Easiest Legendary Lords For Legendary Difficulty In Total War Warhammer 2 Omens Of Destruction
For veterans of the Total War: Warhammer series, the legendary difficulty represents the ultimate test of strategic prowess. A single misstep can cascade into a catastrophic defeat, demanding meticulous planning, shrewd diplomacy, and masterful battlefield tactics. As of the Omens of Destruction update for Total War: Warhammer 2, the landscape of legendary campaigns has shifted. New factions, mechanics, and challenges have emerged. If you're seeking the easiest path to victory on this punishing difficulty, selecting the right legendary lord is paramount. This guide will delve into the best legendary lords for each faction, offering insights into their strengths, starting positions, and overall campaign trajectory, allowing you to confidently conquer the Old World.
High Elves: Tyrion
When diving into a legendary campaign with the High Elves, Tyrion of Lothern stands out as the most forgiving and strategically sound choice. His campaign offers a blend of powerful units, a secure starting position, and economic advantages that ease the burden of the early game. Tyrion's unique traits and abilities make him exceptionally well-suited for navigating the challenges of legendary difficulty. First and foremost, Tyrion begins with the Sword of Khaine, a double-edged weapon that dramatically boosts his combat prowess but also carries a significant public order penalty. This presents an immediate strategic decision: wield the sword for its unmatched combat power and manage the ensuing unrest or relinquish it to mitigate the public order issue. For new legendary players, opting to return the sword may be a wise choice initially, allowing for a more stable foundation upon which to build your empire. However, as your skills evolve, mastering the Sword of Khaine becomes a cornerstone of Tyrion's dominance.
Tyrion's faction, Lothern, boasts a fortified starting province, making it relatively secure from early aggression. The ability to confederate other High Elf factions early on is another significant advantage, allowing you to consolidate your power base and expand your military strength. Lothern's economic focus further simplifies campaign management. With access to lucrative trade resources and unique economic buildings, Tyrion can quickly establish a robust financial foundation, essential for sustaining armies and developing infrastructure. On the battlefield, Tyrion's High Elf units are renowned for their discipline, ranged firepower, and exceptional melee capabilities. The Lothern Sea Guard, a versatile unit capable of both ranged and melee combat, forms the backbone of your early armies. As your campaign progresses, you gain access to elite units such as Swordmasters of Hoeth and Star Dragons, capable of decimating enemy formations. Tyrion's leadership abilities further enhance his army's effectiveness, making him a formidable force on the battlefield. Overall, Tyrion's combination of a secure starting position, economic strength, powerful units, and confederation potential makes him the ideal choice for players seeking a manageable and rewarding legendary campaign with the High Elves.
Dark Elves: Malekith
For those drawn to the sinister allure of the Dark Elves, Malekith offers a compelling, albeit challenging, legendary campaign experience. While the Dark Elves are known for their aggressive playstyle and reliance on slave economies, Malekith provides a strategic depth that, when mastered, can lead to resounding victories. Malekith's campaign in Naggarond presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. His starting position in the frigid north of the New World places him amidst constant threats from both hostile Dark Elf factions and the savage Norse tribes. Early game expansion requires careful planning and efficient army management. Malekith's unique skills and traits provide crucial advantages in these early stages. His Lord of the Eight Peaks trait grants significant bonuses to his army's melee attack and leadership, making his forces formidable in battle. Additionally, his access to powerful magic lores, particularly Dark Magic, allows him to devastate enemy ranks and turn the tide of battle.
The Dark Elf economy revolves around the exploitation of slaves, a mechanic that requires careful balancing. While slaves generate substantial income, they also pose a risk of rebellions and public order issues. Malekith's campaign necessitates a strategic approach to slave management, balancing economic gain with the need for stability. Black Arks, mobile naval fortresses, are another defining feature of the Dark Elf campaign. These floating cities provide a mobile recruitment base, allowing you to project your power across the seas and launch assaults on distant shores. Malekith's access to Black Arks early in the campaign provides a significant strategic advantage, enabling him to bypass traditional land-based expansion routes and strike at vulnerable targets. On the battlefield, Dark Elf armies excel in both ranged and melee combat. Their Dreadspears and Bleakswords form a solid infantry core, while Darkshards provide devastating ranged firepower. As your campaign progresses, you unlock access to elite units such as Black Guard and Cold One Dread Knights, capable of crushing even the most heavily armored foes. Malekith's campaign, while demanding, offers a rewarding experience for players who enjoy a challenging strategic puzzle. His powerful units, access to Black Arks, and strategic flexibility make him a viable choice for conquering the Old World on legendary difficulty.
