1. Khuzait Khan’s Guard
Considering the close relationship between Khuzaits and horses, it is not a surprise to see a Khuzait unit here in the high ranks of this list. This unit provides the player with a Middle Asian-Turkic-Mongolic battle experience, which is greatly satisfactory when combined with a throat singing Asian song in the background. Khan’s Guard not only has great horse-archery skills but also comes with a glaive which is a quite lethal choice in close combat. When it comes to its main role in the combat, it is apparent that he is designed for kiting, regarding two quivers of bow and the bow skill given to this unit. Yet, as stated above, the glaive should not be underestimated.
The armor set which Khan’s Guard is given is quite decent, yet the absence of a shield may cause a vulnerability. Specifically against Battanian Fian or Battanian Fian Champion, this unit may face certain hardships because of the longbow and archery skills Battanians have. In addition, recruiting and upgrading all the way to the end of the Khuzait troop tree is not an easy thing to do. It definitely needs time and effort. Nevertheless, the decency of its armor set makes it one of the most versatile cavalry units in the game, so it worths all the time and effort.
Khuzait Khan’s Guard is strong against:
- Most of the units in the game with light or medium armor because Khan’s Guard is quite good at riding, bow, and polearm along with its durable armor. Yet, it should be emphasized that it is stronger against immobilized units because of its mobility.
- Armies with shield wall strategies because units forming a shield wall need to be flanked and Khan’s Guard plays an important role here.
- Other horsemen. To be honest, all they can do is to pursue and die desperately.
Khuzait Khan’s Guard is weak against:
- Cavalry with heavy armor in cases where Khan’s Guard cannot keep away from the charges of other cavalries or caught off-guard somehow.
- Infantry with spears in cases where Khan’s Guard cannot flank the enemy.
Khuzait Khan’s Guard Details
- Culture: Khuzait
- Type: Cavalry
- Tier: 6
- Upgrades from: Khuzait Kheshig
- Upgrades to: N/A
- Attributes: One Handed 60, Two Handed 60, Polearm 220, Bow 260, Crossbow 25, Throwing 30, Riding 200, Athletics 60
2. Imperial Elite Cataphract
The fact that Northern, Western, and Southern Empire provide the same set of units is the most prominent advantage of this unit. It is armored like a tank, which is a quite effective superiority for a cavalry unit. Also, its polearm skill and long lance create a perfect harmony which eventually gives us the aforementioned “tankiness” of this unit.
Although the horse it is given, Imperial Charger, is tier one and is slow and not maneuverable enough, the hitpoints kind of compensate for this weakness. Moreover, it should be mentioned that 200 riding skill may balance the unacceptable horse choice for this unit.
Imperial Elite Cataphract is strong against:
- Infantry units because it is mostly deadly in close combat and as a cavalry it possesses the capability to charge several infantry unit at once.
- Other horsemen if they are caught by Elite Cataphract’s charge.
Imperial Elite Cataphract is weak against:
- Ranged attacks because of the low maneuverability caused by its tankness.
- Enemies with heavy armor or shields because of their unpenetrable defensibility.
Imperial Elite Cataphract details:
- Culture: Northern Empire, Western Empire, Southern Empire
- Type: Cavalry
- Tier: 6
- Upgrades from: Imperial Cataphract
- Upgrades to: N/A
- Attributes: One Handed 200, Two Handed 60, Polearm 260, Bow 60, Crossbow 67, Throwing 45, Riding 200, Athletics 60
3. Vlandian Banner Knight
In terms of living the ultimate medieval warfare experience, Vlandia is the perfect choice. No matter what kind of a strategy you embrace, there are a few moments which could surpass the satisfaction you can feel when you do while charging into the clashing infantry mobs with fully armored knights of Vlandia.
