| “ | As wicked as she is learned, no mortal can harm the Unliving Countess of Sylvania, for she reigns eternal! | „ |
Isabella von Carstein is a 
Vampire Counts Legendary Lord unit introduced in Total War: Warhammer with the Bretonnia Update as a free DLC. In The Old World and Mortal Empires campaigns, she is one of the two Legendary Lord choices for 
Von Carstein, along with Vlad von Carstein. In Immortal Empires, she leads Sylvania, along with Vlad von Carstein.
Description[ | ]
As the daughter of the last Count von Drak, Isabella carries in her veins true nobility, laced with supreme arrogance and cruelty. Though her union with Vlad von Carstein was at first a marriage of convenience, love soon blossomed - a love that was to see Isabella ushered into the ranks of the Midnight Aristocracy, granting them both the power to realise their dreams. Isabella's newfound ability to raise the dead, coupled with her undying devotion to her husband, means the von Carsteins are more than a match for their enemies. With the Chalice of Bathori in hand, and Vlad at her side, there are few in the Old World who can stand against Isabella von Carstein!
Roleplay note: Again with the "humanity among monsters" thread that connects Vlad and Isabella, when first married out of convenience they rapidly fell into true love. Isabella begged Vlad to embrace her into vampirism but he refused, caring deeply for the beautiful young woman without pause all the way through when she was an elderly matron of the household. She became terminally ill and finally, unwilling to see his beloved in pain any longer, he gave her the blood kiss and she turned back to her beautiful young and healthy form, though now twisted as vampirism does.
Attributes[ | ]
Wizard- ▲ Spellcaster: This unit can cast spells.
- ▲ Armoured: Armoured units can block damage from any source apart from Armour-Piercing damage.
- ▲ Melee Expert: Melee Experts might have a very strong melee attack or melee defence, or high values in both. Some also have melee-focused skills like Charge Defence. Use them to counter other strong melee units. When facing them, it is best to take them out before they can enter melee.
Spells[ | ]
Unit Abilities[ | ]
Active Abilities[ | ]
Campaign Only[ | ]
Passive Abilities[ | ]
Campaign Only[ | ]
Item Abilities[ | ]
Campaign abilities[ | ]
In Immortal Empires, Isabella becomes a legendary hero if Vlad von Carstein is chosen as the Legendary Lord for Sylvania.
Embed Hero[ | ]
- Scouting
Constant Local Effect[ | ]
- Spread Control
Target[ | ]
- Settlement
- Damage Building
- Hero
- Assassinate
- Army
- Hinder Replenishment
Unique Item[ | ]
Mounts[ | ]
Campaign starting units[ | ]
The Old World & Mortal Empires[ | ]
Immortal Empires[ | ]
Lord Effects[ | ]
- Battle healing cap: +50% when in an army with Vlad von Carstein
- Melee attack: +10 for embedded Vampire Heroes (own army)
- Melee defence: +10 for embedded Vampire Heroes (own army)
WH2[ | ]
- Undying Love: +15 to Melee Attack and Melee Defence when Vlad and Isabella are reinforcing each other
- Melee defence: +10 for embedded Vampire Heroes (Lord's army)
- Melee attack: +10 for embedded Vampire Heroes (Lord's army)
WH1[ | ]
- Access to unique Building in Drakenhof
- Undying Love: +15 to Melee Attack and Melee Defence when Vlad and Isabella are reinforcing each other
- Weapon damage: +25 for all Vampire Heroes
- Vampire Hero capacity: +3
Character Traits[ | ]
Personal Trait[ | ]
Dark Retinue: The Undead whole is always stronger than the sum of its parts.
- Battle healing cap: +50% when in an army with Vlad von Carstein
- Melee attack: +10 for embedded Vampire Heroes (own army)
- Melee defence: +10 for embedded Vampire Heroes (own army)
Defeat Trait[ | ]
Cruelty Restrained: Stone-cold beauty is no guarantee of victory.
