armor statistics compared to their Sturgian Tier 5 counterparts who don the considerably stronger armor. This leaves them exposed to archers, and consequently, they struggle in sieges, relegating them to a specialized role on the battlefield.

14 Aserai Master Archer

Bow – 160
One-Handed – 130
Athletics – 130

As an ardent admirer of the gaming world, I can confidently say that my preferred Aserai Master Archer’s exceptional bow skill of 160 sets them apart from many other archer units in the game. Even the frequently-utilized Imperial Palatine Guard and their counterparts from Sturgia and Khuzait struggle to keep up with this formidable archer’s prowess.

Despite their exceptional archery skills, the Master Archer’s primary weakness lies in their vulnerability during close-quarters combat. Their armor is not robust, and their melee weapon and one-handed fighting proficiency are relatively unimpressive. In environments other than vast open fields, particularly common in Aserai territory, they find themselves at a disadvantage compared to more heavily armored and durable archer units.

13 Imperial Sergeant Crossbowman

One-Handed – 130
Crossbow – 130
Athletics – 130

Equipped with robust armor and skilled in both ranged and melee combat, the Imperial Sergeant Crossbowman excels on the battlefield. They inflict lethal piercing attacks on enemy formations while approaching, then transition smoothly into close-quarter fights as a powerful frontline warrior.

As an avid fan, I’d say I’ve noticed that those sturdy crossbowmen can really turn the tide in a battle. They’re a formidable force against any threat my archers might encounter. Plus, it’s a huge advantage that they’re abundant across Calradia, just like all Imperial units.

12 Khuzait Darkhan

One-Handed – 130
Polearm – 130
Athletics – 130

Although the Khuzait are renowned for their extensive and formidable horsemen, the Darkhan serve as an effective counterbalance against such forces. These troops are equipped with robust polearms and shields, supplemented by powerful one-handed weapons for finishing off any remnants.

The shield they carry boasts robust durability, yet its relatively small size limits its impact in making a significant enhancement. Their armor, typical of Khuzait troops, is on the lighter side, resulting in lower overall resilience; however, they can still manage to bring down some mounted units before meeting their demise themselves.

11 Aserai Veteran Infantry

One-Handed – 160
Polearm – 130
Athletics – 130

A unit that is often underrated, Aserai Veteran Infantry used to be rather weak in early access but has since been given a boost to make them one of the better infantry options. While not quite as heavily armored as their competition, they do boast the highest One-Handed skill of all tier 5 infantry at 160.

They are formidable in hand-to-hand fights, striking terror in adversaries, and excel as a vanguard during open battles, often performing exceptionally well. In siege situations, they might face challenges due to their lack of lower body armor, but once inside the fortress, they will more than compensate for this disadvantage.

10 Vlandian Voulgier

Two-Handed – 130
Polearm – 130
Athletics – 130

The Vlandian Voulgier can be considered a weapon-focused unit with modest defensive capabilities. While they may lack substantial protection and defense, they make up for it by effectively tackling a wide variety of opponents due to their distinctive weapon, the Voulge.

This weapon excels in combating both cavalry and foot soldiers, particularly showing superiority against infantry. Its extensive, long-range sweeping attacks ensure safety for your troops, provided the opposition lacks a significant number of archers.

9 Khuzait Heavy Horse Archer

One-Handed – 130
Bow – 130
Riding – 130

Just as you’d anticipate for a culture like the Khuzait, their elite horse archers are among the top-tier units in the game. These warriors are well-armored and excel in both long-range and close-combat situations.

As a devoted fan, I’ve come to realize that the tactical advantage of repeatedly deploying these units can be quite formidable. These units, when upgraded from Khuzait Nomads in the primary troop lineage, become easily accessible without requiring noble recruits. This empowers players to unleash hordes of swift and elusive horse archers on the battlefield, causing widespread destruction.

8 Vlandian Sergeant

One-Handed – 130
Polearm – 130
Athletics – 130

As a devoted admirer, I can confidently say that the Vlandian Sergeant stands unrivaled among Vland’s infantry elite, surpassing many top-tier units across the game. The versatility of their weapons, a one-handed mace and two-handed spear, ensures they’re prepared for any adversary. However, it’s their armor that truly sets them apart, making them an indomitable force on the battlefield.

In simpler terms, the armor worn by the Vladnian Sergeants is exceptionally robust, enabling them to withstand considerable punishment without collapsing. Although their shield might not be top-notch, strikes that manage to penetrate will have minimal impact on these armored warriors.

7 Imperial Elite Menavliaton

One-Handed – 130
Polearm – 130
Athletics – 130

With a long pike-like weapon known as a menavlion, these specialized troops are skilled at dismounting mounted forces by sending them tumbling onto the ground. The extended range of this weapon is particularly beneficial for attacking cavalry before they can attack, and while the menavlion cannot be braced like other polearms, it generally proves more reliable than the unpredictable results that come with bracing due to its lower risk and reward profile.

The Elite Menavliation excels in battle alongside regular infantry, an area where many anti-cavalry forces often falter. While they may not replace the primary infantry of a player’s army any time soon, they serve as an excellent addition to it.

6 Imperial Legionary

One-Handed – 130
Polearm – 130
Athletics – 130

The Imperial Legionary excels as a versatile unit, capable of thwarting a cavalry charge or annihilating enemy infantry in close combat, but lacks expertise in any single area. They are armored with top-notch infantry equipment and carry a substantial shield, ensuring decent durability.

Regarding their offensive capabilities, these units carry a versatile set of weapons – a one-handed weapon suitable for both sieges and close combat, as well as a polearm designed to fend off cavalry attacks. They are hard to defeat in most battlefield scenarios, making them an excellent choice for frontline infantry.

2024-11-18 00:26