Battanian Fian Champion

Battanian Fian Champions are the sixth-tier noble troops of Battania.

Battanian Fian Champions are the premier foot archers of Bannerlord. While rare, if a patient player can prepare even a small force of these to support their army, they will single-handedly win battles. Their bows are powerful, accurate, and out-range most, if not all archers in the game. Their armor is on par with most heavy infantry. Their two-handed swords are some of the best in the game. They are especially effective against the Empire, as most imperial armies will consist of largely lightly-armored and poorly-shielded footmen.

Use Champions as you would any other archer; place them on high ground, or in front of your own troops so that they can fire on approaching units unimpeded. They will most likely out-range your foes, forcing them to advance on your position or else take massive casualties from range. If they are threatened by enemy infantry or cavalry, give them support from the rest of your army. Unlike most archers, Champions can hold their own in melee. They are exceptionally skilled with two handed weapons, however due to the rare and expensive nature of the unit, it is still best to keep them out of melee if at all possible. They will be more effective firing from a distance, regardless.

All archer-focused armies require a critical mass of units in order to become properly effective. The Fian Champion and its predecessor, the Battanian Fian, take this concept a step further. Champions are expensive to train, difficult to amass, and even more difficult to replace when fighting abroad. However if you can maintain a sufficient number of them, they will dominate. It is not uncommon for a group of Champions in your army to kill two, three, or four times their number, if given sufficient time to shoot. They are best firing at massed infantry and archers, but they can also give charging heavy cavalry a bloody nose if they see them coming.

This isn't to say they don't have weaknesses. Champions lack shields of their own, and while they have good armor, they tend to struggle against horse archers. Use your infantry or cavalry to support them in these cases.

The player can also treat Battanian Fian Champions as a nuclear option in sieges. They'll ravage the defenders on the ramparts before your men get close enough to engage them. This can get expensive however, and your precious Champions will likely some take painful, irreplaceable casualties in the process. If you pick a leadership perk called Veteran Respect, you can upgrade Forest Bandit archer to regular Fian. A strategy to acquire fians outside Battania is to pick Scarface Rogue perk, which causes bandit parties to join you when confronted, provided your party is faster and stronger.

If, for whatever reason, you find yourself opposing significant numbers of Fian Champions, you must do everything in your power to stop them from shooting as soon as possible, otherwise you will risk serious casualties.

Troop Skills[]

(1.5.7 beta)

Skill	Value
One Handed	90
Two Handed	220
Polearm	50
Bow	260
Crossbow	25
Throwing	40
Riding	60
Athletics	170

Equipment[]

(1.5.7 beta)

Weapons[]

Highland Fine Two Handed Sword
Woodland Longbow
(x2) Stacked Bodkin Arrows

Head Armor[]

Highland Crowned Helmet

Cape[]

Armored Bearskin

Body Armor[]

Highland Noble Armor

Hand Armor[]

Highland Gloves

Foot Armor[]

Highland Fur Boots

Armor Ratings[]

(1.5.7 beta)

Armor Rating
Armor	Head	Body	Arm	Leg	Weight
Highland Crowned Helmet	48	-	-	-	3.2
Armored Bearskin	-	16	-	-	7
Highland Noble Armor	-	48	12	22	11.6
Highland Gloves	-	-	8	-	0.8
Highland Fur Boots	-	-	-	6	1.5
Total:	48	64	20	28	24.1

Weapon Ratings[]

(1.5.7 beta)

Melee
Melee Weapon	Highland Fine Two Handed Sword
Melee Type	2H Weapon
Class	2H Sword
Swing Speed	102
Swing Damage	97
Thrust Speed	96
Thrust Damage	57
Weight	1.63

Ranged
Ranged Weapon	Woodland Longbow
Ranged Type	Bow
Speed	88
Damage	72 (pierce)
Accuracy	94
Missile Speed	82
Weight	0.1

Missile
Missile Name	Stacked Bodkin Arrows
Missile Type	Arrow
Accuracy	100
Damage	3 (pierce)
Stack Amount	(x2) 32
Weight	(x2) 0.048


Volunteer
Clan Warrior		Wood Runner			Highborn Youth
Trained Warrior		Raider	Skirmisher		Highborn Warrior
Picked Warrior	Scout	Falxman	Veteran Skirmisher		Hero
Oathsworn	Horseman	Veteran Falxman	Wildling	Mounted Skirmisher	Fian
					Fian Champion