Indepth Faction Guide :: Choosing The Faction That Suits You [For Beginners]

In this guide, I will explain the full details of all factions in Mount & Blade: Warband. I will tell you what I recommend, and let you choose what's right for you. All of this is written from experience.

The Khergit Khanate.

Personally, my favourite faction. The Khergits thrive in cavalry based units. They are the best faction for harassment with their horse archers and heavily armoured lancers. The only clan that puts up an immediate threat is the Rhodoks. This clan has spear armed infantry which makes them good against cavalry. All of the other factions are mostly infantry based, so the Khergits are a good overall faction. The units upgrade to the max level very fast compared to the other factions, and are quite cheap to upgrade also. But on the downside this faction, apart from the Tribesmen (recruits) they have no infantry based units, so this faction isn't suitable for besieging (taking over) castles.

The Khergits recruits (named Tribesmen) are no different from any other faction. Their armour is just as useless as their combat skills but they'll upgrade soon enough.
From the upgrade from recruit (or in this case Tribesmen) you will have a Khergit Skrimisher. They have Bows and some horse archers but their horses and armour and not very good at all. They are the equivalent to "Steppe Bandits" which are the factions lingering bandits. This unit will upgrade to Khergit Horsemen quite fast.
The Khergit Horsemen are quite competant at ranged mounted combat. They are armed with Bows and a quiver (arrow bag), which makes them a good harrassment. Again, this unit will upgrade rather fast, but this time you will be given a choice between a Khergit Lancer, or a Horse Archer.
The Khergit Lancers are a high quailty unit. They have the best armour through out the Khergit clan. On the battlefield their lances are very lethal and can kill most soldiers in one hit when hit with a lance at speed. They are good at short to medium range combat with their long weapons. This unit can very extremely effective in large numbers. This unit is very cheap to upgrade at only 40 denars (which is good considering the quality of troop).
The Khergit Horse Archers are very unique compared to the other units in the game. Like the Horse Archers, they are armed with a Bow and a Quiver, or instead Javelins, and they have faster horses which makes them more tedious to kill, which makes them better at harassing. They also have spears to fend for themselves when caught in battle. This unit is also cheap to upgrade at 40 denars which is good considering the quailty of troop.
For the final upgrade following the Khergit Horseman only, you will have the Khergit Veteran Horse Archer. These are armed with the same weapons as the normal horse archers but they are better quailty again. They ride the Coursers which is the name given to the fastest horse in the game which make them more agile, and gives them a slighter chance of getting caught in battle. Once more they are again armed with spears to fend for themselves. This unit costs 80 denars to upgrade to, which is the second highest price needed to pay for an upgrade.

The Kingdom of The Nords.

The Nords are a very infantry based faction. They have no cavalry but have very effective infantry. Their archers are known as the worst in the game. The Khergits are the most dangerous to the Nords as they are filled with cavalry. The nords as little to no long ranged weapons such as spears so they are likely to get run down. Their sheilds can fend off the bulk of the archers. This faction are very effective from very early on and are most likely to take over the nearby castles if not dealt with. I'd recommend this faction for a first try, but it is the easy route.

