Units

This article is locked by KM Staff.This article is locked & contains official information edited by a KM Staff member. This information is subjected to change as needed to better inform the game community.

### Uses

Attacking or defending using an Army or defending your City in a garrison.

### Quantity Limit

Unlimited

Units that you train in either your Barracks, Archery Range, Stables, or Siege Factory that you assign to a Noble's Army to engage in combat are a key gameplay element in Kingdom Maker and part of the game's combat mechanics.

## Key Details

Units are distinguished by two main types: melee **Tank Units** and projectile **DPS Units.** Two other Units that are unique to the Player's arsenal are categorized as **Siege Units.**

Tank Units are those who fight on the frontlines as your main melee forces that include **Axemen (Light Tank), Swordsmen (Medium Tank) and Cavalry (Heavy Tank).** Certain Tank Units can counter other Tanks using **Combat Advantage to deal critical hit damage** against the losing side as part of a **rock-paper-scissors formula,** while dealing a normal ratio of damage against all other Units.

DPS units are those who support their melee forces from afar using projectiles that include **Catapults (Boulder DPS), Archers (Arrow DPS) and Crossbowmen (Bolt).** Certain DPS units can counter a target Tank unit using **Combat Advantage to deal critical hit damage** against a vulnerable Tank unit, but **have the same standalone defense** against all Tank and DPS units and do not counter other DPS units with critical hits.

Siege units come in the form of **Rockbreakers,** heavy machines that can aid a **Collier or Prospector** in gathering ores from Mining Nodes, and **Trebuchets,** a siege machine that excels in destroying City defenses from a distance. **Both of these units cannot defend themselves in combat** and must be supported by Tank and DPS units in order to serve their purpose.

## Troops

Troops are the **Tank and DPS units** that are trained individually at either your Barracks, Archery Range, Stables or Siege Factory. Troops come in a variety of strengths depending on their Tier. Each Tier of Troop from ***Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4*** are also known as "*Militia*", "*Regular*", "*Veteran*" and "*Royal*" units that are typically nicknamed "*Bronze*", "*Silver*", "*Gold*" and "*Diamond*".

### Swordsmen (Medium Tank) Units

Swordsmen are Medium Tank units and are the one of the first types of units that are available to the Player that be trained from the start; more specifically, Militia Swordsmen at a Level 1 Keep. The Player is able to train Swordsmen, Veteran Swordsmen and Royal Swordsmen when their training is unlocked from Research in the Academy. They are also typically the cheapest units to train in larger numbers at a time.

Swordsmen are a standard Melee Infantry unit in an Army, having a lot of health and can equip Battalion Equipment that raises their attack strength and their health. They can deal critical hit damage to Light Tank units but are weak to critical hit damage by Heavy Tank units and Bolt DPS projectiles in combat. Swordsmen can climb into Towers and travel on Walls in order to breach defenses.

The ability to train higher tier Swordsmen is unlocked from researching each respective tier at the Academy.

#### Militia Swordsmen

Militia Swordsmen are unlocked from the start after a Player builds their Barracks in their City at a Level 1 Keep. These units when assigned to a battalion only have a Sword equipment slot and Chainmail equipment slot to equip Battalion Equipment that raises attack power and health, unlike Tier 2 or higher Swordsmen troops who also carry a Shield equipment slot.

### Archer (Arrow) Units

Archers are Arrow DPS units and are the one of the first types of projectile units that are available to the Player to be trained in the early game; more specifically Militia Archers when the Archery Ranged is unlocked and ready to be built when reaching a Level 4 Keep. The Player is able to train Archers, Veteran Archers and Royal Archers when their training is unlocked from Research in the Academy.

Archers are a standard Ranged Infantry unit in an Army, having a larger radius of attack range distance and can equip Battalion Equipment that raises their attack strength and their health. They can deal critical hit damage to Light Tank units and deal a **small amount of splash damage to nearby enemy battalions around their target** with their **"Rain of Arrows",** and can attack Units that are on Walls or in Towers when they are in range. Archers can fire over Walls to attack units garrisoned on Platforms or moving around Walls to attack, and like all Infantry units, Archers can climb into Towers and travel across Walls to move closer to their next target.

The ability to train higher tier Archers is unlocked from researching each respective tier at the Academy.