- Passive ability: "Regeneration"
Talent Tree[ | ]
- Isabella's skill tree on TWWH Characters
- Skill Tree on TotalWarhammerPlanner (Lord)
- Skill Tree on TotalWarhammerPlanner (Hero)
Chapter Objectives[ | ]
Chapter 1[ | ]
| Rank | Name | Objective(s) | Reward(s) | In-game description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary objective | Sylvania Resurrected | Occupy, loot, raze, or sack 4 different settlements. | Treasury: +2000 | Sylvania is in decline. No longer is it feared as the dread land where the dead do not rest, but instead is seen as Stirland's bastard child. Now a von Carstein resides in Castle Drakenhof once again, it is time for the Vampires to take dominion over their haunted realm. |
| Bonus objective I | Intrigues of the Dead | Assassinate 1 Character | Treasury: +1000 | A Vampire strikes from the shadows as well as at the head of his skeletal legions. The von Carsteins have always been masters of plots and manipulation; ensure this Lord's goals are achieved by bringing such intrigues to their conclusion. |
| Bonus objective II | The Blood Kiss | Recruit 1 Hero(es) | Treasury: +1000 | Raising a mortal with the Blood Kiss may sound an easy task, but we do not grant any living fool immortality. Such a gift should not be wasted on serfs - we must choose wisely. |
| Bonus objective III | Fear the Night | Be at War with 4 Factions | Treasury: +1000 | Our Lord's power comes from fear as much from the arcane. We need to ensure that his many enemies fear the von Carstein name and say it only in hushed whispers. Thus is our powerbase maintained and the cattle controlled. |
| Bonus objective IV | Vampires Abroad | Complete 2 Missions | Treasury: +1000 | To tarry in Sylvania, and skulk in other dark places that welcome the dead, is short-sighted. If our master is to achieve his destiny then he must send his servants forth to start pulling - or removing - the levers of power. |
| Bonus objective V | The Curse of Years | Have at least 15 Vampire Corruption in Stirland | Treasury: +1000 | As the dead rise, the land itself revolts against the unnatural. We must spread this curse beyond our borders, let the mortals observe and see that death comes for all! |
Chapter 2[ | ]
| Rank | Name | Objective(s) | Reward(s) | In-game description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary objective | The Spread of Undeath | Occupy, loot, raze, or sack 8 different settlements. | Treasury: +4000 | The von Carsteins' influence must spread across all of Sylvania and beyond into the Empire itself if they are to realise their Imperial ambitions. But before they can rule, a powerbase should be established and fresh troops risen for the challenges ahead. |
| Bonus objective I | Day Walkers | Assassinate 2 Characters | Treasury: +1000 | The von Carstein bloodline has always excelled at deceit and disguise. Vampires have many guises - a court noble, a renowned wizard, a loyal servant, a baron's spymaster - It is in these roles that the Vampires turn fate to their advantage. |
| Bonus objective II | The Legacy of Nagash | Have at least 25 Vampire Corruption in the following provinces: Eastern Sylvania, Stirland, Western Sylvania, Zhufbar, Averland, Ostermark | Treasury: +1000 | When the Great Necromancer, Nagash, first dabbled with Dark Magic it seeped into the world and broke it. Now many millennia later, Nagash's legacy continues - ravaging the world wherever Necromancy is practised. |
| Bonus objective III | Always Another von Carstein | Be at War with 5 Factions | Treasury: +1000 | Vlad may have been the first von Carstein, but he will not be the last. In the last few decades there always seems to be another despicable sire crawling from its crypt, each as power hungry as the other. But it Vlad is the one we serve; we must ensure he remains in power. |
| Bonus objective IV | At the Centre of the Web | Complete 8 Missions | Treasury: +1000 | Vlad lies at the centre of a great web of intrigue. From his lair, our master sends word to his puppets of tasks to be done, accounts to be settled and missions to complete. |