The Nordic recruits are no different from any other faction. Their armour is just as useless as their combat skills but they'll upgrade soon enough. At the first chance to upgrade you will be given a choice between the Nord Footman, and Nord Huntsman.
The Nord Footman are in essence a hardened villager, wielding blades and shields. They carry throwing weapons, often throwing axes which easily makes them the most dangerous second tier class in Warband. Their primary weapons are often basic ones such as axes and spears which are quite useful. Their armour is one of the best for a second tier class. They also carry cheap sheilds which makes better and countering archers. It will cost 40 denars to upgrade, which is quite a lot for a second tier class, but they are the most dangerous of their type. From this unit you will be faced with Nord Trained Footmen.
The alternate choice for the second tier class is the Nord Huntsman. They are the only ranged troop that can be recruited at the second tier, apart from the Rhodok Crossbowman. Their armor is rather shabby as they carry the same armour as Looters (Warband's least effective and dangerous bandit).
From a Nord Footman, you will be given the chance to upgrade to a Nord Trained Footman. This unit makes up for most of the Nords garrison. They are tougher than regular peasant soldiers like basic footmen and recruits, but are inferior to the seasoned Nord Warriors and Huscarls. Unlike most Nordic infantry, they do not carry throwing weapons, but make up for it with their fighting skills. This unit carries an Axe with a more solid sheild which makes them a well armed unit. They are better fighers defensive than they are offensive. The upgrade cost is 40 denars which is a good very good price for the quailty of troops, although they are not ranged. The next step is the Nord Veteran.
From Nord Huntsman, you can upgrade to a Nord Archer. Much like the Huntsman they are armed with bows and arrows. They are quite effective at medium to long range, but are rather inaccurate, but make up for it with their firing speed. They also carry axes or swords as a weapon of self defense, but are poorly trained in hand-to-hand combat. They are well armoured. This unit is good for shooting off projectiles at a very fast pace, which can deal a lot of damage overall. This unit costs 40 denars to upgrade which is a good price for the quality once more. There is only 1 more upgrade from this point, and that is the Nord Veteran Archer.
The Nord Veteran is one step below the top troop from the Nords. The Nord Veterans are quite well armoured and are this time armed with projectiles. Again they are armed with an axe and a larger round shield. This unit is very good defensive, but lacks in offensive. Players that have experienced the higher tier troop, the Huscarl, may feel this unit lacks in offensive mode quite a lot. But they are a reliable and effective unit to have. They are more effective in large numbers.
Finally, the best troop in the Nords, and thoughout the game the Huscarl. This unit has by far the best armour for infantry in the game. They have king-like vests with high quality gloves, boots and helmets. They have a variety of weapons with multiple axe lengths and throwing axes. They have very large round sheilds that cover the majority of their bodies. This unit costs 120 denars to upgrade (the most expensive upgrade), but it is worth the price. As always, this unit is more effective in numbers. An army of 40-50 Huscarls can take on more armies without fail. They are also recommended for sieges.

The Kingdom of the Rhodoks.

The Rhodok faction is a very infantry based faction. They have no cavalry but are the best faction at countering cavalry. Their infantry vs infantry skills are quite poor. They have some of the best crossbowmen which can be lethal if used in high quantities and are shielded. They are rivaled with the Sarrianids, but they do not pose much of a threat. They will also go to war with the Swadians soon enough, but they also have similar units. This was my first faction, and it wasn't easy. But it was certainly enjoyable. Not recommended if you want a very strong faction.

The Rhodok recruits (in this case Tribesmen) are no different from any other faction. Their armour is just as useless as their combat skills but they'll upgrade soon enough. At the first chance to upgrade you will be given a choice between the Rhodok Spearman and the Rhodok Crossbowman.
The Rhodok Spearman are very good at countering cavalry, if used correctly. This unit works well if used as a sheild for your Rhodok Crossbowmen, as they are cheap but effective. Like most second tier they do not have very good armour at all. They are armed with spears and a one-handed weapon when enemies get too close. They cost 20 denars to upgrade which is good for a second tier unit, although the price reflects the unit's quality. This unit will later upgrade to a Rhodok Trained Spearmen.
The Rhodok Crossbowman is the only second tier unit that has ranged weapons, apart from the Nord Huntsman. Like most second tier classes, they are not well armoured. But if they are used correctly they wont need to see much combat. They have crossbows that can be lethal if used in high numbers, but they cannot shoot as many projectiles as Bowmen can. As a close quarter combat weapon, they have a pike, which is a shorter type of spear. This will help them fend off cavalry attacks. It costs 20 denars to upgrade. This unit is more important to have than the spearmen as at crossbowmen can do more damage than 10 spearmen.
The Rhodok Trained Spearmen, much like the lower tier version are armed with spears and a one-handed weapon for CQB (Close Quarter Combat). This time around, their spears are much longer and more effective against enemy cavalry. Their armour is of a better quality than the tier 2 version. Again, this unit can be used effectively as a sheild for archers. They upgrade quickly so loosing them wont be a massive loss. It costs 40 denars to upgrade. They upgrade to te Rhodok Veteran Spearmen.
The Rhodok Trained Crossbowmen are again much like the tier 2 version. They are armed with a crossbow and a smaller spear. This time hey are granted a cheap sheild so they are more effective in combat, but keep in mind they are not trained for it and it's likely they'll do poorly. Although, they are much better fighters than normal Rhodok Crossbowmen. It costs 40 denars to upgrade, although it will be a bigger loss when they die compared to the Rhodok Trained Crossbowmen as they upgrade a bit slower.
The Rhodok Veteran Spearmen are a high quality spearman unit. They have a traditional Rhodok Kettle Helmet and are armed with a Glaive, a good quality spear for countering cavalry and other infantry units. Saying that, they do not have a one-handed weapon so they are vulnerable to other infantry units. They also lack a shield so enemy missles can do high quantities of damage. They make great castles garrisons with they weapons and tactics. They costs 40 denars to upgrade. The next step is the Rhodok Sergeants.
The Rhodok Veteran Crossbowmen are armed with yet again the same equipment as their tier 2 and 3 counterparts. They do have better quality equipment though. They still wear only hats that peasents wear, so they lack head-protection. They are very good at long range, and are a step up at CQB compared to the Rhodok Trained Crossbowmen. It costs 80 denars to upgrade. The step upgrade is the Rhodok Sharpshooter.
The Rhodok Sergeants are the highest tier melee troop in the Rhodoks. They are armed with large tower shields and a Glaive. They also have a one-handed weapons to attack other infantry They have the best overall armour through out the Rhodok faction. They are very good at CQB and are superb at garrisoning a castle. They are cheaper to upgrade than Huscarls and other faction's equivilents. This is the last upgrade needed in this tier.
The Rhodok Sharpshooter is again armed with a tower shield like the other crossbowmen and of course, they have crossbows. They are deathly accurate a long range which makes them lethal if used in high numbers, especially if used in a castle. They have very good head armour, which is the tradiitional kettle helmet. They have the same body armour as the Rhodok Veteran Spearman which makes them better at CQB. This is not a unit to loose so they should be shielded.

