Worked out · AoE3: DE 100.19.18309
Best mercenaries
No. 1: Swiss Pikeman (fights won 97%), then Barbary Corsair (95%) and Highlander (93%). Every mercenary ranked by the share of equal-cost fights it wins against the regular units of all civilizations.
| # | Name | Fights won | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Swiss Pikeman | 97% | 160 resources; loses hardest to Jaguar Prowl Knight |
| 2 |  Barbary Corsair | 95% | 180 resources; loses hardest to Jaguar Prowl Knight |
| 3 |  Highlander | 93% | 200 resources; loses hardest to Jaguar Prowl Knight |
| 4 |  Landsknecht | 89% | 250 resources; loses hardest to Jaguar Prowl Knight |
| 5 | Repentant Corsair | 87% | 200 resources; loses hardest to Jaguar Prowl Knight |
| 6 |  Repentant Harquebusier | 87% | 300 resources; loses hardest to Puma Spearman |
| 7 |  Armored Pistoleer | 82% | 250 resources; loses hardest to Bandido |
| 8 |  Repentant Ronin | 82% | 400 resources; loses hardest to Jaguar Prowl Knight |
| 9 | Ronin | 82% | 400 resources; loses hardest to Jaguar Prowl Knight |
| 10 |  Irish Brigadier | 81% | 100 resources; loses hardest to Bandido |
| 11 |  Elmetto | 79% | 400 resources; loses hardest to Retainer |
| 12 | Repentant Elmetto | 79% | 400 resources; loses hardest to Retainer |
| 13 |  Manchu | 77% | 220 resources; loses hardest to Qiang Pikeman |
| 14 |  Iron Troop | 75% | 200 resources; loses hardest to Steppe Rider |
| 15 |  Ninja | 75% | 200 resources; loses hardest to Jaguar Prowl Knight |
| 16 | Repentant Iron Troop | 75% | 200 resources; loses hardest to Steppe Rider |
| 17 |  Zenata Rider | 72% | 250 resources; loses hardest to Qiang Pikeman |
| 18 |  Stradiot | 69% | 300 resources; loses hardest to Puma Spearman |
| 19 | Harquebusier | 69% | 330 resources; loses hardest to Puma Spearman |
| 20 |  Mameluke | 68% | 400 resources; loses hardest to Puma Spearman |
| 21 | Repentant Mameluke | 68% | 400 resources; loses hardest to Puma Spearman |
| 22 |  Kanuri Guard | 65% | 220 resources; loses hardest to Qiang Pikeman |
| 23 |  Gallowglass | 64% | 220 resources; loses hardest to Jaguar Prowl Knight |
| 24 |  Askari | 58% | 230 resources; loses hardest to Jaguar Prowl Knight |
| 25 |  Jaeger | 57% | 200 resources; loses hardest to Steppe Rider |
| 26 | Repentant Jaeger | 57% | 200 resources; loses hardest to Steppe Rider |
| 27 |  Royal Horseman | 56% | 400 resources; loses hardest to Puma Spearman |
| 28 |  Black Rider | 55% | 270 resources; loses hardest to Qiang Pikeman |
| 29 | Repentant Black Rider | 55% | 270 resources; loses hardest to Qiang Pikeman |
| 30 |  Li'l Bombard | 54% | 1,100 resources; loses hardest to Retainer |
| 31 |  Jat Lancer | 52% | 400 resources; loses hardest to Retainer |
| 32 |  Pandour | 52% | 185 resources; loses hardest to Steppe Rider |
| 33 | Repentant Jat Lancer | 52% | 400 resources; loses hardest to Retainer |
| 34 | Repentant Li'l Bombard | 51% | 1,200 resources; loses hardest to Retainer |
| 35 |  Sennar Horseman | 50% | 400 resources; loses hardest to Puma Spearman |
| 36 |  Bosniak | 50% | 350 resources; loses hardest to Puma Spearman |
| 37 |  Napoleon Gun | 45% | 475 resources; loses hardest to Retainer |
| 38 |  Arsonist | 44% | 250 resources; loses hardest to Steppe Rider |
| 39 |  Cannoneer | 44% | 140 resources; loses hardest to Steppe Rider |
| 40 |  Repentant Yojimbo | 44% | 400 resources; loses hardest to Qiang Pikeman |
| 41 | Yojimbo | 44% | 400 resources; loses hardest to Qiang Pikeman |
| 42 |  Fusilier | 40% | 300 resources; loses hardest to Jaguar Prowl Knight |
| 43 | Repentant Fusilier | 40% | 300 resources; loses hardest to Jaguar Prowl Knight |
| 44 |  Mounted Rifleman | 35% | 400 resources; loses hardest to Puma Spearman |
| 45 |  Giant Grenadier | 34% | 250 resources; loses hardest to Bandido |
| 46 |  Zouave | 30% | 300 resources; loses hardest to Steppe Rider |
| 47 |  Fortified Wagon | 21% | 500 resources; loses hardest to Retainer |
| 48 |  Dahomey Amazon | 19% | 280 resources; loses hardest to Falconet |
| 49 |  Cranequinier | 10% | 290 resources; loses hardest to Comanchero |
| 50 |  Gatling Camel | 2% | 450 resources; loses hardest to Retainer |
How this is worked out
Equal-cost fights by Lanchester's square law: strength = (resources ÷ unit cost)² × damage per second × hit points; one hit = damage × the multipliers matching the target × (1 − its resist). Fights won = share of the 123 regular units of all civilizations it beats for the same resources.
Assumptions: Base stats: no upgrades, cards or civilization bonuses. Their train limits are not modelled. Range, speed and area damage are not modelled.