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[sambojin]

Geez I hope they don't do the "wraiths can move anywhere" thing. It might be one of the few times where undead's aversion to moving water makes sense from a gameplay and not a story narrative thing.

Because otherwise there's going to be some LotR stuff going down, but in the middle of the ocean.


(PS. I'm going to have to check out man'o'war. I always loved the look of the TT game as a kid in white dwarf magazine, but never got to play it. But as both a Pirates! and Warhammer fan, this might be my jam.)

[Teneb]

Geez I hope they don't do the "wraiths can move anywhere" thing. It might be one of the few times where undead's aversion to moving water makes sense from a gameplay and not a story narrative thing.

Because otherwise there's going to be some LotR stuff going down, but in the middle of the ocean.


(PS. I'm going to have to check out man'o'war. I always loved the look of the TT game as a kid in white dwarf magazine, but never got to play it. But as both a Pirates! and Warhammer fan, this might be my jam.)

Pretty sure that's not a thing in Warhammer. Especially given that Vampires are totally fine with daylight.

[sambojin]

It isn't. I just hope various wraiths don't have a "BTW, we can move anywhere without concern for terrain, even water" stuff going.

[Tack]

I thought vamps hated sunlight, but that it was pretty trivial magic to blot/swarm it

[sambojin]

It varies. It's Warhammer. Just assume there's a parasol bat or something around somewhere for those few times it bothers them even remotely. Because, you know, magic and vampires and stuff. And narrative.

It really doesn't bother them. Parasol bats are why people vacation there anyway. So, more fresh, rather untanned meat. So convenient.....

[Persus13]

A writeup about Luthor Harkon has been posted on the Creative Assembly website.

I'm going to hazard a guess that the other two LL will get revealed in the next two days.

Anessa Saltspike's profile is now up. They kept to the lore of her being a living mutant, not an undead vampire, and she buffs her living crew of Sartosa Free Company Units. She also rides an undead crab or something like that and she starts off the coast of Tilea in Mortal Empires.

Spoiler: Details (click to show/hide)

FACTION EFFECTS
Aranessa Saltspite’s ruthlessness earns her additional income from raiding and sacking settlements as well as increasing her chance of finding treasure maps.

LORD EFFECTS
Aranessa Saltspite’s inspiring presence and aura of leadership increases the weapon strength and melee attack of her Sartosa Free Company units.

MOUNT: ROTTING PROMETHEAN
There are few sights as terrifying as Aranessa Saltspite riding into battle on a giant, rotting crustacean.

UNIQUE WEAPON: KRAKEN’S BANE
As its name suggests, Kraken’s Bane bestows Aranessa Saltspite with an aura that increases the melee attack of friendly units as well as giving them a bonus when facing large foes.


UNIQUE SKILLS

MUTANT
Aranessa Saltspite may not be undead but she is far from human, the inherent resilience of her warped form increasing her hit points and making her immune to fatigue.
 
SWORDFISH PEG-LEG
Aranessa Saltspite’s legs take the form of wickedly serrated swordfish bills, increasing her armour and weapon strength.

CREATURES OF MANANN
Aranessa Saltspite’s keen knowledge of Rotting Prometheans and Rotting Leviathans allows her to reduce their upkeep and improve their missile resistance – it is clear why some believe her to be the daughter of the sea god Manann.

GIFTED SAILOR
Aranessa Saltspite’s mastery of the waves brings many benefits, increasing the leadership of her Sartosa Free Company units as well as increasing her army’s movement and replenishment rates.

SELF-TAUGHT GUNNER
Aranessa Saltspite’s formidable gunnery skills increase the ammunition of Carronades, Mortars, and Queen Bess when part of her army.

YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE
Aranessa Saltspite’s reputation as one of Sartosa’s most formidable pirate captains is well earned, her notoriety boosting her melee attack and giving her a ward save in addition to increasing plunder gained from encounters at sea.