The Kingdom Of Swadia.

The Swadian faction is the best all round faction. They have the best type of archers and the best cavalry. They also have an Infantry unit too. Most factions do not have all 3. The downside to they're strength is that they are placed right in the middle of the map. Factions will be declaring war on all angles. This faction is recommended for a first try, although beware you will be fighting a lot more than in any other faction.

The Swadian recruits are no different from any other faction. Their armour is just as useless as their combat skills but they'll upgrade soon enough. The next tier soldier is the Swadian Militia. This unit carries shields and one-handed weapons. For a second tier class they are quite dangerous, although they are only effective in high numbers. They provide good cover for your archers with their big shields and they are easy to recruit, so a loss wont effect your army. They have very poor armour so it'll be likely that they'll go down rather quickly. It costs 20 denars to upgrade. After this, you can choose between the Swadian Footman and the Swadian Skirmisher.
The Swadian Footman is the first trained melee fighter in the Swadian army. Their armour is better than the tier 2 version, but this time they are armed with a spear and a one-handed weapon. This make them more effective against enemy cavalry as well as enemy infantry. This unit is good for making a backbone for an army, due to their low upkeep cost, you can get more for less. Although, they aren't reliable. This unit costs 40 denars to upgrade to, and the next step is either the Swadian Infantry, or the Swadian Man-at-Arms..
The Swadian Skrimishers are armed with Crossbows and a one-handed weapon to fend of enemies at CQB. Their armour is very feeble, but if they are used correctly they shouldn't face much fighting. They work very well in high numbers, and work even better when on castle walls. Although they aren't reliable. It costs 40 denars to upgrade to this class, and the weekly wages are very little. The next step is the Swadian Crossbowman.
The Swadian Infantry class are quite well armoured and have a decent helmet. They are armed with a thick shield and a one-handed weapon. They are capable of taking on most infantry of it's type and cope quite well with cavlry charges. It costs 80 denars to upgrade to this class which is quite expensive, but it'll play off. They also have quite a low wage. This unit works well in all environments.
The alternative to the Swadian Infantry class, is the Swadian Man-at-Arms. This unit again has a decent helmet with a good body armour piece. They have heater shields which are small but light, more effective in CQB than under missle fire. This is a cavalry unit, which is very effective, mostly in large numbers. They are not recommended for castle defense. The next step from here is the Swadian Knight which costs 120 denars to upgrade to.
The next ranged class is the Swadian Crossbowman. They are half-decently armoured with no helmet and no shield. They are again armed with a Crossbow and a one-handed weapon. they are very effective at long range, mostly in large numbers. They should be shielded if you plan to make the most out of them. Placing them on a large hill will make them more effective. To upgrade to the next class it'll cost 80 denars, and that's the Swadian Sharpshooter.
The last class for the infantry side if the Swadian Sergeant. This class is very well armoured and has a mace for it's primary weapon and a thick shield to fend of enemies and arrows/bolts. This unit work very well on castle walls but is better out in the field. In large numbers this unit can destory most enemy soliders. This unit work decent with cavalry but it is not suited. Infantry vs Infantry is where is unit strives.
The next step in the cavalry side, is the Swadian Knight. Most consider this to be the best unit throughout the game. They are very well armoured and have a good helmet. Like the Swadian Sergeants, this unit uses a shield and a mace. This unit can shake off almost any unit throughout the game, but it evenly matched between the Vaegir Knight and the Sarranid Mamluke. This unit isn't designed for castle defense but works well anyway, this unit works better out in the field. An army of around 30 of these Swadian Knights could take on most armies, although it's not recommended.
The last unit in the Swadian faction is the Swadian Sharpshooter. This unit is very well armoured but unlike other units of it's speculation in other factions, they do not have shields. They are deadly accurate at long range, and should be shielded. They have a crossbow and a one-handed weapon for CQB, although they shouldn't see much fighting. This unit works very well on a castle wall, but is also just as effective in the field. High numbers of these could send off an army before they even arrive, although an army of just these is not recommended.

