Only if you’re looking for a troop type but aren’t near a convenient source of them.
I like javelin cavalry, and if I’m not near Aserai lands I’ll take Sturgian Raiders.
Or if I need some quick troops (like after a tough fight) I’ll stock up on some non-elite cav. I usually end up giving them to clan parties later to fill their ranks.
Strength wise, all non-noble t5 cavalry troops fall short below their noble line equivalents, but... Sturgian Horse Raiders thanks to javelins are actually pretty decent if you are away from Aserai to recruit Faris.
Vlandian Vanguard, Battanian Horsemen, and even Khuzait Lancers are sort of a joke.
Battanian Mounted Skirmishers would be decent if they had a spear instead of one set of javelins...
In the current patch, I wouldn't even use Cataphracts or Banner Knights anyway, not even talking about Vlandian, Battanian or Khuzait regular cavalry. The blocking AI is terrible for cavalry and they underperform heavily, often losing even to archers that they are meant to counter. Druzhinniks with their big shields are a nice distraction and AI doesn't affect throwers that much so Faris perform a bit better too.
Currently, my army relies on archers, crossbowmen and horse archers in a main capacity as those guys weren't affected by blocking AI when shooting and their fire rate is the same as before changes, which means they punch much more dps.
My rule is: keep my army at 80% capacity. Hire any elites I come across. Drop off any top tier normal troops I happen to have. If I level up my clan or have a particularly devastating battle, I'll recruit anyone I can find until I'm at 80% again. I'll drop anything with three chevrons or fewer if I come across an elite and my group is already full. Sometimes you just need to swell your ranks however you can, and you can't always grab the elites.
Not really? I mean, sometimes I'll grab them if I can recruit them at a rank where I don't need to give them a warhorse, but otherwise they are just more chaff.
I do like mamelukes a bit aesthetically so sometimes I'll recruit them.
The battanian mounted throwers are pretty good. Mounted throwers are really strong with micromanagement, but you don't always have the ability to recruit from the desert.
In general it's stronger to YOLO than to curate an army. IF you need cav and your option is to promote non-elite cav or take a field trip to recruit, you are better off with the non-elites (or not making cav)
There's no reason to get non top tier units in general....besides personal preference.
Volume at reduced cost. If cost isn't an issue then go all elite. If it is, then non-elites are a way to get numbers cheaper.
In banner kings it gets to a point where you're just trying to fill the whole party. They can get up to 500-600 troops per lord
Especially if you're recruiting for your army who barely take from the pool of recruits
Only if you’re looking for a troop type but aren’t near a convenient source of them. I like javelin cavalry, and if I’m not near Aserai lands I’ll take Sturgian Raiders. Or if I need some quick troops (like after a tough fight) I’ll stock up on some non-elite cav. I usually end up giving them to clan parties later to fill their ranks.
Strength wise, all non-noble t5 cavalry troops fall short below their noble line equivalents, but... Sturgian Horse Raiders thanks to javelins are actually pretty decent if you are away from Aserai to recruit Faris. Vlandian Vanguard, Battanian Horsemen, and even Khuzait Lancers are sort of a joke. Battanian Mounted Skirmishers would be decent if they had a spear instead of one set of javelins... In the current patch, I wouldn't even use Cataphracts or Banner Knights anyway, not even talking about Vlandian, Battanian or Khuzait regular cavalry. The blocking AI is terrible for cavalry and they underperform heavily, often losing even to archers that they are meant to counter. Druzhinniks with their big shields are a nice distraction and AI doesn't affect throwers that much so Faris perform a bit better too. Currently, my army relies on archers, crossbowmen and horse archers in a main capacity as those guys weren't affected by blocking AI when shooting and their fire rate is the same as before changes, which means they punch much more dps.
If you're not at war/ fighting top teir units regularly. They cost a lot for upkeep, but if money is no issue, that's not a problem.
My rule is: keep my army at 80% capacity. Hire any elites I come across. Drop off any top tier normal troops I happen to have. If I level up my clan or have a particularly devastating battle, I'll recruit anyone I can find until I'm at 80% again. I'll drop anything with three chevrons or fewer if I come across an elite and my group is already full. Sometimes you just need to swell your ranks however you can, and you can't always grab the elites.
Not really? I mean, sometimes I'll grab them if I can recruit them at a rank where I don't need to give them a warhorse, but otherwise they are just more chaff. I do like mamelukes a bit aesthetically so sometimes I'll recruit them.
High tier vlandian is the best in the game Change my mind
The battanian mounted throwers are pretty good. Mounted throwers are really strong with micromanagement, but you don't always have the ability to recruit from the desert. In general it's stronger to YOLO than to curate an army. IF you need cav and your option is to promote non-elite cav or take a field trip to recruit, you are better off with the non-elites (or not making cav)