Total War: Warhammer 3 is out now, bringing an epic conclusion to the collaboration between Creative Assembly and Games Workshop. The third Total War game brings the Daemons of the Chaos Gods to the battlefield for the first time, with a faction each for Nurgle, Khorne, Slaanesh, and Tzeentch. However, players are also able to combine the forces of all four Gods into the Legion of Chaos army, led by Total War: Warhammer 3's customizable Daemon Prince.
The Legion of Chaos is one of the most unusual factions in the Total War series, combining nearly the full rosters of four other factions into a unique blend. On top of this, players get to create their own Daemon Prince Legendary Lord, as well as change his skills, buffs, and abilities by embracing Daemonic Gifts.
Daemonic Glory
As a reborn servant of Chaos, the Daemon Prince is dedicated to earning Glory for the four Chaos Gods. This is done through a variety of Events, Buildings, Hero actions, and war effects. The fastest and most reliable way to earn Glory is through battle, bloodshed, and conquest, all favorite pastimes of the Dark Gods. Players can gain Glory for each of the Gods individually, as well as for Chaos Undivided.
The Daemonic Glory screen takes the place of the technology tree used by factions like the Great Orthodoxy, allowing players to unlock new units and buffs as they advance down the five Glory tracks. When a player takes a Settlement, they'll be able to dedicate it to one of the Gods, after which it will only be able to build recruitment buildings for the units of that God.
Additionally, once players reach a certain level of Glory, they'll be able to permanently dedicate themselves to one God in particular, or to Chaos Undivided. Doing so will unlock the top-tier units and buffs for that God, but will also prevent the Daemon Prince from reaching those levels with the other Gods.
Daemonic Gifts
As well as new units and buffs, players will also earn new Daemonic Gifts as they advance through the Glory tracks. Daemonic Gifts are a little like the items and ancillaries that other Lords and Heroes in Total War: Warhammer 3 can equip, except much more impactful. These Gifts not only grant the Daemon Prince new stats, buffs, bound spells, and bound abilities but also dramatically change his appearance.
The Daemonic Gifts from each Chaos God fit their individual themes, and equipping more of a certain kind will show the Daemon Prince's increased alignment with that god. For example, using mostly Gifts from Khorne will cause the Prince to turn red, fitting in with the Blood God's aesthetic. If possible, players should prioritize the Daemonic Gifts that come with set bonuses, marked by a golden equipment symbol in the top-left corner.
The Legion Of Chaos In Battle
The Legion of Chaos can be a complicated force to command on the battlefield, as the massive amount of units they have access to makes army composition incredibly important. Although theming armies after individual Chaos Gods can provide some benefits, the best strategy is to combine their strengths into a greater whole. Each of the four Gods' has a different specialty on the battlefield, and finding harmony between them is as important as it is for Grand Cathay.
The best God to pick to hold the frontline is a toss-up between Nurgle's Exalted Plaguebearers and Khorne's Exalted Bloodletters, the first for their survivability, and the second for their damage. Meanwhile, Slaanesh's roster of swift, devastating flanking units like Hellstriders and Hellflayers can sweep around the sides to attack from the rear.
Tzeentch units like Horrors and Flamers should be fielded for their impressive ranged firepower, and Tzeentchian heroes can bring incredible damage with their magical prowess. Combining the various Daemons of Chaos into a single force is a tricky balancing act, but when done properly can sweep any other army from the field.
Total War: Warhammer 3 is out now for PC.