The Kingdom of The Vaegirs.

The Vaegirs are a good all round faction. They mostly strive in archery but have good infantry and cavalry units. Experienced players of Warband will most likely tell you that the Vaegirs are a weak faction. Some may say they are the weakest throughout the game. They rival the Nords, which are very good in comparison. They are most likely to deal some major damage to the Vaegirs. This faction also borders 3 different factions, and are likely to go to war with them all.
This faction is a difficult faction to start off with as they are weak, but they are pro-war. You will have plenty of wars to fight, but you're likely to be on the other side of the victories.

The Vaegir recruits are no different from any other faction. Their armour is just as useless as their combat skills but they'll upgrade soon enough. The next tier soldier is the Vaegir Footman.
The Vaegir Footman are basic second tier soldiers that carry axes and a shield. They also carry a one-handed weapon for when attacking archers. They have poor armour, similar to the Mountain Bandit armour which is very unreliable. Many Vaegir lords carry these troops in large numbers as they are useful at many different tasks - and are cheap. The next step will cost you 20 denars, this will be either the Vaegir Skirmisher or the Vaegir Veteran, depending on what you choose.
The Vaegir Veteran much like the Vaegir Footmen, carry a shield with an axe, but also a one-handed weapon for certain situations. This upgrade includes a helmet, better armour and better melee skills. Many castles are filled with these troop as they are cheap to upgrade to, but also a quite reliable. Although they are classed as infantry, that may also have mounted troops among them. The next upgrade is costs 40 denars and that'll be either the Vaegir Infantry, or the Vaegir Horseman.
The Vaegir Skirmisher are a very low quality ranged weapon unit. They have poor armour and have limited projectiles. They too carry a one-handed weapon, as a self-defense, although they'll do poorly in a fight. They also have no helmet which will make them vulnerable to certain attacks. Most castles and lords will not carry much of this unit as they are unreliable. They have a very low wage starting at 5 denars a week. The next upgrade will be the Vaegir Archer, which will cost you 40 denars.
The Vaegir Infantry are a higher quailty melee based unit that has good quality armour and a helmet. They have a much longer and stronger axe that the previous tier had. They too have a one-handed weapon to help them defend against arrows. Many lords and castles posess this unit as they are very reliable and rather cheap in comparison to similar units. Large numbers of this unit can defend well on a castle wall, and out in the field. The next upgrade will cost 80 denars, and that will be the Vaegir Guard.
The Vaegir Horseman is a high quailty cavalry unit. They carry decent helmets and a long axe. They also have a one-handed weapon for when they need to use their shields. They have a large kite shields which are quite effective when fending off arrows, but are better at CQB as they are quite light. Most lords have them in their armies, but they are very rare in castles as they are not very good at hand-to-hand combat. The next upgrade will cost 120 denars, and that'll be the Vaegirs bext unit, the Vaegir Knight.
The Vaegir Archer is a high quality ranged unit. They carry Welsh Long Bows which are very effective at long range and can shoot quickly. They have half-decent armour and a helmet, but no shield. Other troops are recommended to provide a shield. This unit is very popular is castles and throughout the Vaegir armiesas they are rather cheap and reliable. The next upgrade is the Vaegir Marksman, which will cost you 80 denars.
The Vaegir Guard is a very high quality infantry unit. They carry a long axe. But they do not carry shields or a one-handed weapon. With that in consideration they are very good at what they do. As a top tier infantry unit they are quite poor in comparison to other units if it's quality. They aren't very popular as they are expensive and not worth the upgrade. They are reliable but mostly in numbers. This is the final upgrade.
The best Vaegir unit, the Vaegir Knight. This unit is a very high quality cavalry unit. They carry large, intimidating axes. They do not have a shield or secondary weapon. They do however, have king-like armour and very good horses. This unit is rare at it's expensive, but a they have a worthy wage. They are very rare in castles as they strive in the field. Off of their horses they aren't very good. Compared to other Knights and Mamlukes, this unit is the worst of the bunch. They lack protection and are not a good all round unit. This is the last upgrade.
The Vaegir Marksman. This unit has good armour, including a good quality helmet and chest piece. They have one-handed weapons to fend off enemies at close range. These are mostly found is castles as they are very good at long range. As they do not have shields, they'll need to have some sort of protection. These are a rare unit but they're very vulnerable. This unit is considered to be the best bow unit through the whole of Warband. This is the last upgrade.

