10. Longbowmen
While only available to England, longbowmen units in the game are among the most solid and reliable missile units in the game. Their good range, armor-piercing projectile makes them a good alternative to England’s lack of crossbow units, allowing them to harass opponents from range, and blunt enemy charges when positioned correctly!
To add onto that, longbowmen are the only units in the game with the ability to place down stakes, which deal devastating damage to any cavalry unit unfortunate enough to run across them. This allows the player to set up a strong defensive position in most terrains and situations by utilizing this ability correctly.
Strengths:
- Good reloading rate, accuracy and range
- Armor-piercing ammunition
- Ability to place down stakes to ward off cavalry
Link to Wiki Page: https://wiki.totalwar.com/w/Longbowmen_(M2TW_unit).html
9. Musketeers
Barring artillery and cavalry, musketeers are the strongest gunpowder units in the game, sporting the best range and damage. Despite their slow firing rate, a good formation of musketeers can destroy any enemy charge. A musketeer’s bullets can pierce through enemies, and leave the survivors fleeing for their lives!
Strengths:
- Highest damage and range out of all missile units
- Armor-piercing ammunition
- Damages enemy morale when firing
Link to Wiki Page: https://wiki.totalwar.com/w/Musketeers_(M2TW_unit).html
8. Pavise Crossbowmen
Available to a variety of factions, Pavise Crossbowmen are the top pick when it comes to crossbow units. With higher unit quantities than musketeers, crossbowmen boast just as much stopping power. They also boast protective shields on their back which they turn to the enemy while reloading.
Whether they’re skirmishing with other missile units, harassing enemies, or blunting enemy charges, Pavise Crossbowmen are capable of getting the job done. All while having decent protection against enemy missiles!
Strengths:
- Armor-piercing ammunition
- Protective shields against enemy missiles
Link to Wiki Page: https://wiki.totalwar.com/w/Pavise_Crossbowmen_(M2TW_unit).html
7. Dismounted Feudal Knights
Feudal Knights and their dismounted counterparts are the bread and butter of any army capable of fielding them. Dismounted Feudal Knights are easy to afford and maintain, and make for effective infantry on the field, capable of pinning any enemy and grinding them down in brutal close-quarters combat.
If you need a core of capable infantry in your army, look no further than this unit!
Strengths:
- Strong heavy infantry
- Common and cost-effective on campaign and in multiplayer
Link to Wiki Page: https://wiki.totalwar.com/w/Dismounted_Feudal_Knights_(M2TW_unit).html
6. Feudal Knights
Feudal Knights and their dismounted counterparts are the bread and butter of any army capable of fielding them. Feudal Knights are easy to afford and maintain, and make for effective cavalry on the field. Their armor, lances and training make them the heaviest hard-hitters, and any enemy would be hard pressed to resist their charge.
Strengths:
- Heavy charge momentum
- Common and cost-effective on campaign and in multiplayer
Link to Wiki Page: https://wiki.totalwar.com/w/Feudal_Knights_(M2TW_unit).html
5. Naffatun
Take my word for it; Naffatuns are one of the most fearsome units in Medieval II: Total War. They wield a flaming “Naptha,” containing a variety of flammable materials capable of setting any foe alight.
They don’t have much in the way of range, but if you properly set them up, they can tear through any enemy with their Napthas, and decisively crush their morale. Who wouldn’t buckle at the sight of someone burning alive?
Strengths:
- Instant-kill projectiles
- Significantly damages enemy morale
Link to Wiki Page: https://wiki.totalwar.com/w/Naffatun_(M2TW_unit).html
4. Hashashim
Despite their small unit size, the Hashashim boast one of the highest stats that a melee unit can enjoy. The Hashashim are an expert unit of assassins, available to three factions in the game. They’re capable of hiding themselves in almost any terrain, and can spring from their hidden positions to catch unaware enemies by surprise.
However, don’t get the wrong idea. Being stealthy isn’t the only use for the Hashashim. They’re very strong in head-to-head combat, and can cut through most enemy infantry with ease.
Strengths:
- Expert ambushers — can be hidden in almost any terrain
- Extremely skilled warriors, reflected in their stats
Link to Wiki Page: https://wiki.totalwar.com/w/Hashashim_(M2TW_unit).html
3. Dismounted Conquistadores
Conquistadores, as well as their dismounted counterparts, are considered as some of the best units in the game, period. Available to only Portugal and Spain, Dismounted Conquistadores are a unit of soldiers trained for the colonization of the Americas.
Properly equipped and trained, they make for a fearsome unit on the battlefield. They boast a near-perfect balance of mobility and armor, and they’re extensively trained and tested on the battlefield. They can only be recruited in the Americas, but you’ll find that taking on the endeavor will be worth it.
Strengths:
- Considered the best heavy infantry in the game
- High stamina, stats and morale
Link to Wiki Page: https://wiki.totalwar.com/w/Dismounted_Conquistadores_(M2TW_unit).html
2. Conquistadores
Conquistadores, as well as their dismounted counterparts, are considered as some of the best units in the game, period. Available to only Portugal and Spain, Conquistadores are a unit of soldiers trained for the colonization of the Americas.
Moving faster than Feudal Knights, Conquistadores boast higher attack and charge momentum, making them a fearsome juggernaut on the battlefield, whether they’re in the Americas or in Europe. They can only be recruited in the Americas, but you’ll find that taking on the endeavor will be worth it.
Strengths:
- Heavy charge momentum
- High stamina, stats and morale
Link to Wiki Page: https://wiki.totalwar.com/w/Conquistadores_(M2TW_unit).html
1. War Elephants
The unit so ridiculously powerful, it’s banned in most multiplayer matches. Elephants are the heaviest cavalry in the game. They’re the hardest hitters ever, and their riders are armed with rifles or cannons to shoot down on their enemies. They’re a fearsome unit on the battlefield, capable of routing most armies.
However, elephants are as dangerous as they are powerful. The elephants aren’t always perfectly trained, and respond poorly to certain stimuli. This can cause them to lose control and run amok, damaging your own troops just as much as the enemy’s. Being powerful and destructive units, it would be wise to use war elephants with caution.
Strengths:
- Very heavy charge moment
- Armed with an arquebus (or a light cannon depending on which elephant unit you recruit)
- Significantly damages enemy morale
- Resistant to damage (save for certain weapons)
Link to Wiki Page: http://totalwar.honga.net/unit.php?v=m2tw&f=timurids&d=Elephants&encode=en
