Best Troops by Role
November 21, 2025
Ranking of top units for infantry, archers, cavalry, and horse archers.
Best Troops by Role
In Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord, not all troops are created equal. Some excel at holding the line, while others are specialized killers. Knowing which unit is best for each role allows you to min-max your army for ultimate efficiency.
A well-balanced army uses the best troops for every role.
Infantry
The infantry's job is to protect your archers and hold the enemy in place.
Best Shield Infantry: Imperial Legionary
Why: Highest armor in class (50+), large shield, extremely disciplined.
Runner Up: Sturgian Heavy Spearman (Better vs Cavalry).
Best Shock Infantry: Aserai Mameluke Palace Guard
Why: The Executioner Axe one-shots almost anything.
Runner Up: Sturgian Heroic Line Breaker (More accessible).
Ranged
Archers and crossbowmen dictate the flow of battle.
Best Foot Archer: Battanian Fian Champion
Why: The only "Noble" archer line. They have higher bow skill (260) and armor than any other archer. They also wield two-handed swords, making them deadly in melee.
Runner Up: Vlandian Sharpshooter (Crossbow/Shield utility).
Archers are critical for both siege offense and defense.
Best Horse Archer: Khuzait Khan's Guard
Why: Armed with a Glaive. They shoot arrows until they run out, then charge in as elite shock cavalry. Brokenly overpowered.
Runner Up: Aserai Mameluke Heavy Cavalry.
Cavalry
The hammer to your infantry's anvil.
Best Heavy Cavalry: Imperial Elite Cataphract
Why: Highest armor in the game. They are walking tanks that are nearly impossible to kill.
Runner Up: Vlandian Banner Knight (Better couch lance damage).
Best Light Cavalry: Aserai Vanguard Faris
Why: Equipped with Javelins (Jereeds) that can one-shot other cavalry. Fast and deadly skirmishers.
Light cavalry like the Aserai Faris excel at harassment.
Budget Picks
Sometimes you just need bodies on the field without breaking the bank.
Imperial Trained Archer (Tier 4): Very cost-effective volume of fire.
Aserai Skirmisher: Cheap javelins can take down elite troops if you are lucky.
Battanian Wood Runner: Fast, unarmored, but high damage output vs looters.
Summary Table
| Role | Best Unit | Faction | Key Feature |
| Shield | Imperial Legionary | Empire | Durability |
| Shock | Mameluke Palace Guard | Aserai | Executioner Axe |
| Archer | Fian Champion | Battania | 260 Bow Skill |
| Horse Archer | Khan's Guard | Khuzait | Glaive + Bow |
| Heavy Cav | Elite Cataphract | Empire | 70+ Armor |