Dilemma Choices & Consequences

Navigating dilemmas in Total War: Warhammer can be tricky! Learn about the choices, consequences, and how to manage powerful items like the Sword of Khaine.

Hey there! So, you're diving into the wild world of Total War: Warhammer and wondering about those tricky dilemma pop-ups? Let's break it down, using the legendary Sword of Khaine as our main example. Think of me as your battle-hardened buddy guiding you through the tough calls. ### The Sword of Khaine: A Double-Edged Blade First off, this isn't just any old sword; it's The Widowmaker, the Godslayer, and it's a huge deal in campaigns like Eye of the Vortex, Mortal Empires, and Immortal Empires. How You Get It: To even get a whiff of this power, you'll need to be playing as a High Elf, Dark Elf, or Wood Elf faction. Your goal is to capture the Shrine of Khaine settlement in the Nagarythe province. Once you own it, you'll need to build and upgrade the Abandoned Shrine of Khaine all the way to the Shrine of the Widowmaker. When you do that, BAM! A dilemma pops up. You'll have a choice: draw the sword or leave it be. If you draw it, a big red sword icon will appear over your Lord on the campaign map. Pretty unmistakable! What Happens When You Draw It? This is where things get spicy. Wielding the Sword of Khaine grants immense power, but it comes with serious drawbacks. Your faction will face penalties to public order, diplomatic relations, and upkeep. These penalties ramp up over three stages: Thirsting, Thriving, and Dominating. * Thirsting: You'll start feeling the sword's influence. Expect some initial penalties. * Thriving: The corruption deepens. Your penalties get worse. * Dominating: You're fully under its spell. The penalties are at their peak, and if your wielder dies in battle, you might lose the sword forever (or pass it on!). At each stage, you'll get another dilemma. This is your chance to potentially return the sword to its altar, breaking the cycle. If you keep it past the Dominating stage and your Lord dies, they gain a special character trait, and the sword might fall into new hands. Sharing the (Bad) Love: Here's a crucial bit: if the wielder of the Sword of Khaine is killed or wounded in battle, a dilemma will appear for the victor. You'll get the choice to take the sword for yourself! This means *any* Lord from *any* faction can end up wielding it, as long as an Elf faction drew it first. The Big Picture: These dilemmas are your moments to shape your campaign. Do you embrace the dark power for a temporary edge, knowing the long-term consequences? Or do you play it safe? With the Sword of Khaine, it's a high-risk, high-reward situation that can dramatically alter your campaign's trajectory. Choose wisely!