The Sarranid Sultanate.

The Sarranid Sultanate is a very unique faction. They have a very good range of soldiers to give you more gameplay. This is the newest faction added to Warband. They are a good all round faction, athough they border the Khergits and the Rhodoks, which they are likely to go to war with. This faction is mostly recommended for a second playthrough as it is so unique. It is a hard faction to play as, but one of the most enjoyable. The faction's bandits are the worst part of this faction as they are frankly a bother. The battles are long, boring and tedious but if you raise enough men, they shouldn't be a problem.

The Sarranid Recruits are no different from any other faction. Their armour is just as useless as their combat skills but they'll upgrade soon enough. The next tier soldier is the Sarranid Footman.
The Sarranid Footmen are basic second tier infantry. They have a turban-like hat which is used a helmet. They have thick over-coats which acts as a chest-piece. They have very cheap shields and are armed with a one-handed weapon. This poorly armoured unit is good for shielding archers and acting as a decoy. They are not very reliable, although most lords use them in their armies. They are rather rare in castles as they are not reliable. It costs 20 denars to upgrade. The next unit is either the Sarranid Skirmisher or the Sarranid Veteran Footman, depending on what you choose.
The Sarranid Veteran Footmen are melee specialists. They carry Jarids which are longer, lighter Javelins. When used in large groups they are very effective. These are the most popular unit throughout the Sarranid faction. They are very popular in castles as they act as archers, as well as good infantry. They have good armour with a decent helmet to protect them from blows. They again have a one-handed weapon and a shield. It costs 40 denars to upgrade to. The next step is either the Sarranid Horseman or the Sarranid Infantry. Depending on what you choose.
The Sarranid Skirmishers are much like their tier 3 counterpart. They have many Jarids and have a thick, round shield. As well as a one-handed weapon for self-defense. They have rather poor armour, but they shouldn't see much fighting. Again, these are often seen in castles and are popular with the lords out in the field. It costs 40 denars to upgrade. The next step is the Sarranid Archer.
The Sarranid Infantry is a well armoured infantry class. They have a spear as well as a one-handed weapon for CQB. The spears makes them good at fending off cavalry. They have thin kite shields which are designed to be used when fighting. They aren't very good at covering the body when it comes to enemy arrows. The are popular in castles and out in the field as they are quite reliable and cheap. It costs 80 denars to upgrade. The next step if the Sarranid Guard.
The Sarranid Horseman is the first of the Sarranid's cavalry units. They are just as well armed as the Sarranid Infantry. Some have lances which can kill instantly when hit at momentum, and they have one-handed weapons. They have round shields to fend off from all types of attacks. They are very popular out in the field but are very rarely found in castles as they aren't designed for hand-to-hand combat. Like all cavalry, when they are put onto their feet, they aren't very good. They are good enough to stall the enemy whilst reinforcements arrive, although they wont last long. It costs 80 denars to upgrade, and that'll take you to the Sarranid Mamluke, the Sarranid's best unit. (In my opinion of course)
The Sarranid Archer is a well armoured ranged weapon unit. They have decent helmets with padded armour. They have short bows and many arrows. This time around they are quite good at fighting, but as always they shouldn't be fighting. This unit does not have a shield so they should be shielded by another unit. This unit is very popular in castles as they are good archers, and also quite cheap. They work better in large groups. It'll cost you 80 denars to upgrade, and that'll give you a Sarranid Master Archer.
The Sarranid Guard. The Sarranid's best infantry unit. In comparison to the Sarranid Infantry, this unit has many upgrades. They are now armed with an axe and a one-handed weapon so they can use their thick kite shields whilst fighting. They have Mamluke-like helmets which provide excellent protection, and have a superb chest-piece. This unit is mostly used in castles, but as it is the most expensive they are rather rare to find anywhere. On the battle field they fight well against most units, and are very reliable. This is the last upgrade for the infantry.
The Sarranid Mamluke. In my opinion, this is the best cavalry unit in the game. They have maces which knock people out opposed to killing them. This will make this enemy solider eligable for capture, which can be later sold on to a slave trader. They mostly have lances, which are proved to be lethal, and have extremely well armoured horses. Their overall armour is sublime. They are fully covered head-to-toe and are very well armed. They are very useful, and reliable. As they are cavalry they are mostly found in the field. This is the final upgrade for the Sarranid Cavalry.
The Sarranid Master Archer, is the Sarranid's last Archer unit. They are very well armoured and have very good helmets. They are again equipped with short bows and a quiver. The overall armour is very reliable. They are very accurate at long range. They are also proven to be great fighters considering they are archers, but once again they shouldn't be put into battle. They are mostly found in castles, but are popular out in the field also. This is the last upgrade for the Sarranid's archers.