Lizardmen: Kroq-Gar
When venturing into the steamy jungles of Lustria with the Lizardmen on legendary difficulty, Kroq-Gar emerges as a prime candidate for a successful campaign. Kroq-Gar's strategic starting position, coupled with his powerful military buffs and access to formidable units, makes him well-equipped to overcome the challenges of the legendary setting. Located in the southern part of Lustria, Kroq-Gar's starting province is relatively defensible, offering a degree of security against early game threats. His primary early adversaries are typically Skaven and other Lizardmen factions, providing ample opportunities for conquest and consolidation. Kroq-Gar's unique traits and abilities significantly enhance his army's effectiveness. His Saurus Warrior Focus trait grants substantial bonuses to Saurus Warriors, the backbone of the Lizardmen army. This bonus makes his early game armies exceptionally strong, allowing him to dominate the battlefield against a wide range of foes. Additionally, Kroq-Gar's personal combat prowess is formidable, making him a powerful force in melee engagements.
The Lizardmen roster is renowned for its heavily armored infantry, powerful monstrous units, and potent spellcasters. Saurus Warriors form the core of your armies, providing a resilient and effective frontline. As your campaign progresses, you gain access to elite units such as Temple Guard, Stegadons, and Carnosaurs, capable of overwhelming enemy formations. Kroq-Gar's campaign often involves navigating complex diplomatic relationships with other Lizardmen factions. Forming alliances and confederations can significantly bolster your strength, but it also requires careful management of the Great Power penalty, which can strain relations with other factions. The Geomantic Web, a unique Lizardmen mechanic, provides powerful province-wide bonuses when fully activated. Optimizing the Geomantic Web requires strategic planning and careful building placement, but the rewards are substantial, providing significant economic and military advantages. Kroq-Gar's campaign, while not without its challenges, offers a rewarding blend of strategic and tactical gameplay. His strong starting position, powerful units, and military buffs make him an excellent choice for players seeking to conquer Lustria and beyond on legendary difficulty.
Skaven: Queek Headtaker
For those who revel in the chaotic and cunning nature of the Skaven, Queek Headtaker presents a thrilling, albeit demanding, legendary campaign experience. Queek's aggressive playstyle, combined with the Skaven's unique mechanics and powerful units, makes him a formidable contender in the Old World. Queek Headtaker's campaign in the Southlands is characterized by constant warfare and relentless expansion. His starting position near the Eight Peaks places him in direct conflict with numerous factions, including Greenskins, Dwarfs, and other Skaven clans. Early game survival requires skillful army management and a willingness to exploit the Skaven's unique strengths, such as their numerical superiority and ambush tactics. Queek's unique traits and abilities reflect his aggressive nature. His Headtaker trait grants significant bonuses to his melee attack and weapon strength, making him a formidable duelist. Additionally, his ability to trigger Underway ambushes provides a crucial advantage in battle, allowing him to catch enemies off guard and inflict devastating casualties.
The Skaven economy revolves around food and the Under-Empire, a network of hidden settlements that can generate vast amounts of resources. Managing food supplies is a constant challenge in a Skaven campaign, as overpopulation can lead to starvation and unrest. The Under-Empire provides a strategic layer of gameplay, allowing you to expand your influence covertly and disrupt enemy economies. Skaven armies rely on a combination of cheap, expendable units and powerful, specialized troops. Clanrats and Skavenslaves form the bulk of your armies, overwhelming enemies through sheer numbers. As your campaign progresses, you gain access to elite units such as Stormvermin, Rat Ogres, and Warp Lightning Cannons, capable of inflicting devastating damage on enemy formations. The Skaven's loyalty mechanic is another crucial aspect of their campaign. Skaven lords can become disloyal if their power exceeds that of their rivals, leading to rebellions and internal conflict. Managing loyalty requires careful planning and strategic allocation of resources and titles.
Tomb Kings: Settra the Imperishable
Embarking on a legendary campaign with the Tomb Kings requires a unique approach, as their undead armies and distinct campaign mechanics set them apart from other factions. Among the Tomb Kings, Settra the Imperishable stands out as a resilient and rewarding choice for conquering the Old World. Settra's campaign in the arid lands of Nehekhara is characterized by slow, deliberate expansion and the gradual reawakening of ancient legions. His starting position in Khemri provides a secure base of operations, shielded by vast deserts and guarded by powerful undead constructs. Early game expansion focuses on consolidating control over Nehekhara and securing valuable resources. Settra's unique traits and abilities reflect his unwavering ambition and martial prowess. His The Imperishable trait grants significant bonuses to his army's leadership and melee defense, making his forces exceptionally resilient in battle. Additionally, Settra's access to powerful Tomb King units and constructs provides a distinct advantage on the battlefield.
