Nagash is one of the four new lords in Total War Warhammer 3: Lords of the End Times, who leads a unique race of Undead Legions from the Black Pyramid, ascending toward godhood. This guide will provide you with a complete Nagash campaign breakdown in the game, including his Mortarchs.
Best Strategies for the Nagash Campaign
The Nagash campaign is one of the longest strategic campaigns in the game, where you need to unlock and collect as many resources as possible, but as soon as you do, Nagash becomes one of the strongest forces in the new DLC. Here’s what you need to focus on:
| Mechanics | Strategies |
|---|---|
| Dual Resources | Dark Magic is your gold equivalent, so use it for standard recruitment, upkeep, and infrastructure buildings. Necromantic Energy is a unique resource, which is gained from buildings and battles, especially inside the Lands of the Dead. |
| Settlement Conversion | Capture coastal settlements and turn them into Pirate Coves for Vampire Coast recruitment. Inland ones become Burial Chambers or Mausoleums, which give you the full undead roster in one faction. |
| Necropolises | Prioritize a number of high-tier Necropolises over many low-value territories, as major settlements generate Necromantic Energy from their provinces and bordering ones. They unlock higher unit capacities, elite recruits, and Empowered Sigils for the Black Pyramid, but don’t exceed the cap or expect economic penalties of –10% income. |
| Black Pyramid | Use Empowered Sigils from upgrading Necropolises to unlock permanent upgrades: unit buffs, capacity increases, economy, movement, recruitment, rituals, and more. Note that faction strength scales with territorial control and Necropolis development. |
| Ritual of Undeath | Spend Necromantic Energy to expand your domain of death, boost energy generation from battles inside it, raise Necropolis limits, and reshape the map. Note that Corruption is extreme, and Nagash can kill the land itself. |
| Books of Nagash | Nine books scattered across the map can expand Nagash’s spell access, starting from Lore of Undeath and adding options from Light, Death, Vampires, and Nehekhara. Remember that conquest is the means to the books, not the end, while a bookless Nagash is strong, a fully booked Nagash is a natural disaster. |
| Mortarchs | Nine lieutenants include Arkhan the Black, Neferata, Luthor Harkon, Vlad von Carstein, and Mannfred von Carstein, Dieter Helsnicht, Walach Harkon, Krell, and the Nameless. Subjugate them to transfer their empires and forces to you. |
Best Army Composition & Battle Tips
You can make Nagash particularly strong by combining upgraded magic with attrition. Here’s how this reflects on the army composition:
| Types | Units |
|---|---|
| Base | Skeleton Warriors, Spearmen, Tomb Guard or Grave Guard for elite infantry, and Spirit Hosts. |
| Cavalry | Blood Knights, Drakenhof Templars, Hexwraiths, and Coast cavalry. |
| Monsters | Ushabti (including Sepulchrex RoR), Morghast Harbingers, Archai, and Khemric Titan. |
| Artillery | Coast mortars and cannons, Coven Throne, and High Liche Priest lords. |
| Heroes | Tomb Heralds for regeneration, Vampire heroes, and the Mortarchs. |
Since the Southlands start is rather hostile, expect rapid declarations of war. Here’s how to react:
- Clear the immediate minor faction near the Black Tower of Arkhan area and secure your starting province.
- Prioritize Arkhan subjugation and fight constantly inside the Lands of the Dead for Necromantic Energy and Dark Magic.
- Sack before occupying when possible for better rewards.
- Build for Necromantic Energy production in minor settlements and balance Dark Magic income.
- Avoid overbuilding Necropolises beyond the soft cap.
- Vassalize or ally with other undead you cannot yet subjugate as Mortarchs to improve relations and prepare for later transfers.