[Mech#4]

I like the look of her model. The scaly arms are neat what with the spikes and sawfish peglegs.


There's also some other interesting details people have noticed. Apparently the Mortal Empire map is being changed a bit with the addition of the "Heart of the Forest" province to the west of Karak Zorn as well as one, maybe two, province around the water south of the Black Tower of Arkhan. Assumidly it'll be Sudenburg.

[Teneb]

I like the look of her model. The scaly arms are neat what with the spikes and sawfish peglegs.


There's also some other interesting details people have noticed. Apparently the Mortal Empire map is being changed a bit with the addition of the "Heart of the Forest" province to the west of Karak Zorn as well as one, maybe two, province around the water south of the Black Tower of Arkhan. Assumidly it'll be Sudenburg.

Yeah, looks like the Oreo Elves and Sundenburg are both back, together with the addition of the Land of Dervishes province which seems to point to the fourth LL being the Alberic-tastic Silver Princess (an Arabyan vampire lady)

EDIT: Silver Princess is outright confirmed due to the name of this faction crest.

[Teneb]

The Last LL was revealed and it was... Cylostra Direfin. Who is that, I hear you ask? I have no idea.

Spoiler: Her Info (click to show/hide)

Legend has it that the sea witch Cylostra Direfin was once the favourite court singer of the Bretonnian king. Sent on a voyage across the ocean to sing for the Phoenix King, they were hit by a fierce storm. The madame’s notes turned to screams of fury as the ship sank, and all onboard drowned. Decades later, a Bretonnian galleon of rotten wood and tattered sails can be seen navigating the seas even in the most savage of storms. It is The Lamprey, the ship of the vengeful spirit Madame Cylostra and her crew, the Drowned.

FACTION EFFECTS

As Mistress of the Deep, Cylostra Direfin’s very presence increases the loyalty of new recruits while also reducing the upkeep and recruitment costs for Mournguls and Syreens faction-wide.
LORD EFFECTS

Cylostra Direfin can offer the loyal followers in her army increased physical resistance while also enabling magical attacks.
MOUNT: ROTTING LEVIATHAN

Cylostra Direfin can take the field resplendent on the back of a Rotting Leviathan.
UNIQUE ARCANE ITEM: THE BORDELEAUX FLABELLUM

Cylostra Direfin’s ornate ceremonial fan increases public order in all provinces and vampiric corruption in local provinces. It also grants Cylostra a passive ability that reduces ability recharge whenever she casts a spell.

 
UNIQUE SKILLS
GHOSTS OF THE PAST

Cylostra Direfin can call forth spectral Bretonnian knights bound to her will, summoning a unit of Damned Knights Errant who can be upgraded to either Damned Questing Knights or Damned Knights of the Realm.

 
FROM THE DEPTHS

Cylostra Direfin can summon countless lost souls from beneath the waves, reducing the cost of raising the dead and increasing the recruitment rank of her army.

 
CONJURATION THROUGH HATE

Cylostra Direfin is well-versed in harnessing the hatred required to master Mourngul Haunters, increasing their hero capacity and recruitment rank.

 
FIERY DIVA

Cylostra Direfin is a prima donna in more ways than one, but it works in her favour by reducing the cooldown and casting costs for overcast spells.

 
EMERGING TERROR

The creatures under Cylostra Direfin’s direction are as resilient as they are terrifying, with increased physical resistance for Syreen, Mourngul, and Bloated Corpses and greatly reduced upkeep for the latter.

 
SIREN OF THE STORM

A powerful sea witch, Cylostra Direfin benefits from a reduced miscast base chance for overcast spells as well as an increased Winds of Magic power reserve.

She starts north of Mazdamundi in the Vortex, but moves to his south in the Mortal Empires map.

EDIT: Since the Silver Princess does have a faction crest, I guess she'll just be a generic lord in a minor VP faction.

EDIT: CA confirmed that she's a completely original character (do not steal), so there's that.