| Bonus objective V | A Bloody Quest | Complete 1 Quest Chain | Treasury: +1000 | Our master has scoured the world for forbidden lore and artefacts of power. It's a search that continues and so word has reached us that another item of great power is within Vlad's grasp. |
Chapter 3[ | ]
| Rank | Name | Objective(s) | Reward(s) | In-game description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary objective | The Long Night | Occupy, loot, raze, or sack 12 different settlements. | Treasury: +6000 | Now is the time for Fell Bats to blot out the sun, for gloom to fall upon the lands of the living and the Long Night to begin. The von Carsteins' dominion shall extend far and wide if the prophecies in the Liber Noctus are to come true. |
| Bonus objective I | The Ghosts of Hel Fenn | Assassinate 3 Characters | Treasury: +1000 | Of the von Carsteins, it was Vlad who was seen as the military genius - taking his Undead hosts to the walls of Altdorf itself. Yet that was then; if this new incursion is to be considered a threat, then our forces need victory in battle. |
| Bonus objective II | Revenge of the Doomlord | Maintain control of 45 units | Treasury: +1000 | Rise the Undead legions - let them tirelessly march forth just like the armies of the Doomlord of olde! |
| Bonus objective III | The Climate of Terror | Have at least 25 Vampiric Corruption in the following provinces:
Eastern Sylvania, Stirland, Western Sylvania, Zhufbar, Averland, Ostermark, Eastern Border Princes, Northern Worlds Edge Mountains, Peak Pass |
Treasury: +1000 | The von Carsteins dominate their homelands because of the terrifying climate they propagate. The few mortals that reside in or close to Sylvania live in constant fear, such is the power of the Midnight Aristocracy! |
| Bonus objective IV | The Curse of Centuries | Complete 15 Missions | Treasury: +1000 | As the Undead rise and march forth, the influence of Dark Magic spreads across the lands - fell creatures take roost in once-homely caves, trees become rotten and twisted, and even houses buckle and decay as the corruption spreads. |
| Bonus objective V | Fury of Nagash | Be at War with 5 Factions | Treasury: +1000 | Back in the mists of time, when the Kings of Nehekhara rose up against Nagash, they were initially repelled by the Great Necromancer's awesome power. Our Lord must echo such victories and repulse all that challenge us! |
Chapter 4[ | ]
| Rank | Name | Objective(s) | Reward(s) | In-game description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary objective | Behold the Midnight Aristocracy | Occupy, loot, raze, or sack 16 different settlements. | Treasury: +8000 | The von Carsteins' fell influence saturates the lands, but for the scions of Sigmar's Blood to truly fear the power of the Vampires then all the Old World must be taken in their name. Nothing is beyond the reach of the Midnight Aristocracy! |
| Bonus objective I | From the Charnel Pits | Maintain control of 60 units | Treasury: +1000 | The Necromancers have raided the charnel pits and brought us fresh corpses. These should be joined with our legions to create a mighty Undead host worthy of the von Carstein name. |
| Bonus objective II | Political Domination | Have at least 25 Vampiric Corruption in the following provinces: Eastern Sylvania, Stirland, Western Sylvania, Zhufbar, Averland, Ostermark, Easter Border Princes, Northern Worlds Edge Mountains, Peak Pass, Hochland, Ostland, Talabecland, Wissenland | Treasury: +1000 | Vlad must maintain political power over his domains. If he is to keep his quarrelling, power-hungry relatives in check then there cannot be any reason for them to question his motives and will. For should a rival Vampire sense weakness, it will strike. |
| Bonus objective III | I Grant Thee A Great Boon! | Reach Rank 20 with 1 Lord(s) | Treasury: +1000 | There is a danger by giving a creature as ambitious and predatory as a Vampire too much power. But Vlad knows his kin, knows how they think, knows how to deal with such turn-coats. However, he needs servants that are more than mere pawns, so must grant them a modicum of his power. |
| Bonus objective IV | Invocation of Power | Reach Rank 20 with 1 Hero(es) | Treasury: +1000 | Vlad sees his agents as little more than tools, yet some tools are more useful than others. For those lucky few minions, great rewards await - depending on how they serve our master of course. |