#### Militia Archers

The ability to train Militia Archers is unlocked in the early game after a Player builds their Archery Range in their City at a Level 4 Keep. These units when assigned to a battalion only have a Longbow and a Arrow equipment slot to equip Battalion Equipment that raises attack power, unlike Tier 2 or higher Archer troops who also carry a Leather Body equipment slot that can raise their health.

### Cavalry (Heavy Tank) Units

Cavalry units are Heavy Tank units that can be trained as the next melee unit by the Player in the early game; more specifically Militia Cavalry when the Stables are unlocked and ready to be built when reaching a Level 6 Keep. The Player is able to train Cavalry, Veteran Cavalry and Royal Cavalry when their training is unlocked from Research in the Academy. Cavalry are typically the most expensive Tank units to train.

Cavalry are powerful units in an Army, having a lot of health and can equip Battalion Equipment that raises their attack strength and their health. They can deal critical hit damage to Medium Tank units but are weak to critical hit damage by Light Tank units and Boulder DPS projectiles in combat. As **"Horde Breakers",** they can **deal damage to nearby enemy battalions around them** while engaged in combat. Cavalry will not attack Walls and Towers connected to Walls, and therefore will race straight to the next enemy Battalion or gate and start attacking it.

The ability to train higher tier Cavalry is unlocked from researching each respective tier at the Academy.

#### Militia Cavalry

The ability to train Militia Cavalry is unlocked in the early game after a Player builds their Stables in their City at a Level 6 Keep. These units when assigned to a battalion only have a Sword and a Shield equipment slot to equip Battalion Equipment that raises attack and defense power, unlike Tier 2 or higher Cavalry troops who also carry an additional Platemail Body equipment slot that can further raise their health.

### Axemen (Light Tank) Units

Axemen units are Light Tanks the one of the other types of melee Infantry units that are available to the Player. The Player is able to train Axemen, Veteran Axemen and Royal Axemen when their training is unlocked from research in the Academy.

Axemen as Light Tanks are a more offensive melee Infantry unit in an Army, having less health but more attack power. They can deal critical hit damage to Heavy Tank units but are weak to critical hit damage by Medium Tank units and Arrow DPS projectiles in combat. Axemen can climb into Towers and travel on Walls in order to breach defenses.

#### Axemen

The ability to train Axemen, otherwise known as Regular Axemen, is unlocked from researching "Regular Axemen" at the Academy. These units when assigned to a battalion will have an Axe, Shield and Leather Body equipment slot to equip Battalion Equipment that raises attack power and health.

### Crossbowmen (Bolt) Units

Crossbowmen units are Bolt DPS units and one of the other types of DPS projectile units that are available to the Player. The Player is able to train Crossbowmen, Veteran Crossbowmen and Royal Crossbowmen when their training is unlocked from Research in the Academy.

Crossbowmen are a more offensive Ranged Infantry unit in an Army, having more health while dealing a lot of damage to a single target battalion. They can deal critical hit damage to Medium Tank units. They can equip Battalion Equipment that raises their attack strength and health. Crossbowmen can attack Units that are on Walls or in Towers when they are in range. Like all Ranged Infantry units, Crossbowmen can climb into Towers and travel across Walls, and can fire over them to attack enemy units garrisoned on Platforms or moving around Walls to attack.

#### Crossbowmen

The ability to train Crossbowmen, otherwise known as Regular Crossbowmen, is unlocked from researching "Regular Crossbowmen" at the Academy. These units when assigned to a battalion will have a Crossbow, Arrow and Leather Body equipment slot to equip Battalion Equipment that raises attack power and health.

### **Catapult (Boulder) Units**

Catapult units are Boulder units and one of the first types of units that can be trained at a Siege Factory by a Player after they build a Siege Factory at a Level 11 Keep and complete "Catapult" research that unlocks their training. Catapult units are related to other Machine units produced at the Siege Factory. The Player is able to train Catapults, Heavy Catapults and Giant Catapults when their training is unlocked from Research in the Academy. Each Tier of Catapult from ***Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4*** are also nicknamed as "*Silver*", "*Gold*" and "*Diamond*" besides their unique names depending on that Tier.

