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Changes: Races and factions

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'''Factions''' are tribes, peoples, nations or other forces that act together. The player will be controlling a faction in all of the various [[game modes]] in the ''Total War: Warhammer series.''
  
'''Factions''' are tribes, peoples, nations or other forces that act together. The player will be controlling a faction in all of the various [[game modes]] in the ''Total War: Warhammer series.''
   
−
'''Races''' are groups of similar factions. Races tend to share unique gameplay mechanics and [[units]], that set them apart from other races. For instance [[Reikland]] are a faction which belong to [[The Empire]] race.
 +
'''Races''' are groups of similar factions. Factions of the same race tend to share unique gameplay mechanics and [[units]], that set them apart from other races. For instance [[The Ice Court]] and [[The Great Orthodoxy]] are two factions which belong to [[Kislev]] race.
   
−
''For complete lists of all the factions in the various campaigns, please see the navboxes at the bottom of the page.''
 +
''For complete lists of all the factions in the various campaigns, please see the category links at the bottom of the page.''
   
 
==Overview==
  
==Overview==
 
[[File:Faction summary Screen Itza.jpg|thumb|right|500px|The faction summary screen for [[Itza]] faction of the [[Lizardmen]] race.]]
  
[[File:Faction summary Screen Itza.jpg|thumb|right|500px|The faction summary screen for [[Itza]] faction of the [[Lizardmen]] race.]]
   
−
Most factions may be seen in the [[campaign]], though which factions appear will differ depending on the campaign. A few factions (such as [[Warherd of the Shadowgave]]) only appear in [[multiplayer]].
 +
Most factions may be seen in the [[campaign]], though which factions appear will differ depending on the campaign. A few factions (such as [[Warherd of the Shadowgave]] prior to the [[The Silence & The Fury|Silence and the Fury]] DLC) only appear in [[multiplayer]].
   
 
On the campaign map, players can click the button in the top right corner of to view the '''faction summary screen''' which displays information about their faction.
  
On the campaign map, players can click the button in the top right corner of to view the '''faction summary screen''' which displays information about their faction.
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Here on Total War: Warhammer Wiki, each faction's page has an infobox on the right hand side, showing key information.
  
Here on Total War: Warhammer Wiki, each faction's page has an infobox on the right hand side, showing key information.
   
−
In the campaign, factions raise [[armies]] of units, which move around the campaign map and battle other armies, or take settlements. Faction may engage in [[diplomacy|diplomacy]] with one another, and can even [[confederation|confederate]] with other factions of the same race if conditions are right. A faction is destroyed when it controls no more armies or settlements.
 +
In the campaign, factions raise [[armies]] of units, which move around the campaign map and battle other armies, or take settlements. Faction may engage in [[diplomacy]] with one another, and can even [[confederation|confederate]] with other factions of the same race if conditions are right. A faction is destroyed when it controls no more armies or settlements.
   
−
A faction is served by [[characters|characters]] such as [[File:icon_general.png|15px|link=]][[lords|Lords]] (who lead armies) and [[File:icon_hero.png|15px|link=]][[heroes|Heroes]] (who have a variety of uses both in battle and out of it).
 +
A faction is served by [[characters]] such as [[File:icon_general.png|15px|link=]][[Lords]] (who lead armies) and [[File:icon_hero.png|15px|link=]][[Heroes]] (who have a variety of uses both in battle and out of it).
   
 
==Types of factions==
  
==Types of factions==
  +
[[File:Old world edition full artwork.jpg||thumb|right|500px|The Knights of [[Couronne]] (a [[Bretonnia]] faction) charge into skeletal warriors of the [[Vampire Counts]].]]
  +
 
===Playable factions===
  
===Playable factions===
−
Major factions or playable factions are those which the player can potentially play as. Even when the player is not playing as them, they still appear on the map. Each major faction is led by one or more [[legendary lords]].
 +
Major factions or playable factions are those which the player can potentially play as. Even when the player is not playing as them, they still appear on the map. Each playable faction is led by one or more [[legendary lords]].
   
 
Which factions you can play differs depending on which game you are playing, which campaign, the free DLC you have downloaded, and which paid DLCs you own. For full lists of playable faction, please see the ''navboxes'' section below. If a faction requires a manual free download, or requires paid DLC, it will be listed on that faction's page.
  
