best infantry bannerlord

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10-12-2024

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Bannerlord's Best Infantry: A Comprehensive Guide to Troop Selection and Tactics

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord offers a vast array of infantry units, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. Choosing the right troops is crucial for victory, whether you're facing down a horde of bandits or a disciplined army. This guide will explore some of the best infantry units in Bannerlord, analyzing their effectiveness in different combat situations and offering tactical advice for maximizing their potential. We'll draw upon insights from various sources, including player experiences and community discussions, to provide a balanced and comprehensive overview. While specific "best" units are subjective and depend on your playstyle and campaign progress, we'll focus on consistently high-performing options.

Understanding Infantry Roles in Bannerlord

Before diving into specific units, it's vital to understand the different roles infantry play on the battlefield:

• Shock Infantry: These are your frontline fighters, designed to withstand heavy blows and break enemy lines. They typically possess high melee stats and strong armor.
• Spearmen/Pike Men: Excellent anti-cavalry units, their long reach and defensive formations can decimate charging horsemen.
• Skirmishers: These units excel at ranged combat, harassing enemies from afar and weakening them before the main clash.
• Support Infantry: These units might lack raw combat prowess but offer crucial support, such as archers providing ranged firepower or engineers deploying siege equipment.

Top Tier Infantry Choices (Mid-to-Late Game)

As the game progresses, you'll unlock access to powerful and diverse infantry units. Here are some consistently strong contenders:

1. Imperial Legionaries (Sturgia): These heavily armored warriors are formidable shock infantry. Their high defense and strong melee skills make them excellent for holding the line against enemy assaults. Their relatively high cost is offset by their exceptional survivability and combat effectiveness. They are a solid investment for players who prioritize a strong, unwavering front line.

2. Fian Champions (Kingdom of Ireland): Often hailed as top-tier by experienced players, Fian Champions blend high melee stats with decent armor. Their superior mobility compared to some heavier units can allow for flanking maneuvers and swift responses to enemy breakthroughs. They're versatile, performing well against both infantry and cavalry.

3. Khuzait Khansguard: Though not strictly infantry, they are often grouped with them. These elite heavy infantry, typically available through high-ranking Khuzait companions, are extremely strong. While not as cost-effective as Imperial Legionaries, their high stats make them suitable for any situation, serving both as a powerful shock force and as a reliable unit that can also counter cavalry.

4. Cataphracts (various factions): While technically cavalry, these heavily armored units often act as mobile infantry, smashing through enemy lines. Their combined melee strength and armour make them truly terrifying. They are less agile than the Fian Champions.

Early Game Considerations:

In the early game, your options are more limited, but effective choices exist:

• Militia: While weak individually, large numbers of militia can overwhelm weaker enemies, especially when supported by ranged units. They are cheap and easily recruited, crucial to build your army initially.
• Man-at-arms: These lightly armored but relatively skilled fighters offer a step up from militia. They can be improved by upgrading their equipment to maximize effectiveness for the cost.

Tactical Considerations:

The effectiveness of any unit hinges on tactical deployment. Here are some key points to consider:

• Formation: Utilize formations effectively. Dense formations are ideal for absorbing enemy attacks, while looser formations allow for better maneuverability. Experiment with different formations to determine what works best in a specific situation.
• Terrain: Use terrain to your advantage. Funnel enemies into narrow chokepoints to maximize the effectiveness of your spearmen, or utilize elevated positions to gain an advantage in ranged combat.
• Combined Arms: Don't rely solely on infantry. Combine them with cavalry for flanking maneuvers and archers for ranged support. A balanced army is a powerful army.
• Unit Upgrades: As you progress, invest in upgrading your infantry's equipment. Better armor, weapons, and horses (for some units) significantly increase their effectiveness. Consider the specific enemy you are facing when choosing the best upgrades.
• Companion Influence: Utilize companions, not just as individual fighters, but as leaders of your infantry units. A well-chosen companion with high leadership and relevant skills can massively boost their morale and combat effectiveness.

Advanced Strategies and Synergies:

• The Spear Wall: A classic tactic, arranging your spearmen in a tight formation creates an almost impenetrable barrier to cavalry charges. Support them with archers to cut down the cavalry from a distance.
• The Hammer and Anvil: Use one group of infantry as an "anvil," holding the enemy in place, while another group ("hammer") flanks and attacks from the side or rear.
• Combined Arms: A combination of shock infantry, spearmen, and ranged units can create a versatile and powerful army that is able to react to many situations.

Conclusion:

There is no single "best" infantry unit in Bannerlord. The optimal choice depends on factors such as your campaign progress, your playstyle, and the specific challenges you face. However, the units highlighted above consistently prove their worth on the battlefield. By understanding their strengths and weaknesses, and employing effective tactics, you can maximize the potential of your infantry and dominate the battlefield. Remember that mastering unit composition and battlefield tactics is crucial to success in the dynamic world of Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. Continuous experimentation and adaptation will ultimately lead to mastery of the art of warfare.