First off: This video singlehandedly convinced me to head south to the Aserai territory and bolster my ranks with a few infantry, so hats off! Whether I'll be able to use them as effectively as you, however, is highly questionable. Now on a side-note: Technically, Legionaries can also throw the pilum they're equipped with, as it is a single-ammo javelin class, but they never actually treat it as such and instead just keep it to use against cavalry or to poke from the second layer of shield wall/circle formations. Originally, that was actually how the Roman Legions operated: Using a single devastating javelin toss at close range before charging into enemy infantry in a solid phalanx formation. Instead of using Alexander's hoplite maneuvers, they blocked out the enemy completely with their tower shields, used the momentum of the entire unit to topple away enemy soldiers and then stabbed the downed enemies using their short, but fast gladii. This combo - A quick, close-range javelin toss to disrupt enemy engage followed by a forceful juggernaut march of hundreds of tower-shielded infantry in air-tight formations - ruled infantry battles during that era.
Yeah, great enrichment there, and maybe they SHOULD be able to throw the single pilum, but they are already soo good at melee, I think it's balanced without...
To be fair, if you run F1+F3 and zero tactics whatsoever, the Legionary is the best Infantry unit in the game. Even in this trial, you're running your line at double the length of the enemy's line. That's a great tactic. Any infantry unit would destroy any AI-controlled infantry unit with this tactic. Strat Gaming ran a similar trial and pound-for-pound, the Imperial Legionary was by far the most destructive unit in the game. Love these videos and I learned the double line length strategy now and will use this in my playthrus but I think your tactics are just undeniably superior to most people and the actual unit you are using is kind of irrelevant. The Battanian Wildling is statistically atrocious yet you thrive with them and they are your favorite unit. That's a testament to how you use them, not their actual effectiveness by their own, organic merit
The legionary were only the best infantry fighting purely tier 5 vs tier 5 unit with the same unit count. Against a mesh of units, some lower tier, the sturgian infantry units performed better
I DO agree that the Legionary, in the hands of the AI is better and they ARE great infantry, but for all-around value, I think the Aserai infantry is better. I also obviously agree that good tactics ALWAYS beats the mediocre AI, especially if you know your strengths(and weaknesses). Cheers!
That is true too. This is obviously always going to be a debate, because each unit has it strength and weakness, but I'm just trying to open some eyes(and minds here), and seems like it's working - or people are furious with me LOL
@@HeadlessHorsemanProductions probably both lol. There was a time when the legionary pilum was thrown. I think we can understand with the aseri, why they took that away.
I’m currently on an Aserai only RBM campaign and I have really been loving every one the troop lines. With a good captain you can get something like 60 additional throwing skill on these guys and they get crazy!
Awesome video as always! I have learnt so much since I found your vids and it has made the game more enjoyable for me! I tried reversing the test with Sturgian Heavy Axemen defending against Aserai Veteran Infantrymen. Controlled by human (longer line, hold fire and charge when close) and the Sturgians win just with that tactical advantage, but they take like 50% or more casualties - so that supports your finding that the Aserai are better. Watching closely I noticed the Sturgian axemen break the Aserai shields in combat(cool but kinda too late once they are in melee?) but sturgians tend to lose 1v1 vs the Veteran Inftantryman. (just thought I'd add this in case anyone was interested in what happens when you reverse the human player).
Yeah it's not ALWAYS cut and dried. The Legionary do often win in a 200 vs. 200 but I think overall, the Aserai Infantry are GREAT and underrated units.
@@HeadlessHorsemanProductions I'm doing a Sturgia Roleplay kinda run at the moment and it is fairly core to my faction's belief system that Heavy Axeman are the ultimate warriors. So this video was NOT helpful for that :P Our whole paradigm is all fucked up now! Maybe Sturgian Heavy Axemen are the best "Tanking" infantry? (so therefore still technically the best?) :P
@@MercytheMad I've never had a HUGE opinion on them BESIDES defensive/squares. Maybe I'm wrong or haven't explored it enough :D Let's just say they are gods of war for your campaigns sake lol
The Aserai do have some solid infantry, their Mameluke (Palace) Guard troops make pretty decent shock troops as well. Very easy to underestimate them in the campaign: While you're busy dealing with Battania/Empire/Khuzait/Sturgia/Vlandia, they're sitting in the South, making tons of money.