Which factions you can play differs depending on which game you are playing, which campaign, the free DLC you have downloaded, and which paid DLCs you own. For full lists of playable faction, please see the ''navboxes'' section below. If a faction requires a manual free download, or requires paid DLC, it will be listed on that faction's page.
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Many other minor factions in the campaign only appear under special circumstances, and this can be different for each campaign. For instance [[intervention]] factions or [[separatist]] factions.
  
Many other minor factions in the campaign only appear under special circumstances, and this can be different for each campaign. For instance [[intervention]] factions or [[separatist]] factions.
   
−
==Races==
 +
==Diplomacy==
  ⚫
{{Main|Diplomacy}}
⚫
[[File:Skaven units art.jpg|thumb|right|500px|The Skaven are a race introduced in Total War: Warhammer II]]
  
   
  ⚫
Race and faction affects [[diplomacy]]. Factions of the same race or group have a diplomatic bonus towards each other. See the [[diplomacy]] page for a table detailing all the diplomatic racial biases. In the [[Eye of the Vortex]] campaign, completing [[rituals]] causes the other competing factions to dislike your faction. In some campaigns there is a [[Chaos Invasion]] which strongly affects diplomacy via the [[Shield of Civilization]] trait given to certain factions.
⚫
A '''Race''' or '''category''' is a group of similar factions which generally use the same units and game mechanics.
  
   
  ⚫
Also, in Total War: Warhammer II, the [[Naggarond]] and [[Cult of Pleasure]] factions have a large diplomatic attitude bonus towards each other, representing that [[Malekith]] and [[Morathi]] are family. Meanwhile, the [[Followers of Nagash]] faction is unable to engage in any diplomacy with other [[Tomb Kings]] factions.
⚫
Each race featured in the game, such as the [[High Elves]], carries certain racial traits and mechanics which grant factions of that race unique abilities, advantages and disadvantages; which set it apart from all the other races. Factions of a particular race usually receive a bonus to [[diplomacy|diplomatic]] relations between each other, and therefore tend to stick together.
  
  +
  ⚫
A majority of factions may [[confederation|confederate]] other factions of the same race if conditions between them are right. Most (though not all) factions can [[trade]] with each other.
   
 
A faction's race/category will be listed below its name when conducting diplomacy.
  
A faction's race/category will be listed below its name when conducting diplomacy.
   
  +
==Settlements==
−
See below for a list of racial categories in the game.
  
  +
{{Main|Settlements}}
   
  +
[[Settlements]] can work differently, depending on the race or individual faction:
−
===Race/faction and diplomacy===
  
⚫
:''Main article: [[Diplomacy]]''
  
−  
⚫
Race and faction affects diplomacy. Factions of the same race or group have a diplomatic bonus towards each other. See the [[diplomacy]] page for a table detailing all the diplomatic racial biases. In the [[Eye of the Vortex]] campaign, completing [[rituals]] causes the other competing factions to dislike your faction. In some campaigns there is a [[Chaos Invasion]] which strongly affects diplomacy via the [[Shield of Civilization]] trait given to certain factions.
  
−  
⚫
Also, in Total War: Warhammer II, the [[Naggarond]] and [[Cult of Pleasure]] factions have a large diplomatic attitude bonus towards each other, representing that [[Malekith]] and [[Morathi]] are family. Meanwhile, the [[Followers of Nagash]] faction is unable to engage in any diplomacy with other [[Tomb Kings]] factions.
  
−  
⚫
A majority of factions may [[confederation|confederate]] other factions of the same race if conditions between them are right. Most (though not all) factions can [[trade]] with each other.
  
   
−
===Race/faction and settlements===
  
 
* Each non-horde faction has a [[faction capital]] settlement, indicated by a golden border around the crest.
  
* Each non-horde faction has a [[faction capital]] settlement, indicated by a golden border around the crest.
 
* Some races have a special [[racial capital]], with unique buildings.
  
* Some races have a special [[racial capital]], with unique buildings.
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* [[Skaven]] and [[Vampire Coast]] are able to build secret settlements inside the settlements of other races ([[Under-City|Under-Cities]] and [[Pirate Cove]]s).
  
