Hail, fellow warriors of new and of old! Traipsing through Calradia without a clue of the world? Well, then this article is for you, so read it through and through! Today, we’ll be listing the top five troops of every kingdom and their strengths, so you can fill that knight noggin up with all the information needed to slay armies before you! Let’s begin with my absolute favorite:
Kingdom of Swadia
5. Swadian Sharpshooters
Sharpshooters are the solid backbone of a Swadian army; they aren’t the best crossbowmen, with slower crossbows, less melee damage, and fewer hit points than their Rhodok counterparts, but they’re still capable behind a shield wall of infantry, as they can pierce through enemy armor and shields and soften your enemy before a cohesive charge. Like a cold slice of pizza after a long night out, these guys will do the job.
4. Swadian Infantry
These seasoned infantry will wreak havoc on enemy lines. It’s hard to mess up using these Swadian warriors, as they have Haubergeon, Heater Shields, and wield pikes or Bastard Swords which can pummel elite infantry and damage lightly armored cavalry. They have less health, melee damage, and worse armor than the most elite infantry units the Swadians possess, but they can still knock heads together like a drunk guy at the bar!
3. Swadian Sergeants
These absolute menaces are Swadian Infantry on steroids. With a Coat of Plates, savage weaponry like the Morningstar, Heavy Bastard Sword, or Awlpike, along with a hefty Heavy Heater Shield, more health, and melee damage, these enemies will pierce through enemy lines, taking down elite infantry like Huscarls and facing up to powerful cavalry like the Mamlukes of the Sarranid Sultanate.
2. Swadian Man-At-Arms
These medium cavalry are a step behind Swadian Knights, but they are quickly trainable and quite capable of swarming enemy infantry and other medium-heavy cavalry with their Haubergeon, War Horses, Great Lances, Fighting Picks, or Heavy Bastard Swords and Heater Shields. Overall, they are powerful cavalry who can certainly hold their own against other medium cavalry and will demolish weaker enemy infantry like wheat to a scythe.
1. Swadian Knight
These powerhouse, elite, heavy cavalry are some of the best troops in the game, as they have exceptional Power Strike and Ironflesh, a Coat of Plates, and wield Heavy Lances, Two-Handed Swords, Morningstars, and Knightly Heater Shields. Using these powerful weapons, along with their heavy horses and durable armor, they will crush even elite infantry and cavalry on the field, making them seem more like raucous rodents than capable soldiers. They also are royally good in siege battles as they have strong shields and armor to block arrows and other missiles, as well as high stats and powerful weapons that demolish enemies. These guys are the go-to for good old slaughter!
Sarranid Sultanate
5. Sarranid Infantry
Although the core of the Sarranid army, these foot troops are inferior to other factions' elite infantry. They can defeat wimpy Looters and lesser units with their Sarranid Mail Shirts and simple weapons like Iron Battle Axes and Spears, but they will have difficulty defeating more formidable opponents. They can move about quite well thanks to their impressive speed, but their low total damage output and health will likely just tickle fiercer warriors.
4. Sarranid Guards
A serious step up from the infantry, Sarranid Guards combine speed and a little more resilience. They are armed with Sarranid Battle Axes and Military Picks, and they wear Sarranid Guard Armor and use strong shields to provide superior defense. They also have a special trick up their sleeves too - Jarids - which they throw before barrelling into enemy lines, which can help them face up against opponents, though they do struggle against more elite units in Calradia.
3. Sarranid Horsemen
These nimble horsemen are excellent at flanking enemy units. Equipped with Lances, Elite Scimitars, and Sarranid Mail Shirts, they are ideal for taking advantage of openings in the opposition's defenses and charging down enemy archers like a wily NASCAR driver. Even though they don't have as much armor as other cavalry, their agility and fast movement make them a dangerous menace against opponents with light armor, especially when combined with infantry to draw fire from your enemies.
2. Sarranid Master Archer
Sarranid Master Archers are legendary for their resilience and high fire rate, making them excellent in both offensive and defensive roles. With their Strong Bows and Sarranid Guard Armor, they can do immense damage to infantry without shields and are a vital asset during sieges. They can efficiently stagger opposing strong crossbowmen such as Rhodok Sharpshooters, because of their better armor that is quite durable.