[Mech#4]

Interesting. It's really not what people were expecting and I kind of like it for that. I can understand if people wanted one of the existing characters instead but I like the design of her and her ability to summon units of spectral bretonnian knights (and upgrade them as well) sounds neat.

It also mentions Mourngul Haunters as a hero. I wonder what the spells of the Lore of the Deep will be like?


I think there's still a free legendary lord coming, so the Silver Princess might be that. Or it could be a completely different faction character.

[Teneb]

Interesting. It's really not what people were expecting and I kind of like it for that. I can understand if people wanted one of the existing characters instead but I like the design of her and her ability to summon units of spectral bretonnian knights (and upgrade them as well) sounds neat.

It also mentions Mourngul Haunters as a hero. I wonder what the spells of the Lore of the Deep will be like?


I think there's still a free legendary lord coming, so the Silver Princess might be that. Or it could be a completely different faction character.

The free LL is for sure going to be for one of the original factions (of WH2). The DLC factions (and now HE) have 4 LLs. Skaven has 3 LLs, but still haven't received their lord pack, so they are out. So it's either a Lizardmen or Dark Elf LL. Hoping for Lokhir Fellheart (Dark Elf Corsair) myself.

[Mech#4]

Interesting. It's really not what people were expecting and I kind of like it for that. I can understand if people wanted one of the existing characters instead but I like the design of her and her ability to summon units of spectral bretonnian knights (and upgrade them as well) sounds neat.

It also mentions Mourngul Haunters as a hero. I wonder what the spells of the Lore of the Deep will be like?


I think there's still a free legendary lord coming, so the Silver Princess might be that. Or it could be a completely different faction character.

The free LL is for sure going to be for one of the original factions (of WH2). The DLC factions (and now HE) have 4 LLs. Skaven has 3 LLs, but still haven't received their lord pack, so they are out. So it's either a Lizardmen or Dark Elf LL. Hoping for Lokhir Fellheart (Dark Elf Corsair) myself.

Ah, yes. Of course. They wouldn't have a free lord for a bought faction.


The added areas around Sudenberg are quite interesting now that the 4th lord has been shown not to start there. It could just be to add some density as the desert area does have a lot of open space (kind of appropriate but...)

[Digital Hellhound]

I kinda wish there was a middle ground between the Vortex and ME maps, or a way to choose which areas of the map you get. For Vampirates especially I’d love the chance to have Bretonnia and the Southern Realms in to raid without the hassle of having the rest of the Old World as well. I suppose I’ll have to try Vortex Vampirates first, haven’t played a non-ME campaign in ages.

[Mech#4]

I kinda wish there was a middle ground between the Vortex and ME maps, or a way to choose which areas of the map you get. For Vampirates especially I’d love the chance to have Bretonnia and the Southern Realms in to raid without the hassle of having the rest of the Old World as well. I suppose I’ll have to try Vortex Vampirates first, haven’t played a non-ME campaign in ages.

There is a mod that randomizes all of the factions starting locations, though I haven't used it myself.

I would like if the Mortal Empires map got expanded to include all for the game 3 version. Even though it would run slower it would be like a last all out before the series finished.

The last vortex campaign I played was as Arkhan the Black. That was fun and the closer focus of the vortex map does make for some more interesting campaign strategy but the Mortal Empire map is so enticing with it's scale, even though I don't tend to see half of it in 200 turns, beyond hero scouting that is.
Perhaps with the Vampire Coast DLC it'll change, since having more control over naval battles will make exploring the sea feel safer and less "lose your army to an enemy who's currently docked or out of sight".

[Mech#4]

There's been a fair bit of information released over the last day or so. There was a stream covering the "Curse of the Vampire Coast" DLC and the units we're going to be seeing arrive with it.

The full army list is also up for viewing.

