Kislev


 * For the minor AI faction in the first two games, see Kislev (minor faction)

Kislev is a playable race introduced in Total War: Warhammer III on launch. They are a proud human nation located in the northern Old World, known for harsh winters and their staunch opposition to Chaos. In battle, Kislev has many hybrid melee/ranged units, strong cavalry, and many bear units.

Previously in Total War: Warhammer and Total War: Warhammer II, it was a minor non-playable faction, without a unique unit roster.

How they play
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Background
"You look down on us and think we are little better than barbarians, but you should be glad we are, for without us here, the northern tribes would be dining on the flesh of your children in your burning homes. But for the courage that flows in our veins would your lands be theirs. Look down on us? You should get on your knees and thank us every day!"


 * —Vitalia Kovash, Kislevite Winged Lancer

The Kingdom of Kislev, sometimes known as the Realm of the Ice Queen, is the most northerly Human civilisation within the Old World, a powerful and war-driven nation that is known far and wide for having some of the greatest horsemen to ever roam the plains of the southern realms. From the Worlds Edge Mountains to the East and the Sea of Claws in the West, Kislev stands at the very frontiers of Human civilisation. It is a land covered in wide-open steppes, deep taiga forest, and thundering icy rivers. Lonely villages stand isolated in the empty wilderness, while mighty cities rise from the landscape like great islands of stone. The climate is harsh and unforgiving, winters are long and harsh. Only the strongest, most determined people can survive here.

The inhabitants of Kislev are these very same people, a race of wolf-tough and self-reliant warriors, valiant and determined in the defense of their homeland against the hated marauders of the uppermost North. Ruled by a mighty Tzar, Kislev is a nation born from the saddle, the ancestry of the the country's two main ethnic groups (Gospodars and Ungols) can both be traced to the mighty horse-warriors of the Eastern Steppes many millennia ago.

Since the founding of this mighty kingdom, Kislev has been under siege by the murderous Hordes of Chaos. It is a kingdom that sits forever at the brink of total annihilation. Countless generations of Kislevites have fought, bled, and died in the snowy tundra of those harsh northern lands, and it is thanks to these brave Kislevite warriors that the Kingdoms of Men have managed to flourish in the south, huddled together in their warm and safe homes, whilst the Sons of Kislev fight till they draw their last dying breath.

The land of Kislev bears a unique magic not found anywhere else in the world: Ice Magic, also known as the Lore of Ice. This incredibly dangerous and deadly magic flows throughout the entire region, and its power is at its strongest inside its borders and in cold weather.

The people of Kislev -Kislevites- revere the bear-god Ursun (lord of winter, courage and strength) and seem to have a special affinity with bears. Other important gods include Dazh (god of the sun, fire, summer, family and hospitality) and Tor (god of storms and vengeance). They also respect Ulric (god of wolves, winter and battle, primarily worshipped in the Empire) as kin to Ursun. Kislevites generally view southerners (eg: people of the Empire, Bretonnians) as soft and lazy, while southerners in turn view Kislevites as uncivilised and stern. Despite this, Kislev retains friendly relations with The Empire and Dwarfs: allies in the fight against Chaos.

Units

 * Main article: Kislev unit roster

The Kislev roster are generally typical of human factions, with a solid core of infantry, a variety of good cavalry, but no fliers. Uniquely, many Kislev units are hybrid units, proficient both at range and in melee. For instance the Streltsi carry handguns with a large axe blade replacing the buttstock. Additionally, most Kislev units have the By Our Blood ability, giving them extra leadership when their health is low.

Magic
Kislev have access to only two lores of magic which so far appear to be unique to them.


 * Lore of Ice
 * Lore of Tempest

In the Campaign
Kislev factions are normal, non-horde factions who occupy settlements and control provinces.

Playable Subfactions
In campaign there are two playable Kislev factions, each with its own starting position, and led by separate Legendary Lords. See individual pages for faction-specific info.

Minor Factions
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Strategy
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Trivia
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Screenshots
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In previous games

 * Main article: Kislev (minor faction)

In Total War: Warhammer and Total War: Warhammer II, Kislev is a minor AI subfaction that uses units of The Empire, but has some special distinctions in the game files.