Best Legendary Lords In Total War: Warhammer 3

Summary

• Total War: Warhammer 3 offers a diverse selection of powerful Legendary Lords with unique abilities and strengths.
• Choosing the right Legendary Lord can greatly impact the outcome of battles, campaign progression, and overall gameplay experience.
• Each Legendary Lord has specific advantages and disadvantages, such as starting position, spells, buffs, and damage capabilities.

Now that Immortal Empires is finally out, Total War: Warhammer 3 is finally shaping up to be a worthy successor to Total War: Warhammer 2. This latest game-changing update pours the factions and Legendary Lords of the previous games into the fray for even more chaos (no pun intended). Naturally, the game’s balance is upset.

Certain Legendary Lords have more advantageous starting positions on the map, while others are too powerful and can be an army on their own. Picking one of these Legendary Lords either on the campaign map or in custom battles can easily spell doom for the opposing army.

Updated March 26, 2025 by Rhenn Taguiam: While fans have yet to see new DLC pop up in Total War: Warhammer 3, news of Amazon greenlighting a Warhammer 40K series caused a wave of excitement. Although fans are still waiting with bated breath to see whether Total War: Warhammer 3 will get a sequel or not, now is the perfect time for both long-time fans and newcomers to practice various Legendary Lords for their gameplay.

Among must-try Legendary Lords for unique experiences include a powerful Dwarven engineer, a god among Goblins, and one of the most powerful wizards to walk the land.

34

Malakai Makaisson (Dwarfs)

A Prodigious Engineer That Leads Quite The Powerful Faction

Disgraced engineer Malakai Makaisson carries the burden of the deaths of hundreds of Dwarves due to his malfunctioning warmachines, now turning into a Slayer to atone for his sins. However, his engineering prowess never left him. Now, he can create various knick-knacks and boasts quite the firepower as the head of the Masters of Innovation. Save for their lackluster starting location in Total War: Warhammer 3 gameplay, Malakai’s boosts for fliers and artillery units make his personal unit quite a devastating opponent to face. The arrival of his Thunderbarges makes his faction even tougher to defeat.

As a Missile Specialist and Ballistics Expert, Malakai can improve the performance of allied missile units near him. Moreover, he boasts Armour-Piercing Missiles and is Fast (for a Dwarf), making him unimpeded when moving with heavy armor. When fighting, his Deranged Munitions (Active) and Deathblow (Passive) boost the overall potency of his missiles and Armour-Piercing Missiles. Artillery Master (Passive) boosts his reload speed and accuracy, and Makaisson’s Persuader (Item, Ability) heals both health and ammo.

33

Graum The Paunch (Greenskins)

A God Among Goblins

Boasting a size never before seen among Goblins, Graum the Paunch is like a god in the Broken Axe Faction. He achieved this feat after eating uncooked (and forever-regenerating) Troll meat that cursed him into forever eating food to digest it. Graum is the perfect Legendary Lord for players who want to play Goblins over Greenskins, as the variety of buffs he can give his faction can make them an overwhelming force. Once players have access to Grom’s Cauldron, its global buffs can incentivize facing different factions to collect army benefits.

Graum is an interesting Legendary Lord for his stats. Being Armoured means he can block all damage except Armour-Piercing. His Anti-Infantry nature means he can tear down smaller targets. In addition, Regeneration helps him heal during combat. With Da Great ‘Un Iz ‘Ere (Active), he can augment his overall combat performance, while a Passive augments Leadership and Melee Defense (Language of Da Boyz). His special abilities include a damage-boosting armor, Sundering Axe of Grom (Item, Ability), and an attack – and damage-resistance-boosting Lucky Banner (Item, Ability). Being a Greenskin, Grom’s Waaagh! boosts attack as well as base weapon and Armour-Piercing damage.