Spoiler: Army List (click to show/hide)

Night falls on Lustria. As you stand on the dock and peer seawards through the gathering mists, strain your ears. The jungle sounds behind you fade, and in their place comes a wet thudding, as of rotten rigging against a mouldy mast. The sound multiplies, and with it, the groan of a thousand breathless voices, joined in something part-shanty, part-dirge. Dread prows pierce the gloom ahead, and the ghastly truth is laid bare: upon the ghoul-winds come the swollen hulks and decaying vessels of the Vampire Coast! Run now – run hard and fast. For it is all you can do.

It was the undying lord Luthor Harkon that laid claim to a stretch of Lustria’s east coast. Ever since, it has been a domain where the dead stir, leading expeditions into the jungle interior or setting sail across the Great Ocean to commit wanton acts of piracy. But the insane Arch-Commodore Harkon is not the only unliving admiral who takes to the seas with pistol-armed crews of zombies, vampiric Depth Guard, Syreens and Mournguls… there are other pirate lords who command dreadfleets of their own, packed to the gunwales with crews press-ganged into eternal service.

These tyrants ply the seas seeking plunder of blood and gold. However, now that the vortex of Ulthuan weakens, the captains search for more than mere treasure… for the Star-Metal Harpoon lies in the deeps, a weapon powerful enough to bring the greatest Merwyrm of them all to heel!

Please note: This DLC is still in development and is subject to change.

Luthor Harkon

For centuries, Luthor Harkon has ruled a stretch of Lustrian shore known as the Vampire Coast.

He raided the temples of Lustria until the Old Ones could tolerate it no more and placed a hex upon him, shattering his mind. Harkon’s multiple identities now battle for dominance, but they have one common goal – to plunder the sacred places of the Lizardmen and use the power of their Slann artefacts to break the curse and heal his damaged mind…

    Completely lacks spellcasting
    To compensate for this he will be highly resistant to magic damage and will also confer this to nearby friendly units
    Comes equipped with a pistol, which he can fire on the move
    His rapier suggests that his splash attack profile should be similar to Sigvald/Wulfrik
    Above average speed for the faction with medium durability
    Armoured just enough to be considered ‘Armoured’

Count Noctilus

Count Noctilus was drawn to the maelstrom at the heart of the ocean to feast upon its dark magic. He performed a mighty ritual to transport himself, his castle, and all his undead minions to the Galleon’s Graveyard, a mystical place where the wrecks and hulks of the seas are drawn.

Reborn as Count Noctilus, he raised the shattered remains of sunken warships to form the hull of the Bloody Reaver and ride the waves of the mortal seas once more…

    Caster that comes with a hybrid Lore of Vampires/Shadow
    Relatively slow moving in comparison to other Vampire units
    High mass
    Heavily armoured
    Able to regenerate lost HP
    Comes equipped with a polearm, making him brutal versus armoured/large units (i.e. Ushabti/Reiksguard)

Aranessa Saltspite

Queen of the Tides, Aranessa Saltspite is one of the most respected and feared pirate captains of Sartosa. Some say she is the daughter of the sea god Manann himself and he whispers to her to take control of all the world’s oceans.

Now, many a sea-bloated corpse washes up against the Swordfysh’s hull, and so the Vampire first mates breathe unlife into them, creating a vast rabble of loyal crew, ready to serve at Captain Saltspite’s command.

As part of the living realm rather than the undead, she commands a human pirate crew known as the Sartosa Free Company, otherwise reluctantly sharing control of the denizens of the Vampire Coast.

    Equipped with a halberd, making her ideal for countering armoured/large threats
    Above average speed
    Low armour/HP but above average melee defence
    Sweeping attacks with halberd make her ideal for engaging blocks of infantry
    Able to pin units with ‘Net’ ability
    Base physical resistance to represent agility

Cylostra Direfin

Legend has it that the sea witch Cylostra Direfin was once the favourite court singer of the Bretonnian king.

