Mounts & Monster Units

Deploy Mounts and Monster Units effectively in Total War: Warhammer III. Learn to acquire, upgrade, and utilize these powerful forces to win battles.

Mastering the strategic deployment of Mounts and Monster Units is paramount to achieving victory in Total War: Warhammer III. These powerful entities can turn the tide of battle, but their effective use requires careful planning and understanding of their unique strengths and weaknesses. This section will guide you through acquiring, upgrading, and utilizing these formidable assets.

Acquiring Mounts and Monsters

Mounts are typically unlocked for Lords and Heroes as they gain experience and level up. Monster Units, on the other hand, are recruited from specific building chains within your settlements. Early game access to powerful monsters can be a game-changer, so prioritize these building chains when possible.

• Lord & Hero Mounts:
  • Leveling Up: Most Lords and Heroes gain access to their first mount option around Level 5-7. Subsequent, more powerful mounts (e.g., Dragons for High Elves, Daemonic Steeds for Chaos Lords) become available at higher levels, often around Level 15-20.
  • Skill Tree: Navigate to your Lord or Hero's skill tree. Mounts are typically found in a dedicated branch or as a specific skill unlock. For example, a Cathayan Lord might unlock a "Jade Dragon" mount skill, while a Khorne Daemon Prince could unlock a "Bloodthirster" mount.
  • Cost: Unlocking a mount is usually a one-time skill point investment. There is no monetary cost once the skill is acquired.
• Monster Unit Recruitment:
  • Building Chains: Each faction has specific building chains dedicated to recruiting monster units. For instance:
    • Grand Cathay: The "Dragon's Lair" building chain (Tier 3 and above) is essential for recruiting Terracotta Sentinels and later, Jade Dragons.
    • Khorne: The "Skull Forge" building chain (Tier 2 and above) allows for the recruitment of Chaos Furies and Bloodcrushers, eventually leading to Soul Grinders.
    • Kislev: The "Ice Court" building chain (Tier 3 and above) is crucial for recruiting Ice Guards with Glaives and Elemental Bears.
  • Settlement Tiers: Higher-tier monster units often require higher-tier settlements to construct their recruitment buildings. Plan your settlement development accordingly.
  • Resource Costs: Monster units typically have higher recruitment costs (Gold) and upkeep (Gold per turn) compared to standard infantry or cavalry. Some may also require specific resources like "Influence" for certain factions.

Strategic Deployment and Combat Tactics

Mounts and Monster Units excel in specific roles on the battlefield. Understanding these roles is key to maximizing their impact.

• Shock & Awe:
  • Charge Bonus: Many monster units and mounted Lords/Heroes possess a significant charge bonus. Use them to initiate devastating charges into enemy lines, particularly against unarmored or lightly armored infantry. Examples include the Kislev Elemental Bear or the Khorne Bloodthirster.
  • Breaching Formations: Large entities can break through enemy formations, creating gaps for your other units to exploit. Target the center of enemy lines or flanks to cause maximum disruption.
• Flanking & Ranged Unit Harassment:
  • Speed: Fast-moving mounted Lords and smaller monster units (e.g., Chaos Furies, Cathayan Sky-Junk) are excellent for outflanking the enemy and engaging vulnerable ranged units or artillery.
  • Disruption: Even if they don't secure kills immediately, tying up enemy ranged units with a monster can significantly reduce their damage output against your main force.
• Anti-Large & Anti-Infantry Roles:
  • Anti-Large Bonus: Units with an "Anti-Large" bonus (e.g., Terracotta Sentinels, some Dragon variants) are specifically designed to counter other large entities like enemy monsters or cavalry. Prioritize these matchups.
  • Anti-Infantry Bonus: Conversely, units with an "Anti-Infantry" bonus (e.g., Bloodcrushers) are highly effective at carving through enemy infantry formations.
• Lord & Hero Buffs:
  • Auras: Many mounted Lords and Heroes possess powerful auras that buff nearby friendly units. Keep them strategically positioned to maximize the benefit of these auras. For example, a Grand Cathay Dragon-Blooded Shugengan on a Jade Dragon can provide significant leadership and melee defense buffs.
  • Spellcasting Platforms: Mounted spellcasters gain increased survivability and mobility, allowing them to cast spells from safer positions or quickly reposition to target key enemy units.
• Micro-Management Tips:
  • Cycle Charging: For units with high charge bonuses, initiate a charge, let them engage for a few seconds, then pull them out and charge again. This maximizes their damage output and reduces sustained damage taken.
  • Avoid Entanglement: Large units can get bogged down in dense infantry formations. Use their mass to push through, but be mindful of getting surrounded, as they can be vulnerable to concentrated attacks.
  • Support: Always support your monster units with infantry or other units to prevent them from being overwhelmed. A lone monster, no matter how powerful, can be brought down by focused fire or numerous enemies.

Upgrading and Enhancing

Beyond initial recruitment, there are several ways to enhance the effectiveness of your Mounts and Monster Units.

• Lord & Hero Skill Trees:
  • Mount-Specific Skills: Some Lords and Heroes have skills that specifically buff their chosen mount, increasing its armor, melee attack, or speed. Invest in these to make your mounted leader even more formidable.
  • Generic Combat Skills: Skills that improve a Lord's or Hero's melee attack, defense, or leadership will indirectly benefit them while mounted.
• Technology Tree:
  • Faction-Specific Technologies: Each faction's technology tree contains research options that can improve the stats or unlock new abilities for specific monster units. For example, Kislev might have technologies to improve the "Frostbite" ability of their Elemental Bears.
  • General Combat Technologies: Technologies that improve unit armor, weapon strength, or charge bonus will apply to relevant monster units as well.
• Ancillaries & Items:
  • Lord/Hero Items: Equip your mounted Lords and Heroes with ancillaries and magical items that boost their combat stats, survivability, or grant useful abilities. Items like "Talisman of Protection" or "Sword of Battle" can significantly enhance their battlefield presence.
  • Unit-Specific Items (Rare): While less common, some unique items or dilemmas might offer temporary or permanent buffs to specific monster units within an army.
• Veteran Ranks:
  • Combat Experience: Monster units, like all other units, gain veteran ranks through combat. Each rank provides stat bonuses, making them more effective over time. Protect your high-rank monsters!

By carefully considering acquisition, strategic deployment, and ongoing enhancements, your Mounts and Monster Units will become the backbone of your armies, crushing your enemies and securing your dominance across the Old World and beyond.