- For the Chaos Dwarfs building, see Monster Pens (Chaos Dwarfs).
| “ | Rakarth has his forces can capture various beasts and monsters for the Monster Pens to instantly recruit into any army. Creatures are captured by winning battles under certain conditions or at settlements owned by specific races, as well as by raiding specific climated. High-level characters have a higher chance of capturing creatures in these ways, and are more likely to capture more powerful beasts. | „ |
The Monster Pens is a unique game mechanic for 
The Thousand Maws, part of the 
Dark Elves, introduced in the Total War Warhammer II Rakarth free-LC. Highlights include:
- Instant recruitment in own land territory in any stance (Black Ark Admirals excluded)
- Unit availability increases by winning battles, raiding, conquering settlements and performing a unique rite
- Up to twelve different creatures available with most sourced from other race unit rosters
- Quality varies from common up to very rare
- Climate where you win battles, raid and conquer settlements influences the type of units captured
- Higher rank lords tend to capture more and rarer creatures
- Can store up to 10 units of the same unit name
- No recruitment cap
Please note the game uses the expression "replenishment" and variants to refer to the increase of the number of creatures available which can be confusing because of the unit hit points replenishment mechanic.
Menagerie[]
| Unit | Tier | Availability | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black Dragon | Very rare |
| |
| Bloodwrack Medusa | Rare |
| |
| Explosive Squig | Common |
| |
| Feral Carnosaur | Rare |
| |
| Feral Cold Ones | Common | ||
| Feral Mammoth | Rare |
| |
| Feral Manticore | Rare |
| |
| Feral Stegadon | Rare | ||
| Giant Wolves | Common |
| |
| Kharibdyss | Rare | Winning battles at sea | |
| Harpies | Common |
| |
| War Hydra | Rare |
| |
| Feral Bears | |||
| Feral Ice Bears | |||
| Feral Wyvern | Rare |
|
|
| Giant Spiders | |||
| Sabretusk Pack |
Conquering settlements[]
- Just over half of the Monster Pen creature types can be captured while when conquering settlements (any option except "razing").
- The bigger the settlement and the more powerful the garrison army the better chances to get rarer creatures.
Convocation of Hunters rite[]
- You have access to the unique Convocation of Hunters rite, one of the four Dark Elves rites available to you, which can be used to generate creatures, from some common to a couple very rare ones.
- The rite itself is free and has no cooldown but depending on your choices there may be additional costs, such as money (750 to 1500), 500 slaves and an increased cooldown (+5 to +15).
- All Monster Pens creatures except the Kharibdyss are available through the rite in varying quantities, from twelve common creatures to one very rare Black Dragon unit.
Lord effects[]
- Higher rank lords have increased chances to add more and rarer creatures.
- Rakarth: You can spend a skill point on the "Harpyclaw Blots" skill which increases the chance monsters will be added to the Monster Pens while raiding, fighting battles, or conquering settlements.
Raiding[]
- Half of the Monster Pen creature types can be captured while raiding each turn.
- Type of unit depends on the region climate.
- The stronger the raiding army the better chances to get more and rarer creatures.