Avoid a beating and match-up your units against the enemies they’re strongest against in Total War: WARHAMMER II.
3 Unit Types
You often hear-tell that Total War tactics is all just a game of Rock-Paper-Scissors:
- Melee beats Cavalry
- Cavalry beats Range
- Range beats Melee
Well, maybe that was once true on some exotic world on some faraway plane.
5 Unit Types
In WarHammer’s world things have gotten a little more complicated.
With at least 5 unit types we’re now on the level of Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard-Spock.
Melee (swords & axes) beats Spears
Spears (spears & halberds) beats Cavalry & Monsters
Ranged (bows, guns & artillery) beats Melee, Spears & Monsters
Cavalry (horses & large flyers) beats Melee & Ranged
Monsters (large non-cavalry groundlings) beats Melee
As a diagram it’s still fairly simple to follow:
I was Lying When I Said It Was Simple
Bonus traits
On occasion, you’ll come across units with unique characteristics that somewhat alter their function. Spears, for instance, should perform better against monsters than melee because they have the “Anti-large” characteristic. However, occasionally you can create a specialty (melee) sword unit with this trait as well (some melee Heroes for example). Check your unit cards frequently, then.
Range units
Okay, they’re weak in hand-to-hand combat. However, the majority of ranged units have the ability to skirmish and avoid much of that unpleasantness. However, cavalry are the archer’s deadliest opponent because they will always catch skirmishers. While some monsters (like Varghulf) are faster than skirmishers as well, others are monstrous giant slow targets just waiting to be pricked (Giants).
Hybrid Units
A few such units trade off some hand-to-hand strength for some shooting power (e.g. Empire Militia, Lothern Sea Guard & missile cavalry). So that’s another fly in my ointment.
Swarm Animals
Ok now your’e just making me mad. Think of them as light cavalry I guess, without the worry of facing anti-large (we’re talking war dogs and fell bats here).
Monsters v Cavalry
Yeah I’ve been a bit coy about that in the diagram above. Monsters will likely destroy regular cavalry with glee. But high-tier cavalry can often be equipped with lances that turn them into deadly monster hunters (having both charge and anti-large bonuses).
Magic Casters
Casters could be combined with Range. I’m not so convinced it’s always a good fit, though, given some melee heroes and leaders can cast. More significantly, casters frequently have the ability to enhance units, at least temporarily, so that they can get around their usual match-up restrictions.
Situational Factors
Due to their accuracy penalty against moving targets, archers are vulnerable to cavalry. But if a hero can bring down a squad of cavalry in a fight, let the arrows fly for some extremely rewarding damage. If you only have archers available and need to flank someone, consider using them anyhow since they can backstab for a long with little repercussion. The ability to cycle-charge on the flank makes cavalry excellent against anything, including spears.
Armour Piercing v Armour
That’s another trait that’s important to consider with match-ups. But one slightly beyond the scope of this modest little guide.
Credit to: Sputnik
What is the best unit in Total War Warhammer 2?
- 7/15 Skin Wolves (Norsca)
- 6/15 Khemrian Warsphinx (Tomb Kings)
- 5/15 Chameleon Skinks (Lizardmen)
- 4/15 Irondrakes (Trollhammer Torpedo – Dwarfs)
- 3/15 Demigryph Knights (Lances – Empire)
- 2/15 Black Orcs (Greenskins)
- 1/15 Waywatchers (Wood Elves)
What is the strongest army in Warhammer 2?
The richest faction in the game, the high elves have some of the strongest rosters. With the help of their faction mechanic, they can essentially rule diplomacy.
Are skaven overpowered in Warhammer 2?
Skaven are going to feel exceedingly powerful if you are playing on VH battle difficulty because the difficulty greatly increases the power of ai melee units, and since skaven are already very strong at range, they may easily defeat you at both.
Who has the best infantry in Warhammer 2?
- 7/15 Waywatchers (Wood Elves)
- 6/15 Swordmasters of Hoeth (High Elves)
- 5/15 Phoenix Guard (High Elves)
- 4/15 Har Ganeth Executioners (Dark Elves)
- 3/15 Sisters of Slaughter (Dark Elves)
- 2/15 Depth Guard (Vampire Coast)
- 1/15 Chosen (Chaos)
What is the easiest faction in Warhammer 2?
The best option is definitely Vortex; each group gets a sort of mini-campaign that, while superficial, might give you objectives to work for. The Vortex campaign is followed by the High Elves, Dark Elves, Lizardmen, and Skaven; the other factions have their own objectives.
Can you revive factions Warhammer 2?
Most Factions can be revived if a rebellion triggers in their home region. The Legendary Lord may emerge in the faction they join if that faction is successful in capturing a settlement and they are able to form a confederation.