I've been learning a lot about Native in the last couple of days, which is unexpected considering I've played 100 in-game days recently, but 550+ in-game days over-all.
Anyway, Vaegir Marksmen really do seem to be the top of the line archers. Between their mail armor, two-handed weapons, and fast-firing bows, they're pretty lethal and resilient on and off the field. That being said, I'm fighting the Rhodok and Swadians right now and, I'm not sure if it's just my game, but they're marshaling twice the troops my much larger Nord empire can. Recently I fought a battle of 1547 vs 900ish, which was fucking awful. Through some tactical maneuvering I was able to largely defeat them, but I took a couple of crossbow bolts near the end and they took me prisoner and retreated at 200. So I blunted the force but ultimately lost.
I hit a Rhodok Sergeant for 66 and he continued to run around like nothing happened. That's... pretty fucking beefy, paired with the glaives they use to great effect. Ultimately, Rhodoks are second rate because the auto-calc seems to think "No mounted units? You're fucked" and give me some wicked rolls when I send my troops in without myself (mainly when they're out-numbered, but the difference is significant). I've gained a new respect for their ability to take and dish damage though, Swadians too. Crossbows are no joke, though a faster firing unit will always beat a crossbow unit given no interference or head shots.
Nothing compares to Heroes, Huscarls, and Marskmen, though. Nothing, even Khergit. Run around all you want, but if you can't pierce the armor you're useless, and my heroes will get you eventually.
Anyone else find the Fighting Pick to be the best melee weapon in the game?