Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord v1.4.5: Ultimate Unit Tier List

Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord does not have a "season system" like typical online games. Game balance and content are updated through patches delivered periodically. As of May 2026, the latest major patch is "v1.4.5". This article is based on information from this version.

To all lords vying for the throne of Calradia. Who are the strongest soldiers that can ensure your army's victory across countless battlefields? This question is an eternal theme for all players. This article thoroughly analyzes the elite units of all factions in the latest patch v1.4.5 environment and introduces the units that reign supreme in a ranking format. From the legendary archers "Fian Champions" to the battlefield-dominating "Khan's Guard," we uncover the secrets of their strength and efficient training methods to support your unification of Calradia.

Latest v1.4.5 Environment and Overall Tier Assessment

The discussion regarding the strongest unit types in current Bannerlord has long been dominated by the two titans: "Battanian Fian Champions" and "Khuzait Khan's Guard." These two unit types boast overwhelming performance that no others can match, and it's no exaggeration to say that the strategy of your army changes significantly depending on which you choose as your main force. Furthermore, a crucial point in the latest patch v1.4.5 is the removal of the cavalry bonus in auto-resolve battles. This has relatively adjusted cavalry-centric factions like Vlandia and Khuzait, which previously boasted overwhelming strength in auto-resolve, and has increased the importance of battles under the player's direct command. In this article, considering these environmental changes, we will evaluate each elite unit type in three tiers: SS, S, and A.

Tier List Quick Reference

• SS Tier (Environment Defining): Battanian Fian Champions, Khuzait Khan's Guard
• S Tier (Decisive Battle Force): Vlandian Banner Knights, Imperial Elite Cataphracts
• A Tier (Army Core): Imperial Legionaries, Sturgian Heroic Line Breakers, Battanian Oathsworn

Elite Unit Performance List

We've compiled a list of the performance of representative elite unit types renowned across the continent of Calradia. Those at the pinnacle of their training trees all possess the power to turn the tide of battle.

SS Tier: The Two Titans Defining the Game Environment

Units belonging to this tier possess the power to dominate battles on their own. Forming an army centered around them can be considered the shortest route to unifying Calradia.

Battanian Fian Champions (The Strongest Walking Artillery)

"Fian Champions" are, in effect, "walking artillery" with the highest bow skill (260) among all unit types and powerful, specialized longbows. Their overwhelming range and accuracy boast enough firepower to decimate enemy troops before they even reach you. Furthermore, as noble units, they have excellent armor and are equipped with high two-handed weapon skill (220) and a powerful two-handed sword. With two quivers, they have high sustained combat capability, and even in melee combat after their arrows run out, they overwhelm ordinary infantry.

• Strengths: Overwhelming long-range firing capability, high sustained combat capability, and melee combat prowess due to heavy armor and high two-handed sword skill.
• Weaknesses: High training cost and time due to being noble units, crucial positioning against cavalry charges.
• Optimal Battlefields: Sieges (both defense and offense), open field battles in undulating terrain like forests and hills. They exhibit unparalleled strength in areas where cavalry mobility is restricted.

Training Guide and Comparison with Other Units

1. Recruit "Battanian Volunteer" units from the "Noble's Son" tree in Battanian culture villages. They are noble units, separate from regular troops.
2. You need to maintain good relations with notables and patiently gather these rare noble units.
3. The training tree is: Battanian Volunteer → Battanian Woodrunner → Battanian Fian → Battanian Fian Champions.

The primary comparison is, of course, the Khan's Guard. Fians excel in pure bow firepower, range, and defensive combat. Especially in siege defenses or holding actions where you ambush enemies in specific locations, no unit surpasses them.

Khuzait Khan's Guard (Battlefield-Dominating Mobility)

"Khan's Guard" are the perfected form of horse archers, possessing both high bow skill (260) and riding skill (260). Their "kiting" tactic, where they circle enemies with overwhelming horse mobility, showering them with arrows from outside the range of infantry and archers, is incredibly powerful. They are equipped with powerful glaives as melee weapons, and their reach and power are tremendously effective not only against infantry but also against cavalry. Their versatility is outstanding; they can freely outmaneuver enemy troops in open field battles and can be dismounted to operate as excellent archers in sieges.

• Strengths: Overwhelming mobility and one-sided attack capability through horse archery, high melee and anti-cavalry ability with powerful glaives, and versatility to handle both open field and siege battles.
• Weaknesses: Cannot utilize mobility in terrain with many obstacles, may have inferior pure bow damage efficiency compared to Fian Champions.
• Optimal Battlefields: Large-scale open field battles on plains. They truly shine in tactics that involve encircling and dividing the enemy, then attacking from the flanks or rear.

Training Guide and Comparison with Other Units

1. Recruit "Khuzait Noble's Son" units from the "Noble's Son" tree in Khuzait culture villages.
2. As these are also noble units, good relations with notables are important.
3. The training tree is a long one: Khuzait Noble's Son → Khuzait Tribesman → Khuzait Torguud → Khuzait Keshig → Khuzait Khan's Guard.

