best infantry in bannerlord

3 min read 22-02-2025

Bannerlord's diverse roster of infantry units can make choosing the right troops for your army a challenging task. This guide delves into the strengths and weaknesses of various infantry types, ultimately helping you determine which are the best for conquering Calradia. We'll explore different playstyles and situations to ensure you always have the right troops on the field.

Top Tier Infantry Choices in Bannerlord

Several factors determine the "best" infantry: cost-effectiveness, battlefield performance, and the overall strategic value they bring to your army. While there's no single "best" unit for every situation, some consistently outperform others.

1. Imperial Legionaries (Late-Game Imperial Faction)

Strengths: Exceptionally high armor, good melee stats, excellent discipline. They form formidable shield walls and hold the line exceptionally well against cavalry charges. Their high tier makes them exceptionally durable.
Weaknesses: Expensive to recruit and maintain, slow to recruit.
Best Use: Defensive battles, sieges, holding key positions against heavy attacks.

2. Sturgia Veterans (Sturgia Faction)

Strengths: High melee stats, excellent against infantry. Their two-handed axes and high damage output make them devastating in close combat.
Weaknesses: Relatively low armor compared to other top-tier units, vulnerable to cavalry charges if not properly supported.
Best Use: Aggressive assaults, flanking maneuvers, breaking enemy infantry formations.

3. Vlandia Sergeants (Vlandia Faction)

Strengths: High melee skills, decent armor, good discipline. Their proficiency with polearms makes them effective against both infantry and cavalry.
Weaknesses: Can be somewhat expensive, not as durable as Imperial Legionaries.
Best Use: Versatile units that perform well in a variety of situations. They provide a strong balance between offense and defense.

4. Khuzait Khagan's Guard (Khuzait Faction)

Strengths: High mobility and exceptional melee skills, particularly effective against cavalry. Their armor is decent, but their speed and agility are their true assets.
Weaknesses: Can be somewhat fragile against high-damage infantry. Their armor lacks the strength of top-tier options.
Best Use: Flanking maneuvers, harassing enemy lines, chasing fleeing enemies.

5. Aserai Mamlukes (Aserai Faction)

Strengths: Highly skilled melee combatants, excellent against both infantry and cavalry. Relatively inexpensive to recruit compared to other top-tier units.
Weaknesses: Low armor makes them vulnerable to high-damage attacks. Their lack of shields leaves them open to missile attacks.
Best Use: Aggressive attacks and flanking maneuvers where speed and high skill can be exploited.

Choosing Your Infantry Based on Playstyle

Your choice of infantry should complement your preferred playstyle:

Aggressive Playstyle: Sturgia Veterans, Khuzait Khagan's Guard, and Aserai Mamlukes excel in aggressive offensives. Their high melee stats and mobility allow for swift breakthroughs and flanking maneuvers.
Defensive Playstyle: Imperial Legionaries provide an impenetrable defense. Their high armor and discipline make them ideal for holding lines and withstanding enemy assaults.
Balanced Playstyle: Vlandia Sergeants offer a versatile option that performs well in various situations. They're effective in both offensive and defensive roles.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Which infantry is best for sieges? Imperial Legionaries are superior in sieges due to their exceptional defensive capabilities. Their high armor and discipline allow them to hold key positions and withstand enemy attacks during protracted sieges.

Q: Which infantry is cheapest to recruit? While not always the best performers, early-game units from your starting faction are often the cheapest. Late-game, Aserai Mamlukes represent a good balance between cost and effectiveness.

Q: How important is troop tier? Troop tier is crucial in Bannerlord. Higher-tier troops possess better stats, armor, and discipline, making them significantly more effective in combat.

Q: What about other infantry types? While the above are some of the best, other factions' unique infantry offers advantages in specific situations. Experimentation is key to understanding their full potential.

Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Infantry

Ultimately, the "best" infantry in Bannerlord depends on your playstyle, your faction, and the specific challenges you face. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each unit type, you can assemble a powerful army capable of conquering Calradia. Remember to combine infantry types to create synergistic combinations. Experiment, adapt, and dominate the battlefield!