The Khuzait Khanate: Lords of the Steppe

The thunder of hooves, the whistle of arrows, and the sudden realization that your infantry line is being encircled—this is the terrifying reality of facing the Khuzait Khanate. Inspired by the Mongol and Turkic steppe empires of history, the Khuzaits are the undisputed masters of mounted warfare in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord.

Led by the ambitious Monchug Khan, the Khuzaits have united the warring tribes of the east and now look westward toward the fracturing Empire. If you crave speed, mobility, and the ability to rain death upon your enemies without ever crossing swords, the Khuzait Khanate is the faction for you.

Lore & Origins

For centuries, the tribes of the vast eastern steppe were divided, fighting amongst themselves for grazing rights and honor. They were often dismissed by the Empire as mere raiders or nuisances. However, this changed with the rise of Urkhun the Great, a visionary leader who brought the tribes under a single banner.

Urkhun transformed the loose confederation of nomads into a state capable of conquering cities. Under his rule, the Khuzaits captured key trading hubs like Makeb and Baltakhand, transitioning from a purely nomadic lifestyle to one that blends steppe traditions with settled governance. Now, his successor Monchug Khan seeks to expand this legacy, though he faces internal pressure from traditionalists who fear the soft life of the cities.

The Eastern Steppe: Geography & Economy

The Khuzait territory lies in the far east of the Calradian map. It is a massive expanse of flat, open grassland—terrain that heavily favors their cavalry-focused armies.

Key Resources

• Steppe Horses: The lifeblood of the Khuzait economy. These are abundant and cheap in Khuzait villages, making them a fantastic trade good to sell in the west (Vlandia or Battania) where horses are scarcer.

• Wool & Meat: With vast herds come vast quantities of sheep. Khuzait towns often have cheap wool and plentiful food supplies.

Terrain Strategy

If you are playing as a Khuzait, stay in the open. Your speed is your armor. Avoid the dense forests of Battania or the mountainous chokepoints of Sturgia unless you have overwhelming numbers. In the open steppe, a Khuzait army is nearly invincible.

The Horde: Troop Roster Analysis

The Khuzait roster is built around one thing: Speed. While they have infantry, their true power lies in their mounted units.

The Noble Line: Khuzait Khan's Guard

The Khan's Guard is widely considered one of the strongest units in the entire game.

• Role: Heavily Armored Horse Archer / Shock Cavalry.

• Equipment: They wield a Noble Long Bow for devastating ranged damage and a Glaive for melee.

• Versatility: Unlike other horse archers that crumble in melee, the Khan's Guard can charge into infantry and butcher them with their glaives. They are also arguably the best siege troops when dismounted.

The Standard Line

• Khuzait Heavy Lancer: A solid shock cavalry unit, though often overshadowed by the Khan's Guard. Good for distracting enemy cavalry.

• Khuzait Darkhan: The top-tier infantry. They are heavily armored and carry spears, making them decent at holding a line, but they lack the raw killing power of Legionaries or Line Breakers.

• Khuzait Marksman: A foot archer unit. They are competent but generally inferior to Palatine Guards or Fian Champions.

Tactics & Strategy

Playing as the Khuzaits requires a different mindset than the shield-wall grind of the Empire or the charge of Vlandia.

Field Battles: The Circle of Death

The classic Khuzait tactic is simple but deadly:

1. Split your Horse Archers into two groups (or keep them as one massive horde).

2. Circle the Enemy: Use the "Follow Me" or "Delegate" command (F6 often works well for horse archers) to have them ride in circles around the enemy formation.

3. The Cantabrian Circle: As they ride, they fire into the exposed backs and sides of the enemy shield wall.

4. The Charge: Once the enemy formation breaks or spreads out to chase your horses, order a general charge. Your Glaive-wielding troops will clean up the survivors.

Sieges

Historically, nomads struggled with sieges. In Bannerlord, however, the Khuzaits adapt well.

• Dismount your Khan's Guards: They become elite shock infantry with two-handed polearms.

• Volume of Fire: Your large numbers of archers can suppress the walls effectively.

• Check out our Siege Warfare & Engineering guide for more tips on taking castles.

Campaign Strategy

• Map Speed: Khuzait armies usually have high map speed due to the "Cavalry" bonus. Use this to pick your fights. You should never be caught by a larger army you can't outrun. See our Party Speed Optimization guide for more.

• Herd Penalty: The one downside of a mounted army is the "Herding" penalty if you have too many animals and not enough men. Balance your horses carefully.

• Trade: Use your speed to run Caravans and trade routes quickly.

Countering the Khuzait

Fighting against Monchug's horde is a nightmare for many players. Here is how to survive:

1. Corner Camping: In a field battle, retreat your army to the edge of the map (the red line). This prevents the horse archers from circling behind you.

2. Terrain: Force them to fight in forests or villages where their horses lose speed and maneuverability.

3. Shield Walls: A loose formation is suicide. forming a tight Shield Wall or Circle formation helps protect against arrows.

4. Focus Fire: Your foot archers usually have better range and accuracy than moving horse archers. Focus fire on their circling mass.

Conclusion

The Khuzait Khanate offers a unique, fast-paced playstyle that makes you feel like a true warlord of the steppes. Whether you want to paint the map in teal or simply enjoy the thrill of the hunt, the Khuzait are a faction that demands respect.

Ready to ride? Check out our Horse Archer Builds to optimize your character for the steppe life.