Computed · Crusader Kings III 1.20.1.2

Best men-at-arms by terrain

Every Crusader Kings III men-at-arms regiment ranked on each of 15 terrains by strength per gold with its own terrain bonus, the cheapest strength to keep for 10 years, the regiments beaten everywhere by another, and the limited ones apart.

The men-at-arms with the cheapest strength to keep for 10 years in Crusader Kings III 1.20.1.2 are Jomsviking Pirates (17 gold per 1,000 strength over 10 years), Varangian Guards (17 gold per 1,000 strength over 10 years) and Handpicked Faithful (18 gold per 1,000 strength over 10 years); price + upkeep (raised a quarter of the time) per 1,000 strength; the page also ranks every regiment on each terrain with its own terrain bonus. Patch 1.20.1.2, from game/common/men_at_arms_types.

Best men-at-arms on each terrain

The five strongest per gold on each of 15 terrains, with each regiment's own terrain bonus added. The 14 regiments limited in number (House Guard, Retinue Archers …) are listed apart below.

Taiga

Strength per gold there (unlimited regiments)

1Varangian GuardsHeavy Infantry106.9
2Handpicked FaithfulHeavy Infantry97.8
3MetsänvartijaArchers, +23.1 from terrain95.9
4Jomsviking PiratesSkirmishers95.2
5Maturkan WarriorsArchers, +31.2 from terrain84.8

Forest

Strength per gold there (unlimited regiments)

1Handpicked FaithfulHeavy Infantry, +14.8 from terrain112.6
2Varangian GuardsHeavy Infantry106.9
3Bush HuntersArchers, +21.8 from terrain98.2
4PaiksArchers, +24.8 from terrain97.5
5MetsänvartijaArchers, +23.1 from terrain95.9

Mountains

Strength per gold there (unlimited regiments)

1AkritaiSkirmishers, +49.4 from terrain108.6
2Varangian GuardsHeavy Infantry106.9
3Horn WarriorsSkirmishers, +44.4 from terrain106.7
4Handpicked FaithfulHeavy Infantry97.8
5Jomsviking PiratesSkirmishers95.2

Desert Mountains

Strength per gold there (unlimited regiments)

1Varangian GuardsHeavy Infantry106.9
2Horn WarriorsSkirmishers, +44.4 from terrain106.7
3Handpicked FaithfulHeavy Infantry97.8
4Jomsviking PiratesSkirmishers95.2
5AkritaiSkirmishers, +29.6 from terrain88.9

Hills

Strength per gold there (unlimited regiments)

1Varangian GuardsHeavy Infantry, +13.9 from terrain120.8
2Handpicked FaithfulHeavy Infantry, +14.8 from terrain112.6
3PaiksArchers, +33.1 from terrain105.8
4Bush HuntersArchers, +21.8 from terrain98.2
5Jomsviking PiratesSkirmishers95.2

Plains

Strength per gold there (unlimited regiments)

1Varangian GuardsHeavy Infantry, +13.9 from terrain120.8
2Handpicked FaithfulHeavy Infantry97.8
3Jomsviking PiratesSkirmishers95.2
4Burenjia InfantryHeavy Infantry, +14.7 from terrain94.7
5HandgunnersHandgunner84.2

Drylands

Strength per gold there (unlimited regiments)

1Varangian GuardsHeavy Infantry106.9
2Nile ArchersArchers, +33.1 from terrain105.8
3Handpicked FaithfulHeavy Infantry97.8
4Jomsviking PiratesSkirmishers95.2
5HandgunnersHandgunner84.2

Jungle

Strength per gold there (unlimited regiments)

1PaiksArchers, +49.6 from terrain122.3
2Handpicked FaithfulHeavy Infantry, +14.8 from terrain112.6
3Varangian GuardsHeavy Infantry106.9
4Pesilat WarriorsSkirmishers, +14.8 from terrain98.8
5Bush HuntersArchers, +21.8 from terrain98.2

Wetlands

Strength per gold there (unlimited regiments)

1Varangian GuardsHeavy Infantry106.9
2Handpicked FaithfulHeavy Infantry97.8
3Jomsviking PiratesSkirmishers95.2
4Pesilat WarriorsSkirmishers, +9.9 from terrain93.8
5Burenjia InfantryHeavy Infantry80