Compared to Fian Champions, their greatest advantage is mobility. Depending on the player's command, they can avoid the enemy's main force, wear them down from the flanks, and control the battle to their advantage. In pitched battles on plains, the Khan's Guard will often emerge victorious.

S Tier: Decisive Battle Forces That Turn the Tide

While not quite reaching SS Tier, these units possess destructive power capable of surpassing them under specific circumstances. They are expected to serve as your party (use 'warband' or 'party' contextually)'s trump card.

Vlandian Banner Knights (The Strongest Shock Cavalry)

"Banner Knights" are heavy cavalry specialized in lance charges, delivering the highest charge damage in the game. Their power to shatter enemy infantry's shield walls head-on is simply staggering. Once a charge succeeds, they carve a huge breach in enemy lines, paving the way for supporting infantry to pour through. In decisive battles on plains, their charge can be the decisive blow.

• Strengths: Highest lance charge power among all unit types, thick armor.
• Weaknesses: Lances are difficult to use in close combat after a charge, and they become easy targets once stopped. Very high training cost.
• Optimal Battlefields: Pitched battles on plains. Head-on breakthrough of enemy infantry lines.

Training Guide and Comparison with Other Units

1. Recruit "Vlandian Page" units from the "Noble's Son" tree in Vlandian culture villages.
2. The training tree is: Vlandian Page → Vlandian Squire → Vlandian Knight → Vlandian Banner Knight.

They are often compared to Imperial Elite Cataphracts. While Banner Knights have superior pure charge destructive power, Cataphracts have an edge in post-charge survivability and adaptability in chaotic combat. If you have the command ability to execute hit-and-run tactics thoroughly, Banner Knights are better; if close combat is expected, Cataphracts are a good choice.

Imperial Elite Cataphracts (The Most Robust Heavy Cavalry)

"Cataphracts" are one of the most robustly armored unit types in the game, and their survivability is unparalleled. In addition to a lance for charging, they are equipped with a strong one-handed sword and shield for close combat, giving them very high sustained combat capability after breaking into enemy lines. They advance undeterred by enemy arrows, stubbornly fighting on after piercing the front line. They are highly reliable units, capable of consistent performance in any situation.

• Strengths: Highest defense and survivability, balanced armament strong in close combat after a charge.
• Weaknesses: Pure charge damage is inferior to Banner Knights, mobility is slightly lower compared to other cavalry.
• Optimal Battlefields: Large-scale battles where attrition is expected, battlefields with many enemy archers.

Training Guide and Comparison with Other Units

1. Recruit "Imperial Vigla Recruit" units from the "Noble's Son" tree in Imperial culture villages.
2. The training tree is: Imperial Vigla Recruit → Imperial Equite → Imperial Heavy Cavalry → Imperial Elite Cataphract.

If Banner Knights are the "spear," then Cataphracts are the "moving wall." They excel more in pushing and holding the line than in breakthrough power to smash enemy formations. For a lord aiming for stable party (use 'warband' or 'party' contextually) management, they will be the best partners.

A Tier: Excellent Units Forming the Core of Your party (use 'warband' or 'party' contextually)

While not as flashy as SS or S Tier units, your party (use 'warband' or 'party' contextually) cannot function without them. These are cost-effective units that form the backbone of your army.

Imperial Legionaries

"Imperial Legionaries" are walking fortresses, clad in the best shields and heavy armor. If you form a shield wall with them, they firmly absorb enemy arrows and charges, creating an impregnable front line. Their offensive power is not remarkable, but their overwhelming defensive power buys time for friendly archers and cavalry to shine, forming the foundation of your tactics. They are an essential "anchor" for any army.

Sturgian Heroic Line Breakers

These soldiers wielding two-handed axes are shock infantry specialized in destroying shield walls. While lightly armored defensively, once they reach enemy lines, their blows shatter enemies along with their shields. By deploying them through gaps created by Imperial Legionaries or having them flank from the sides, they can break down enemy formations from within. Their deployment requires clever tactics, but the returns are significant for this unit type.

Summary

In the Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord v1.4.5 environment, the struggle for supremacy between "Battanian Fian Champions" and "Khuzait Khan's Guard" continues. If you prioritize ranged combat and defensive battles, Fians will be the optimal choice; if you seek mobile warfare and dominance in open field battles, the Khan's Guard will be your best bet. Meanwhile, heavy cavalry like Vlandian Banner Knights and Imperial Elite Cataphracts remain powerful options for delivering decisive blows on the battlefield. Furthermore, reliable infantry like Imperial Legionaries build a solid foundation for these star units to perform. Ultimately, which unit type you choose depends on your playstyle and desired tactics. Use this article as a reference to build your own strongest party (use 'warband' or 'party' contextually) and aim to conquer Calradia.