Minor Faction Troops

Discover the unique minor faction troops in Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord. Learn about the Beni Zilal, Jawwal, Eleftheroi, and more, and how they fit into your army.

Alright, so you're looking to spice up your army with some of the more… specialized units in Bannerlord? These minor faction troops can be a real game-changer, offering unique strengths that your standard recruits might not. Think of them as the quirky cousins of the main faction armies – not always the most numerous, but definitely memorable and often surprisingly effective. Let's break down who's who and what they bring to the table.

You'll find these troops scattered across the map, often tied to specific regions or cultures. Sometimes you'll recruit them directly, other times you might need to complete certain quests or even have them join you through events. Keep an eye out, because snagging a few of these can really give your war machine an edge.

Beni Zilal

Hailing from the desert regions, the Beni Zilal are all about that cavalry. If you need swift riders who can harass flanks or chase down fleeing enemies, these are your guys. Their lineup goes from a basic recruit all the way up to a Royal Guard, suggesting a solid progression if you can keep them alive and upgrade them.

Cavalry
Beni Zilal Recruit
Beni Zilal Soldier
Beni Zilal Royal Guard

Jawwal

Also desert dwellers, the Jawwal mix it up with both cavalry and infantry. This gives you a bit more flexibility. Their cavalry likely focuses on speed and skirmishing, while their infantry might be more about holding ground. Good for setting up ambushes or defending key points.

Cavalry	Infantry
Jawwal Camel Rider	Jawwal Recruit
Jawwal Bedouin

Eleftheroi

These guys seem to be your go-to for solid cavalry. The progression from Recruit to Expert to Veteran Eleftheroi suggests a dependable core unit that can be trained into a formidable force. Think of them as the reliable backbone of your mounted charges.

Cavalry
Recruit Eleftheroi
Expert Eleftheroi
Veteran Eleftheroi

Karakhergit

Another cavalry-focused group, the Karakhergit have a distinct tribal feel. Their units like the Nomad and Rider point towards a fast, possibly less armored, but mobile cavalry force. The Elder unit implies a more experienced and perhaps tougher warrior.

Cavalry
Karakhuzait Nomad
Karakhuzait Rider
Karakhuzait Elder

Company of the Golden Boar

Shifting gears, the Golden Boar company specializes in ranged combat. If you like raining arrows or bolts on your enemies before they even get close, these are your troops. The Novice, Veteran, and Champion ranks show a clear path to developing skilled marksmen.

Ranged
Boar Novice
Boar Veteran
Boar Champion

Wolfskins

The Wolfskins also bring ranged power, but with a more ferocious name. Young Wolf, Seasoned Wolf, and Chosen Wolf suggest a unit that gets tougher and more deadly as they gain experience. They might be more aggressive skirmishers.

Ranged
Young Wolf
Seasoned Wolf
Chosen Wolf

Lake Rats

These are your gritty, close-quarters infantry. The Lake Rat Recruit, Veteran, and Wrecker names imply a unit that excels in messy, brutal fighting. If you need troops to storm fortifications or hold a narrow pass, these could be your best bet.

Infantry
Lake Rat Recruit
Lake Rat Veteran
Lake Rat Wrecker

Skolderbrotva

Another infantry-focused group, the Skolderbrotva sound like hardened warriors. Skolder Recruit, Warrior Broda, and Veteran Broda indicate a strong, disciplined infantry line that can take a beating and dish it out. They're likely good for holding the front.

Infantry
Skolder Recruit
Skolder Warrior Broda
Skolder Veteran Broda

Forester

These troops are all about ranged superiority. The Forester progression from Recruit to Expert to Veteran means you can develop a highly accurate and deadly corps of archers or crossbowmen. Perfect for setting up defensive positions or providing covering fire.

Ranged
Recruit Forester
Expert Forester
Veteran Forester

Guardians

Similar to the Foresters, the Guardians are another ranged unit type. Their Recruit, Expert, and Veteran tiers suggest a focus on disciplined shooting. They might be more about holding a line with consistent volleys.

Ranged
Guardian Recruit
Expert Guardian
Veteran Guardian

Brotherhood of the Woods

This sounds like a more nature-attuned ranged unit. Sprout, Sapling, and Arboreal suggest a growth from a young, perhaps less effective unit, into a mature, powerful force. They could be specialized archers with unique bonuses.

Ranged
Sprout
Sapling
Arboreal

Embers of the Flame

These infantry units have a fiery theme. Spark, Flame, and Blaze imply a unit that starts small but grows in intensity and power. They might be shock troops, designed to charge in and cause chaos.

Infantry
Spark
Flame
Blaze

Ghilman

The Ghilman offer a unique cavalry option. With Koleman, Ghilman, and Ghulam, this unit progression hints at a specialized cavalry force, possibly with unique armor or combat styles. They could be excellent for shock charges or flanking maneuvers.

Cavalry
Koleman
Ghilman
Ghulam

Legion of the Betrayed

These infantry units have a classical, almost Roman feel. Hastati, Principes, and Triarii are historical Roman troop types, suggesting a disciplined and well-armored infantry line. They're likely excellent for holding formations and pushing forward steadily.

Infantry
Hastati
Principes
Triarii

Hidden Hand

This infantry unit sounds intriguing. Hidden Pawn, Hidden Hand, and Puppeteer suggest a unit that might excel in more subtle tactics, perhaps with bonuses to flanking, morale, or even special abilities. They could be great for disrupting enemy lines.

Infantry
Hidden Pawn
Hidden Hand
Puppeteer

Skene

The Skene are another ranged unit type. Skene, Kern, and Redshank suggest a more tribal or perhaps less formally trained ranged force compared to others. They might be good for skirmishing or providing supporting fire from a distance.

Ranged
Skene
Kern
Redshank

So there you have it – a rundown of some of the more exotic troops you can recruit in Bannerlord. Don't underestimate them; a well-chosen mix of these minor faction units can make your army truly formidable!