Dark Elves tech tree

The Dark Elves tech tree consists of technologies that unlock new advantages throughout the game. Research takes place constantly, but the rate at which discoveries occur can be increased by using heroes to spy or building additional research buildings at your settlements.

Tech tree

Choose or Die! Research points: 400 Effects: Income from slaves: +3%

Driven by Vengeance Research points: 400 Effects: Recruitment cost: -5% for Dreadspears, Darkshards and Bleakswords units Melee attack: +4 for Bleakswords, Dreadspears and Black Ark Corsairs units

Battle as Business Research points: 400 Effects: Income from post-battle loot: +10% Income from raiding: +15%

Founded on Tyranny Research points: 400 Effects: Growth: +10

Ascension Through Battle Research points: 600 Effects: Leadership: +5 for Dreadspears, Bleakswords, Darkshards, Black Ark Corsairs and Dark Riders units

Marching to War Research points: 600 Effects: Speed: +10% for Dreadspears, Darkshards, Bleakswords and Black Ark Corsairs units

Martial Society Research points: 600 Effects: Unit experience: +2 for Dreadspears, Darkshards and Bleakswords units

Chartered Piracy Research points: 600 Effects: Upkeep: -5% for Black Ark Corsairs units Income from sacking settlements: +20%

Naval Training Research points: 600 Effects: Melee attack: +4 when fighting at sea (all armies) Unit experience: +2 for Black Ark Corsairs, Shades and Dark Riders units

Bloodthirsty Companions Research points: 600 Effects: Armour-piercing damage: +2 for Harpies units Melee attack: +5 for Harpies units

Revel in Suffering Research points: 600 Effects: Growth: +15

Continuous Slave Supply Research points: 600 Effects: Income from Ports: +5% Casualties captured post-battle: +15%

Exploit Feuds Research points: 600 Effects: Public order: +1

Upgrade I Research points: 100 Effects: Black Ark growth: +3 (cumulative)

Forged to Kill Research points: 600 Effects: Weapon strength: +10% for Dreadspears, Darkshards, Bleakswords and Black Ark Corsairs units Missile Damage: +10% for Darkshards and Black Ark Corsairs units

Broken by the Lash Research points: 600 Effects: Range: +15% for Darkshards, Black Ark Corsairs, Shades and Dark Riders units

Tempered in Blood Research points: 600 Effects: Income from slaves: +10% Income from Iron Mines, Gold Mines and Stone Quarries: +15%

Reworked Crossbows Research points: 800 Effects: Ammunition: +20% for Darkshards, Black Ark Corsairs, Shades and Dark Riders units Range: +15% for Darkshards, Black Ark Corsairs, Shades and Dark Riders units

Bolt Cartridges Research points: 800 Effects: Ammunition: +25% for Reaper Bolt Thrower units Missile Damage: +10% for Reaper Bolt Thrower units Reload time reduction: +10% for Reaper Bolt Thrower units

Hit & Run Research points: 800 Effects: Weapon strength: +10% for Shades and Dark Riders units Reload time reduction: +10% for Shades and Dark Riders units Speed: +10% for Shades and Dark Riders units

Sadistic Handlers Research points: 800 Effects: Speed: +10% for Harpies and War Hydra units

Dominating the Beasts Research points: 800 Effects: Unit experience: +2 for Harpies and War Hydra units

Daylight Denied Research points: 800 Effects: Income from slaves: +10% Income from Iron Mines, Gold Mines and Stone Quarries: +15%

Temple Training Grounds Research points: 800 Effects: Unit experience: +2 for Witch Elves unit recruits

Purge the Weak Research points: 800 Effects: Income from Settlements: +10%

Naggarond: Festivals of Khaine Research points: 800 Effects: Ward save: +5% for Witch Elves units Untainted: +1 Cult of Pleasure: Festivals of Ruin Research points: 600 Effects: Ward save: +5% for Witch Elves units Chaos corruption: +1

