Best Cavalry and Horse Archers

November 21, 2025

Top cavalry units and horse archer builds.

Dominating the open field requires speed and shock. In Bannerlord, this means Cavalry and Horse Archers.

The Two Doctrines

Shock Cavalry: Used to smash into enemy lines, breaking formations (Hammer).
Horse Archers: Used to circle the enemy, peppering them with arrows (Swarm).

The Khuzait Khan's Guard is the best unit in this category, and arguably the best unit in the game alongside Fians.

Weapon: Glaive (insane melee reach/damage) and Noble Bow.
Tactics: Tell them to "Charge" and they will circle the enemy, shooting until out of arrows, then smash them with Glaives.

The Aserai Mameluke Heavy Cavalry is a decent runner-up but lacks the melee punch of the Khan's Guard.

Mounted Archer Tier List The Khuzait Khan's Guard reigns supreme.

Vlandian Banner Knights are the masters of the couch lance charge. They deal massive damage on impact.

Imperial Elite Cataphracts are slower but incredibly tanky. They survive longer in prolonged melees.

Heavy Cavalry Comparison Vlandia brings the damage, Empire brings the armor.

Circle of Death: Group your Horse Archers and use F1 -> F3 (Charge) or F1 -> F2 (Follow Me) to kite the enemy.
The Hammer: Wait for the enemy infantry to engage yours, then charge your Heavy Cavalry into their backs.

Cavalry Tactics Timing your charge is everything.