The Kings of Range

In Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, archers are the kings of the battlefield. A well-placed line of elite archers can decimate an enemy army before they even reach your infantry.

The Gold Standard: Battanian Fian Champion

The Battanian Fian Champion is widely considered the best unit in the game, period.

• Weapon: Noble Longbow (insane damage and range).

• Skill: 260 Bow skill (laser accuracy).

• Melee: Two-Handed sword (can beat most infantry in melee).

They are hard to recruit (only from noble villages in Battania), but worth every Denar.

Battanian Fians dominate the field.

The Crossbow King: Vlandian Sharpshooter

If you prefer stopping power and armor, the Vlandian Sharpshooter is your choice.

• Weapon: Bound Crossbow.

• Shield: They carry a large shield on their back, making them durable during reloads.

• Usage: Great for sieges where they can duck behind cover.

The Reliable Alternative: Imperial Palatine Guard

The Empire's elite archer, the Palatine Guard, is a fantastic all-rounder.

• Availability: Easier to find than Fians.

• Armor: Heavy armor makes them survivable.

• Role: Excellent for standard army compositions.

Optimizing your archer captain build can double their effectiveness.

Tactics

To get the most out of your archers:

1. Loose Formation: Always use Loose formation so every archer has a line of sight.

2. High Ground: Position them on hills.

3. Protection: Place a shield wall of infantry slightly in front and below them.

Knowing which units to upgrade is key to a strong army.

Summary

If you can get them, stack Battanian Fian Champions. If not, Vlandian Sharpshooters or Imperial Palatine Guards are excellent choices that can win you the game.

For more information, see:

• Battania Guide

• Vlandia Guide

• Best Archers by Faction