Vlandian Banner Knight is a cavalry unit designed to be utilized specifically for charging enemy units. The armor looks really fancy but it should be noted that it is one of the worst armors in sixth tier/elite cavalry units in this game. The compensation is, as stated above, the offensive potential of this unit, especially couched charging. Yet charging is not the only thing Vlandian Banner Knight is able to do; it also has a sword and a shield, which makes it an overall versatile unit.
Vlandian Banner Knight is strong against:
- Most of the infantry units because of their line breaking potential provided by the charging capabilities.
Vlandian Banner Knight is weak against:
- Pikemen and spearmen, which is the unchangeable destiny of any cavalry unit, but they are specifically vulnerable to spears because of their armor.
- Ranged enemies or any projectiles due to, once again, Vlandian Banner Knight’s armor.
Vlandian Banner Knight details:
- Culture: Vlandia
- Type: Cavalry
- Tier: 6
- Upgrades from: Vlandian Champion
- Upgrades to: N/A
- Attributes: One Handed 220, Two Handed 60, Polearm 260, Bow 25, Crossbow 60, Throwing 30, Riding 200, Athletics 60
4. Sturgian Druzhinnik Champion
Let’s be honest, Bannerlord is not “the” game that one would play for the ultimate Viking experience, unless you have a fetish. Besides the weaknesses of Sturgians, Druzhinnik Champion is most likely to be their best contribution to the battlefields of Calradia.
In terms of their equipment, the enormous shield and the Sturgian Lance keeps them a line breaker role. However, the Achilles heel of Sturgian Druzhinnik Champion is their horses. Although the champion it's strong enough to last long in the battle, the horse considered worthy of them is way below their level, which may put them in dangerous and vulnerable situations in the middle of the battlefield.
Sturgian Druzhinnik Champion is strong against:
- Most of the infantry units because of their capability to devastate the enemy lines.
- Other horsemen, when they are caught off-guard by their charges.
- Archers or ranged attacking enemies because the Heavy Round Shield would protect them against arrows and projectiles, unless the ranged units are organized and positioned nicely to flank the Druzhinnik.
Sturgian Druzhinnik Champion is weak against:
- Pikemen and spearmen because of the horse they are given is quite weak and may cause the Champion to fall to the ground.
- Heavily armored enemies who can absorb their attacks.
Sturgian Druzhinnik Champion details:
- Culture: Sturgia
- Type: Cavalry
- Tier: 6
- Upgrades from: Sturgian Druzhinnik
- Upgrades to: N/A
- Attributes: One Handed 200, Two Handed 60, Polearm 170, Bow 65, Crossbow 20, Throwing 90, Riding 170, Athletics 140
5. Aserai Vanguard Faris
The warfare in the deserts of Aserai is a completely different experience, at least for me it is so. For total immersion, I do not exclude even the units with camels, which are generally seen as a disadvantage of the Aserai faction. If there is anyone who fancies giving Aserai a chance but feels reluctant, Vanguard Faris might be “the” cavalry unit that would compensate for the concerns.
The small size of their shields is an indication that not everything can be perfect, and also this deficiency is compensated with the throwing skills, the most lethal javelins in the game, and the horse given to Vanguard Faris. Along with kiting capability, their couchable lance grants them a charging and breaking potential. Yet, just like any other unit in the game, they need to be supported with sensible strategies and reinforced by other units’ participation.
Aserai Vanguard Faris is strong against:
- Infantry with light armor or no shield because of the aforementioned projectile throwing abilities of Vanguard Faris.
- Ranged units due to the fast paced mount providing them to close the distance quickly.
Aserai Vanguard Faris is weak against:
- Other horsemen, especially heavy armored ones because of the advantages they have in melee combat in spite of the presence of the most powerful projectiles Vanguard Faris has.
- Pikemen or spearmen, who, unless flanked, pose a deadly threat for any cavalry unit roaming around the battlefield.
