The Thousand Maws

The Thousand Maws is a playable Dark Elves faction introduced in Total War: Warhammer II, led by Rakarth. They were introduced as a free DLC as part of The Rakarth Update. A faction of Dark Elf beastmasters, they are playable in campaign, custom battles and multiplayer.

Description
Since the distant days of Nagarythe, the Dark Elves have been experts at bending beasts and animals to their will. However, some show exceptional aptitude in this, and can command even the unruliest beasts with a single word. They are the famed Beastmasters. When a child shows talent for taming animals he is sent to the city of Karond Kar to study under the masters who dwell there.

The Beastmasters of Clar Karond and Karond Kar can command even the wildest creatures to do their bidding. In part, this mastery springs from their unflinching dedication to the tormentor's craft, but brutality alone would be worthless without a Beastmaster's innate empathy. All Elves share a mystical attunement with the natural world, but while most embrace this bond to gain greater wisdom and fellowship with other living creatures, Dark Elves, and Beastmasters in particular, employ it as another weapon in their arsenal of torment. It matters not whether the beast is a raging Manticore, a cunning Harpy, or the wisest of all Caledor's ancient Dragons: eventually, all submit to the Beastmaster's will, or perish under his lash.

How They Play
For general information about Dark Elves, see that page.


 * Units: Dark Elves unit roster is fairly well-rounded, with a focus on elite infantry and cavalry, backed up by hydras and spellcasters.
 * Murderous Prowess: In battle, Dark Elf armies gain extra bonuses after inflicting a certain amount of damage.
 * Slaves: In campaign, Dark Elves gather the slaves resource, which boosts the economy at the expense of public order.
 * Black Arks: These are powerful naval units which can be used to recruit armies at sea.
 * Names of Power: Dark Elf lords can acquire different Names of Power which have varying effects.
 * Loyalty: Dark Elf lords have a loyalty stat, which can cause them to rebel, taking their army with them. High Loyalty lords can offer items.
 * Sword of Khaine: As a Dark Elf faction, The Thousand Maws can draw the Sword of Khaine.


 * In Battle

The Thousand Maws uses the Dark Elves unit roster.

They have access to certain monstrous units from Norsca, Lizardmen, and the Wood Elves (Wargrove of Woe only) rosters, through their unique Monster Pens faction mechanic.

In Campaign
Faction effects


 * Monster Pens: Capture a variety of hideous beasts and send them into battle
 * Forces do not receive vigour penalties from raiding Stance.
 * -10% Upkeep cost for monstrous units

Lord effects


 * +8 Melee defence for monstrous units (Lord's army)
 * Recruitment duration -1 for all monstrous units (minimum 1) (Lord's army)
 * Ability: Whiplash!
 * Ability: Beastlord's Gaze

Diplomatic traits

 * Naval Aggressor
 * Supremacy
 * Underdog

Starting Location
Eye of the Vortex


 * Albion (Isle of Wights settlement only)

Mortal Empires


 * Albion (Albion the settlement only)

Diplomacy
Eye of the Vortex


 * Starts at war with Skaeling

Mortal Empires


 * Starts at war with Vanaheimlings


 * Trade agreement and non-aggression pact with World Walkers.

Vortex Victory:

 * Complete all Rituals.
 * Win The Final Battle.

Domination Victory:

 * Destroy the following factions: Hexoatl, Eataine, Clan Pestilens, Khemri, The Awakened, Chevaliers de Lyonesse
 * Maintain control of 50 province(s), either by direct ownership or through vassals and military allies.

Long campaign victory

 * Capture 12000 battle captives
 * Continue to expand your territory, ready for the arrival of Archaon the Everchosen
 * Control any 8 of the following settlements either by direct ownership or through vassals Treaty Vassal.png and military allies Treaty Military Alliance.png:
 * Arnheim
 * Barak Varr
 * Couronne
 * Erengrad
 * Icedrake Fjord
 * Karond Kar
 * Lothern
 * Marienburg
 * Naggarond
 * Sartosa
 * Shrine of Khaine
 * Skavenblight
 * The Galleon's Graveyard
 * The Oak of Ages
 * Tor Yvresse
 * Construct 1 of each of the following buildings:
 * Restored Port of Nagronath
 * Construct 1 of each of the following buildings:
 * Empowered Ogham Stones
 * Destroy the following factions:
 * Couronne
 * Reikland
 * Ensure that Archaon the Everchosen is in a wounded state
 * Maintain a total of 15 units of the following type:
 * Black Dragon
 * Bloodwrack Medusa
 * Feral Carnosaur
 * Feral Mammoth
 * Feral Stegadon
 * Kharibdyss
 * War Hydra
 * Occupy, loot, raze or sack 40 different settlements.

Short campaign victory

 * Capture 8000 battle captives
 * Continue to expand your territory, ready for the arrival of Archaon the Everchosen
 * Control any 4 of the following settlements either by direct ownership or through vassals Treaty Vassal.png and military allies Treaty Military Alliance.png:
 * Arnheim
 * Barak Varr
 * Couronne
 * Erengrad
 * Icedrake Fjord
 * Karond Kar
 * Lothern
 * Marienburg
 * Naggarond
 * Sartosa
 * Shrine of Khaine
 * Skavenblight
 * The Galleon's Graveyard
 * The Oak of Ages
 * Tor Yvresse
 * Construct 1 of each of the following buildings:
 * Restored Port of Nagronath
 * Destroy the following factions:
 * Couronne
 * Marienburg
 * Ensure that Archaon the Everchosen is in a wounded state
 * Maintain a total of 8 units of the following type:
 * Black Dragon
 * Bloodwrack Medusa
 * Feral Carnosaur
 * Feral Mammoth
 * Feral Stegadon
 * Kharibdyss
 * War Hydra
 * Occupy, loot, raze or sack 20 different settlements.