: Frequently cited as one of the most "broken" units in the game. These heavy cavalry are nearly immune to missiles and can charge frontally into spears with minimal casualties.

These units are widely considered the most effective for campaign and competitive play:

These factions begin the game on the eastern steppes as migrating "hordes." Their power lies in their superb cavalry, especially horse archers. They rely on speed, mobility, and attritional warfare to grind down their enemies.

: Used by elite spear and sword units, this tight formation provides a massive defense bonus, making units nearly impenetrable from the front as long as they stay organized.

Lightly armored units can now swim across rivers. This makes bridge battles less of a choke-point bottleneck.

, focusing on the major shift from the base game's professional Roman legions to a world of barbarian hordes, religious zealots, and evolving Roman field armies. Roman Empire Units (Eastern & Western)

Whether you choose to restore the glory of Rome with disciplined shield walls or burn it to the ground with nomadic horse archers, mastering the distinct traits of these units is the key to conquering the ancient world.

: Feature unique units like Gallowglasses and Hounds of Culann , though they often lack defensive shields. Specialist and Mercenary Units

Whether you prefer or cavalry-heavy playstyles?

The Eastern Roman Empire (ERE) is in a much stronger position. With a more compact territory, a stronger economy centered on Constantinople, and a powerful field army, the ERE provides a more forgiving but still challenging start.