Aserai Vanguard Faris details:
- Culture: Aserai
- Type: Cavalry
- Tier: 6
- Upgrades from: Aserai Veteran Faris
- Upgrades to: N/A
- Attributes: One Handed 170, Two Handed 60, Polearm 200, Bow 65, Crossbow 20, Throwing 140, Riding 170, Athletics 90
6. Khuzait Heavy Lancer
In Bannerlord, the Khuzait Heavy Lancer is unquestionably one of the most potent options for quick and maneuverable cavalry forces. They are renowned for their lightning-quick charges and lethal accuracy with their lances, making these elite riders from the Khuzait Khanate a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.
The Khuzait Heavy Lancer specializes in hit-and-run tactics, using their speed and agility to outmaneuver and decimate enemy forces while armed with a strong lance and mounted a quick warhorse. They are the perfect troop to disrupt opposing infantry or archers because of their deadly charges' ability to pierce enemy lines and disrupt formations.
Pros of Khuzait Heavy Lancer:
- The Khuzait Heavy Lancer is one of the game's quickest cavalry units, allowing them to cross the distance to their targets swiftly and unleash deadly charges.
- Their strong Riding skill level make them extremely maneuverable on the battlefield, allowing them to easily outmaneuver and flank hostile troops.
- The Heavy Lancer's lance is a lethal weapon, capable of inflicting significant damage on opposing troops when charged at maximum speed.
Cons of Khuzait Heavy Lancer:
- The Khuzait Heavy Lancer, like other cavalry units, is vulnerable to spears and other anti-cavalry troops because their horses may be easily slain, leaving them exposed and unprotected.
- The efficacy of the Heavy Lancer is primarily dependent on their ability to deliver successful charges, and if their charges are disrupted or they are stuck in protracted melee battle, they may struggle to retain their momentum.
Khuzait Heavy Lancer details:
- Culture: Khuzait
- Type: Cavalry
- Tier: 6
- Upgrades from: Khuzait Lancer
- Upgrades to: N/A
- Attributes: One Handed 130, Two Handed 60, Polearm 130, Bow 20, Crossbow 20, Throwing 60, Riding 150, Athletics 60
The Khuzait Heavy Lancer is a highly trained and quick cavalry force that specializes in hit-and-run tactics and lethal charges. Because of their speed and mobility, they are an invaluable weapon on the battlefield, capable of breaking opponent formations and dealing deadly hits to hostile troops. They are not without flaws, and good control of their charges and posture is critical to their battle success.
7. Aserai Mameluke Heavy Cavalry
With their bows and swords, these riders are definitely one of the most versatile forces in the Aserai troop tree. They are in some ways as annoying as khuzait horse archers, while still being able to withstand even a prolonged one-on-one battle. In addition to their armor, a shield makes them extra durable, which might be a life saver when dismounted.
When the time comes in a long battle and they run out of arrows, you can charge them into infantry groups and they will keep fighting fiercely. However, as for all cavalry units, any unit equipped with spears or a pike will find it relatively easy to dismount and even kill them.
Pros of Mameluke Heavy Cavalry:
- Their heavy armor and shields provide them excellent protection against most weapons. They can evade incoming arrows with their mobility and block ones that they cannot with their shields.
- Having a sword and shield alongside their bows, they can take out enemies if confronted head-on or caught alone.
Cons of Mameluke Heavy Cavalry:
- Although they are a ranged mounted unit, they still can’t replace the place of archer units that excel in ranged combat only.
- Like all cavalry units, they are susceptible to pikes and spears, so consider having them flank a group or charge from behind.
Aserai Memaluke Heavy Cavalry details:
- Culture: Aserai
- Type: Cavalry
- Tier: 5
- Upgrades from: Aserai Mameluke Cavalry
- Upgrades to: N/A
- Attributes: One Handed 130, Two Handed 60, Polearm 60, Bow 130, Crossbow 20, Throwing 80, Riding 130, Athletics 80
8. Vlandian Vanguard
These riders from Vlandia definitely deserve a place in any new Calradian army. They are slightly less heavily armored than other units mentioned before, but make up for it with their deadly use of lances. They are also more vulnerable when dismounted, because they have a relatively low athletics skill, meaning they will probably be caught and fail to keep their distance on foot.