* [[Skaven]] and [[Vampire Coast]] are able to build secret settlements inside the settlements of other races ([[Under-City|Under-Cities]] and [[Pirate Cove]]s).
 
* As mentioned above, [[horde]] factions don't directly control settlements.
  
* As mentioned above, [[horde]] factions don't directly control settlements.
  +
*Skaven settlements appear like ruins.
  +
  +
==Races==
  ⚫
[[File:Skaven units art.jpg|thumb|right|500px|The Skaven are a race introduced in Total War: Warhammer II]]
  +
  ⚫
A '''Race''' or '''category''' is a group of similar factions which generally use the same units and game mechanics.
  +
  ⚫
Each race featured in the game, such as the stubborn [[Dwarfs]], sadistic [[Dark Elves]], stalwart [[Kislev]] or enraged forces of [[Khorne]], carries certain racial traits and mechanics which grant factions of that race unique abilities, advantages and disadvantages; which set it apart from all the other races. Factions of a particular race usually receive a bonus to [[diplomacy|diplomatic]] relations between each other, and therefore tend to stick together.
  +
  +
A faction's race/category will be listed below its name when conducting diplomacy.
   
 
===List of races===
  
===List of races===
 
====Introduced in ''Total War: Warhammer''====
  
====Introduced in ''Total War: Warhammer''====
  ⚫
*[[Dwarfs]]
  ⚫
*[[Greenskins]]
  ⚫
** [[Savage Orc Tribes]] — uses a subset of Greenskin units
 
*[[The Empire]]
  
*[[The Empire]]
 
** [[Kislev (minor faction)]] — uses Empire units
  
** [[Kislev (minor faction)]] — uses Empire units
 
** [[Southern Realms]] — uses Empire units
  
** [[Southern Realms]] — uses Empire units
⚫
*[[Greenskins]]
  
⚫
** [[Savage Orc Tribes]] — uses a subset of Greenskin units
  
⚫
*[[Dwarfs]]
  
 
*[[Vampire Counts]]
  
*[[Vampire Counts]]
 
*[[Warriors of Chaos]]
  
*[[Warriors of Chaos]]
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====Introduced in ''Total War: Warhammer II''====
  
====Introduced in ''Total War: Warhammer II''====
  ⚫
* [[Dark Elves]]
 
* [[High Elves]]
  
* [[High Elves]]
 
* [[Lizardmen]]
  
* [[Lizardmen]]
⚫
* [[Dark Elves]]
  
 
* [[Skaven]]
  
* [[Skaven]]
 
* [[Tomb Kings]]
  
* [[Tomb Kings]]
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====Introduced in ''Total War: Warhammer III''====
  
====Introduced in ''Total War: Warhammer III''====
  +
* [[Kislev]]
−
*[[Kislev]] — this time fully fleshed out, with their own units
  
−
*[[Khorne]]
 +
* [[Daemons of Chaos]]
−
*[[Nurgle]]
 +
* [[Grand Cathay]]
−
*[[Slaanesh]]
 +
* [[Ogre Kingdoms]]
−
*[[Tzeentch]]
 +
* [[Khorne]]
−
*[[Cathay]]
 +
* [[Nurgle]]
  +
* [[Slaanesh]]
  +
* [[Tzeentch]]
  +
* [[Chaos Dwarfs]]
   
−
== Removal of factions ==
 +
==Removal of factions==
−
:''Main article: [[removed factions]]''
 +
{{Main|removed factions}}
   
 
Sometimes factions are [[removed factions|removed]] from a campaign, in which case they no longer appear in that campaign. An example is [[Schwartzhafen]], a minor [[Vampire Counts]] faction which was replaced by the [[Von Carstein]] playable faction when it was released.
  
Sometimes factions are [[removed factions|removed]] from a campaign, in which case they no longer appear in that campaign. An example is [[Schwartzhafen]], a minor [[Vampire Counts]] faction which was replaced by the [[Von Carstein]] playable faction when it was released.
   
