What's your favourite mercenary?

[Myth]

I like the unhorsed knights in the Holy Lands. Equivalent to DFKs if memory serves and they are not a Crusade merc. However getting them just before taking Jerusalem means you will end up with 2 chevron heavy infantry. Very beneficial if you can't manipulate the pope to declare the first crusade to something better than Jerusalem.

[PrestigeX]

I usually like getting the Mercenary Crossbowmen, pretty much at any time but especially in the beginning. I also like using the Armenian Archers and heavy cavalry when I'm in Anatolia because they're really cheap and quite good for the money.

[Adelaide]

Early in my campaign I got a lot of Mercenary Crossbowmen and they were really good to have until I got Scots Guard (very good archers!) and Aventurier (the best crossbowmen in the game!).

But my favorite mercenary unit so far is Alan Light Cavalry! As French I have access to a lot of heavy cavalry (Chivalric Knights, Lancers, Knights Hospitaller and Knights Templar) but I have no fast light cavalry at all, so the Alan Light Cavalry is very good to have! Just as sharpshooter said they're perfect for catching annoying horse archers and fleeing cavalry that your slower heavy cavalry cant outrun.

[Beggarman]

Alan Cavalry are REALLY nice. I love them: they hit as hard as mailed knights, but are faster!

[Myth]

Aventurier (the best crossbowmen in the game!).

I think that title rightfully belongs to the Genoese Crossbowmen.

[Beggarman]

I think that title rightfully belongs to the Genoese Crossbowmen.

Depends. Aventurias or whatever they are called are much better in melee than Genoese. In a shoot out, the genoese will come out ahead, but they arn't as capable in melee, and have much lower morale. Light cavalry types will see off the Genoese, while the Aventuriers will be much better at standing off enemy cavalry. Genoese are great, on the other hand, because you can spam them from minor cities, allowing you to field them much earlier and in far greater numbers.

It's certainly not a clear cut "one is best!" situation.

[Athena]

I like the unhorsed knights in the Holy Lands. Equivalent to DFKs if memory serves and they are not a Crusade merc. However getting them just before taking Jerusalem means you will end up with 2 chevron heavy infantry. Very beneficial if you can't manipulate the pope to declare the first crusade to something better than Jerusalem.

I second this, I love the unhorsed knights. Saved my hide on more than one occasion in the holy lands. Egypt just can't take my walls if I have these boys sitting there.

[scrapcode]

Alan Light hands down... That charge is not for "light cavalry".. Shame that it's so hard to find them when I need them.

[Yesugey]

I neveruse mercenaries, although all you guys said is true, there are some awesome units.

My favourite Mercenary that I can't resist to not to get is Khwarazmian Cavalry. It's picture was epic in good old MTW.. Their stats are no different or lesser than European counterparts, but somehow they just don't die.. They are so powerful, I am thinking like there is a bug and they actually have 2 hitpoints.

I do enjoy the fun and rare units also: Rocket Launchers, Elephants... Even Ribault.

[Egypt]

Mercenary Frankish Knights, Ghazis, Pavise crossbow militia

[Tsar Alexsandr]

Though it's been said already, it bears repeating. Alan cavalry. As Russia, I used these guys as the precursors to my mighty Cossacks. And when I invaded Anatolia, I found yet more Alans! And so I had many, many Alans.

Serbian knights are also very good, and helped me keep the West at bay. (As always with Russia. xD)

Rocket launchers are a great mercenary! And elephant artillery as well. Sometimes ribaults are nice. (If you can't build them.) And the Pavise crossbow mercs are nice too. I used them alongside muskets sometimes.