However, Vanguards belong to the commoner troop tree and so are more accessible, meaning any lord who can’t have noble troops yet will include them in their army and terrorize enemy ranks.
Pros of Vlandian Vanguards:
- Equipped with a lance, they perform deadly charges even when not flanking enemies. To any enemy that is not equipped with a pike, this means most certainly a swift death.
- The high hitpoint of their kite shields help them stay alive even when dismounted, saving them from death until reinforcements arrive.
Cons of Vlandian Vanguards:
- Having relatively low athletics and low armor rating, these units might be found dead quite often, adding to the cost of maintaining an army.
- They also have a relatively low polearm fighting skill, which places them in a lower rank than their peers in other cultures.
Vlandian Vanguard Details:
- Culture: Vlandia
- Type: Cavalry
- Tier: 5
- Upgrades from: Vlandian Light Cavalry
- Upgrades to: N/A
- Attributes: One Handed 130, Two Handed 80, Polearm 130, Bow 20, Crossbow 60, Throwing 80, Riding 130, Athletics 60
9. Khuzait Heavy Horse Archers
These annoying speed demons definitely deserve the hate they get, they easily pick and kill small infantry groups and any archer that they get close to. In addition to their expertise in mounted archery, they also bear a fine steel saber. Thankfully, they do not have a shield and can be taken out by any fast rider you have in your army. If you are the one leading these cavalry, well, keep circling the enemy until there is none to circle!
Pros of Khuzait Heavy Horse Archers:
- They are able to keep their distance thanks to their high riding skill and fast horses, which makes them a perfect choice for a field-battle focused army.
- They carry two quivers of arrows, so they will most likely keep fighting longer than any other cavalry-archer.
Cons of Khuzait Heavy Horse Archers:
- They lack a shield so they can very easily get killed when confronted by enemy cavalry.
- They also do not have a high athletics skill, so if any spearman knocks them off their horses, they are gone for good.
Khuzait Heavy Horse Archer Details:
- Culture: Khuzait
- Type: Cavalry
- Tier: 5
- Upgrades from: Khuzait Horse Archer
- Upgrades to: None
- Attributes: One Handed 130, Two Handed 60, Polearm 80, Bow 130, Crossbow 20, Throwing 60, Riding 130, Athletics 80
10. Khuzait Kheshig
Even though the little brothers of Khan’s Guards lack the experience their seniors have, they still have the capability to pose a threat to any leader that is not prepared. Capable of taking out a good amount of unprotected infantry and archers, the Khuzait Kheshig is a good choice before upgrading them into Khan’s Guards.
Their speed and maneuverability make them ideal for hit-and-run tactics, allowing them to quickly move in and out of battle. However, they are vulnerable to heavy cavalry charges and should always be supported by heavier cavalry or ranged units.
Pros of Khuzait Kheshigs:
- Capable of taking out a good amount of unprotected infantry and archers
- Their speed and maneuverability make them ideal for hit-and-run tactics
- Can be an effective surprise unit in battles
Cons of Khuzait Kheshigs:
- Vulnerable to heavy cavalry charges
- Lack experience compared to their seniors
- Not as effective against armored units
- May struggle in prolonged battles
Khuzait Keshig Details
- Culture: Khuzait
- Type: Cavalry
- Tier: 5
- Upgrades from: Khuzait Torguud
- Upgrades to: Khuzait Khan’s guard
- Attributes: One Handed 50, Two Handed 50, Polearm 130, Bow 160, Crossbow 20, Throwing 60, Riding 130, Athletics 80
11. Khuzait Khan’s Guard
Considering the close relationship between Khuzaits and horses, it is not a surprise to see a Khuzait unit here in the high ranks of this list. This unit provides the player with a Middle Asian-Turkic-Mongolic battle experience, which is greatly satisfactory when combined with a throat singing Asian song in the background. Khan’s Guard not only has great horse-archery skills but also comes with a glaive which is a quite lethal choice in close combat. When it comes to its main role in the combat, it is apparent that he is designed for kiting, regarding two quivers of bow and the bow skill given to this unit. Yet, as stated above, the glaive should not be underestimated.