Upgrade II Research points: 100 Effects:

An Instrument of War Research points: 800 Effects: Black Ark growth: +5 (cumulative)

Pressed into Servitude Research points: 800 Effects: Speed: +10% for Witch Elves, Black Guard and Har Ganeth Executioners units Campaign movement range: +10%

Consumed by Rivalry Research points: 800 Effects: Recruitment cost: -5% for Harpies, War Hydra and Black Dragon units Upkeep: -5% for Harpies, War Hydra and Black Dragon units

Walking in Darkness Research points: 1000 Effects: Armour: +10 for Black Ark Corsairs, Shades and Dark Riders units

Black Iron Armour Research points: 1000 Effects: Unit experience: +2 for Black Guard of Naggarond units Unit experience: +2 for Har Ganeth Executioners units

Exotic Beast Hide Armour Research points: 1000 Effects: Armour: +10 for Dreadspears, Darkshards and Bleasksword units

Recruit Convicts Research points: 1000 Effects: Local recruitment capacity: +1

Hunt Outlaws Research points: 1000 Effects: Recruitment cost: -5% for Dreadspears, Darkshards and Bleakswords units Upkeep: -5% for Dreadspears, Darkshards and Bleakswords units

Spoils of War Research points: 1000 Effects: Recruitment cost: -5% for Shades and Dark Riders units Upkeep: -5% for Shades and Dark Riders units

Hardship & Cruelty Research points: 1000 Effects: Loyalty: +2 for new recruits Public order: +1

Divide & Conquer Research points: 1000 Effects: Hero recruit rank: +2 for Death Hags Hero recruit rank: +2 for Khainite Assassins Melee defence: +5 for Lords and embedded Heroes

Masters of Murder Research points: 1000 Effects: Diplomatic relations: +10 with Dark Elves Diplomatic relations: +10 with High Elves

Upgrade III Research points: 100 Effects: Assassinate action: Additional +5% success chance Melee attack: +5 for Lords and embedded Heroes

No Signs of Weakness Research points: 1000 Effects: Black Ark growth: +8 (cumulative)

Under the Yoke Research points: 1000 Effects: Weapon strength: +5% for Black Guard of Naggarond units Weapon strength: +5% for Cold One Knights, Cold One Dread Knights and Cold One Chariot units Melee defence: +5 for Black Guard of Naggarond units Melee defence: +5 for Cold One Knights, Cold One Dread Knights and Cold One Chariot units

A Life of Dread Research points: 1000 Effects: Unit experience: +2 for Cold One Knights, Cold One Dread Knights and Cold One Chariot units

Serrated Blades Research points: 1200 Effects: Melee attack: +5 Har Ganeth Executioners units Melee attack: +5 for Witch Elves units Weapon strength: +5% for Har Ganeth Executioners units Weapon strength: +5% for Witch Elves units

Bloodforged Platemail Research points: 1200 Effects: Leadership: +5 for Shades, Witch Elves, Har Ganeth Executioners and Black Guard of Naggarond units

Ceremonial Weapons Research points: 1200 Effects: Armour: +5 for Cold One Knights, Cold One Dread Knights and Cold One Chariot units Armour: +10 for Har Ganeth Executioners and Black Guard of Naggarond units Armour: +5 for Cold One Knights, Cold One Dread Knights and Cold One Chariot units Armour: +10 for Har Ganeth Executioners and Black Guard of Naggarond units

Bewitch Dragon Eggs Research points: 1200 Effects: Leadership: +5 for Harpies, War Hydra and Black Dragon units Leadership: +5 for Cold One Knights, Cold One Dread Knights and Cold One Chariot units

Harnessed Fury Research points: 1200 Effects: Armour: +5 for Black Dragon units Weapon strength: +10% for Black Dragon units

Bred in Captivity Research points: 1200 Effects: Melee attack: +5 for War Hydra units Melee defence: +5 for War Hydra units