  ⚫
==List of factions==
−
==Navboxes==
  
  +
To find a faction, expand any of the navboxes for the campaign where a faction is found in.
⚫
{{Navbox factions}}
  
  +
−
{{Navbox factions e4e}}
  
  +
===Total War: Warhammer===
−
{{Navbox factions sor}}
  
  +
*[[:Category:The Old World factions]]
−
{{Navbox factions tw2}}
  
  +
*[[:Category:An Eye For An Eye factions]]
−
{{Navbox factions me}}
  
  +
*[[:Category:The Season of Revelation factions]]
  +
  +
===Total War: Warhammer II===
  +
*[[:Category:Eye of the Vortex factions]]
  +
*[[:Category:Mortal Empires factions]]
  +
  +
===Total War: Warhammer III===
  +
*[[:Category:The Realm of Chaos factions]]
  +
*[[:Category:Immortal Empires factions]]
  +
*[[:Category:The Lost God factions]]
  +
*[[:Category:Darkness & Disharmony factions]]
  +
*[[:Category:Something Rotten in Kislev factions]]
  +
  +
== Trivia ==
  +
  +
* With the release of the Hunter and the Beast, the Lizardmen used to have the most playable factions in the series, six in total. Later updates increased the number of playable factions for the High Elves and the Dark Elves to six for each race.
  +
** The Silence and the Fury added Ghosts of Pahuax, causing the Lizardmen to once again have the record of the most playable factions, raising the number to seven.
  +
** As of July 2022, this has been beaten by the Warriors of Chaos, with the Champions of Chaos DLC increasing them from one to ''eight'' playable factions, the most in any race.
  +
  +
----
   
 
[[Category:Total War: Warhammer factions]]
  
[[Category:Total War: Warhammer factions]]
 
[[Category:Total War: Warhammer II factions]]
  
[[Category:Total War: Warhammer II factions]]
  +
[[Category:Total War: Warhammer III factions]]
  +
[[Category:Mortal Empires factions]]
 
[[Category:An Eye For An Eye factions]]
  
[[Category:An Eye For An Eye factions]]
 
[[Category:The Season of Revelation factions]]
  
[[Category:The Season of Revelation factions]]
  +
[[Category:Darkness & Disharmony factions]]
  +
[[Category:Something Rotten in Kislev factions]]

Latest revision as of 02:58, 24 October 2023

Knights of Caledor

Each faction is represented by a faction crest. This one is for the Knights of Caledor faction of the High Elves race.

Factions are tribes, peoples, nations or other forces that act together. The player will be controlling a faction in all of the various game modes in the Total War: Warhammer series.

Races are groups of similar factions. Factions of the same race tend to share unique gameplay mechanics and units, that set them apart from other races. For instance The Ice Court and The Great Orthodoxy are two factions which belong to Kislev race.

For complete lists of all the factions in the various campaigns, please see the category links at the bottom of the page.

Overview[ | ]

Faction summary Screen Itza

The faction summary screen for Itza faction of the Lizardmen race.

Most factions may be seen in the campaign, though which factions appear will differ depending on the campaign. A few factions (such as Warherd of the Shadowgave prior to the Silence and the Fury DLC) only appear in multiplayer.

On the campaign map, players can click the button in the top right corner of to view the faction summary screen which displays information about their faction.

Here on Total War: Warhammer Wiki, each faction's page has an infobox on the right hand side, showing key information.

In the campaign, factions raise armies of units, which move around the campaign map and battle other armies, or take settlements. Faction may engage in diplomacy with one another, and can even confederate with other factions of the same race if conditions are right. A faction is destroyed when it controls no more armies or settlements.

A faction is served by characters such as Icon generalLords (who lead armies) and Icon heroHeroes (who have a variety of uses both in battle and out of it).

Types of factions[ | ]

Old world edition full artwork

The Knights of Couronne (a Bretonnia faction) charge into skeletal warriors of the Vampire Counts.

Playable factions[ | ]

Major factions or playable factions are those which the player can potentially play as. Even when the player is not playing as them, they still appear on the map. Each playable faction is led by one or more legendary lords.

Which factions you can play differs depending on which game you are playing, which campaign, the free DLC you have downloaded, and which paid DLCs you own. For full lists of playable faction, please see the navboxes section below. If a faction requires a manual free download, or requires paid DLC, it will be listed on that faction's page.

