The best troops (units) in Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord

 

Recently, Mount & Blade 2: Bannerlord left early access and has also undergone a number of changes. Many players noticed that the developers focused on balancing the characteristics of individual units. In this guide, we will present ten of the best units in the game, taking into account updates and balance changes.

Note: We will update this guide with the next patches.

Imperial Legionary

Throughout the changes, Imperial Legionnaires have remained one of the most versatile infantry units in the game. The Tier 5 armored unit boasts the best armor-to-weight ratio of any heavy unit in Bannerlord. With the recent enhancement of darts, the legionnaire's saw has also become a formidable weapon. We recommend disabling fire for your legionnaires at will, especially if you need a coordinated attack.

Characteristics:

• One-handed - 130;
• Two-handed - 80;
• Polearms - 130;
• Bow - 60;
• Crossbow - 60;
• Throwing - 80;
• Riding - 20;
• Athletics - 130.

Khuzait Darkhan

Like Legionnaires, Khuzait Darkhan is a formidable unit that is heavily armored, deft with polearms and sabers, and deals decent damage. Darkhans perform best against most types of cavalry.

Characteristics:

• One-handed - 130;
• Two-handed - 60;
• Polearms - 130;
• Bow - 80;
• Crossbow - 20;
• Throwing - 60;
• Riding - 80;
• Athletics - 130.

Vlandian Voulgier

The Vulgier is a powerful unit that wields a powerful weapon that combines both a spear and a melee ax at the same time, which can cut through multiple enemies with just one strong blow. It also allows you to deal with knights and other cavalry units. On the front line, the Vulgiers are used as the main shock troops.

Although such units are practically useless in long-range combat, this unit can still use throwing axes in ranged combat.

Characteristics:

• One-handed - 80;
• Two-handed - 130;
• Polearms - 130;
• Bow - 20;
• Crossbow - 60;
• Throwing - 80;
• Riding - 60;
• Athletics - 130.

Sturgian Heroic Line Breaker

Close competition to the previous squad was Ulfhednar - units that deal great damage in close combat. They are armed with powerful axes, with which they can deal huge damage, but at the same time, the weak armor of these units is sure to disappoint you in long battles.

We don't recommend countering them with cavalry charges if your units' armor rating is slightly above 14. In general, when used correctly on the battlefield, a unit of Ulfhednar will help you win more than once.

Characteristics:

• One-handed - 100;
• Two-handed - 110;
• Polearms - 40;
• Crossbow - 15;
• Throwing - 50;
• Riding - 45;
• Athletics - 130.

Battanian Fian Champion

While ranged combat in Mount and Blade 2 is fairly ineffective, Battanian Fiana Champions are considered the best archers in the game. These units will be useful not only at a distance: thanks to melee weapons, high stats, and decent armor, you can use these troops to repel a melee attack or even counter cavalry.

Characteristics:

• One-handed - 90;
• Two-handed - 220;
• Polearms - 50;
• Bow - 260;
• Crossbow - 25;
• Throwing - 40;
• Riding - 60;
• Athletics - 170.

Aserai Mameluke Heavy Cavalry

These heavy cavalry units are considered the best cavalry units in Bannerlord, although Khuzait cavalry outperforms them in some respects. In combat, they use the Long Cascara melee weapon and the Steppe bow.

This unit is very versatile: you can use it as heavy cavalry, directing it to large groups of foot soldiers, or keep them at a distance, like ranged mounted units.

Characteristics:

• One-handed - 130;
• Two-handed - 60;
• Polearms - 60;
• Bow - 130;
• Crossbow - 20;
• Throwing - 80;
• Riding - 130;
• Athletics - 80.

Khuzait Khan's Guard

Units do a good job with their main task - mounted archery. With a high shooting skill of 260, they are also equipped with a glaive, a weapon that can be used when the fighters run out of arrows. With all the advantages of the unit, these units are very difficult to acquire: this is the last form of the rare Khuzait line.

Characteristics:

• One-handed - 60;
• Two-handed - 60;
• Polearm - 220;
• Bow - 260;
• Crossbow - 25;
• Throwing - 30;
• Riding - 200;
• Athletics - 60.

Imperial Bucellarii 

Despite the fact that the Bucellarii are inferior to the previous units in many ways, they are much easier to acquire. You may also notice that the main advantage of this unit is good armor. Of course, for mounted units, which are mostly located far from the epicenter of battles, this is not the most important indicator. But if the enemy gets too close, the Bucellarii can outlast many other units.

Characteristics:

• One-handed - 130;
• Two-handed - 40;
• Polearms - 60;
• Bow - 130;
• Crossbow - 60;
• Throwing - 40;
• Riding - 120;
• Athletics - 100.

Vlandian Banner Knights

The main advantage of such knights is their spears, with which they are able to destroy well-armored soldiers.

Characteristics:

• One-handed - 220;
• Two-handed - 60;
• Polearm - 260;
• Bow - 25;
• Crossbow - 60;
• Throwing - 30;
• Riding - 200;
• Athletics - 60.

Vlandian Sharpshooter

Throughout the year, with various patches, the developers changed the characteristics and equipment of the units. At the moment, it's safe to say that the Vlandian Riflemen are the best crossbowmen in the game, who confidently outperformed their direct competitors - the Imperial Crossbow Sergeants.

While the Imperial Sergeant Crossbowman seems to be better in terms of ranged weapons skills, the difference between Vlandian and Imperial crossbows is huge.

Characteristics:

• One-handed - 130;
• Two-handed - 60;
• Polearms - 80;
• Bow - 20;
• Crossbow - 130;
• Throwing - 60;
• Riding - 80;
• Athletics - 130.