The Tomb Kings' campaign mechanics differ significantly from those of other factions. They do not rely on traditional economies or recruitment pools. Instead, they raise armies by awakening ancient legions from their tombs. This mechanic limits the rate of expansion but also provides a steady stream of powerful units. Canopic Jars, a unique Tomb King resource, are used to unlock technologies and powerful dynasty units. Managing Canopic Jar production is crucial for long-term success, as they are essential for expanding your army roster and unlocking key campaign buffs. The Mortuary Cult, another defining feature of the Tomb Kings, allows you to craft powerful magic items and recruit legendary heroes. The Mortuary Cult provides a strategic layer of customization, allowing you to tailor your armies and heroes to your specific needs. Tomb King armies are characterized by their disciplined ranks of undead warriors, powerful constructs, and potent magic. Skeleton Warriors and Skeleton Archers form the core of your early armies, providing a resilient and cost-effective fighting force. As your campaign progresses, you gain access to elite units such as Tomb Guard, Ushabti, and Tomb Scorpions, capable of crushing enemy formations. Settra's campaign, while requiring patience and strategic planning, offers a unique and rewarding experience for players seeking to conquer the Old World with the might of the Tomb Kings.
Vampire Counts: Mannfred von Carstein
For players drawn to the macabre allure of the Vampire Counts, a legendary campaign with Mannfred von Carstein presents a challenging yet ultimately rewarding experience. While the Vampire Counts are known for their powerful melee units and devastating magic, their campaign requires careful management of public order and corruption. Mannfred's strategic starting position, combined with his access to powerful spells and undead units, makes him a formidable force in the Old World. Mannfred's campaign in Sylvania is characterized by constant warfare and the spread of vampiric corruption. His starting position in Drakenhof provides a defensible base of operations, but he is quickly surrounded by hostile factions, including the Empire, Dwarfs, and other Vampire Counts. Early game survival requires skillful army management and a willingness to exploit the Vampire Counts' unique strengths, such as their ability to raise the dead and their reliance on powerful melee units. Mannfred's unique traits and abilities reflect his cunning and magical prowess. His Master Necromancer trait grants significant bonuses to his spellcasting abilities and reduces the cost of raising dead units. Additionally, Mannfred's access to the Lore of Vampires provides him with a potent arsenal of spells, capable of devastating enemy formations and bolstering his own forces.
The Vampire Counts' campaign mechanics revolve around corruption, raising the dead, and managing public order. Vampiric corruption spreads throughout your provinces, providing bonuses to your armies but also increasing the risk of rebellions. Managing corruption requires careful building placement and the use of hero actions. The Vampire Counts can raise dead units from battlefields, allowing them to replenish their ranks quickly and efficiently. This mechanic provides a significant advantage in prolonged campaigns, as you can replenish your losses without relying on traditional recruitment pools. Public order is a constant challenge in a Vampire Counts campaign, as the populace resents the presence of undead rulers. Maintaining public order requires careful building placement, hero actions, and the strategic use of exempt provinces. Vampire Counts armies rely on a combination of cheap, expendable units and powerful, elite troops. Skeletons and Zombies form the bulk of your early armies, overwhelming enemies through sheer numbers. As your campaign progresses, you gain access to elite units such as Grave Guard, Black Knights, and Varghulfs, capable of crushing enemy formations. Mannfred's campaign, while demanding, offers a unique and rewarding experience for players who enjoy a strategic challenge. His powerful spells, access to undead units, and strategic flexibility make him a viable choice for conquering the Old World on legendary difficulty.
Conclusion
Conquering a legendary campaign in Total War: Warhammer 2 requires careful planning, strategic acumen, and masterful execution. Selecting the right legendary lord for each faction can significantly ease the burden of this challenging difficulty setting. Tyrion of Lothern, Malekith, Kroq-Gar, Queek Headtaker, Settra the Imperishable, and Mannfred von Carstein each offer unique advantages and strategic opportunities, making them excellent choices for players seeking to conquer the Old World on legendary difficulty. By understanding their strengths, weaknesses, and campaign dynamics, you can embark on a rewarding and ultimately triumphant journey to victory.