1. Sarranid Mamlukes
Mamlukes are the peak military might of the Sarranids, as they are incredibly durable and powerful attackers. With their formidable speed and strength, they rule the battlefield with their Mamluke Mail, Heavy Lances, and Elite Scimitars. They establish themselves as some of the best units in Calradia, proving their versatility in both open-field engagements and sieges with their excellent riding skill and ability to break away from the enemy for successive charges. Mamlukes are an intimidating sight on the battlefield, whether they are rushing opposing lines, strategically flanking an enemy position, or readying their scimitars for a siege battle. Don’t wet yourself if you see them, Commander!
Kingdom of Rhodoks
5. Rhodok Trained Spearman
These foot warriors form the core of the Rhodok army. Looking like drunkards that stumbled away from a Renaissance fair, these weaklings wear rudimentary armor like Padded Cloth and use simple weapons like the Pike, making their effectiveness against more powerful enemies is limited. Their meager health and damage output makes them only suitable for holding the line against minor threats. Very minor threats. Maybe they can catch some rats for your men to eat!
4. Rhodok Veteran Spearman
These veterans, as an upgrade to the Trained Spearmen, provide greater battlefield resilience. They are semi-effective counters against cavalry, with stronger armor and weapons, such as the Ashwood Pike. Though they can hold their own against some infantry and weak cavalry, they lack the offensive capability of higher-tier forces. It’s more likely that these guys will get run down by cav than take down your enemies, but you gotta start somewhere!
3. Rhodok Sergeants
Rhodok Sergeants are fearsome soldiers, equipped with heavy armor and powerful weaponry such as Glaives and Military Hammers. They excel at disrupting infantry and cavalry formations and holding the line to protect their Sharpshooters. Their combination of offense and defense makes them capable of leading charges and holding critical positions. They’re like Swiss army knives - if Swiss army knives were 6 feet tall, wore plate, and had an obsession with smashing heads.
2. Rhodok Veteran Crossbowmen
These decent crossbowmen are vital to Rhodok's military tactics. They are equipped with Heavy Crossbows and can fire intense volleys against foes. While powerful at range, they are the Dollar Tree knockoffs of Rhodok Sharpshooters due to their inferior armor and crossbows, as well as lower health, making them slightly less formidable in lengthy battles and less likely to be picked up at aisle 3.
1. Rhodok Sharpshooters
Sharpshooters are the zenith of Rhodok ranged forces, armed with Siege Crossbows that allow them to deliver devastating fire from afar. As the cream of the crop, these beasts can annihilate entire armies in seconds with their bolts! Their substantial Mail Armor and durability set them apart in both sieges and open-field fights, offering crucial assistance while your infantry guards them, solidifying their place as essential assets in every Rhodok commander's arsenal. And these gentlemen like their fancy food…so don’t just feed them grain, or you might end up with a bolt between the eyes. These guys don’t play.
Kingdom of Nords
5. Nord Trained Footmen
These melee troops of the Kingdom of Nords do not carry the deadly thrown weapons of their more experienced comrades, but they are the best-armored unit in the third tier, rivaling even the fourth-tier infantry of other factions. As trained fighters, they form the backbone of Jarl’s armies. They lack the experience of Nord Warriors and Huscarls, but their large, robust shields and decent axes make them formidable against infantry of their level. Use them as "anti-shield" infantry to break through enemy defenses.
4. Nord Warriors
These Nordic warriors are the Kingdom of Nords’ trusted infantry, upgraded from Nord Trained Footmen. Equipped with thrown weapons, they soften up enemy forces before assailing their enemies. Due to their strong shields, they can block arrows and hold their own in close combat, making them versatile defensive and offensive units. They are best combined with higher-level troops to protect against elite cavalry.
3. Nord Veterans
These battle-experienced warriors are just a step below the Nord Huscarl elite. Nord Veterans excel in defense, forming a unified defensive wall that will repel projectiles. While they lack the offensive might of Huscarls, their shields, and occasional throwing weapons make them intimidating and powerful fighters. Some even use blunt weapons like maces, which are great for trapping enemies rather than killing them.
