Ironbrow's Expedition is a playable Dwarfs faction introduced as free DLC in Total War: Warhammer II and led by the legendary lord Thorek Ironbrow. It is playable in both campaign maps, custom battles and multiplayer.
They can be downloaded free on Steam.
Description[]
Hailing from Karak Azul, Thorek Ironbrow is one of the greatest Runelords of this age, or any age. King Kazador of Karak Azul has sent Thorek on an expedition, ranging to far southern lands, to uncover the lost artefacts of the Dwarfs.
Playstyle[]
For general information about how Dwarfs play, see that page.
The Artifact Vault: An extra panel in The Forge full of powerful relics to be crafted, provided Thorek can find the required pieces...- Ironbrow's Expedition uses the Dwarfs unit roster.
Campaign gameplay[]
The Artifact Vault[]
It is Thorek Ironbrow's personal quest to seek out the lost Artifacts of the Dwarfs' Golden Age. By collecting parts of ancient items recorded in the Book of Grudges, he can return them to the 
Artefact Vault and reforge them to receive their powerful benefits. Accessed via the Forge, the Artefact Vault reveals the location of each Artefact part which can only be retrieved through occupation or 
military alliances.
Faction effects[]
Masters of the Runes
- Hero recruit rank: +5 for Runesmiths
- Oathgold from buildings: +50%
- Oathgold cost for crafting runes: -50%
- Suitable climate: Jungle
- Upkeep: -25% for Runesmith heroes
The Master Runelord and his apprentices buoy up the Dwarf battle lines, perpetuating family traditions of crafmanship to blend magic and metal by use of mighty runes.
Lord effects[]
Thorek's lord effects:
The Old Ways Are Best
- Armour: +10 (Lord's army)
- Armour-piercing weapon damage: +3 (Lord's army)
- Reload time reduction: +15% for Bolt Thrower, Grudge Thrower, and Quarrellers units (Lord's army)
Thorek does not abide new technology, using ancient techniques to lend his council and strong arm to the cause of the old Dwarf Empire.
Starting Location[]
Eye of the Vortex:
- Thrice-Cursed Peak, Southern Spine of Sotek
- Mine of the Bearded Skulls, Southern Spine of Sotek (when controlled by AI)
Mortal Empires & Immortal Empires:
- Karak Zorn, Southlands World's Edge Mountains
Diplomacy[]
Starting agreements[]
Eye of the Vortex:
- War with Clan Mange
Mortal Empires:
Diplomatic traits[]
When controlled by the AI, Ironbrow's Expedition has the following diplomatic traits:
- ???
Victory conditions[]
Eye of the Vortex[]
Vortex Victory:[]
- Reforge at least 5 Artefacts in the Artefact Vault
- Win the following battle: Lost Vault
Domination Victory:[]
- tbc
Mortal Empires[]
Long campaign victory (incomplete list)[]
- Reforge all 8 Artefacts in the Artefact Vault
- Ensure that there are no active grudges remaining in the Great Book of Grudges
- Destroy the following factions: Grimgor's Ardboyz, Hag Graef, Clan Mors, Clan Eshin, Knights of Caledor
Short campaign victory[]
- Reforge at least 5 Artefacts in the Artefact Vault
- Ensure the total severity of grudges in the Great Book of Grudges is no greater than 19
- Destroy the following factions: Grimgor's Ardboyz, Hag Graef, Clan Mors, Clan Eshin
- Reclaim the following fallen Dwarfholds: Red Eye Mountain, Mount Gunbad, Black Crag, Ekrund, Karak Azgal, Galbaraz, Karak Eight Peaks, Mount Silverspear, Karak Azul
Immortal Empires[]
Short Campaign Victory[]
- Occupy, loot, raze, or sack 30 different settlements
- Reforge at least 5 Artefacts via the Forge
Long Campaign Victory[]
- Occupy, loot, raze, or sack 70 different settlements
- Ensure that the severity of grudges in the Great Book of Grudges is no greater than 9
Chapter Objectives[]
Chapter I: A New Beginning[]
| Rank | Name | Objective | Reward | In-game description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary objective | A New Beginning | Occupy, loot, raze or sack 4 different settlement(s). |  2000
|
If Thorek hopes to succeed in restoring the lost glory of the Dwarfs, he must first gain a sure foothold in the surrounding lands. By the valour and might of those under his command, the Dawi will march onwards to victory. |
| Bonus objective I | Strength in Numbers | Maintain 20 units in total. | 1000
|
The courage and prowess of the Dawi is fit to overcome any threat that stalks the lands. No weak and feeble force shall march under Thorek's proud banner! |
| Bonus objective II | The Pursuit of Knowledge | Reach rank 5 with the following character: Thorek Ironbrow | 1000
|
The path ahead is fraught with danger, yet in pursuing the ancient knowledge and practices of the Ancestors, Thorek will surely prove himself worthy of inheriting their legacy. |
| Bonus objective III | At the World's Edge | Maintain control of the following 1 province(s), either by direct ownership or through vassals and military allies: Southlands World's Edge Mountains | 1000
|
Enemies have long infested the ancestral homeland of the Dawi, nestled among the southernmost peaks of the World's Esge Mountains. Reclamation of the province would be a cause to celebrate for all Dwarfs. |
| Bonus objective IV | Every Able Arm | Ensure that the following building has been constructed: Mustering Hall | 1000
|
When the call of war beckons, the Dawi will always answer. Their bravery in unshakeable, for no coward is fit to call himself a Dwarf. |
| Bonus objective V | The Runelord's Work | Perform any ritual of the following category: Crafting | 1000
|
In Thorek's workshop, there the Master Runelord practices his craft, the great forge is always ablaze. The runes and weapons crafted there arm the outposts of Karaz Ankor. |
Strategy[]
You start somewhere in the south of Lustria, with Lizardmen to the north, Dark Elves and High Elves to the west, and Skaven to the northwest. Remove the Skaven Clan Mange to finish your initial missions, secure more territory, and build your economy with the mission rewards. On turn 1 you should move to attack the starting Clan Mange force, then continue your move to their settlement and take it. Recruit all you can. On turn 2, use the Deeproots stance to cross the mountains to the east towards the ruined settlement just beyond those mountains. On turn 3, move to the ruined settlement to discover Clan Mange's final hideout. Take the settlement and continue recruiting. Even if Mange has survivors flee, at this point they have no settlements and will attack you over the end turn. Either way, destroying them completes the mission "Wayward Sons" and will give you a dilemma to confederate the Spine of Sotek Dwarfs to your northwest. Unless they got very unlucky, they will have complete control of their province by this turn. If you choose to confederate them, their army will push you into negative income, but you will have enough free gold from quest completion to sustain that for a number of turns. On the other hand, if you decline the confederation, they can be a barrier against Lizardmen and Dark Elves invasions.
Sources[]
- Thorek Ironbrow brings Dwarfs to the Vortex as Silence & Fury’s Free-LC legendary lord (Total War Blog)
- Total War: WARHAMMER II - Thorek Ironbrow (Steam page)
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