Military Elite Requirements

Have you completed the matching Elite research for that unit type, and equipped the commander and/or troops with crafted items?

Each different unit type (spear, infantry, ranged and cavalry) have their own research for elite units. These are the last entries in the row for that unit type so for your ranged units it is Elite Companies.

The division must contain only one unit type (but can have both T1 & T2) and no more than the number specified for that unit type - ranged is 100. The commander is counted as part of the division so yes, they must be of the same type as the troops but they are not counted in the number of troops.

The troops in a division are considered elite if:

1. The troops match in type (infantry, ranged, spear, cavalry). t1 and t2 can be mixed.
2. The elite research for that unit type is complete, and Military Outfitter is researched.
3. The division is equal in size or smaller to the listed size in the research (150 swords, 60 cavalry, 100 bows, 200 spears).
4. The division has a commander. To get the troop bonus, the commander does not need to match the troops (see below).

Under these conditions, all equipment penalties and bonuses are doubled for troops in that division. When you have a properly built elite division, it will get a gold star next to the move speed. If you equip the troops, you will also get a gold shield next to the star, indicating double penalties and bonuses.

If one wishes the commander to receive double bonuses--usually desirable--then the commander's base type must also match the troop type in their division. A properly assigned elite commander will have a gold star next to their name. However, no gold shield appears when they are equipped, even though the bonuses and penalties are doubled.