How UNDERRATED is the Menavliaton? Bannerlord Shock Troop Units Guide

This is a 1.8. Bannerlord in Depth Analysis of the Shock troop known as Elite Menavliaton.
This video is part of a Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Playlist where we analyze each unit not only based on their equipment but also on statistics taken after intensive testings.
The Data will be trimmed down and showcased both throughout the video and at the end to allow the viewer to know as much as possible about the unit in question.
A score will also be provided at the end based on Lyon’s opinion, this score shouldn’t be taken as hard evidence, as different playstyles may impact the way viewers evaluate units.
In this here video we are going to talk about the Imperial Elite Menavliaton.
A unit that has always been about average but after the armor rework and the 1.8. AI change how does this unit perform?
Units Guide Playlist: • How BAD is The Wildlin...
And remember, criticism and constructive feedback are always appreciated.

[@LyonExodus]

Any thoughts about the graphs?

[@owmyeyeseverythingissobright]

sleek and informative. Just right for your Bannerlordology PhD defence. I hope to see more of them!

[@jentegeeraerts1119]

They give an easy to see difference in performance of troops, I like them

[@christophesiewecke9208]

I want more graphs! They would be great for a tier-list video! Maybe you should do one tier list for shock troops and one for shielded infantry? With graphs!

[@yuliofont271]

I like the data represented on graphs.

[@savic101]

I like them

[@blazezz1101]

Taleworlds: We feel that equipping the Elite Menavliaton with only the polearm is too minimalistic so we decided to also give them a 1h-sword and a pilum that they will never use just to make them look flashier.

[@HistoricalWeapons]

It’s historically accurate for polearm units to have a short backup. Remember that spears in real life have limitations where a sword is more useful such as tight alleyways and rooms

[@pendantblade6361]

Sucks that spears are literally one of humanity's oldest and most effective weapons but Bannerlord AI does not take advantage of it, at all.

[@noctusfury6918]

😭

[@takuoku2546]

menaulions(byzantine spears that the menavlitons are based on) were much longer so after the 1.8 ai is fixed, I would like to see longer menavlitons.

[@calebcampbell9280]

Fine Steel Menavlions are what you are looking for and they are already in the game, although not issued yo any troops. Polearms are usually significantly shorter in games than irl. Real pila are about as long as the in game menavlion.

[@giftzwerg7345]

Please not, i doupt that it would be worth it.

[@giftzwerg7345]

@@calebcampbell9280 there is a lot of debate, but as fast as i know menevleatons are not that long. But rather short and sturdy

[@MilitaryBuff]

1 handed sword is to allow shock troops to still be armed if they hold a formation banner

[@LyonExodus]

now it does. not when the video was made

[@Fightersword]

Hope they get the AI rounded out. I mean, the AI were never 'good' at using polearms, but watching some of them bear hug until I intervene (because it's not like they're gonna kill each other on their own) is very noticeably silly.

[@LyonExodus]

unfortunately it's a recent unwanted? change that came with 1.8. My best guess is that as the game is getting ready for consoles TW has been cutting and simplifying the code over the past months. It's likely that in the future a more efficient code will bring back a lot of the old behaviors and improve the already existing ones. Until then, most shock troops will fair worse than they should.

[@The_Custos]

Love these guys, really strong now. Trying to find the perfect infantry to mix them with (legio and sea raiders works).

[@agroplode9680]

2:07 Oh that last guy he heard his Mama call him 😅

[@LyonExodus]

Yeah, she saved his life to Pillage another day

[@BaskinTimi]

Can you test all cavalries while they are unmounted(like inf)? Its bcz im bored of using standard inf

[@LyonExodus]

i already do Jhin. for all the cavalry analysis there is a dismounted or melee efficiency. i think it's always the 3rd stat screen.

[@turarik6641]

agree on everything. (what are the use of weapons if they can't be used?!?!?!) if I may make a note it is an excellent anti-cavalry troop because when the menavliaton (this spear can strike with its tip and block the charge of the knight) hit, is truly pain.

[@O.LEO.N]

The sidearm is actually pretty good when it comes to being inside a horde of men and horses. Basically, their menavlion is useless if the enemy is too close to them, so their sidearm is at least handy in that regard! 😁

[@AzoiatheCobra]

honestly, having a side weapon could be good IF one could command the troops to use it AND if they had good skill on it. because in sieges, specially inside buildings, i aldready saw the ai (and me... to be honest) hitting the walls or pillars

[@ChristianAuditore14]

In warband the fire/hold fire did this

[@ChristianAuditore14]

What cutescene of a soldier coming out of a door is that?

[@LyonExodus]

Is the "become new king/queen of an existing faction" one. I made sure to equip my hero with the loadout of the unit then used the cheat console to kill the leader and got voted as the new one.

[@demoulius1529]

Maybe the AI problems have been fixed by now. But eleite menagliatons cleave a bloody path through my enemies. All shock troops as far as I can see. Even Voulgers kill many times their own numbers now :o

[@jordanwilson4182]

I think shock troops have swords only for immersion purposes because soldiers carried swords as sidearms. Kinda pointless in game though

[@LyonExodus]

i have seen them only use it in prison breaks. So i guess there is at least 1 reason. But they also use the normal weapon too. You go and figure out the logic behind it, i kinda use it as a running joke in my videos and nothing else. the "look" is probably the reasoning behind it at the end.

[@HistoricalWeapons]

@@LyonExodushistorically these elite polearm units always had some short backup. Weapons break. And inside buildings

[@BaskinTimi]

whats the best shock troop

[@frights6662]

Curious as well

[@LyonExodus]

the Palace Guard and the Linebreaker both have a strong claim to that spot.

[@Pvinini]

@@LyonExodus NORTHERN LINEBREAKER IS THE BEST!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[@ushallnotpass0]

Usually I prefer all infantries from Nordik Sturgias. All of them so gud imo

[@aryanwitheredone]

Just make one with my little Warband mod.

[@kevinberardi6760]

I just be sending my cavalry to counter charge other cavalry rather than use a single menavliaton lmao

[@Shayrin2]

I'm pretty sure he never pronunced their name the same way twice in a row lmao

[@mortache]

Underrated? When I was doing a pure Khan's Guard run the only casualties I'd take were from these guys! The rest were one shot by the glaive before they could whittle down their hp Also, maybe they had a plan to let the AI drop their giant weapons in close quarters?

[@LyonExodus]

there might have been an idea of having troops changing weapons in development, but it's clear that has never materialized. Right now the only times the units will use the 1H sword is in prison breaks, nowhere else as far as i can tell. So in combat it's just a decoration.

[@colhammer1]

#2 lmao!

[@LyonExodus]

want to guess what's N1?