2. Nord Veteran Archers
These powerful archers are versatile warriors, who can hold their own in melee combat and effectively skirmish against lightly armored enemies. While they may shoot more slowly than other advanced archers, their Mail Shirts allow them to stay in melee for extended skirmishes if caught by the enemy. With high Athletics skill, they are also incredibly agile and fast. Their flexibility makes them invaluable, but to maximize their effectiveness, keep them away from heavy infantry and cavalry.
1. Nord Huscarls
The strongest infantry in the game, the Nord Huscarls are a force to be reckoned with. Clad in Banded Armor and using elite equipment, such as the Huscarl Round Shield, Heavy Throwing Axes, and One-Handed Battle Axes, they are deadly in both siege and open combat. They will decimate foes on the field with their missile fire, then charge in and finish the job. They take time to train, but their ability to crush even the most elite troops is well worth the investment.
Khergit Khanate
5. Khergit Skirmishers
Khergit Skirmishers are second-tier cavalry raised from Khergit tribes. They have a bow and some archery skills, but their armor is like wet bread and their horses are slower than Grandaddy in a nursing home. Their lack of Lances makes them less useful than Steppe Bandits, but they are quick to upgrade. Amass a large amount of them to make devastating light cavalry charges against infantry, or quickly upgrade them because I’m pretty sure a few angry toddlers could stop them if they wanted to.
4. Khergit Horsemen
These troops excel at ranged combat, equipped with bows and arrows and decent horsemanship. While they lack Power Strike, their Power Draw makes them effective at killing enemies from a distance. Use them alongside horse archers to rain arrows down on enemies while Lancers charge through enemy lines.
3. Khergit Lancers
The most heavily armored troops in the Khergit army, the Khergit Lancers are perfect for open terrain. Raised on swift Coursers, they can quickly overwhelm infantry with their Lances and sometimes blunt weapons such as Spiked Maces. They are the Khergit equivalent of the Swadian Men-at-Arms or Vaegir Horsemen.
2. Khergit Horse Archers
Khergit Horse Archers are ideal for harassing your enemies and for garrison defense. Their accuracy and power make them formidable, but they require tactical placement to maximize their effectiveness. Use them to support enemies and shoot from a distance to avoid direct combat.
1. Khergit Veteran Horse Archers
The most advanced unit of the Khergit Khanate, the Veteran Horse Archers are highly mobile thanks to their Coursers. They are typically not used well by the AI as they tend to speed into battle first and get killed. If controlled correctly, they excel at ranged attacks and flanking enemies. Their speed and agility make them valuable in field battles, but keep them out of melee combat to maintain effectiveness.
Kingdom of Vaegirs
5. Vaegir Horsemen
The Vaegir Horsemen are tier four cavalry, upgraded from the Vaegir Veterans. Riding steppe horses or hunters, they use a variety of weapons, from two-handed axes and swords to spears and shields. Although not as strong as the Vaegir Knights, their faster horses allow them to quickly break through enemy ranks, making them effective at disrupting and harassing enemies.
4. Vaegir Infantry
Vaegir Infantry, upgraded from Vaegir Veterans, are well armored and equipped to withstand one-on-one field combat. They carry two-handed axes or pikes, making them effective against both infantry and cavalry. Recruiting them en-masse in newly captured castles and towns is a good way to quickly bolster defenses, as they are relatively cheap and easy to train. Like white bread, these pale Russians are a staple in Vaegir legions.
3. Vaegir Guards
The ultimate infantry unit, the Vaegir Guards excel in close combat with their two-handed axes. They lack shields, making them vulnerable to archers, but their mobility and attack power allow them to break through enemy lines. Use them as shock troops in sieges and field battles to maximize their effectiveness. But…don’t be too shocked if they are defeated by superior infantry.
2. Vaegir Marksmen
Considered the best bowmen in the game, these fierce Russians will unleash deadly barrages of arrows in no time. Their high Power Draw and incredibly fast rate of fire make them better in field battles, although they are less effective than Rhodok Sharpshooters during lengthy sieges. Their mobility and accuracy are key in open terrain.
1. Vaegir Knights
Vaegir Knights are elite heavy cavalry equipped with powerful bardiches and extremely maneuverable horses. They excel when first charging, breaking through enemy lines, and wreaking havoc. Their lack of shields can be a disadvantage, but their offensive prowess makes them a formidable force on the battlefield against even elite units.
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