32

Balthasar Gelt (Empire)

A Masked Man Poised To Become One Of The Game’s Strongest Spellcasters

When an explosion from an experiment left Balthasar Gelt wearing a golden face mask and metallic robes, everyone was wondering what had happened to this gifted wizard. One thing is for certain, however: Balthasar will lead the Golden Order to victory in Total War: Warhammer 3, no matter the cost. The game puts Balthasar in a decent starting position in Cathay, giving him the means to snowball his spellcasters’ potencies through Master of the Elemental Winds. When done correctly, Balthasar’s troupe can handle multiple foes at once.

Being a Wizard, Balthasar has access to several powerful spells: an AOE of sizzling silver (Searing Doom), armour removal (Plague of Rust), summoning metallic wolves (Gehenna’s Golden Hounds), boosting his allies’ defenses (Glittering Robe), attack-reducing enemy debuffs (Tramustation of Lead), and a statue-turning hail (Final Transmutation). As a unit, Balthasar can enjoy unique abilities such as a Passive that provides a quick recharge (Arcane Conduit) and a damage-boosting buff (Metalshifting). He also has a staff that reduces his chances of miscasting a spell (Staff of Volans).

31

Yuan Bo (Grand Cathay)

The Jade Dragon Of Immense Ferocity

Heading the Jade Court is Yuan Bo, the most powerful user of the Winds of Magic in Cathay. This means taking advantage of Cathay’s decent economy and accessible military. Bonuses to his Diplomacy make interacting with other Cathay factions much easier. Not to mention, his transformation as a dragon is just a bonus way of messing around with his prey before eating them up with either his powerful army or his spells.

Yuan Bo has access to several spells with different effects: a decent AOE (Shem’s Burning Gaze), a Damage Resistance booster (Jade Shield), a blinding AOE (Blossom Wind), and a stunning AOE (Net of Amyntok). As a Dragon, Yuan Bo can cast the Armour Piercing AOE Comet of Casandora, allowing him to devastate battlefields. With his status as Legendary Lord, Yuan Bo also has access to nifty unique abilities, such as a power one-shot-kill on low-HP foes (The Emperor’s Executioner). He can also debuff enemies whenever spells are cast (Power of Yin, Roiling Skies).

30

Lokhir Fellheart (Dark Elves)

Decent Straightforward Duelist With Economic Potential

Players who want to consider trying a more straightforward Legendary Lord should give Lokhir Fellheart (Dark Elves) a shot. Known in Warhammer Fantasy lore as an admiral willing to ride the stormy tide to victory, Lokhir enjoys enhanced defences, a powerset tailored for decimating infantry with enhanced attacks (Dreaded Duelist, Deadly Onslaught, Murderous Prowess), and even gives relentless chase against enemies (Foe-Seeker).

As a leader, Lokhir’s Blessed Dread faction can rise as one of the best economies in a session provided players push their cards right. Under a Slave Economy and pursuing naval battles, Lokhir can make up for slower political maneuverability with the opportunity to grab more powerful Black Arks more frequently. When combined with Lokhir’s dueling prowess, Lokhir can become quite the deadly foe from the mid-game to the endgame, especially when his superior economy can render enemies weak enough for him to finish off.

29

Morathi (Dark Elves)

Worthwhile Investment Due To Spellcasting Potential

The starting position of Morathi (Dark Elves) in the Ancient City of Quintex already gives her access to decent income opportunities. Players can use her relatively fragile early game to slowly gain momentum and snowball into her powerful Total War: Warhammer 3 endgame form. When developed properly, Morathi’s spellcasting capabilities can tear through enemy armor consistently and even contend against large units.

The fragility of Morathi in the early game can make her a worthwhile investment due to her endgame potential. By the time she gets access to Pit of Shades and Soul Stealer, Morathi can be incredibly hard to kill due to her constant access to damaging options. Other useful Passives include an enemy armor (Spiteful Conjuration) and attack debuff (Enchanting Beauty), boosted Spell Mastery and Power Recharge (Greater Arcane Conduit), and overall combat boosts (Murderous Prowess).

