Aserai Troop Tree

The Aserai Sultanate boasts one of the most versatile troop trees in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. While their low-tier infantry can feel fragile compared to Imperial Legionaries or Sturgian heavy axemen, their noble cavalry line and master archers are top-tier contenders.

This guide breaks down the Aserai troop tree, highlighting the best units to recruit and how to command them effectively.

The Recruit Line: From Tribesman to Specialist

The standard Aserai Recruit is cheap and plentiful, but their early upgrades (Aserai Footman, Aserai Skirmisher) lack heavy armor. Their true power unlocks at Tier 4 and 5.

Infantry: The Palace Guards

The Aserai Mameluke Palace Guard (Tier 5) is a shock troop powerhouse. Armed with a massive two-handed executioner axe, they can cleave through shields and grouped infantry. However, they lack shields themselves, making them vulnerable to archer fire.

• Role: Flanking, breaking shield walls.

• Weakness: Ranged fire.

• Comparison: Similar to the Sturgian Heroic Line Breaker but with distinct aesthetic and armor style.

Archers: The Master Archer

The Aserai Master Archer is often underrated. While the Battanian Fian Champion holds the crown for best archer, the Master Archer is arguably the best non-noble archer in the game. They have decent fire rate, good accuracy, and respectable melee capability.

• Role: Ranged DPS, anti-infantry.

• Advantage: Easier to mass-recruit than noble troops.

Cavalry: The Mameluke

The Aserai Mameluke Heavy Cavalry serves as a capable horse archer unit. They aren't as dominant as the Khuzait Khan's Guard, but they provide excellent skirmish potential for a faction that already excels at speed.

The Noble Line: The Vanguard Faris

The jewel of the Aserai army is the Vanguard Faris. Upgrading from the Aserai Youth, this unit evolves into a heavily armored cavalryman who excels at skirmishing.

Why They Are Special

Unlike Vlandian Banner Knights who rely on a single devastating charge, the Vanguard Faris carries Javelins. This allows them to:

1. Circle enemy infantry and thin their numbers with ranged attacks.

2. Charge in with lances to finish them off.

3. Defend themselves effectively against other cavalry.

Tip: Use them in a "Skein" formation to penetrate enemy lines, or "Loose" formation to maximize javelin throws before the clash.

Army Composition Strategies

For a balanced Aserai army that leverages their strengths:

• 40% Infantry: Mix Aserai Veteran Infantry (Shields) with Palace Guards (Shock). The shields protect the shock troops until contact.

• 30% Archers: A solid line of Master Archers to soften up the enemy.

• 30% Cavalry: A hit squad of Vanguard Faris to harass flanks and rear charge.

Economy & Support

Building this army is expensive. Warhorses are required for the noble line upgrades. We recommend establishing Caravans early, ideally starting from Askar or Sanala, to fund your military campaigns. See our Economy & Trading Guide for detailed routes.

Conclusion

The Aserai troop tree rewards commanders who value speed and skirmishing over brute force. By combining the heavy shock of Palace Guards with the versatility of the Vanguard Faris, you can dominate the deserts of Calradia and beyond.

Check out our Formations & Battlefield Tactics guide to master the commands needed to pilot this army effectively.