Battania Troop Tree: The Lords of the Forest

The Battanians are the masters of the woodlands in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. Unlike the other factions that rely heavily on cavalry or rigid shield walls, the Battanian roster is built for ambush, skirmishing, and overwhelming firepower.

Their troop tree reflects a culture deeply connected to the highlands and forests of Calradia. While they lack the heavy cataphracts of the Empire or the shock cavalry of Vlandia, they possess the single most terrifying unit in the game: the Fian Champion.

The Battanian Troop Tree Overview

The Battanian roster is unique because its Noble Line is dedicated entirely to foot archers, whereas every other faction's noble line becomes heavy cavalry. This gives Battania a distinct identity: if you want to rain death from afar, you join the Battanians.

Common Troops: The Skirmish Core

The standard recruits evolve into a mix of light-to-medium infantry and cavalry.

• Infantry (Oathsworn & Picked Warriors): These units are decent shield-bearers but often lack the heavy leg armor of their Imperial or Sturgian counterparts. They are fast and hit hard, but they are not "tanks".

• Skirmishers (Wildlings): The heart of a Battanian infantry line. Armed with heavy javelins, they can decimate enemy shields before the lines meet.

• Cavalry (Mounted Skirmisher & Horseman): Battanian cavalry is generally lighter and used for harassment rather than shock charges. They are useful for chasing down fleeing enemies or distracting archers, but they will lose a head-on collision with Vlandian Banner Knights.

The Noble Line: The Fians

• Highborn Youth -> Highborn Warrior -> Hero -> Fian -> Fian Champion

• This path creates the Battanian Fian Champion, widely considered the best unit in the game. They wield the best bow (Noble Longbow) and have the highest bow skill (260+). In melee, they pull out two-handed swords and can hold their own against elite infantry.

Key Units Analysis

1. Battanian Fian Champion

• Role: Elite Archer / Shock Infantry

• Best Use: Mass them on a hill or behind a shield wall. Their rate of fire and accuracy are unmatched.

• Weakness: Expensive and hard to recruit (requires noble notables).

2. Battanian Wildling

• Role: Heavy Skirmisher

• Best Use: Place them in front of your archers on "Hold Fire" until the enemy is close, then unleash a volley of javelins.

• Weakness: Vulnerable to cavalry charges if caught out of formation.

3. Battanian Oathsworn

• Role: Line Infantry

• Best Use: Holding the line to protect the Fians.

• Comparison: Less durable than an Imperial Legionary but faster.

Tactics & Strategy

Playing as Battania requires you to think like a guerilla fighter. You do not want to meet a Vlandian army on an open plain. You want to fight in the forests, where cavalry is slowed and your archers have cover.

The "Fian Gunline"

The most popular (and effective) strategy is to amass as many Fian Champions as possible. A group of 50+ Fians can often wipe out an enemy army before they even reach your lines.

• Positioning: Always seek high ground.

• Protection: Keep a thin line of Oathsworn or Wildlings in front to absorb cavalry charges.

Countering Cavalry

Since Battania lacks heavy spears and shock cavalry, you must rely on terrain and massed fire.

• Use the Circle Formation with your infantry if surrounded.

• Position your Fians in trees so enemy cavalry gets stuck.

Comparisons

• Vs. Vlandia: Vlandia has better cavalry and crossbows. Battania wins on pure DPS (Damage Per Second) with bows but loses in mobility.

• Vs. Sturgia: Sturgia has better shield walls. Battania relies on breaking those shields with javelins and arrows before melee starts.

Conclusion

The Battanian troop tree is a glass cannon. Used correctly in the right terrain, it is unstoppable. Caught in the open, it can be trampled. Master the art of the ambush, and you will rule Calradia.

For more on recruiting these units, check out our guide on Troop Recruitment & Upgrades. To learn how to command them effectively, see Formations & Battlefield Tactics.