Catapults as ranged Boulder projectile units with their **"Massive Boulders"** **excel at damaging multiple groups of units** when either attacking or defending in an Army or garrisoned in a City. They can deal critical hit damage to Heavy Tank units but are suffer a **severe melee penalty** when defending themselves against melee combat. They can equip Battalion Equipment that raises their attack strength and health. Catapults will attempt to attack Gates when coaxed in the right direction, and can clear out other ranged or melee units garrisoned in a Platform, Tower or Keep. Every higher tier of Catapult will have additional attack range bonuses compared to the tier of unit before it.

#### Catapults

The ability to train Catapults, otherwise known as normal Catapults or "Silver Catapults", is unlocked from researching "Catapults" at the Academy. These units when assigned to a battalion will have a Counterweight, Beam Frame and Boulder equipment slot to equip Battalion Equipment that raises attack power and health.

## Siege Units

**Siege Units** are Machine related units that are trained individually at your Siege Factory. Each Tier of Machine from ***Tier 2, Tier 3 and Tier 4*** are also nicknamed as "*Silver*", "*Gold*" and "*Diamond*" besides their unique names depending on that Tier.

### Rockbreaker Units

Rockbreaker units are a special Siege unit used for Mining bonuses that are available to the Player. The Player is able to train Rockbreakers, Heavy Rockbreakers and Giant Rockbreakers when their training is unlocked from Research in the Academy. While Rockbreakers have no combat capability to fight back, they are useful for a Collier or Prospector army to increase their Mining Capacity and Mining Rate while actively gathering ore from a Mining Node.

#### Rockbreakers

The ability to train Rockbreakers, otherwise known as normal Rockbreakers or "Silver Rockbreakers", is unlocked from researching "Rockbreakers" at the Academy. These units when assigned to a battalion will have a Rockbreaker Head, Beam Frame and Heavy Plating equipment slot to equip Battalion Equipment that raises Mining Rate, Load Protection and health.

### Trebuchet Units

Trebuchet units are a Siege Unit that can be trained by the Player. The Player is able to train Trebuchets, Heavy Trebuchets and Giant Trebuchets when their training is unlocked from Research in the Academy. Trebuchets are ranged projectile Machines that excel at destroying Gates and Walls in City defenses from a distance, but have no combat effectiveness in battle, and will not defend themselves.

Trebuchet units are a specialized Siege Machine unit in an Army, and can equip Battalion Equipment that raises their attack strength and health. Trebuchets will attempt to attack Walls when coaxed in the right direction, if not the nearest Gate. Trebuchets can deal massive amounts of damage to an enemy City's Walls to breach its defenses and carve a way forward closer to the enemy Keep for other units to continue fighting on. Trebuchets have the largest Range of any unit in the game that matches its tier.

#### Trebuchets

The ability to train Trebuchets, otherwise known as normal Trebuchets or "Silver Trebuchets", is unlocked from researching "Trebuchets" at the Academy. These units when assigned to a battalion will have a Counterweight, Beam Frame, and Boulder equipment slot to equip Battalion Equipment that raises attack power and health.

## Unit Pairings

Unit Pairings are compositions of battalions in an Army that complement each other in the Combat Advantage system as well as having shared effects between other unit pairings.

Swordsmen and Archers as Medium Tanks and Arrow Units in an army will have the Swordsmen units attack a single target while Archers with their **"Rain of Arrows"** will deal damage in an area-of-effect around the target with their projectiles. Both of these units will counter the main forces of Light Tank armies.

Axemen and Catapults as Light Tanks and Boulder Units in an army will have the Axemen units attack a single target while Catapults with their **"Massive Boulders"** will deal damage in an area-of-effect around the target with their projectiles. Both of these units will counter the main forces of Heavy Tank armies.

Cavalry and Crossbowmen as Heavy Tanks and Bolt Units in an army will have the Cavalry units as **"Horde Breakers"** attack a single target while dealing damage in an area-of-effect around the same target while Crossbowmen will deal damage to a single target with their projectiles. Both of these units will counter the main forces of Medium Tank armies.

Rockbreakers and Trebuchets can be added as a utility to any army to fulfill a resource-driven Mining army or offensive Siege army composition.