The armor set which Khan’s Guard is given is quite decent, yet the absence of a shield may cause an vulnerability. Specifically against Battanian Fian or Battanian Fian Champion, this unit may face certain hardships because of the longbow and archery skills Battanians have. In addition, recruiting and upgrading all the way to the end of the Khuzait troop tree is not an easy thing to do. It definitely needs time and effort. Nevertheless, the decency of its armor set makes it one of the most versatile cavalry units in the game, so it worths all the time and effort.
Khuzait Khan’s Guard is strong against:
- Most of the units in the game with light or medium armor because Khan’s Guard is quite good at riding, bow, and polearm along with its durable armor. Yet, it should be emphasized that it is stronger against immobilized units because of its mobility.
- Armies with shield wall strategies because units forming a shield wall need to be flanked and Khan’s Guard plays an important role here.
- Other horsemen. To be honest, all they can do is to pursue and die desperately.
Khuzait Khan’s Guard is weak against:
- Cavalry with heavy armor in cases where Khan’s Guard cannot keep away from the charges of other cavalries or caught off-guard somehow.
- Infantry with spear in cases where Khan’s Guard cannot flank the enemy.
Khuzait Khan’s Guard Details
- Culture: Khuzait
- Type: Cavalry
- Tier: 6
- Upgrades from: Khuzait Kheshig
- Upgrades to: N/A
- Attributes: One Handed 60, Two Handed 60, Polearm 220, Bow 260, Crossbow 25, Throwing 30, Riding 200, Athletics 60
12. Imperial Elite Cataphract
The fact that Northern, Western, and Southern Empire provide the same set of units is the most prominent advantage of this unit. It is armored like a tank, which is a quite effective superiority for a cavalry unit. Also, its polearm skill and long lance create a perfect harmony which eventually gives us the aforementioned “tankness” of this unit.
Although the horse it is given, Imperial Charger, is tier one and is slow and not maneuverable enough, the hitpoints kind of compensate this weakness. Moreover, it should be mentioned that 200 riding skill may balance the unacceptable horse choice for this unit.
Imperial Elite Cataphract is strong against:
- Infantry units because it is mostly deadly in close combat and as a cavalry it possesses the capability to charge several infantry unit at once.
- Other horsemen if they are caught by Elite Cataphract’s charge.
Imperial Elite Cataphract is weak against:
- Ranged attacks because of the low maneuverability caused by its tankness.
- Enemies with heavy armors or shields because of their unpenetrable defense
Imperial Elite Cataphract details:
- Culture: Northern Empire, Western Empire, Southern Empire
- Type: Cavalry
- Tier: 6
- Upgrades from: Imperial Cataphract
- Upgrades to: N/A
- Attributes: One Handed 200, Two Handed 60, Polearm 260, Bow 60, Crossbow 67, Throwing 45, Riding 200, Athletics 60
13. Vlandian Banner Knight
In terms of living the ultimate medieval warfare experience, Vlandia is the perfect choice. No matter what kind of a strategy you embrace, there are a few moments which could surpass the satisfaction you can feel when you do while charging into the clashing infantry mobs with fully armored knights of Vlandia.
Vlandian Banner Knight is a cavalry unit designed to be utilized specifically for charging enemy units. The armor looks really fancy but it should be noted that it is one of the worst armors in sixth tier/elite cavalry units in this game. The compensation is, as stated above, the offensive potential of this unit, especially couched charging. Yet charging is not the only thing Vlandian Banner Knight is able to do; it also has a sword and a shield, which makes it an overall versatile unit.
