Slaver Chiefs FTW!

[Oldschool]

So...playing around with the new patch.  In the early going I rescued some manhunters and added them to the party just as temporary cavalry until I got ready to join a faction.  I've always ignored that line of troops in previous games, but this time I decided to keep them around for the bandit hunting stage of my game. 

By the time they get upgraded to Slaver Chief these units are awesome.  PS 5, Riding 5, 130 in weapon skills as a base.  Warhorse, Brigandine, and either a military hammer or warhammer.  Also guaranteed gloves, helmets, and steel shields.

I wish I had been more careful about keeping them alive now.  They are better than faction knights for me.  They won't get any morale penalties no matter what faction you fight.  They don't seem to have the higher cost like mercenary cavalry do, and they produce a ton of prisoners if you want that cash flow.

I've only got about 12 of them left.  Next game, I'll make a point of rescuing these guys and using them as my primary knight unit.  They're fragile until you get them upgraded, and are in limited supply, but well worth having when all is said and done.

 

[Manic Oppressive]

Yeah, I think they've gotten some major buffs in the last few patches. I carefully cultivated mine and have around 20 atm, I've seen a definite boost to the effectiveness of my cavalry charges with them.

 

[Wheem]

The Manhunter line of troops got a major upgrade with 1.126. Prior to that patch, they were actually quite weak even at high tier; and if I remember correctly, cost more than most/all other cavalry in upkeep. Now, once they get up to Slave Hunter, they're actually pretty respectable cavalry units (though they still ride "fragile" horses - like Coursers - at that rank).

 

[Manic Oppressive]

I prefer them to ride coursers anyway, I ride them myself and like having some of my guys keep up with me in the charge.