Atamans

Atamans are a special type of lord for Kislev, which can be assigned to provinces on the campaign map, to provide various bonuses to the province.

In battles[]

In campaign mode, if a settlement with an Ataman is attacked, the Ataman will appear in the battle to defend the settlement and lead the garrison. They cannot lead armies like Druzhina or Boyars.
They use the Boyar model with a shield.
They have their own unique skill tree which focuses of various buffs to the provinces that they're assigned to, as of Patch 6.1.

In campaign[]

Campaign atamans — The Atamans button in the bottom right of the UI, on the campaign map.

In the bottom right, you can press the Atamans button to open the Atamans screen where you can recruit Atamans, and assign them to settlements.
They will be able to lead the garrison's army in a small area around the settlement and attack nearby hostile enemies if possible.
Assigning an Ataman to a settlement takes 1 turn (including changing the location of an existing Ataman).
You can assign 1 Ataman for every 2 full provinces you own. And a province may only have 1 Ataman in it.
You cannot assign an Ataman to a province if the province capital is currently under siege, or in ruins.
Atamans may provide bonuses to income, control, growth and corruption reduction, in the province which they are assigned. Each Ataman will have 2 of these that they automatically provide a bonus 2, when recruited.

List of Ataman traits[]

Horse Comrade, Ungol blood clearly flows, for this Ataman is allegiant with the horsemen. Recruit rank: +2 for cavalry units (local province when Ataman).
Ice Court Informer, This Ataman shall prove his loyalty to the Tzarina. Hero recruit rank: +3 for Frost Maidens (local province when Ataman).
Purger, Persecute! Kill the heretics! Corruption: -1 (local province when Ataman).
Good Host, Work hard. Play harder. Fight hardest. Growth +20 (local province when Ataman).
Investor, Cautious of over-extending the coffers, this Ataman believes in saving to invest. Income from all buildings: +5% (local province when Ataman).
Fiscally Prudent, A wise hand on the local finances: Income from all buildings: +10% (local province when Ataman)
Defender, War is coming. Bolster the defences: Enemy Hero action success chance: -25% (local province when Ataman)
Recruiter: Recruitment cost: -6% (local province when Ataman)
Pragmatic Defender: Attrition: 15% when under siege (armies in province when Ataman)
Reverent Patriarch, This Ataman's influence will ensure the ascendency of the Patriarchs: Hero recruit rank: +3 for Patriarchs (local province when Ataman)
Drillmaster, Expect nothing but the best. Terrify them until you get it: Recruit rank +1 (local province when Ataman)
Master Builder, For this Ataman, building construction is his priority: Construction cost: -15% for all buildings (local province when Ataman)
Favours Infantry, This Ataman believes that infantry will provide the best defence of his territory: Recruitment cost: -15% for infantry units (local province when Ataman)
Favours Cavalry, This Ataman believes that cavalry will provide the best defence of his territory: Recruitment cost: -15% for cavalry units (local province when Ataman
Bolsterer, A better, safer province. Ready for anything: Control: +1 (local province when Ataman)
Pioneer, Under this Ataman's watch, innovation is embraced here: Research rate: +10%
Banisher, Worshippers of Dark Gods are not welcome here: Corruption: -3 (local province when Ataman)
Observant, This Ataman believes in the power of ceremony, and will always uphold the traditions: Construction time: -35% for all buildings (local province when Ataman)
Seeker of Foes, The enemy must be hunted down. The hearth can wait: Ability: "Foe-Seeker"
Province First. Never mind what Erengrad demands, local considerations must come first. Control +2 local province when Ataman
Traditionalist. When the Black Glove is sent, infantry will be mustered. Recruit rank: +2 for infantry units (local province when Ataman)
A Boon for All This Ataman belives in policies from which everyone benefits. Growth +10 (local province when Ataman)
Reward the One When the calamity crashes in waves against the Motherland's defences, its warriors always find the strength and spirit needed to succeed. Passive ability: Heroic Resilience.