Desert

Strength per gold there (unlimited regiments)

1Varangian GuardsHeavy Infantry106.9
2Handpicked FaithfulHeavy Infantry97.8
3Jomsviking PiratesSkirmishers95.2
4HandgunnersHandgunner84.2
5Pesilat WarriorsSkirmishers84

Steppe

Strength per gold there (unlimited regiments)

1Varangian GuardsHeavy Infantry106.9
2MangudaiArcher Cavalry, +45.5 from terrain102
3Handpicked FaithfulHeavy Infantry97.8
4Jomsviking PiratesSkirmishers95.2
5HandgunnersHandgunner84.2

Oasis

Strength per gold there (unlimited regiments)

1Varangian GuardsHeavy Infantry106.9
2Handpicked FaithfulHeavy Infantry97.8
3Nile ArchersArchers, +24.8 from terrain97.5
4Jomsviking PiratesSkirmishers95.2
5HandgunnersHandgunner84.2

Floodplains

Strength per gold there (unlimited regiments)

1Nile ArchersArchers, +49.6 from terrain122.3
2Varangian GuardsHeavy Infantry106.9
3Handpicked FaithfulHeavy Infantry97.8
4Jomsviking PiratesSkirmishers95.2
5Pesilat WarriorsSkirmishers84

Terraced Hills

Strength per gold there (unlimited regiments)

1Pesilat WarriorsSkirmishers, +29.6 from terrain113.6
2Varangian GuardsHeavy Infantry106.9
3Handpicked FaithfulHeavy Infantry97.8
4Jomsviking PiratesSkirmishers95.2
5Burenjia InfantryHeavy Infantry, +14.7 from terrain94.7

Farmlands

Strength per gold there (unlimited regiments)

1Varangian GuardsHeavy Infantry, +27.8 from terrain134.7
2Handpicked FaithfulHeavy Infantry97.8
3BondíSpearmen, +31.8 from terrain95.5
4Jomsviking PiratesSkirmishers95.2
5Burenjia InfantryHeavy Infantry, +14.7 from terrain94.7

Computed ranking

Strength on a terrain = (damage + terrain damage bonus + toughness + terrain toughness bonus) × the soldiers of one sub-regiment, ÷ its gold price. Cost to keep = price + 10 × 12 months × (upkeep at peace × 75% + upkeep raised × 25%), per 1,000 strength. Strictly worse: another regiment of the same type has every stat (damage, toughness, pursuit, screen) per soldier at least as high with no terrain, on every terrain and in every winter either has a bonus for, costs no more per soldier to buy or keep, counters at least what it counters, is not limited to fewer regiments — and is better in one of those.

Read from the game files of Crusader Kings III 1.20.1.2: common/men_at_arms_types. Base values: no culture, faith, era, terrain or character modifiers unless a line says so.

Cheapest strength to keep for 10 years

1
Jomsviking PiratesSkirmishers · 63 gold, 0.21 / 0.63 a month17gold per 1,000 strength, 10 years
- At peace all along: 15
- Raised all along: 23
- Strength 6,000
2
Varangian GuardsHeavy Infantry · 72 gold, 0.32 / 0.96 a month17gold per 1,000 strength, 10 years
- At peace all along: 14
- Raised all along: 24
- Strength 7,700
3
Handpicked FaithfulHeavy Infantry · 67.5 gold, 0.3 / 0.9 a month18gold per 1,000 strength, 10 years
- At peace all along: 16
- Raised all along: 27
- Strength 6,600

4Pesilat WarriorsSkirmishers · 40.5 gold, 0.14 / 0.41 a month19gold per 1,000 strength, 10 years
5ShomerSkirmishers · 45 gold, 0.15 / 0.45 a month21gold per 1,000 strength, 10 years
6HandgunnersHandgunner · 76 gold, 0.35 / 1.05 a month22gold per 1,000 strength, 10 years
7Burenjia InfantryHeavy Infantry · 75 gold, 0.36 / 0.9 a month22gold per 1,000 strength, 10 years
8Bush HuntersArchers · 55 gold, 0.22 / 0.66 a month23gold per 1,000 strength, 10 years
9MetsänvartijaArchers · 60.5 gold, 0.22 / 0.66 a month23gold per 1,000 strength, 10 years

Strictly worse regiments

In 1.20.1.2 no regiment is beaten everywhere by another that needs no other unlock.