Minor factions[ | ]

Minor factions are less important factions, which are not led by legendary lords. They are often less aggressive and expansionist than major factions. Players can interact with minor factions using diplomacy and warfare.

Many minor factions will appear on the map at the start of the game. In most campaigns, a majority of the map will be controlled by minor factions.

Hordes[ | ]

Horde factions do not control settlements, instead each horde army can enter encamped stance to construct buildings. Hordes may be major or minor factions.

Rebels[ | ]

Rebel factions form when public order in a settlement reaches -100. Please see the public order page for more details. Rebel factions are not playable.

Rogue armies[ | ]

Rogue Armies are semi-horde factions introduced in Total War: Warhammer II which can have units from several different races. Rogue armies are not playable.

Other[ | ]

Many other minor factions in the campaign only appear under special circumstances, and this can be different for each campaign. For instance intervention factions or separatist factions.

Diplomacy[ | ]

Main article: Diplomacy


Race and faction affects diplomacy. Factions of the same race or group have a diplomatic bonus towards each other. See the diplomacy page for a table detailing all the diplomatic racial biases. In the Eye of the Vortex campaign, completing rituals causes the other competing factions to dislike your faction. In some campaigns there is a Chaos Invasion which strongly affects diplomacy via the Shield of Civilization trait given to certain factions.

Also, in Total War: Warhammer II, the Naggarond and Cult of Pleasure factions have a large diplomatic attitude bonus towards each other, representing that Malekith and Morathi are family. Meanwhile, the Followers of Nagash faction is unable to engage in any diplomacy with other Tomb Kings factions.

A majority of factions may confederate other factions of the same race if conditions between them are right. Most (though not all) factions can trade with each other.

A faction's race/category will be listed below its name when conducting diplomacy.

Settlements[ | ]

Main article: Settlements


Settlements can work differently, depending on the race or individual faction:

  • Each non-horde faction has a faction capital settlement, indicated by a golden border around the crest.
  • Some races have a special racial capital, with unique buildings.
  • In Total War: Warhammer, the regional occupation affects which races can occupy which areas on the campaign map. In the second game this was replaced by the climate system: different races and factions have different climate preferences.
  • Certain races like Norsca and Wood Elves settlements also have special restrictions on where and how they can colonize.
  • Skaven and Vampire Coast are able to build secret settlements inside the settlements of other races (Under-Cities and Pirate Coves).
  • As mentioned above, horde factions don't directly control settlements.
  • Skaven settlements appear like ruins.

Races[ | ]

Skaven units art

The Skaven are a race introduced in Total War: Warhammer II

A Race or category is a group of similar factions which generally use the same units and game mechanics.

Each race featured in the game, such as the stubborn Dwarfs, sadistic Dark Elves, stalwart Kislev or enraged forces of Khorne, carries certain racial traits and mechanics which grant factions of that race unique abilities, advantages and disadvantages; which set it apart from all the other races. Factions of a particular race usually receive a bonus to diplomatic relations between each other, and therefore tend to stick together.

A faction's race/category will be listed below its name when conducting diplomacy.

List of races[ | ]

Introduced in Total War: Warhammer[ | ]

Introduced in Total War: Warhammer II[ | ]

Introduced in Total War: Warhammer III[ | ]

Removal of factions[ | ]

Main article: Removed factions


Sometimes factions are removed from a campaign, in which case they no longer appear in that campaign. An example is Schwartzhafen, a minor Vampire Counts faction which was replaced by the Von Carstein playable faction when it was released.

List of factions[ | ]

To find a faction, expand any of the navboxes for the campaign where a faction is found in.

Total War: Warhammer[ | ]

Total War: Warhammer II[ | ]

Total War: Warhammer III[ | ]

Trivia[ | ]

  • With the release of the Hunter and the Beast, the Lizardmen used to have the most playable factions in the series, six in total. Later updates increased the number of playable factions for the High Elves and the Dark Elves to six for each race.
    • The Silence and the Fury added Ghosts of Pahuax, causing the Lizardmen to once again have the record of the most playable factions, raising the number to seven.
    • As of July 2022, this has been beaten by the Warriors of Chaos, with the Champions of Chaos DLC increasing them from one to eight playable factions, the most in any race.
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