Crusader Kings 3: The 5 Best Men-At-Arms Regiment Compositions (2025)

Men-At-Arms are an important part of gaining a military advantage over enemy factions in Crusader Kings 3. In addition to the Levies contributed by Vassals and ruled territories, players can also recruit specialist units via the Military tab, who will be much more combat-effective than similarly sized armies full of Levies. To start with, players will only have five Men-At-Arms regiment slots available, though this can eventually be expanded up to nine regiments with a variety of traditions, perks, and innovations.

Siege Weapons have been omitted from the compositions, though these will be required in order to besiege and conquer any enemy settlements. Siege Weapons can travel as a separate army and only be brought in when necessary, or can be added by players once additional Men-At-Arms slots have been unlocked. Each composition is useful for a variety of reasons, though players may be required to unlock several innovations and traditions, or occupy certain territories, before these units become available. As well as Regular Men-At-Arms regiments, there are also specialist Regional, Cultural, and Traditional units that can be unlocked throughout the game. While generally these units are more powerful, it is worth double-checking against other available regiments to see where strengths and weaknesses within an army may lie.

Cheap and Well-Rounded Composition For Iberian Factions

This balanced and cheap composition of troops will provide cover against all types of enemies. Caballeros are an Iberian cavalry unit and will therefore require players to own territory in Iberia before they can be unlocked. The Caballeros can be replaced with other cavalry types, but their cheap maintenance cost makes them an ideal choice, particularly for early-game players in the region. Aside from this, players will need the Quilted Armor innovation for the Armored Footmen and Advanced Bowmaking for the Crossbowmen.

The Pikemen will provide defense against enemy cavalry units, with additional support from the Crossbowmen. Several regiments of Bowmen and Armored Footmen will be able to counter the enemy's infantry units, and the Caballeros or a substitute cavalry unit can be used to mop up the enemy's archers. Overall, this composition provides a formidable structure against a range of enemy unit types, and is advantageously cheap to maintain.

4 Armored Footmen, Armored Horsemen, Light Footmen, Crossbowmen, House Guard

Balanced and Highly Effective Composition For Christian Factions

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This relatively basic composition of units can be achieved fairly early on. Since it does not contain any Cultural or Traditional units, this set up can be used by any faction, in just about any territory on the map. The only requirements are the Quilted Armor innovation for the Armored Footmen, Arched Saddle for the Armored Horsemen, Advanced Bowmaking for the Crossbowmen and the complete Warfare Dynasty Legacy in order to unlock the House Guard. Aside from the House Guard, the other innovations should be relatively straightforward to unlock, and the House Guard can be replaced by other units until they are unlocked.

The Armored Footmen and House Guards will target enemy Pikemen, while the Armored Housemen will help the House Guards against Bowmen too. A few regiments of Light Footmen will help to counter any enemy infantry, while the Crossbowmen will provide a counter against both infantry and cavalry. While this set up may be vulnerable to enemy armies with a lot of cavalry regiments, this can always be balanced out with additional Pike units in place of the House Guard.

3 Jomsviking Pirates, Varangian Veterans, Armored Horsemen, Metsanvarjita, Crossbowmen

Powerful Army Composition For Players In Northern Territories

This composition will be particularly favorable to players starting in the Northern European regions, but will require a range of territories and innovations in order to unlock all the requisite units. Jomsviking Pirates are used to counter enemy archers and infantry units, but will require players to complete certain events within the Northern Lords DLC to unlock them. Similarly, Varangian Veterans will only be available to players with that DLC, and can be recruited following the learning of the Coastal Warriors tradition. Metsanvartija do not have any DLC requirements, and instead can be unlocked with the Forest Wardens tradition, available to territories in Finland.

This strong composition of units will be almost unstoppable when launching a Viking conquest of Europe, allowing for fast raids and devastating attacks against enemy armies, particularly in Winter Conditions, which are favorable to several of the units. Varangian Veteran can deal with enemy Pikemen and Armored Horsemen, while the Metsanvarjita will counter any Light Infantry units. Crossbowmen will help to deal with enemy cavalry and infantry, while the Jomsviking Pirates and Armored Horsemen will be especially effective against enemy archers such as Bowmen.

2 Huscarls, Schiltron, Hobelars, Order Knights, Bowmen

Very Powerful Composition Set Up For Central European Factions

Though a rather expensive composition of units, this set up can ensure the domination of Central Europe, with units belonging to a variety of European traditions around the Kingdoms of France and Germany. Huscarls can be unlocked with either the Hirds or Coastal Warriors tradition, with Schiltron being available in the Late Medieval period to players with the Strong Kinship tradition. Hobelars, which have an especially devastating Pursuit ability, are a regional unit available from the British Isles, while the Order Knights can be recruited by players who have founded a Christian Holy Order.

The Huscarls and Hobelars will counter enemy Bowmen and Pikemen, while the Schiltron provide a great defense against enemy Cavalry units. Order Knights will be especially effective against enemy Infantry, while a regiment of Bowmen, or another ranged substitute, will help to suppress both enemy Infantry and Cavalry. Overall, this devastating combination of units is difficult to match within the European territories, though it is expensive to maintain and difficult to unlock.

1 Mubarizun, Mountaineers, Konni, Paiks, War Elephants

Extremely Powerful Composition Of Elite Asian And Arabian Units

This composition of regiments is arguably the most powerful assortment available, and can be unlocked by players in Eastern regions who have controlled territory in India and South East Asia. Mubarizun and Mountaineers are two powerful infantry units and will require the Arabic Mubarizun tradition as well as the Himalayan Settlers tradition for the Mountaineers. Konni are perhaps the most overpowered cavalry unit in the game, and can be unlocked with the Konni Raids tradition. Paiks are an elite archery unit from India who will require the Bamboo Bows innovations, while War Elephants are another Regional unit type also from India.

The Mubarizun are capable of taking on both enemy Pikemen and Heavy Infantry, while the Mountaineers can provide support against lighter infantry units. Konni and War Elephants can deal with most other enemy unit types, while Paiks will provide a good counter-measure against enemy armies who are similarly employing War Elephants in their army.

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Crusader Kings 3

RPG

Grand Strategy

Platform(s)

PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , PC

Released

September 1, 2020

Developer(s)

Paradox Interactive

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