Yep, and in some ways, their land is the easiest to defend. Bolster the heck out of one side with garrisons, maul the other direction with your main forces...
That last bit with the horse archers vs the infantry is what i imagined happened to crassus in parthia. Infantry has no chance against ranged calvary on their own
Great video Tactical. I think you are opening up tactics to us casuals by showing that you don't have to micro, just use Advance command and get the benefits of Javs. Question pls. This has inspired me to do a Jav only campaign with Aserai Vets and Faris only. 70/30 split in favour of infantry. Problem is, can I take on horse archers (khuzaits) using the army composition?
You can, wide Ring Defense(Inner Circle of Hell if you search the channel), but I'd still recommend 20-30% archers unless you ONLY want the challenge. Incidentally this is what I am trying right now in a side series...
I’m using them more in my campaign. One thing I don’t like is that there is no way to separate them and wildlings. So if you want wildlings as your skirmishers and aserai as your shielded defense infantry, you can’t. Same with legionaries because they have the pilum the game recognizes them as thrown weapons. But you can with spearman.
If you're on pc i suggest the mod TroopFormations (cant exactly remember the name atm) it lets you set which troops go to which formation while looking at the party screen, making seperating them much easier. its been a life saver for me!
Thanks for this feedback - I still seek a nice balance and sometimes LOUD parts of music are just like the theatre when there is loud moments and then later you can't hear dialogue.
What if you use a loose formation for jav units? Like what you would use for your archers? When the enemy gets too close, line formation, hold fire and charge?
Not a huge fan if you have a lot of troops because the ends are sooo far from the enemy and can't really use their javelins well. In smaller formations, 50-80 men, for sure loose works, at least to skirmish.
@@HeadlessHorsemanProductions So I tried the loose formation. I used Batt Wildlings. The best tactic used was 3 formations, two in square and one loose counting for 25% of the force. Pushing the squares away so the enemy could get around while the throwers pelted them in the back. I even had some fun with a combo of Sturgian spears and axe throwers with the same victory
@@Warmachine643 Yep, a pretty consistently savage way to destroy the enemy. Be really interested to see how a human would react to dual-squares. if they run past them and attack, the squares unfold and attack their rear..
@HeadlessHorsemanProductions i might have to try, but I'll stick to the story until I get familiar with more units and play through. I do have one question that you may or may not know. What's the best strategy for horse archers? I make them follow me so they dont die quickly. It's worked, but I'm significantly faster, and they trail behind, making them vulnerable? Any tricks or tips?
I'll be exploring RBM a little more, tactically and philosophically in the future. Right now you can search RBM from the channel page, there are 5-6 videos probably...
That is not the narrative I hear the most often. Usually people trumpet that the legionary is the best but I'm glad to see that other people appreciate how badass these infantry are...
@@HeadlessHorsemanProductions I think the consensus on legionaries is that it’s the best infantry IN THE HANDS OF THE AI. Anyone with a bit of tactical knowledge can pave them, especially with aserai.
@@HeadlessHorsemanProductions The legionary are the best infantry against high level troops. If all you fight are tier 5 and 6, legionary will always win over the rest. Since the truth is different, Aserai are the best performers against mixed tier troops.
I think the surprising thing here is that TW didnt do a terrible job with the balancing. lol. What I mean is that the units in the game arent in a state where some are just the best and thats the end of the conversation. Many have great strengths and weaknesses that let the player learn how to use them properly which gives us more variance to our battles. But none of that is to say some units aren't terrible lol. Looking at you vanilla spearmen.
Yeah, ain't that the truth. And they DID do a great balancing job considering SOO many units and Kingdoms, it's a dizzying number of things to consider...
I think the developers gave the Aserai the best infantry because both their noble line and horse archers are kinda paper and their most common enemies are Vlandia, Khuzaits and Empire all of which just wipe the Aserai cavalry in AI hands leaving the player frustrated. Now the question is why they didn't do the same for Sturgia.