Deadly Accountabilty Research points: 1200 Effects: Slave decline rate: -15% Ambush success chance: +5%

Naggarond Blood & Death Research points: 1200 Effects: Leadership: +10 for Lords and embedded Heroes Lord recruit rank: +2 Lord recruit rank: +2 Cult of Pleasure Endless Debauchery Research points: 1200 Effects: Untainted: +1 Income from Settlements: +15%

Study the Chaos Wastes Research points: 1200 Effects: Chaos corruption: +1 Income from Settlements: +15%

Technologies

Tech	Prerequisite	Cost	Effects
Choose or Die! Some choices require next to no thought whatsoever.			Income from slaves: +4%
Driven by Vengeance The deep-seated, profoundly-ingrained desire for revenge consumes and drives one forward.			Recruitment cost: -5% for Dreadspears, Darkshards and Bleakswords units Melee attack: +4 for Bleakswords, Dreadspears and Black Ark Corsairs units
Marching to War Ever onwards the Druchii armies march, conflict's breakneck rhythm dictating the pace.			Speed: +10% for Dreadspears, Darkshards, Bleakswords and Black Ark Corsairs units
Martial Society Every aspect of the Druchii world is directed to warfare, as it should be when war is a permanent state of affairs.			Unit experience: +2 for Dreadspears, Darkshards and Bleakswords units
Ascension Through Battle Through glorious warfare we may become worthy of Khaine's favour.			Leadership: +5 for Dreadspears, Bleakswords, Darkshards, Black Ark Corsairs and Dark Riders units
Battle as Business For the Dark Elves, war is transactional - for Druchii blood to be spilled there must be payment, in the form of loot, preferably.			Income from post-battle loot: +10% Income from raiding: +15%
Chartered Piracy Letters of Marque may be issued to those who pursue the Witch King's aims as their own.			Upkeep: -5% for Black Ark Corsairs units Income from sacking settlements: +20%
Naval Training You start with not drowning; once that has been achieved, the rest will swiftly follow - unless a watery grave appeals of course.			Melee attack: +4 when fighting at sea (all armies) Unit experience: +2 for Black Ark Corsairs, Shades and Dark Riders units
Bloodthirsty Companions Definitely not backwards in coming forwards, or indeed when getting stuck in.			Armour-piercing damage: +2 for Harpies units Melee attack: +5 for Harpies units
Founded on Tyranny Start as you mean to go on and your population will never know what they may be missing.			Growth: +10
Revel in Suffering Ah, the suffering. The sweet, sweet suffering.			Growth: +15
Continuous Slave Supply There's always more work to be done and, fortunately, a constant stream of unfortunate wretches whose only option is to do it.			Income from Ports: +5% Casualties captured post-battle: +15%
Exploit Feuds A whisper here, a murmur there; winning is often most satisfying when others don't know you're playing.			Public order: +1
Upgrade I Research the following items to take the Dark Elves' vicious military machine to another level of cruelty altogether.			Black Ark growth: +3 (cumulative)
Forged to Kill Steel is only as strong as the hand that wields it.			Weapon strength: +10% for Dreadspears, Darkshards, Bleakswords and Black Ark Corsairs units Missile Damage: +10% for Darkshards and Black Ark Corsairs units
Bolt Cartridges You'll like this, it's got a fast-action reload; you can kill the Asur all day long without pausing for more than a second.			Ammunition: +25% for Reaper Bolt Thrower units Missile Damage: +10% for Reaper Bolt Thrower units Reload time reduction: +10% for Reaper Bolt Thrower units
Hit & Run To strike like lightning and then melt away - that is the way of the irregular warrior.			Weapon strength: +10% for Shades and Dark Riders units Reload time reduction: +10% for Shades and Dark Riders units Speed: +10% for Shades and Dark Riders units
Reworked Crossbows Who could have imagined that the fingers of slaves would have so many uses?			Ammunition: +20% for Darkshards, Black Ark Corsairs, Shades and Dark Riders units Range: +15% for Darkshards, Black Ark Corsairs, Shades and Dark Riders units
