Archer Builds & Comparisons

In the chaotic battlefields of Calradia, a well-placed arrow can be the difference between victory and defeat. Whether you are commanding a legion of disciplined crossbowmen or a wild band of forest rangers, understanding the strengths of your ranged units is crucial. This guide breaks down the top contenders for the title of "Best Archer," compares their stats and playstyles, and offers tactics to maximize their lethality.

The Big Three Compared

While almost every culture has a ranged unit, three stand above the rest in the current meta: the Battanian Fian Champion, the Vlandian Sharpshooter, and the Imperial Palatine Guard.

A line of archers preparing to unleash a volley.

1. Battanian Fian Champion

The King of Bows. The Fian Champion is widely considered the best foot archer in the game. Unique among noble troops, they do not require a horse to upgrade, making them easier to mass.

• Pros: Highest bow skill (260), incredible fire rate, and carries a two-handed sword that makes them deadly in melee.

• Cons: Expensive, hard to recruit (requires Battanian high-born youth), and no shield.

• Best Use: Pure damage output from a hill. If cavalry charges them, their falx blades will chop horses to pieces.

• See also: Battania Guide

2. Vlandian Sharpshooter

The Crossbow Sniper. Vlandia's top ranged unit brings the heavy-hitting power of the crossbow.

• Pros: High damage per shot, very accurate at long range, and carries a large shield (Pavise) on their back which protects them while reloading.

• Cons: Slow fire rate.

• Best Use: Siege defense and holding ground. Their shields make them surprisingly tanky against enemy archers.

• See also: Vlandia Guide

3. Imperial Palatine Guard

The Reliable All-Rounder. The Empire's elite archer is the most balanced of the three.

• Pros: Good armor, decent bow skill, easy to recruit and upgrade from standard Imperial recruits.

• Cons: Lacks the raw damage of Fians or the range of Sharpshooters.

• Best Use: The backbone of any mixed army. They are consistent and reliable in every situation.

Tactics & Formations

Having the best troops is only half the battle; how you command them matters.

Large scale army formation showing optimal archer positioning behind infantry.

Loose Formation

Always use Loose Formation (F3 -> F3) for your archers. This spaces them out, allowing the men in the back ranks to shoot without hitting their friends. In a tight line, only the front row fires effectively.

Elevation is Key

"It's over Anakin, I have the high ground." This meme applies perfectly to Bannerlord. Placing your archers on a hill increases their range and makes it harder for enemy cavalry to charge them effectively.

The "Hold Fire" Trap

Don't let your archers waste arrows at maximum range. Use the Hold Fire command until the enemy is within 150-200 meters. Then, unleash hell. The sudden wall of arrows is more likely to break enemy morale than a trickle of long-range shots.

Counterplay: How to Beat Them

If you find yourself facing a wall of Fian Champions, do not charge them head-on with infantry. They will melt you.

• Shield Wall: Use heavy infantry in a Shield Wall formation to soak up arrows while you advance.

• Cavalry Flank: Archers are weak when forced to turn. Split your cavalry and hit them from the sides or rear.

• Horse Archers: Circle them. Mobile targets are harder to hit, and Horse Archer Builds can kite foot archers indefinitely if managed well.

Summary

• Pick Fians for raw damage.

• Pick Sharpshooters for sieges and defensive lines.

• Pick Palatine Guards for availability and armor.

Mastering your ranged corps is the first step to conquering Calradia. Good hunting!