For AI battles the unit type doesnt seem to matter much. I cant really find any difference between the AI fighting with owthsworns vs legionary, even tho one is clearly better than the other. I think who wins is mostly based on who can get more troops on the field
![ประสบการณ์ จ้าง Developer ที่ผมจะไม่มีวันลืม [ภาค2]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pZbsSDRrmXA/mqdefault.jpg)
Man so excited to see someone still covering this game. Couldn't find hardly anything after the latest patch. Gonna have to binge some vids now
Right on mate, it's a fun, if flawed game. Welcome to the channel.
First off: This video singlehandedly convinced me to head south to the Aserai territory and bolster my ranks with a few infantry, so hats off! Whether I'll be able to use them as effectively as you, however, is highly questionable.
Now on a side-note:
Technically, Legionaries can also throw the pilum they're equipped with, as it is a single-ammo javelin class, but they never actually treat it as such and instead just keep it to use against cavalry or to poke from the second layer of shield wall/circle formations. Originally, that was actually how the Roman Legions operated: Using a single devastating javelin toss at close range before charging into enemy infantry in a solid phalanx formation. Instead of using Alexander's hoplite maneuvers, they blocked out the enemy completely with their tower shields, used the momentum of the entire unit to topple away enemy soldiers and then stabbed the downed enemies using their short, but fast gladii. This combo - A quick, close-range javelin toss to disrupt enemy engage followed by a forceful juggernaut march of hundreds of tower-shielded infantry in air-tight formations - ruled infantry battles during that era.
Yeah, great enrichment there, and maybe they SHOULD be able to throw the single pilum, but they are already soo good at melee, I think it's balanced without...
22:02 “All I’ve got is profanity and a little historical background”
That makes you just as prepared as the average military general I say
Haha, touché!
That aged like fine wine
To be fair, if you run F1+F3 and zero tactics whatsoever, the Legionary is the best Infantry unit in the game. Even in this trial, you're running your line at double the length of the enemy's line. That's a great tactic. Any infantry unit would destroy any AI-controlled infantry unit with this tactic.
Strat Gaming ran a similar trial and pound-for-pound, the Imperial Legionary was by far the most destructive unit in the game. Love these videos and I learned the double line length strategy now and will use this in my playthrus but I think your tactics are just undeniably superior to most people and the actual unit you are using is kind of irrelevant. The Battanian Wildling is statistically atrocious yet you thrive with them and they are your favorite unit. That's a testament to how you use them, not their actual effectiveness by their own, organic merit
Well said
The legionary were only the best infantry fighting purely tier 5 vs tier 5 unit with the same unit count. Against a mesh of units, some lower tier, the sturgian infantry units performed better
I DO agree that the Legionary, in the hands of the AI is better and they ARE great infantry, but for all-around value, I think the Aserai infantry is better.
I also obviously agree that good tactics ALWAYS beats the mediocre AI, especially if you know your strengths(and weaknesses). Cheers!
That is true too. This is obviously always going to be a debate, because each unit has it strength and weakness, but I'm just trying to open some eyes(and minds here), and seems like it's working - or people are furious with me LOL
@@HeadlessHorsemanProductions probably both lol.
There was a time when the legionary pilum was thrown.
I think we can understand with the aseri, why they took that away.
always nice to find a good bannerlord channel
I am so glad that i find a channel like this, you have no idea how entertaining your videos is, keep going please👑🐐
You got it friend - thanks for the mighty high compliment!
I’m currently on an Aserai only RBM campaign and I have really been loving every one the troop lines. With a good captain you can get something like 60 additional throwing skill on these guys and they get crazy!
Yeah, you know me, I LOVE ME some throwing units...
Another nice thing about those Aserai Vets is their long 1h weapons. Really pairs nicely with the 160 skill.
Awesome video as always! I have learnt so much since I found your vids and it has made the game more enjoyable for me!
I tried reversing the test with Sturgian Heavy Axemen defending against Aserai Veteran Infantrymen. Controlled by human (longer line, hold fire and charge when close) and the Sturgians win just with that tactical advantage, but they take like 50% or more casualties - so that supports your finding that the Aserai are better. Watching closely I noticed the Sturgian axemen break the Aserai shields in combat(cool but kinda too late once they are in melee?) but sturgians tend to lose 1v1 vs the Veteran Inftantryman.
