Crusader Kings 3: Roads To Power DLC - New Men-At-Arms Guide

As a seasoned strategist who has seen countless battles unfold across the medieval landscape, I can confidently say that these unique units are absolute game-changers! Let me give you a brief rundown of my favorite picks:

In simpler terms, “Crusader Kings 3” is a historical strategy game that allows players to immerse themselves in the role of ruling medieval kingdoms spanning Europe, North and West Africa, as well as parts of western Asia. The game offers numerous options for customization, providing a rich tapestry of various religions, beliefs, and cultures, each with unique benefits and drawbacks. The “Roads to Power” DLC expands the experience by introducing a new government type, the Administrative Empire, complete with Noble Families and Governor Issues, and an entirely new playstyle through the Landless Adventurer character.

Roads to Power introduces an impressive six distinct varieties of Infantry Units, colloquially known as Men-At-Arms. These formidable military units bring significant new advantages to cultures that can employ them. Greek players are in for a treat, as four out of the six newly introduced Men-At-Arms types are exclusive to Greek factions. These new Infantry Units prove invaluable when constructing a potent army.

Akritai (Unique Greek Skirmishers)

41 Gold per Unit
Counters Heavy Infantry
100 troops per unit size

The specialized Akritai infantry, unique to the Greeks, serve as an enhanced version of standard Light Footmen. Not only do they excel on the battlefield, but their recruitment cost is also more affordable compared to regular Light Footmen. The Akritai are particularly effective against Heavy Infantry and boast no penalties when traversing various terrains. On the contrary, they thrive in hilly, mountainous, and forested landscapes, gaining advantages in these environments.

These serve as an affordable and convenient method for countering Heavy Infantry, and they can provide the foundation for an economical Men-at-Arms force. However, it’s important to note that they have lower resilience compared to standard Light Footmen, who aren’t particularly robust to begin with, making them less suitable as a defensive choice.

Ayrudzi (Unique Armenian Light Cavalry)

85 Gold per Unit
Counters Archers, Archer Cavalry
50 troops per unit size

These distinctive regiments of Men-At-Arms, known for their advantages in hilly and mountainous landscapes, are exclusively accessible within the Armenian culture. In terms of type, Ayrudzi are a kind of cavalry, and though they come at a higher price than some other options, their unique bonuses and enhanced stats compared to regular Light Horsemen make them an exceptional investment.

Despite having less Pursuit than the Light Horsemen unit, Ayrudzi offer a significant boost to their Damage and Toughness stats, making them an exceptional upgrade. They are a superb option for the Armenian culture or any cultures that have evolved or diverged from it.

Ballistrai (Unique Greek Exclusive Archers)

63 Gold per Unit
Counters Spearmen, Heavy Infantry
50 troops per unit size

These archers unique to Greece cost more than their common counterparts, but the increased expense is justified given their enhanced power. Ballistrai outperform Spearmen and Heavy Infantry in combat, making them a superior option compared to even the Greek-exclusive Akritai – despite having fewer terrain advantages and a higher price tag.

Ballistrai may not be ideal for players focusing on raw numbers to deal with factions or enemy wars, as they have fewer small units compared to regular archers. However, their significant edge lies in dealing massive damage, a factor that can be amplified when they are strategically placed. So, while they might fall short in numbers, their superior damage output more than compensates for it.

Conrois (Unique Normal Heavy Cavalry)

153 Gold per unit
Counters Archers, Light Cavalry
50 troops per unit size

Conrois are a pricier choice for Man-At-Arms units, but they are still more affordable than standard Armored Horsemen. They also receive a boost in stats, making them even more valuable. Due to these advantages, they prove to be a powerful option on the battlefield, making them a wise addition to a Norman army, particularly as a heavy countermeasure against Archers.

It’s not surprising at all that some players might opt for larger and more affordable units instead of Conrois due to their small size and high cost. However, it should be noted that Conrois represent a significant upgrade compared to Armored Horsemen units in many aspects.

Skoutatoi (Greek Spearmen Men-At-Arms)

83 Gold per unit
Counters Light Cavalry, Heavy Cavalry, Camel Cavalry, Elephant Cavalry
100 troops per unit size

Skoutatoi serve as an exceptional response to the diverse types of cavalry that the Byzantine Empire often faced along its eastern and southern frontiers. These soldiers are primarily spearmen, adept at countering all kinds of cavalry units. Unlike regular Pikemen, Skoutatoi have a significant advantage in defensive capabilities, boasting +20 Screen compared to the 0 Screen of ordinary Pikemen, despite being slightly more costly for minimal increases in Damage and Toughness.

100 soldiers make up each Skoutatoi unit, providing a balanced approach to handling rival factions considering both their soldier count and effectiveness in combat. Moreover, they excel particularly well on Plains terrain, benefiting from an extra advantage associated with that type of terrain.

Varangian Guards (Byzantine Empire Unique Heavy Infantry)

72 Gold per unit
Counters Spearmen, Heavy Cavalry
100 troops per unit size

The Varangian Guard, reminiscent of knights from Byzantine Imperial lore, were battle-hardened warriors hailing primarily from the harsh northern regions of Europe. Comprising Vikings and other groups traditionally labeled as ‘barbarians’, these units are exclusive to the Byzantine Empire and serve as an exceptional special troop option, offering a formidable foot soldier selection for those aiming to rejuvenate the Roman Empire.

These Heavy Infantry units deliver a significant impact, and interestingly, they’re even more affordable compared to standard Heavy Infantry-style Men-At-Arms. The Varangian Guard units represent an improvement over regular Heavy Infantry, boasting enhanced stats across the board (and the ability to counter an extra troop type). They also excel in winter combat – ideal for a chilly northern campaign.

2024-10-25 02:04

Crusader Kings 3: Roads To Power DLC – New Men-At-Arms Guide