RBM includes a gigantic stealth nerf to Fian Champions

RBM introduces cutting arrows in addition to the piercing ones. Most troop trees go from cutting arrows at the low tiers and upgrade to bodkin (pierce) arrows later on. Pierce damage has always been superior to cut and that's why cut damage usually has a higher base damage score.

Fians (including champs) have the opposite progression. They have P damage from tier 2 to 4 but at tier 5 they trade them in for barbed arrows. While the base damage goes up from 110 to 135, cut damage is so much worse against armored troops it serves as a huge nerf.

I tested in custom battles and their performance is disappointing. Dismounted Druzhinnik Champions solidly beat Fian Champions. Dismounted Khan's Guards absolutely annihilated the fian champions. Imperial t5 archers beat regular fians in a close fight. Asurai Master archers absolutely stomped the regular fians.

The tide however turns if you use t4 archers. Battanian Heros won vs Asarai Experienced archers and imperial veteran archers.

The T6 archers still wipe the floor with T5 from other factions but they don't stack up to the other T6 troops and I think its due to the cutting arrows.

submitted by /u/KefirFan
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