Rising Lords Unit Beginner Guide (Stats, Requirements, Strengths & Weaknesses)

The lowly Peasant is the weakest unit you can recruit; but does not require any equipment to do so, aside from the peasantry themselves. To say they are not particularly strong would be an overstatement, but they do serve well as a disposable meatshield, or on the attack, to provoke a counter strike from an enemy unit before sending in someone more valuable and difficult to replace. Peasants are extra weak against swordsmen, though you’re unlikely to notice or care in most cases where you’ll be using these guys.

Attack: 1 Defense: 2 Move: 2
Requirements: Peasants

Strengths/Weaknesses:
– Swordsman

The Bowman is likely to be the first ranged unit you recruit, and also the most economical. Requiring very little equipment to recruit, these guys are best used in large numbers, and with an ample screen to keep them safe. They excel at attacking Cavalry, Peasants, and other Bowmen; and as such should be used to target the opponent’s bowmen first if you have an eye toward winning the ranged fight. They’re hitting power tends to suffer against armored units; but these guys are so cheap that you can make up for that with numbers.

Attack: 1 Defense: 2 Move: 2
Requirements: Ranged Weapons

Strengths/Weaknesses:
+ Peasant
+ Bowman
+ Cavalry
– Pikeman
– Swordsman
– Crossbowman
– Knight

These guys take a bit more to produce than your bowman, but are better in melee than either them or peasants. While they don’t have much striking power, then can be relied upon to take out enemy ranged units and peasants. Where they really shine however, is in taking on enemy mounted troops. Early game, when you aren’t likely to encounter many mounted opponents, you’ll be better off with Swordsmen; but if your opponent likes to field lots of mounted troops, these guys provide a cheap and effective stopgap.

Attack: 4 Defense: 6 Move: 2
Requirements: Spears, Light Armor

Strengths/Weaknesses:
++ Knight
++ Cavalry

These guys are the first real fighters you are likely to recruit, and can form the backbone of your early armies. Exceptionally effective in taking down Pikemen and cutting down Peasants, they can quickly dispatch any ranged units which get into range also. They don’t really meet their match until they start coming up against mounted units, against whom they can suffer greatly. Not really any more difficult to recruit than Pikemen, it’s likely that these guys will compete with your Knights for access to Swords and Heavy armor at some point- at least until you’ve built up a big stockpile.

Attack: 7 Defense: 6 Move: 2
Requirements: Swords, Heavy Armor

Strengths/Weaknesses:
++ Pikeman
+ Peasant
– Knight
– – Cavalry

Crossbowman are more a specialist unit than an upgrade on the Bowman. Used against armored units like Pikemen, Swordsmen, or Knights, they can be devastating. They suffer against pretty much anything else, including enemy Crossbowmen and Bowmen. This makes them unsuitable for winning the ranged fight against an opponent fielding Bowmen, especially as the Crossbowmen are more resource-intensive to recruit. Speaking of which, their requirement for light armor puts them at odds with several other units that you’re probably going to want a bit more.

Attack: 2 Defense: 3 Move: 2
Requirements: Ranged Weapons, Light Armor

Strengths/Weaknesses:
++ Pikeman
++ Swordsman
++ Knight
– Peasant
– Bowman
– Crossbowman
– Cavalry

Much like the real thing, these guys are devastating and suitably expensive. Once you have them however, they serve as an excellent striking arm for your army. Quick and well-suited to face *almost* anything your opponent can throw at them, their steep recruitment requirements are offset by their utility and effectiveness. Due to their cost, you will want to expend the enemy unit’s counter attack before sending these guys in; but they are plenty tough enough to go in first if needed. Something to make note of though, is that Pikemen will inflict losses on these guys, and it is not worth sending your Knights against Pikemen unless absolutely necessary. Wear them down with ranged fire, or expend their counter attacks first unless you can count on a first-hit knockout blow.

Attack: 13 Defense: 15 Move: 3
Requirements: Swords, Light Armor, Heavy Armor, Horses

Strengths/Weaknesses:
+ Bowman
+ Swordsman
+ Crossbowman
+ Cavalry
– – Pikeman

The little brothers of the Knight; Cavalry share their more expensive counterparts’s ability to strike hard and fast on the battlefield, but without their ability to shrug off casualties. Much like with Knights, you want to send these guys into situations where they aren’t going to be receiving counter attacks, or where they can strike a blow that won’t leave much behind to hit back at them. Failure to do so will see your Cavalry cut down at an alarming rate; which might not be a big deal for you since they are much less expensive to make than Knights. In fact, for the cost of 1 Knight, you can field 1 Cavalry, and 1 Swordsman; making Cavalry one of the most economically efficient units you can recruit. An opponent who leans on Swordsmen for his armies will get a nasty surprise; while as with Knights you will want to be careful when facing lots of Pikemen.

Attack: 9 Defense: 4 Move: 3
Requirements: Spears, Light Armor, Horses

Strengths/Weaknesses:
++ Swordsman
+ Bowman
+ Crossbowman
– – Pikeman
– Knight