28

Alith Anar (High Elves)

Master The Shadows With A High Elf Ambusher

It’s perhaps precisely due to the close proximity of Dark Elves in Karond Kar that Alith Anar (High Elves) was stationed there as his starting location. Base-stats wise, Alith Anar cannot only attack from both melee and ranged positions but also do so while moving (Fire Whilst Moving). This can make him especially useful as a frontline unit, as he can take care of potential threats from afar before they get closer. Also, his stealth-oriented kit is enhanced with his capabilities of moving much further than their deployment zone (Vanguard Deployment).

Regarding the specifics of his skills, Alith Anar is quite the elite ambusher. Alith can enjoy a +10% Hero Action Success Chance and -15% Hero Action Cost in his local region (Shadow’s Fall) and can maintain his Shadow-Walkers and Shadow Warriors with -50% Upkeep costs (Raven Lord) on top of a +25% Ambush Success Chance. The Legendary Lord is also encouraged to assassinate leaders often in his Total War: Warhammer 3 gameplay, especially when his more aggressive missions come with diplomatic rewards.

27

Deathmaster Snikch (Skaven)

Obliterate Enemies With Sheer Speed, Ambushes

Serving as Lord Sneek’s chief assassin, Deathmaster Snikch (Skaven) is less of a wartime leader and more of a person to rely on to end conflicts quickly. Due to his stats, Snikch can become an efficient assassin in a player’s Total War: Warhammer 3 gameplay. Snikch’s innate speed bonuses and ability to be deployed outside the vanguard can let players target pests in their path to success, such as spellcasters, especially when ganking weaker foes via the +8 Melee Attack and +25% Ambush Success Chance (Grand Nightlord’s Agitator).

As a leader, Snikch’s starting area in Grand Cathay’s Xing Po places him in a favorable position to start dominating rather quickly. On top of his combat prowess, his decent diplomatic potential can allow him to consolidate power more efficiently compared to his other Skaven counterparts, making him an extremely flexible option for players.

26

Drazhoath the Ashen (Chaos Dwarves)

Dominate Economy With Income Influx

At first glance, the starting conditions of Drazhoath the Ashen (Chaos Dwarves) in the Black Fortress of the Howling Wastes can make him a part of a challenging playthrough. However, this Wizard with a standard damaging kit via Lore of Hashut does boast decent defenses courtesy of specific attrition immunity (Resilience), Resistances, and even Siege Attack capabilities. This constant access to resources gives Drazhoath the ability to take advantage of the Chaos Dwarves’ versatile kit, especially when the likes of the Dreadquake Battery (Prototype Megamortar) have become a mainstay in their Total War: Warhammer 3 experience.

Among the Legendary Lords of the Chaos Dwarves, Drazhoath is perhaps the most practical to use from an economic perspective. As the Tyrant of the Black Tower (Personal Trait), he gets -25% Upkeep for K’daii units, and his De-Towered (Defeat Trait) gives him +10% Settlement Income. Both these Traits also give him +8 Melee Attack (Dark Renown) and Missile Resistance 15%, allowing him to get aggressive when necessary.

25

King Louen Leoncoeur (Bretonnia)

Straightforward Tank For Melee Domination

Arriving with the Bretonnia faction is King Louen Leoncoeur, considered the land’s greatest and mightiest Warrior-King. Even at a rumored 90 years old, the Lionhearted looks as though he’s at his prime, with his dedication to uniting the lands of Bretonnia keeping his spirit strong. In the grand strategy game, King Louen is potent in melee courtesy of his inherent defenses on top of his capabilities to lead siege attacks.

When fully geared with his stats maxed, riding Beaquis the Hippogryph can make him hard to target. He can debuff defense with the Sword of Couronne while enjoying his heal-per-second passive. King Louen also possesses the Lion’s Shield for missile and magic resistance on top of a charge and melee damage boost aura.

24

Azazel (Slaanesh)

Heavy-Duty Spellcaster For Melee Incursions

Possessing beauty second only to the Dark Prince of Pleasure himself, Azazel was a Gerreon tribe chief whose acts of treachery and hedonism earned his reward of ascension to Daemonhood. Now a leader of Slaanesh’s Ecstatic Legions, Azazel can tap into the Lore of Slaanesh and his own Daemonblade to improve himself and his army’s overall performance in combat.