Broken by the Lash The merest swish of leather is enough to make them alert and simply dying to obey.			Speed: +10% for Cold One Knights, Cold One Dread Knights and Cold One Chariot units
Sadistic Handlers It does one's temperament good to channel aggression via the appropriate outlet.			Speed: +10% for Harpies and War Hydra units
Dominating the Beasts They *will* obey, their own will buried deep beneath an overwhelming urge to comply.			Unit experience: +2 for Harpies and War Hydra units
Daylight Denied Being beaten, half-starved and kept perpetually in darkness coaxes the very best work from the enslaved.			Income from slaves: +10% Income from Iron Mines, Gold Mines and Stone Quarries: +15%
Tempered in Blood It is often necessary to execute a few - publicly of course - to quench the fires of revolt in all the others.			Income from Slave Pens and Slave Markets: +10%
Temple Training Grounds Where better to become proficient in the arts of war? Where the very soil is stained with the blood of failure!			Unit experience: +2 for Witch Elves unit recruits
Purge the Weak There is no place in the Druchii's empire of cruelty for those of a mild disposition.			Income from Settlements: +10%
Festivals of Khaine Praise him, for he is the God of Murder and the Lord of War. Khaela Mensha Khaine, the Bloody-handed, above all others!			Ward save: +5% for Witch Elves units Untainted: +1
Festivals of Ruin A gathering of those perversely in thrall to the Dark Prince, in the hope that his fickle eye be turned - and, thusly, his favour secured.			Ward save: +5% for Witch Elves units Chaos corruption: +1
Upgrade II Research the following items to take the Dark Elves' vicious military machine to another level of cruelty altogether.			Black Ark growth: +5 (cumulative)
An Instrument of War Muscle, flesh, and the skeleton that binds them can be finely tuned for maximum violence.			Unit experience: +2 for Black Guard of Naggarond units Unit experience: +2 for Har Ganeth Executioners units
Black Iron Armour The hardest of substances, when heated to the optimum temperature, may be drawn into mail, plate or scale.			Armour: +10 for Dreadspears, Darkshards and Bleasksword units
Exotic Beast Hide Armour Some creatures have a natural outer carapace, so hard that it may double as armour once removed from its original owner.			Armour: +10 for Black Ark Corsairs, Shades and Dark Riders units
Walking in Darkness To reach certain destinations, one does not always need to see the way.			Speed: +10% for Witch Elves, Black Guard and Har Ganeth Executioners units Campaign movement range: +10%
Pressed into Servitude Society's detritus may yet find gainful employment in the service of the state.			Local recruitment capacity: +1
Recruit Convicts Criminals make surprisingly good guards once it is made abundantly clear that the alternative is death.			Recruitment cost: -5% for Dreadspears, Darkshards and Bleakswords units Upkeep: -5% for Dreadspears, Darkshards and Bleakswords units
Hunt Outlaws They live apart from the rest of Dark Elf society, waging an endless war against the enemies of Malekith.			Recruitment cost: -5% for Shades and Dark Riders units Upkeep: -5% for Shades and Dark Riders units
Spoils of War To the victor go the spoils - be they coin or place or the lives of the defeated.			Recruitment cost: -5% for Harpies, War Hydra and Black Dragon units Upkeep: -5% for Harpies, War Hydra and Black Dragon units
Consumed by Rivalry When hatred consumes the soul, what other reason can there be to carry on living?			Loyalty: +2 for new recruits Public order: +1
Hardship & Cruelty Austerity, and the absence of any kind of warmth, can produce unexpectedly-positive results.			Hero recruit rank: +2 for Death Hags Hero recruit rank: +2 for Khainite Assassins Melee defence: +5 for Lords and embedded Heroes