Finally...

It's taken me longer than expected to make this guide, soI hope you found this useful and I hope you made the right choice in choosing your faction. Let me know of any suggestions or ideas I can add to the guide, and give a rating.

[This guide was made over a year ago, when I was really into this game. It's been a while since I last played the game properly, so I may not be the best person to ask right now. Although, if you still have questions and comments, feel free to tell me below.]

[Skipio777]

Only hire Swadian Crossbow troops and Swadian knights. Perhaps some random recruits as meatshields for the archers. Wreck the enemies as they charge the archers. Just as they are about to get the recruits, have the recruits charge and the cavalry (who have stayed out of the fight so far) charge their flanks. Easy peasy lemon squeesy

[Ian_21142114]

I also found that a Swadian Knight stampede can steamroll anything in it's path, but it's extremely expensive.

[Ian_21142114]

Rhodok Sergeants and Sharpshooters are overwhelmingly good in siege defense.

[Dank420]

all you swadia-poors make me sick. Full army of hired blades and khergit horse archers

[SobieskiReborn]

Slaver Chiefs are the undisputed kings of siege defense. They have Great Hammers, so they crush through shields and keep knocking enemies down

[Byle]

To the limit of my experience, the Khergit Khanate is the best beginning faction because you usually start out with a horse, and once you get your tribesmen onto horses they get xp very quickly. Feel free to correct me if you think I'm wrong.

[buckets]

He said the Swadians are the best all rounders (meaning they are decent at all things and not specialsed in one specific skill) not the best all round (meaning they're the best (cos nords are :))

[Shipwrecked]

I typically prefer either the Khergit's or the Sarranid's. I'm a big cavalry guy, and the Khergit's skirmishing skills and the Sarranid's variety offer some of the best gameplay for me. A mix of both does well. If I need infantry to complement my cavalry, I typically get them from either the Rhodoks or Swadia.

[Becktle]

Quite sucks that in both games the Swadians are the target number one oh everyone, On the first game on my gameplay they only had Suno left in a 1 year fight with Khanate (My faction), and Vaegirs which took 70% oh they're land.
I love Medieval europe and sucks that the faction that is the closest to them is the most hated.

[goodODST unit]

@KalkiKrosah Sergeant*