| Bonus objective V | The Curse of Ages | Be at War with 5 Factions | Treasury: +1000 | The von Carstein pall of darkness reaches across the nations, infusing the land with Dark Magic. Every place it touches, the dead no longer rest easily in their graves and crypts are broken open from the inside. And so the Undead take the world from the living... |
Chapter 5[ | ]
| Rank | Name | Objective(s) | Reward(s) | In-game description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Primary objective | An Eternal Emperor | Occupy, loot, raze, or sack 20 different settlements. | Treasury: +10000 | The time is now - Vlad von Carstein must make his move to take Sigmar's throne or claim the lands from any foe - living or immortal - that dares resist the inevitable. The Midnight Aristocracy will rule over all - as Eternal Emperors - immortal kings that even the Chaos Gods bow to! |
| Bonus objective I | The Endless Legion | Maintain control of 100 units | Treasury: +1000 | The Undead are inexhaustible - able to constantly replenish with each new killing. The mortals fear our legions, for they know deep down that, eventually, they will rise up and join them. It is time for our master to field such an army - a legion of Undeath that no foe can challenge! |
| Bonus objective II | Blackest Will | Have at least 25 Vampiric Corruption in the following provinces: Eastern Sylvania, Stirland, Western Sylvania, Zhufbar, Averland, Ostermark, Eastern Border Princes, Northern Worlds Edge Mountains, Peak Pass, Hochland, Ostland, Talabecland, Wissenland, Middenland, Nordland, Reikland, Southern Oblast | Treasury: +1000 | The machinations of the von Carsteins are complex and despotic. At the height of his power our master must be ready to fend off any plot from a rival ready to strike from the shadows. With immortal glory so close, maintaining his dominion is essential. |
| Bonus objective III | Circle of Blood | Reach Rank 20 with 3 Lords | Treasury: +1000 | The Eternal Emperor stands ready to take his throne! His most loyal subjects will be rewarded with immortality and other gifts that no mortal could even comprehend; prepare those our master has deemed worthy to enter his scared circle. |
| Bonus objective IV | Those Who Serve | Reach Rank 20 with 3 Heroes | Treasury: +1000 | The mortals must fear Vlad's Unliving touch - fear that his reach is long and that nowhere is safe from his gnarled talons. To extend such a reach he needs willing servants, with the power and status to influence every area of mortal society. |
| Bonus objective V | The Curse of Immortatlity | Be at War with 5 Factions | Treasury: +1000 | For a von Carstein to sit upon a throne of bone as an Immortal Emperor, he must spread his influence far and ensure that his Unliving Empire is ready for its dread sovereign. |
Strategy[ | ]
The following applies only to the Mortal Empires or The Old World campaigns:
- She is good in melee, provides buffs to Vampire heroes, and is a Lore of Vampires spellcaster
- Isabella von Carstein has probably the most useful defeat trait of any lord: permanent hit point regeneration in battle. If your lords are on the front lines, it might be advisable to seek out the Von Carsteins and 'farm' her trait on your lords.
- Her 1st tier Red Skills are different from a regular Vampire Lord. One will buff Fell Bats and the other buffs Vargheists (adding armor!).
- She has access to "Loremaster, Lore of Vampires", making her a credible spellcaster.
- Vampire Heroes in her army gain increased Melee Attack and Melee Defence. Along with her faction effect granting Weapon Strength to embedded Vampire heroes, she can lead a very powerful doomstack consisting only of Vampires
- In the campaign Vlad and Isabella have fantastic synergy. Combined they both add 15 to Melee Attack and Defence, which turns them from powerful Vampire lords to mostly unstoppable.
- With some tricks using the Vampiric Ascension end game scenario, you can have Isabella von Carstein both as a Lord and a Hero at the same time.
Gallery[ | ]
Links[ | ]
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