(just thought I'd add this in case anyone was interested in what happens when you reverse the human player).
Oh, the dark elf mainer. How are you good sir?
@@AzoiatheCobra Very well cheers :)
Yeah it's not ALWAYS cut and dried. The Legionary do often win in a 200 vs. 200 but I think overall, the Aserai Infantry are GREAT and underrated units.
@@HeadlessHorsemanProductions I'm doing a Sturgia Roleplay kinda run at the moment and it is fairly core to my faction's belief system that Heavy Axeman are the ultimate warriors. So this video was NOT helpful for that :P Our whole paradigm is all fucked up now! Maybe Sturgian Heavy Axemen are the best "Tanking" infantry? (so therefore still technically the best?) :P
@@MercytheMad I've never had a HUGE opinion on them BESIDES defensive/squares. Maybe I'm wrong or haven't explored it enough :D
Let's just say they are gods of war for your campaigns sake lol
The Aserai do have some solid infantry, their Mameluke (Palace) Guard troops make pretty decent shock troops as well.
Very easy to underestimate them in the campaign: While you're busy dealing with Battania/Empire/Khuzait/Sturgia/Vlandia, they're sitting in the South, making tons of money.
Yep, and in some ways, their land is the easiest to defend. Bolster the heck out of one side with garrisons, maul the other direction with your main forces...
Ken Watanabe*. Love the video!
Nailed it - thanks!
That last bit with the horse archers vs the infantry is what i imagined happened to crassus in parthia. Infantry has no chance against ranged calvary on their own
Yeah, just NO chance. None.
Great video Tactical. I think you are opening up tactics to us casuals by showing that you don't have to micro, just use Advance command and get the benefits of Javs.
Question pls. This has inspired me to do a Jav only campaign with Aserai Vets and Faris only. 70/30 split in favour of infantry. Problem is, can I take on horse archers (khuzaits) using the army composition?
You can, wide Ring Defense(Inner Circle of Hell if you search the channel), but I'd still recommend 20-30% archers unless you ONLY want the challenge. Incidentally this is what I am trying right now in a side series...
I’m using them more in my campaign. One thing I don’t like is that there is no way to separate them and wildlings. So if you want wildlings as your skirmishers and aserai as your shielded defense infantry, you can’t. Same with legionaries because they have the pilum the game recognizes them as thrown weapons. But you can with spearman.
If you're on pc i suggest the mod TroopFormations (cant exactly remember the name atm) it lets you set which troops go to which formation while looking at the party screen, making seperating them much easier. its been a life saver for me!
Yep, NOT a perfect system.
I'd love to see you do tactics and strategy videos in Total War games.
Someday down the road I may re-explore this. I used to play but haven't in 15-20 years. Thanks for the encouragement!
Love this unit. Alot.
Video wise there were parts where the music was a bit to lpud when comparing with your voice
Thanks for this feedback - I still seek a nice balance and sometimes LOUD parts of music are just like the theatre when there is loud moments and then later you can't hear dialogue.
@3:54 there is an order to "hold fire"
Yep, I bring that point up. Vital for success...
What if you use a loose formation for jav units? Like what you would use for your archers? When the enemy gets too close, line formation, hold fire and charge?
Not a huge fan if you have a lot of troops because the ends are sooo far from the enemy and can't really use their javelins well. In smaller formations, 50-80 men, for sure loose works, at least to skirmish.
@@HeadlessHorsemanProductions So I tried the loose formation. I used Batt Wildlings. The best tactic used was 3 formations, two in square and one loose counting for 25% of the force. Pushing the squares away so the enemy could get around while the throwers pelted them in the back. I even had some fun with a combo of Sturgian spears and axe throwers with the same victory
@@Warmachine643 Yep, a pretty consistently savage way to destroy the enemy. Be really interested to see how a human would react to dual-squares. if they run past them and attack, the squares unfold and attack their rear..