Beaten everywhere by a regiment with another unlock (7)

Longbowmen (Tradition)beaten everywhere byGakgung Archers (Tradition)
Order Foot Knights (Innovation)beaten everywhere byVarangian Guards (Special)Handpicked Faithful (Special)
Light Horsemen (Base)beaten everywhere bySteppe Raiders (Special)
Armored Footmen (Innovation)beaten everywhere byAyyar (Tradition)Order Foot Knights (Innovation)Varangian Guards (Special)Handpicked Faithful (Special)
Armored Horsemen (Innovation)beaten everywhere byOrder Knights (Innovation)
Varangian Veterans (Tradition)beaten everywhere byVarangian Guards (Special)
Bandits (Events only)beaten everywhere byJomsviking Pirates (Events only)

If you can recruit the regiment that beats it, the first one is never the better buy — on any terrain, in any winter.

Limited regiments


House Guard	Heavy Infantry	144	No terrain bonus	144	1
Retinue Handgunners	Handgunner	100	No terrain bonus	100	1
Retinue Skirmishers	Skirmishers	44.40	Forest	66.70	1
Retinue Archers	Archers	40.90	Hills	66.40	1
Retinue Crossbowmen	Archers	51.10	Hills	62.50	1
Retinue Camel Riders	Camel Cavalry	29.40	Desert	62.40	1
Varangian Veterans	Heavy Infantry	49.90	Farmlands	56.60	1
Retinue Pikemen	Spearmen	40	Mountains	56	1
Kheshig	Archer Cavalry	34.20	Steppe	54.20	1
Retinue Outriders	Light Cavalry	29.40	Plains	47.10	1
Retinue Vanguard	Heavy Infantry	44.40	No terrain bonus	44.40	1
Retinue Lancers	Heavy Cavalry	33.80	Plains	41.30	1
Retinue Horse Archers	Archer Cavalry	24.10	Steppe	40.70	1
Retinue War Elephants	Elephant Cavalry	15.60	Jungle	18.80	1