## Enemy Units

Ardendale is filled with a great amount of foes to face. Luckily, commanding your Troops under an experienced commander Noble of a certain Combat Role specialization will allow you to cull enemy **NPC Camps, Armies, Forts and Cities** that lurk near your Kingdom or beat back attacks on your own Keep, as well as other attacking or defending against other **player Kingdoms** who command the same human units as you do who may be aggressive, friendly or passive to your domain in Ardendale.

### Cinderbone Units

**The Cinderbone** are a faction of Orcs that raise their red banner of terror over many regions of Ardendale. These foes are the first kind of enemy that Players face in their surrounding Counties. Cinderbone Orcs come in the form of goblins, creatures and other humanoid brutes fused with obsidian armor and augmentations after much time spent in their volcanic homeland of the Emberlands. Cinderbone come in the form of **Large** and **Small** types of Heavy Tank, Medium Tank, Light Tank, Arrow, Bolt and Boulder units. Cinderbone encampments and settlements are ranked in strength in the form of **Cinderbone Camps, Armies, Forts and Cities** that can be defeated for **rare loot** and **common resources.** Across many regions of State Capital counties, **Cinderbone Enforcers** are boss type Heavy Tank, Medium Tank and Light Tank encampments that can also be challenged with your Alliance in order to obtain even more valuable loot drops.

**Cinderbone units** are dangerous foes that can wield **Fire Elemental Damage** which is effective against armies that aren't equipped with Fire Resistant battalion equipment or otherwise use **Physical Element** gear, and also are equipped with **Fire Elemental Defense** which will make them resistant to enemy sources of **Fire Damage.** These Orcs, however, succumb to critical hits by Frost Elemental Damage and are vulnerable against weapons, armor and **Champion** battalions outfitted with **Orc Offense** and **Orc Defense bonuses.**

### Graveborn Units

**The Graveborn** are a faction of mysterious undead born from The Bleakfrost that send chills of doom to the inhabitants of Ardendale reaching far beyond their frozen lands. These are advanced foes that Players face after they relocate further away from the quiet lands south of the Capital city regions. The Graveborn come in the form of grotesque skeleton knights, mystical magic casters and twisted giants crystallized with mysterious ice and frost originating only in the far reaches of The Bleakfrost to the north east. Graveborn come in the form of **Large** and **Small** types of Heavy Tank, Medium Tank, Light Tank, Arrow, Bolt and Boulder units. Graveborn encampments and settlements are ranked in strength in the form of **Graveborn Camps, Armies, Forts and Cities** that can be defeated for even more **valuable loot** and **common resources.** Across many regions of State Capital counties, **Graveborn Councils** are boss type Heavy Tank, Medium Tank and Light Tank encampments that can also be challenged with your Alliance in order to obtain even more exclusive loot drops.

**Graveborn units** are chilling foes that can wield **Frost Elemental Damage** which is effective against armies that aren't equipped with Frost Resistant battalion equipment or otherwise use **Fire Element** gear, and also are equipped with **Frost Elemental Defense** which will make them resistant to enemy sources of **Frost Damage.** The critical weakness of the Graveborn has not yet been discovered, but it is rumored that weapons of a Physical Element or others not of the Fire Element will deal a **normal amount of damage** to Graveborn compared to using **Fire or Frost Elemental Damage** against them. Like most undead, Graveborn are particularly vulnerable to **Undead Offense** and **Undead Defense bonuses** from certain gear.

### Human Units

**Humans** that live in Ardendale include player Kingdoms thriving in many regions as well as various merchants, ruffians or royals that are usually only fought in **Story Quests** and **Tavern Quests.** Enemy Human unit encounters will always be the same as those trained and obtainable by the player, however, in certain Events, Quests and Keep Defense objectives, they may be powered up with **Fire** or **Frost Element** battalion equipment that makes them more formidable compared to normal Human units. Human armies and battalions may also enlist **Champions** to lead their forces into battle.

PvE encampments and settlements in Quests are ranked in strength in the form of **Camps, Armies, Forts and Cities** that can be defeated as part of a Quest objective for a special reward. As Ardendale continues to be threatened by the Orcs and Undead as well as other mysterious forces as work, perhaps there will be other major royal factions that emerge that will prove themselves to be as formidable as the countless Cinderbone and Graveborn encampments across the land.