Being part of the Warriors of Chaos alone can give them natural regeneration, a decent AOE, and even a melee damage debuff to opponents. As Slaanesh’s favored, Azazel possesses natural damage mitigation and resistance on top of reducing his foe’s defenses. In turn, Azazel can cripple other Lords and units he faces in single combat, as he can sling one spell to the next if he’s not cycle-charging them to oblivion.

23

Sisters Of Twilight (Wood Elves)

Adaptable Long-Ranged Combatants With Mounts

Serving as the Heralds of Ariel, the Sisters of Twilight are a pair of warriors named Arahan and Naestra who ride the steeds Gwindalor and Ceithin-Har in combat. Being Wood Elves, the Sisters gain exceptional advantages when fighting in forests, while their extremely fast nature can facilitate the effective use of their multi-shot ammunition and armor-piercing missiles against both single units and hordes.

While the Sisters aren’t the best in terms of melee and single-target in the Warhammer title, they do boast decent resistances and may even poison foes when riding Ceithin-Har. They can summon the Goddess of the Hunt to reduce the missile resistance of foes, while they also possess a nifty regen to get themselves out of trouble. Depending on who they are mounting, they can boost their overall ranged (Gwindalor) or melee (Ceithin-Har) performance.

22

Festus The Leechlord (Nurgle)

Traditional Spellcaster With Self-Heals And Enemy Debuffs

Once the brilliant Doctor Festus, desperation to cure a strain of a disease led him to form a pact with Nurgle, transforming him into Festus the Leechlord, whose knowledge of all diseases in the mortal world filled him with a desire to experiment. Now the leader of the Fecundites in Total War: Warhammer 3 gameplay, Festus intermixes healing and dealing massive damage over time to debilitate enemy forces.

The Leechlord possesses abilities that allow him to heal himself over time, while also possessing skills that deal direct damage per second as well as decrease the combat performance and speed of opponents across locations. With enough Lore of Nurgle spells unlocked, Festus can be a nightmare to deal with in the late game, as he can easily devastate enemies with the right combination of spells and abilities.

21

Vilitch The Curseling (Tzeentch)

Mage With Fast Skill Recharge For Heavy Spell Attacks

Once plagued by a weak body and a more athletic twin, Vilitch the Curseling became what he was when he woke up to find his himself connected to his twin’s body now devoid of intelligence and left to follow his commands. Amassing his newfound talents in magic allowed Vilitch to control his village and the Puppets of Misrule as a Warrior of Chaos. Vilitch can outlast other Legendary Lords through the Vessel of Chaos which allows him to replenish his barriers quickly when depleted.

On top of access to powerful spells under the Lore of Tzeentch, Vilitch can tap into abilities that let him quickly recharge his magic, as well as barriers that boost damage mitigation or provide quick healing. Through his twin, Vilitch also has enhanced defenses and damage on melee. As a Tzeentch spellcaster, Vilitch has faster access to spells via faster cooldowns.

20

Gorduz Backstabber (Chaos Dwarfs)

Fast Recruiter With Random Buffs

Among the Hobgoblin Chieftains in service of the Chaos Dwarfs is Gorduz Backstabber, whose title exactly describes how he’s outlived most of his brethren. Although quite a minor character in the 4th Edition, Gorduz returns in Total War: Warhammer 3 gameplay as one of the more reliable Legendary Lords in their roster. Aside from being a Melee Specialist who can block projectiles and poison enemies, he bolsters Hobgoblin forces with natural healing and resistance.

However, where Gorduz shines is his inherent abilities. As a Legendary Lord, he recruits Hobgoblin units faster and adds to their Leadership. He can randomly improve his defenses, speed, and overall damage. Gorduz even has emergency healing and the ability to summon Hobgoblin Cutthroats temporarily in the field.