Divide & Conquer This aeons-old maxim never stops being true, and a most effective stratagem.			Diplomatic relations: +10 with Dark Elves Diplomatic relations: +10 with High Elves
Masters of Murder In the Elven world, there are none more adept in the ignoble art of stealthy killing.			Assassinate action: Additional +5% success chance Melee attack: +5 for Lords and embedded Heroes
Upgrade III Research the following items to take the Dark Elves' vicious military machine to another level of cruelty altogether.			Black Ark growth: +8 (cumulative)
No Signs of Weakness Used to slaying their own kin at the first sign of fragility or compassion, Naggarothi armies constantly prune their own ranks.			Leadership: +5 for Shades, Witch Elves, Har Ganeth Executioners and Black Guard of Naggarond units
Bloodforged Platemail Black steel, mixed with sacrificial blood and etched with powerful runes, makes the best armour produced in Naggarond.			Armour: +5 for Cold One Knights, Cold One Dread Knights and Cold One Chariot units Armour: +10 for Har Ganeth Executioners and Black Guard of Naggarond units Armour: +5 for Cold One Knights, Cold One Dread Knights and Cold One Chariot units Armour: +10 for Har Ganeth Executioners and Black Guard of Naggarond units
Ceremonial Weapons The ornate, ceremonial weapons used in Khainite rituals give power to subsequent acts of murder carried out in his bloody name.			Melee attack: +5 Har Ganeth Executioners units Melee attack: +5 for Witch Elves units Weapon strength: +5% for Har Ganeth Executioners units Weapon strength: +5% for Witch Elves units Melee attack: +5 Har Ganeth Executioners units Melee attack: +5 for Witch Elves units Weapon strength: +5% for Har Ganeth Executioners units Weapon strength: +5% for Witch Elves units
Serrated Blades The many razor-sharp barbs and hooks may catch an opponent's blade, or rend their flesh.			Weapon strength: +5% for Black Guard of Naggarond units Weapon strength: +5% for Cold One Knights, Cold One Dread Knights and Cold One Chariot units Melee defence: +5 for Black Guard of Naggarond units Melee defence: +5 for Cold One Knights, Cold One Dread Knights and Cold One Chariot units
Under the Yoke The dark, feral Cold Ones must be broken to the will of their new masters.			Leadership: +5 for Harpies, War Hydra and Black Dragon units Leadership: +5 for Cold One Knights, Cold One Dread Knights and Cold One Chariot units
Bewitch Dragon Eggs A source of great power, Black Dragon Eggs must be nurtured correctly so their potential is exploited to the fullest extent.			Armour: +5 for Black Dragon units Weapon strength: +10% for Black Dragon units
Harnessed Fury So ferocious is the Hydra that their ravenous nature has proven the doom of many.			Melee attack: +5 for War Hydra units Melee defence: +5 for War Hydra units
Bred in Captivity An even more vicious breed of Cold Ones is now being born in captivity, raised on a strict diet of live flesh and warm blood.			Unit experience: +2 for Cold One Knights, Cold One Dread Knights and Cold One Chariot units
A Life of Dread Everyone, be they of high or low birth, have good cause to be fearful of who is watching and what they might tell the authorities.			Slave decline rate: -15% Ambush success chance: +5%
Deadly Accountabilty There is no tolerance for failure in Naggarond, no matter how trivial the error.			Leadership: +10 for Lords and embedded Heroes Lord recruit rank: +2 Lord recruit rank: +2
Blood & Death For what would the interminable millennia mean, if not for savage cruelty, blood and death?			Untainted: +1 Income from Settlements: +15%
Endless Debauchery Every depraved, degenerate, impure licentiousness; everything to excess, for that is the Dark Prince's wish.			Chaos corruption: +1 Income from Settlements: +15%
Study the Chaos Wastes Where daylight hangs by a lunar noose. And the horned, hidden one is re-invoked.			Hero recruit rank: +2 for Sorceresses Winds of Magic power reserve: +5