Best Troop Compositions by Stage
November 21, 2025
Recommended armies for early, mid, and late game.
Best Troop Compositions by Stage
Building an army in Bannerlord is a journey. A composition that works for a Clan Tier 1 party chasing bandits will be slaughtered in a Tier 6 Kingdom war. Efficient commanders adapt their roster to their budget, enemies, and strategic goals.
Early Game (Clan Tier 0-1)
Goal: Speed and Low Cost. Enemy: Looters, Mountain Bandits.
In the early game, your biggest enemy is wages and food consumption. You need a small, fast party to catch bandits and complete quests.
Composition: 20-30 Tier 2-3 Troops.
Mix: 60% Archers, 40% Infantry.
Why: Archers can kill looters before they reach you, saving you from healing downtime. Avoid cavalry early on as horses are expensive and require upgrades.
Recommended Units: Imperial Trained Archers, Aserai Skirmishers.
Keep your party light and fast to catch bandits.
Mid Game (Clan Tier 2-3)
Goal: Mercenary Work and Profit. Enemy: Minor Factions, Small Lord Parties, Caravans.
Now you have some income from workshops or caravans. You can afford better gear and higher wages. You need to be able to fight outnumbered or take on quality troops.
Composition: 50-80 Troops.
Mix: 40% Shield Infantry, 40% Archers, 20% Cavalry.
Why: You need a shield wall to hold against lord armies, and cavalry to chase down routing enemies or harass their archers.
Recommended Units: Imperial Legionaries, Battanian Fians (if you can find them), Vlandian Light Cavalry.
Mid-game armies must be versatile enough for both field battles and joining sieges.
Late Game (Clan Tier 4+)
Goal: Map Domination. Enemy: Large Kingdom Armies (500+).
Money is no longer an issue. You want the best units possible. This is where "Doomstacks" come into play—parties consisting entirely of elite noble troops.
Composition: 150-300+ Elite Troops.
The "Fian Stack": 100% Battanian Fian Champions. Melts anything before it reaches you.
The "Khan's Guard Stack": 100% Khuzait Khan's Guards. Unbeatable in the open field.
The Balanced Grinder: 40% Imperial Legionaries, 40% Battanian Fians, 20% Elite Cataphracts.
Elite noble troops like Vlandian Banner Knights dominate the late game.
Faction Specific Compositions
If you want to roleplay or stick to one culture:
Empire
The Legion: 50% Legionaries, 30% Palatine Guards, 20% Cataphracts.
Pros: Extremely durable, easy to recruit.
Cons: Lack of shock damage.
Vlandia
The Iron Fist: 40% Banner Knights, 40% Sharpshooters, 20% Sergeants.
Pros: Best initial charge and volley.
Cons: Sergeants are weaker than Legionaries.
Battania
Forest Guerrillas: 60% Fian Champions, 40% Wildlings/Oathsworn.
Pros: Insane ranged damage.
Cons: No cavalry.
Conclusion
Don't be afraid to disband low-tier troops as you progress. Your party slots are your most valuable resource in the late game. Quality always beats quantity.