Sent on a voyage across the ocean to sing for the Phoenix King, they were hit by a fierce storm. The madame’s notes turned to screams of fury as the ship sank, and all onboard drowned.

Decades later, a Bretonnian galleon of rotten wood and tattered sails can be seen navigating the seas even in the most savage of storms. It is The Lamprey, the ship of the vengeful spirit Madame Cylostra and her crew, the Drowned.

    Ghostly form provides resilience to physical attacks
    Otherwise fairly fragile, with little to no armour and mediocre melee defence
    Powerful caster with access to the Lore of the Deep
    Can use songs to reduces enemy movement speed and melee attack
    Will be able to summon undead Bretonnian knights to guard her

Vampire Fleet Admiral (Male)

    Hybrid melee/caster lord
    Access to Vampires/Death/Deeps
    Specialises in combating armoured/large threats

Vampire Fleet Admiral (Female)

    Hybrid melee/missile/caster lord
    Access to Vampires/Death/Deeps
    Very adaptable due to loadout
    Able to pick out characters with pistol while moving in

Vampire Fleet Captain (Female)

    Hybrid melee/caster hero
    Access to Vampires/Death/Deeps

Gunnery Wight

    Support unit
    Strong AP missile attacks
    Accurate (for a zombie)
    Provides buffs to nearby missile units
    Replenishes ammo of nearby missile units

Mourngul Haunter

    Vanguard deployment
    Stalk
    High AP anti-infantry damage
    Regenerates HP in melee
    Powerful charge
    Large mass allows it to hunt enemy characters in a melee more easily

Zombie Pirate Deckhands Mob

    Coming equipped with dual swords, these zombie pirates will be the backbone of most early-mid tier Coast armies
    They will sit somewhere between Skeleton Warriors and Empire Swordsmen in the power curve

Zombie Pirate Deckhands (Polearm)

    Meat shields
    Strong versus armoured/large targets
    Susceptible to being taken out by ranged fire

Zombie Pirate Gunnery Mob

    The first missile unit available to Vampire Coast
    Coming equipped with pistols and swords, these basic units will offer mediocre melee capabilities but massed pistol fire on the move

Zombie Pirate Gunnery Mob (Rifles)

    Not necessarily an upgrade to the initial gunnery mob, this unit is more of a sidegrade
    Able to lay down more punishing firepower than the basic gunnery mob, they sacrifice the ability to move and fire for longer range, accuracy, and stopping power

Zombie Pirate Gunnery Mob (Hand Cannons)

    Another sidegrade, this time to the rifle-equipped gunnery mob
    Instead of firing a solid shot, their weapons function more like blunderbusses
    With these weapons, they excel at firing in to massed infantry ranks
    Their weapons will also have significant knockback, giving the player a tool for disrupting enemy charges

Zombie Pirate Gunnery Mob (Bombers)

    A smaller unit than other gunnery mobs, this unit will excel when throwing bombs into a melee
    Most Vampire Coast units are fodder, thus when the inevitable friendly fire occurs the enemy is likely to have lost more than the player

Depth Guard

    The first ‘sturdy’ infantry unit available to the Vampire Coast, this unit of heavy infantry will come equipped with a sword and a hook hand. They are equipped with two hand axes
    Heavily armoured, they will have slightly less durability than the Grave Guard but they will bring more damage to the table
    They will be vulnerable to missile fire due to their lack of a shield

Depth Guard (Polearm)

    A sidegrade to the regular Depth Guard, this unit provides a significant anti-large threat to the Vampire Coast player
    This will be the unit a player uses to defend their war machines and ranged units from cavalry and harassers

Scurvy Dogs

    Performing the same role as Dire Wolves within the Vampire Counts roster but with its own distinctly nautical flavour

Syreens

    Ethereal (near immune to physical damage, deals magic attacks, vulnerable to magic damage)
    Relatively fast moving
    Deals AP damage