I've gotten lucky that enemy armies don't have max level troops, so i can route the enemy pretty quickly with my advanced army, even outnumber
That is sometimes off in the case with vanilla. If you find it too easy you can always add some mods to make it harder
@HeadlessHorsemanProductions i might have to try, but I'll stick to the story until I get familiar with more units and play through. I do have one question that you may or may not know. What's the best strategy for horse archers? I make them follow me so they dont die quickly. It's worked, but I'm significantly faster, and they trail behind, making them vulnerable? Any tricks or tips?
@HeadlessHorsemanProductions or how do I designate a certain unit to fight a certain unit instead of a free for all? Are there any videos I can watch?
2:40 migth still take 20 min😂😂
Hi! What the key that you use to increase the speed off game? Tanks.
RTS Mod
Since you like wildlings, what about battanian mounted skirmishers, great mobility because they are cav + a lot of javs?
Love 'em. Only slighty weaker than the Vanguard Faris.
hey, do you have a video on tactical possibilities in the ravine maps?
Which map do you mean? Can you give a specific area, like near Epicrotea/Rhesos castle?
Does infantry get unlimited javs in siege defense
Do you have an RBM playlist? Love the vids but not as applicable with RBM
I'll be exploring RBM a little more, tactically and philosophically in the future. Right now you can search RBM from the channel page, there are 5-6 videos probably...
The general consensus is that the wildling is the best skirmisher in the game and the aserai veteran infantry is the best shield infantry overall.
That is not the narrative I hear the most often. Usually people trumpet that the legionary is the best but I'm glad to see that other people appreciate how badass these infantry are...
@@HeadlessHorsemanProductions I think the consensus on legionaries is that it’s the best infantry IN THE HANDS OF THE AI. Anyone with a bit of tactical knowledge can pave them, especially with aserai.
Non of the above can hold their mead.. buncha milk drinkers!
@@e-ay5585 And I'd say GREAT for squares, along with the Sturgian Veteran Spearman.
@@HeadlessHorsemanProductions The legionary are the best infantry against high level troops. If all you fight are tier 5 and 6, legionary will always win over the rest. Since the truth is different, Aserai are the best performers against mixed tier troops.
I think the surprising thing here is that TW didnt do a terrible job with the balancing. lol. What I mean is that the units in the game arent in a state where some are just the best and thats the end of the conversation. Many have great strengths and weaknesses that let the player learn how to use them properly which gives us more variance to our battles. But none of that is to say some units aren't terrible lol. Looking at you vanilla spearmen.
Yeah, ain't that the truth. And they DID do a great balancing job considering SOO many units and Kingdoms, it's a dizzying number of things to consider...
I think the developers gave the Aserai the best infantry because both their noble line and horse archers are kinda paper and their most common enemies are Vlandia, Khuzaits and Empire all of which just wipe the Aserai cavalry in AI hands leaving the player frustrated. Now the question is why they didn't do the same for Sturgia.
Because Sturgia have one thing that dont have Aserai. They are so coooooool (and their noble line is a beast)
Maybe so. I LOVE their Faris but admittedly they get crushed in melee vs. other noble lints.
@@Metacron Their noble line is kinda meh and cavalry gets a combat debuff in snow. You know... their home terrain...
@@csfelfoldi But the sturgian shield wall is art and noble line are really good horsemen and wonderfull when theyre dismounted
For AI battles the unit type doesnt seem to matter much. I cant really find any difference between the AI fighting with owthsworns vs legionary, even tho one is clearly better than the other. I think who wins is mostly based on who can get more troops on the field
Looks so much easier on pc
Don't attack my simple aserai troop caravan! Oh no!
lmao
You should play the Realm of Thrones mod (if you like Game of Thrones)
That's NEXT on the playthrough list. The MOST requests for sure...
ez sub
Welcome aboard!
Fian champ and khans guard bad?
Tony g reference 😂😂
No, those are the best two troops in Vanilla Bannerlord, Aserai Faris coming in third, at least IMO.
Haha, not many guys will get that one.
Still always love my Banner Knights above all.
A lot of profanity and a little historical background is enough plus good tactics
Cheers, thanks!