Every regiment: best and worst terrain, cost to keep


House Guard (limited)	Heavy Infantry	144	No terrain bonus	144	No terrain bonus	144	11
Varangian Guards	Heavy Infantry	106.90	Farmlands	134.70	No terrain bonus	106.90	17
Nile Archers	Archers	72.70	Floodplains	122.30	Desert	56.20	23
Paiks	Archers	72.70	Jungle	122.30	No terrain bonus	72.70	23
Pesilat Warriors	Skirmishers	84	Terraced Hills	113.60	No terrain bonus	84	19
Handpicked Faithful	Heavy Infantry	97.80	Hills	112.60	No terrain bonus	97.80	18
Akritai	Skirmishers	59.30	Mountains	108.60	No terrain bonus	59.30	27
Horn Warriors	Skirmishers	62.20	Mountains	106.70	No terrain bonus	62.20	26
Mangudai	Archer Cavalry	56.60	Steppe	102	Desert Mountains	26.30	28
Retinue Handgunners (limited)	Handgunner	100	No terrain bonus	100	No terrain bonus	100	18
Bush Hunters	Archers	76.40	Jungle	98.20	No terrain bonus	76.40	23
Metsänvartija	Archers	72.70	Forest	95.90	No terrain bonus	72.70	23
Bondí	Spearmen	63.70	Farmlands	95.50	Desert Mountains	55.70	27
Jomsviking Pirates	Skirmishers	95.20	No terrain bonus	95.20	No terrain bonus	95.20	17
Burenjia Infantry	Heavy Infantry	80	Farmlands	94.70	No terrain bonus	80	22
Guinean Uplanders	Skirmishers	59.30	Forest	92.60	No terrain bonus	59.30	27
Vigmen	Archers	62.80	Farmlands	89.30	No terrain bonus	62.80	26
Bowmen	Archers	63.60	Hills	89.10	No terrain bonus	63.60	26
Zupin Spearmen	Spearmen	63.70	Mountains	87.60	No terrain bonus	63.70	27
Maturkan Warriors	Archers	53.70	Taiga	84.80	No terrain bonus	53.70	31
Handgunners	Handgunner	84.20	No terrain bonus	84.20	Wetlands	71.10	22
Mountaineers	Heavy Infantry	61.10	Mountains	83.30	No terrain bonus	61.10	29
Zhanmadao Infantry	Heavy Infantry	70.20	Farmlands	81.90	No terrain bonus	70.20	27
Light Footmen	Skirmishers	57.80	Forest	80	No terrain bonus	57.80	28
Crossbowmen	Archers	68.20	Hills	79.50	Desert	59.10	24
Shenbigong	Archers	64.40	Hills	79	Steppe	56.10	26
Landsknechts	Spearmen	60	Mountains	78.90	No terrain bonus	60	29
Picchieri	Spearmen	65.60	Mountains	77.90	No terrain bonus	65.60	26
Khandayat	Heavy Infantry	59.30	Jungle	77.80	No terrain bonus	59.30	30
Pikemen	Spearmen	61.30	Mountains	77.30	No terrain bonus	61.30	28
Camel Riders	Camel Cavalry	43.50	Desert	76.50	Wetlands	14.10	37
Ayrudzi	Light Cavalry	47.10	Hills	76.50	Jungle	17.60	37
Ayyar	Heavy Infantry	76	No terrain bonus	76	No terrain bonus	76	25
Shomer	Skirmishers	75.60	No terrain bonus	75.60	No terrain bonus	75.60	21
Gakgung Archers	Archers	50	Hills	74.20	Wetlands	47	33
Caballeros	Light Cavalry	44.70	Hills	74.10	Wetlands	15.30	41
Sarawit	Heavy Infantry	53.70	Mountains	74.10	Desert	44.40	34
Horse Archers	Archer Cavalry	40	Steppe	73.30	Desert Mountains	17.80	40
Palace Guards	Heavy Infantry	57.40	Jungle	72.20	No terrain bonus	57.40	31
Goedendag Militia	Skirmishers	68.90	No terrain bonus	68.90	No terrain bonus	68.90	23
Teulu	Light Cavalry	49	Plains	68.60	Wetlands	24.50	36
Steppe Raiders	Light Cavalry	48.40	Steppe	68	Wetlands	28.80	36
Skoutatoi	Spearmen	58.20	Mountains	67.90	No terrain bonus	58.20	30
Heavy Horse Archers	Archer Cavalry	42.50	Steppe	67.90	Desert Mountains	15.60	38
Zbrojnosh	Heavy Infantry	54.50	Hills	67.70	Wetlands	44.40	33
Schiltron	Spearmen	56.90	Mountains	67.60	No terrain bonus	56.90	30
Longbowmen	Archers	42.40	Hills	66.70	No terrain bonus	42.40	39
Abudrar	Skirmishers	44.40	Desert Mountains	66.70	Desert	44.40	36
Order Foot Knights	Heavy Infantry	66.70	No terrain bonus	66.70	No terrain bonus	66.70	27
Retinue Skirmishers (limited)	Skirmishers	44.40	Forest	66.70	No terrain bonus	44.40	29