Fell Bats

    Performing the same role as the equivalent unit within the Vampire Counts roster but with its own distinctly nautical flavour

Deck Droppers

    Use a pistol and sword
    Good at harassing unarmoured targets and hunting enemy artillery

Deck Droppers (Handguns)

    Flying missile cavalry
    Come equipped with a rifle, making them a significant threat to even armoured enemies
    Not designed for melee combat

Deck Droppers (Bombers)

    Operating similarly to Terradon Riders with Fireleech Bolas, this unit will be able to drop salvos of bombs on top of enemy units

Deck Gunners

    Coming in small numbers, these weapons teams are slow and vulnerable in melee
    Long range
    Armour-piercing
    ‘Shield-breaker’ contact effect
    Pierce multiple entities

Carronade

    This artillery unit functions much like the Empire and Dwarf cannons, providing long range anti-large firepower

Mortars

    This artillery unit functions much like Empire mortars, providing indirect plunging fire that excels when employed against lightly armoured opponents

Bloated Corpse

    Unique amongst all rosters, this’ a self-destructing unit.
    Above average speed for roster.
    Will explode upon contact with enemy or when HP falls below certain threshold.
    Explosion will cause massive damaged to bunched up infantry.

Mournguls

    Has vanguard deployment and stalk attributes, allowing them to close the distance between them and their enemies unseen
    Above average movement speed and exceptionally fast charge speed
    Resistant to missile damage but otherwise fairly fragile for their unit category
    Deal substantial AP damage in melee, making them excel against infantry
    Regenerate HP in combat due to their ‘Hunger’ ability

Animated Hulks

    These will serve as the first ‘heavy’ unit available to the Vampire Coast
    They are primarily there to screen for missile units, absorbing damage and dealing high raw damage to enemy units in melee

Rotting Prometheans

    Significant upgrade to the Animated Hulks
    High mass
    Very high armour
    Relatively slow
    Charge defence versus large

Rotting Prometheans Gunnery Mob

    Riders armed with disruptive hand cannons
    High mass
    Very high armour
    Relatively slow
    Charge defence versus large

Rotting Leviathan

    Extremely high armour
    High HP
    High mass
    High missile resistance
    Charge defence versus all
    Armour-piercing melee attacks
    This unit also comes equipped with several riders armed with rifles, providing some passive AP missile power

Necrofex Colossus

    Equipped with a large claw and four cannons strapped together, this unit provides heavy firepower from a durable monster frame
    Able to move and fire
    Rarely has line of sight blocked
    Hybrid ranged/melee unit
    Five riders equipped with rifles
    Able to summon unit of Zombie Deckhands

Death Shriek Terrorgheist

    Performing the same role as the equivalent unit within the Vampire Counts roster but with its own distinctly nautical flavour

Queen Bess (Cannon)

    An enormous range
    Fires in a parabolic arc
    ‘Monstrous Impact’ contact effect causes movement penalties to target
    Slow reload speed
    Enormous blast damage from impacts

There's also a video up introducing the new character by Creative Assembly, Cylostra Direfin. It also has a bit of, what I assume is, one of the spells from the Lore of the Deep.


Some things of note from the above; The Vampire Coast will be getting some varient shots for their cannons and artillery with grapeshot and quicklime to choose from. At least... I think that'll be an option, it was on the list when it was put up but seems to be missing now.
There's also a unit of zombies with bombs that I assume will be similar to miners with blasting packs or Deathglobe Bombadiers. The Deck Droppers can also come with either rifle armed zombies or bombs while the Bloated Corpse does function as an exploding suicide unit. It can also explode if it gets damaged enough.

Some things on the list and in the stream are a bit confusing. The Depth Guard were, in one of the screenshots, shown to be a unit of 26 models but in the stream it looked more like a unit of 64. There's also the unit of Sartosian pirates for Aranessa Saltspite that people are finding a little lackluster, though it was mentioned that they're still working on details so they might be changed between now and the release date.