Vlandian Banner Knight is strong against:
- Most of the infantry units because of their line breaking potential provided by the charging capabilities.
Vlandian Banner Knight is weak against:
- Pikemen and spearmen, which is the unchangeable destiny of any cavalry unit, but they are specifically vulnerable to spear because of their armor.
- Ranged enemies or any projectiles due to, once again, Vlandian Banner Knight’s armor.
Vlandian Banner Knight details:
- Culture: Vlandia
- Type: Cavalry
- Tier: 6
- Upgrades from: Vlandian Champion
- Upgrades to: N/A
- Attributes: One Handed 220, Two Handed 60, Polearm 260, Bow 25, Crossbow 60, Throwing 30, Riding 200, Athletics 60
14. Sturgian Druzhinnik Champion
Let’s be honest, Bannerlord is not “the” game that one would play for the ultimate Viking experience, unless you have a fetish. Besides the weaknesses of Sturgians, Druzhinnik Champion is most likely to be their best contribution to the battlefields of Calradia.
In terms of their equipments, the enormous shield and the Sturgian Lance keeps them a line breaker role. However, the Achilles heel of Sturgian Druzhinnik Champion is there horses. Although the champion it's strong enough to last long in the battle, the horse considered worthy of them is way below their level, which may put them in dangerous and vulnerable situations in the middle of the battlefield.
Sturgian Druzhinnik Champion is strong against:
- Most of the infantry units because of their capability to devastate the enemy lines.
- Other horsemen, when they are caught off-guard by their charges.
- Archers or ranged attacking enemies because the Heavy Round Shield would protect them against arrows and projectiles, unless the ranged units are organized and positioned nicely to flank the Druzhinnik.
Sturgian Druzhinnik Champion is weak against:
- Pikemen and spearmen because of the horse they are given is quite weak and may cause the Champion to fall to the ground.
- Heavily armored enemies who can absorb their attacks.
Sturgian Druzhinnik Champion details:
- Culture: Sturgia
- Type: Cavalry
- Tier: 6
- Upgrades from: Sturgian Druzhinnik
- Upgrades to: N/A
- Attributes: One Handed 200, Two Handed 60, Polearm 170, Bow 65, Crossbow 20, Throwing 90, Riding 170, Athletics 140
15. Aserai Vanguard Faris
The warfare in the deserts of Aserai is a completely different experience, at least for me it is so. For total immersion, I do not exclude even the units with camels, which are generally seen as a disadvantage of Aserai faction. If there is anyone who fancies giving Aserai a chance but feels reluctant, Vanguard Faris might be “the” cavalry unit that would compensate the concerns.
The small size of their shields is an indication that not everything can be perfect, and also this deficiency is compensated with the throwing skills, the most lethal javelins in the game, and the horse given to Vanguard Faris. Along with kiting capability, their couchable lance grants them a charging and breaking potential. Yet, just like any other unit in the game, they need to be supported with sensible strategies and reinforced by other units’ participation.
Aserai Vanguard Faris is strong against:
- Infantry with light armor or no shield because of the aforementioned projectile throwing abilities of Vanguard Faris.
- Ranged units due to the fast paced mount providing them to close the distance quickly.
Aserai Vanguard Faris is weak against:
- Other horsemen, especially heavy armored ones because of the advantages they have in melee combat in spite of the presence of the most powerful projectiles Vanguard Faris has.
- Pikemen or spearmen, who, unless flanked, pose a deadly threat for any cavalry unit roaming around the battlefield.
Aserai Vanguard Faris details:
- Culture: Aserai
- Type: Cavalry
- Tier: 6
- Upgrades from: Aserai Veteran Faris
- Upgrades to: N/A
- Attributes: One Handed 170, Two Handed 60, Polearm 200, Bow 65, Crossbow 20, Throwing 140, Riding 170, Athletics 90