Retinue Archers (limited)	Archers	40.90	Hills	66.40	No terrain bonus	40.90	32
Mubarizun	Heavy Infantry	64.80	No terrain bonus	64.80	No terrain bonus	64.80	28
Huscarls	Heavy Infantry	57.30	Taiga	64.20	No terrain bonus	57.30	31
Lenkas	Heavy Infantry	55.60	Jungle	62.50	No terrain bonus	55.60	32
Retinue Crossbowmen (limited)	Archers	51.10	Hills	62.50	Desert	48.90	26
Retinue Camel Riders (limited)	Camel Cavalry	29.40	Desert	62.40	Wetlands	21.80	44
Mulathamūn	Light Cavalry	43.50	Drylands	61.20	Wetlands	14.10	42
Light Horsemen	Light Cavalry	43.50	Plains	61.20	Wetlands	14.10	40
Emishi Riders	Archer Cavalry	47.10	Forest	61.20	No terrain bonus	47.10	37
Sahel Horsemen	Light Cavalry	41.10	Drylands	61.10	Wetlands	13.30	43
Armored Footmen	Heavy Infantry	60	No terrain bonus	60	No terrain bonus	60	30
Druzhina	Heavy Infantry	59.80	No terrain bonus	59.80	No terrain bonus	59.80	30
Vaulter Infantry	Skirmishers	40.70	Hills	59.30	No terrain bonus	40.70	39
Chasseurs	Light Cavalry	49.80	Plains	58.80	Wetlands	13.60	35
Varangian Veterans (limited)	Heavy Infantry	49.90	Farmlands	56.60	No terrain bonus	49.90	36
Retinue Pikemen (limited)	Spearmen	40	Mountains	56	No terrain bonus	40	34
Hobelars	Light Cavalry	39.60	Forest	55.60	Desert Mountains	23.50	44
Marauders	Light Cavalry	35.70	Farmlands	55.60	No terrain bonus	35.70	45
Mounted Samurai	Archer Cavalry	48.10	Steppe	55.60	Wetlands	29.60	33
Fire Lancers	Handgunner	54.50	No terrain bonus	54.50	Wetlands	43.20	30
Kheshig (limited)	Archer Cavalry	34.20	Steppe	54.20	Desert Mountains	18.70	47
Tawashi	Light Cavalry	42.80	Plains	53.50	Wetlands	16	41
Samurai	Heavy Infantry	46.60	Farmlands	53.20	No terrain bonus	46.60	39
Nomad Lancers	Heavy Cavalry	39.50	Steppe	52.60	Wetlands	17.10	41
Looters	Spearmen	39.70	Mountains	51.60	No terrain bonus	39.70	40
Rocket Carts	Archers	41.50	Farmlands	51.60	No terrain bonus	41.50	35
Palatini	Heavy Infantry	50	No terrain bonus	50	No terrain bonus	50	36
Konni	Light Cavalry	36.20	Plains	49.80	Wetlands	13.60	48
Poachers	Archers	35.70	Hills	48.40	No terrain bonus	35.70	45
Ballistrai	Archers	37.20	Farmlands	48.20	No terrain bonus	37.20	38
Retinue Outriders (limited)	Light Cavalry	29.40	Plains	47.10	Wetlands	21.80	47
Conrois	Heavy Cavalry	36.80	Plains	45.60	Jungle	11.80	44
Order Knights	Heavy Cavalry	37	Plains	44.50	Wetlands	15.80	44
Retinue Vanguard (limited)	Heavy Infantry	44.40	No terrain bonus	44.40	No terrain bonus	44.40	32
Armored Horsemen	Heavy Cavalry	33.80	Plains	41.30	Wetlands	12.50	48
Retinue Lancers (limited)	Heavy Cavalry	33.80	Plains	41.30	Wetlands	28.80	39
Retinue Horse Archers (limited)	Archer Cavalry	24.10	Steppe	40.70	Desert Mountains	13	54
Gendarmes	Heavy Cavalry	34.40	Plains	40.60	Wetlands	18.80	47
Kataphraktoi	Heavy Cavalry	30.80	Plains	37.50	Wetlands	12.50	53
Bandits	Skirmishers	27.80	Forest	35.70	No terrain bonus	27.80	58
Cataphract Archers	Heavy Cavalry	27.30	Steppe	35	Wetlands	11	60
Tiefutu	Heavy Cavalry	26.90	Plains	33.70	Jungle	8.70	61
Tarkhans	Heavy Cavalry	26.90	Oasis	32.70	Wetlands	8.70	61
Monaspa	Heavy Cavalry	28	Hills	32	Wetlands	9	58
Black-Armored Cavalry	Heavy Cavalry	25	Plains	31.50	Jungle	3.80	65
Asawira	Archer Cavalry	20.80	Plains	25.80	Wetlands	10	77
War Elephants	Elephant Cavalry	18.80	Jungle	21.90	Wetlands	8.10	75
Retinue War Elephants (limited)	Elephant Cavalry	15.60	Jungle	18.80	Wetlands	10.30	77
Ballista Elephants	Elephant Cavalry	14.50	Jungle	17.30	Wetlands	10.50	99

Best men-at-arms per gold · Counters calculator