The majority of this problem appears to be an imbalance of unit equipment-to tier and some mucked up stat allocation. Unfortunately Sturgia is not the only faction to suffer from this problem, a number of Battanian units also have it was well (looking at you Trained Spearmen). But this certainly sounds the most widespread and egregious. I absolutely agree that this needs to be fixed and that Sturgia needs another look through. Similarly I agree that spearmen could stand to be more effective, or at the very least that the game better explain how to make spearmen effective. All of this sounds absolutely reasonable to change to me.
However.
I agree that the stat allocation is dumb as hell. Its possible that the Druzhinnik was originally meant as a general purpose cavalry, combining the features of armored melee cavalry and horse archery. As it stands, it is unfavorably put together, and must be fixed. That being said, I'm not sure I want the Druzhinnik as a unit to be replaced with a infantry counterpart.
Its been argued back and forth many times, but the Sturgians in Bannerlord are meant to be based on the Kievan Rus, a mixed Norse-Slav federation from the 9th-13th century. This is where the famous Varangian Guard originally hailed from. Unlike the Norse Vikings, the Kievan Rus did have and used cavalry. My understanding of the culture and language isn't great, but I believe the equivalent to a western europe lord's retinue was called a Druzhina, and their equivalent of minor nobility (think Medieval Knights) was called the Druzhinniki. Both were known to fight on horseback.
I think that if you were take away the Druzhinnik and replace it with something else, it would compromise that original design intention, and in this case shift the faction closer to its Norse Viking counterparts. I see the appeal of that, especially since in the game currently there aren't any melee infantry noble lines, but I think I would prefer the Druzhinnik remain as Sturgian's sole heavy cavalry option, able to compete with the likes of Cataphracts and Vlandian Knights. As for emphasizing Sturgia's strengths, making their infantry mechanically stronger than their piers may do the job.
However.
This, in my opinion, is by far the most egregious injustice done against the Sturgian roster. Noble lines should be the hallmark of a faction that embody it's strengths. Think Battanian Fian Champions, Imperial Elite Cataphracts, Vlandian Banner Knights, Khuzait Khan's Guards: each the epitome of their respective factions. The Sturgian Noble line starts as a shielded spear unit with throwing axes, that was shaping up to be an analog to the veteran and then half way through the tree changes it's mind and becomes the Druzhinnik. 220 Bow skill on a unit that doesn't even have a ranged weapon. 60 Polearm skill, when it's primary weapon is a spear. A heavy cavalry unit that is never mentioned or referenced anywhere in the lore or perceived play-style that Sturgia embodies. The saddest part is the Varyag Veterans, the 3rd level of this unit, is actually a better spearmen than the Sturgian Spearmen, due to the better armor and throwing axes, even if it only has 15(!!!) in the throwing skill.
This entire line needs to be reexamined from the ground up. Sturgia doesn't need a bargain bin cataphract with a broken skill allocation. You know what I'd want to see for the noble line? An upgraded Skolder Veteran Brotva. This is the unique line of troops that the lake-rat Sturgian subfaction has. Spear + Axe + Throwing Javelins with the iconic big shield and a sane stat lineup. Slap the veteran armor on this bad-boy and you have the most the most elite melee infantry unit in the game. A unit worthy of being called a t6 noble unit that embodies Sturgia's strengths rather than this broken and disappointing compromise.
I agree that the stat allocation is dumb as hell. Its possible that the Druzhinnik was originally meant as a general purpose cavalry, combining the features of armored melee cavalry and horse archery. As it stands, it is unfavorably put together, and must be fixed. That being said, I'm not sure I want the Druzhinnik as a unit to be replaced with a infantry counterpart.
Its been argued back and forth many times, but the Sturgians in Bannerlord are meant to be based on the Kievan Rus, a mixed Norse-Slav federation from the 9th-13th century. This is where the famous Varangian Guard originally hailed from. Unlike the Norse Vikings, the Kievan Rus did have and used cavalry. My understanding of the culture and language isn't great, but I believe the equivalent to a western europe lord's retinue was called a Druzhina, and their equivalent of minor nobility (think Medieval Knights) was called the Druzhinniki. Both were known to fight on horseback.
I think that if you were take away the Druzhinnik and replace it with something else, it would compromise that original design intention, and in this case shift the faction closer to its Norse Viking counterparts. I see the appeal of that, especially since in the game currently there aren't any melee infantry noble lines, but I think I would prefer the Druzhinnik remain as Sturgian's sole heavy cavalry option, able to compete with the likes of Cataphracts and Vlandian Knights. As for emphasizing Sturgia's strengths, making their infantry mechanically stronger than their piers may do the job.