Ataman dilemmas[]

Ataman dilemmas and traits
Dilemma	Description	Result 1	Result 2
Kislev Still Needs You	Where should effort and resources be channelled? The Ataman must make a tough decision to reinforce the defences or quickly recruit and grow his local forces.	Reinforce the Defences (Pragmatic Defender)	Show Pioneering Spirit (Recruiter)
The Black Glove	By tradition, once the Black Glove has been delivered from Erengrad, an Ataman must immediately muster the tribes, for war is inevitable. However, his advisors suggest going against the custom on this occasion and exerting more influence across the province.	Ever Be the Traditionalist - When the Black Glove is sent, so infantrymen will be mustered. - Traditionalist.	Put the Province First - Never mind what Erengrad demands, local considerations must come first. - Province First.
Labour Shortage	There are only so many of Kislev's sons and daughters available, and the needs of the town put strain on the labour. The Ataman must therefore decide whether it is construction or recruitment that is his priority	Muster and Drill - Expect nothing but the very best. Anything less is folly, and invites doom - Drillmaster	Be the Master Builder - Buildings are the priority, for a larger town will attract business and bring greater prosperity - Master Builder
Kislevian Coin	Appropriating funds and channeling them for the benefit of their charges is a sword duty of the Atamans. Should the funds go toward investments or to better bolster the defences against insurrection and overt enemies?	Show Fiscal Prudence - It is clear to all that a wise hand holds the tiller - Fiscally Prudent	Bolster the Defences - ...because you simply never know when calamity will strike - Defender
Loyalties Proven	Tensions between the Tzarina's agents and the Great Orthodoxy increase, spilling further out form the capital and into the oblasts. The Ataman is called upon by the factions to prove his loyalty once more	Stay Faithful to the Tzarina - Showing loyalty to the Tzarina is surely prudent and politic? - Ice Court Informer	Show Reverence to the Patriarch - The Patriarchs have great sway among the people, you know... - Reverent Patriarch
The Hunt	It is considered a mark of great fortune for the Ataman to lead the settlement's hunters in a procession through the streets at the start of the season. Yet, the hunters are factionalised between the trappers, who shun horse, and the archers who chase down prey on their beloved steeds. Which side should the Ataman endorse?	Endorse foot - This will see infantry more readily accepted into the village - Favours Infantry	Endorse Steeds - Steeds and their riders are welcome here - Favours Cavalary
Within or Without	Resources are always finite. The Ataman must make a choice whether to address rumours and root out the taint of the Dark Gods, or to ensure the oblasts are patrolled to protect them from more overt threats	Patrol the Oblasts - Ungol blood must flow in his veins, for truly he is an ally of the horsemen - Horse Comrade	Purge the Ruin - The Ataman's thugs shall find the heretics. Ruin shall not take root here - Purger
Innovate or Die	A crucial decision is asked of the Ataman. Should valuable resources be used to shore up the province or spent focusing on innovations and research?	Bolster the Province - ...because a better, safer province is just common sense, right? - Bolsterer	Show Pioneering Spirit - Embrace innovation, for Kislev's very survival may depend on it - Pioneer
Seeking Refuge	The folk of Kislev can be generous and welcoming hosts, especially if the guest is willing to drink with them. And yet... there are those who are greeted with suspicion, to whom strong drinks are not offered and about whom whispers of Dark Worship spread. How should the Ataman act as refugees approach?	Banish the Interlopers - Worshippers of the Dark Gods shall not be harboured, for they are not welcome here - Banisher	Give a Kislevian Welcome - Bring your skills, your laughter, and your fighting arms! Huzzah! - Good Host
Time of Dazh	It is the Time of Dazh, where the Ataman must think of home in reverence to the God of Fire and Sun. However, the desire to wander far from the hearth must also be considered. Should the Ataman shrug off his ceremonial role and risk resent in his own community?	Placate Dazh - The Ataman's ceremonial role must be upheld, for in tradition there is security - Observant	Be the Seeker of Foes - The hearth can wait. Foes must be sought and put down, lest they become a greater threat - Seeker of Foes
Judgement	Oft times, an Ataman must act as a justice - determining guilt and metering out punishment as required, as well as settling other disputes, legal or otherwise. Such a judgement is now required. Should one be compensated at the expense of the town?	Reward the One - This Ataman believes that rewarding individuals sets an example for others to follow - Reward the One	A Boon for All - This Ataman believes in policies from which everyone benefits - A Boon for All