19

Ghoritch (Skaven)

Tanky Leader With Attack And Speed Buffs To Outpace Foes

The hulking and terrifying appearance of Ghoritch is not new among the horrific Rat Ogres of the Skaven. However, his more mutated nature is courtesy of Throt, the most gifted of Moulder’s Master Mutators. Sadly, the retention of his intellect and rebellious streak annoyed Throt as much as it impressed him, especially when Ghoritch became the Clan Moulder’s standing army leader.

Ghoritch retains his status as one of the Skaven’s most horrific Legendary Lords in Total War: Warhammer 3 gameplay, boasting improved defenses, offensive boosts against infantry units and fortresses, and being able to cause Terror and Fear to enemy units. It’s not enough that Ghoritch is a menace up close with attack and speed buffs, but he also has natural defenses, making him extremely capable of tanking other Legendary Heroes.

18

Ariel (Wood Elves)

Powerhouse Buffer For Different Combat Situations

Being among the Known World’s first colonizers, Ariel would become one of the mortal world’s strongest wizards and the chosen of Nature Goddess Isha. Along with her consort, Orion, Ariel would become the Wood Elves’ foremost protectors, defending their forested lands of Athel Loren against the many Forces of Chaos.

In the gameplay of the strategy title, Ariel demonstrates her magical prowess by providing the faction with powerful spells that allow her to heal others or do lifesteal, conjure defensive barriers, and summon storms and underground attacks. Even outside her potency as a wizard, Ariel provides relevant leadership capabilities to the Wood Elves in the game. On top of devastating Legendary attacks, she can boost her troops’ defenses, provide healing, and bolster abilities.

17

Lord Kroak (Lizardmen)

Spellcaster Specializing In AOE Devastation To Cripple Foes

There’s a reason why Lord Kroak of the Lizardmen remains afloat in a ceremonial chair with regal attire, and that’s because his mortal existence is that of a Relic Priest – what’s left of his body is arranged meticulously and with reverence to become a vessel of his mighty spirit. Despite his pun-based name, Lord Kroak was among the most powerful magic-users in the Known World, being taught the Winds of Magic by the Old Ones.

Lord Kroak’s gameplay in the Total War title reflects this nigh-incomprehensible connection to the arcane. Unique to the Legendary Lord are heavy AOE abilities that can blast clustered enemies to smithereens, making it an ideal playstyle to use larger units to bait opponents into grouping together.

16

Vlad Von Carstein (Vampire Counts)

Traditional Lord Built For Finishing Duels

Mannfred von Carstein might have gotten a favorable position in the Southlands, but sooner or later, he’ll run into Settra and Skarbrand, putting his territory in peril. Vlad, meanwhile, starts in good old Sylvania along with Isabella. Their region is practically uncontested, as the Dawi aren’t even that much of a threat to their plains.

When it comes to battle, Vlad is the standard Vampire Counts lord. He can hold his own, but it’s better to protect him at all costs lest his whole army fails. Vlad as a Legendary Lord excels in solo incursions, is capable of dealing various forms of damage, calls forth the undead and a powerful manticore, and buffs other units. With Isabella as a support, Vlad can make his army debilitate the enemy’s defense while he squares off against the opponent at a disadvantage.

15

Isabella Von Carstein (Vampire Counts)

The Perfect Buffer To Secure Vlad’s Aggressive Survival

The immortal wife and heir apparent to Lord Vlad of Sylvania, Isabella Von Carstein is as devoted to her husband as she is vicious to her enemies. With the Blood Chalice of Bathori, Isabella combines her swordsmanship and magical prowess with the inherent biological benefits of their vampiric condition. In her Total War: Warhammer 3 gameplay, Isabella makes for a potent Legendary Lord with innate healing, passive damages, and debuffs.

Even as a spellcaster, Isabella’s access to the Lores of Shadows and Vampires lets her heal, buff, and raise undead servants. Isabella also complements Vlad with bonuses to melee attack and defense, with the bonus of the former’s flexible slate of abilities.