Dark Elves Immortal Empires Battle Guide | Total War Warhammer 3

Summary

This video provides an in-depth guide for playing the Dark Elves in *Total War: Warhammer*, covering army composition, unit strengths, and battle tactics. It emphasizes Dark Elf versatility, from using powerful front-line tanks like Blackguard to strategic ranged units like Dark Shards and Shades. Cavalry, monsters, and artillery are also key components, with specific tactics for cycling and target prioritization. The guide walks through army development, including early game reliance on Bleak Swords and Dark Riders, advancing to powerful units like Black Dragons and Bloodrack Shrines. By understanding the Dark Elves' strengths, players can create a dominant and adaptable force, excelling in different battle scenarios.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dark Elves excel in both ranged and melee combat, with a focus on using versatile units that can be adapted to various situations.
• 😀 Dark Shards are strong early-game ranged infantry, capable of dealing decent armor-piercing damage, but they should avoid melee combat.
• 😀 Black Ark Corsairs offer a versatile role, being capable of both ranged and melee attacks, making them great for mixed armies.
• 😀 Shades provide excellent range damage with higher armor-piercing compared to Dark Shards, but are very vulnerable in melee due to low armor and defense.
• 😀 Dark Riders are fast cavalry units that excel at flanking and cycle charging, especially when they are shielded for additional defense.
• 😀 Doomfire Warlocks serve as a utility unit, specializing in poison and magic with decent resistance, but they should avoid prolonged melee engagements.
• 😀 Cold One Dread Knights are tough cavalry with high armor and decent melee stats, effective in sustained combat and flanking roles.
• 😀 The Black Dragon is a high-impact flying monster with breath attacks and strong melee damage, effective against a wide variety of enemy units.
• 😀 Harpies and Feral Manticores work well in tandem to quickly eliminate enemy backlines, with Harpies focusing on ranged units and Manticores providing strong melee support.
• 😀 The Bloodrack Shrine is a hybrid unit offering both ranged and buffing capabilities, though it should be kept out of melee due to weaker stats in close combat.
• 😀 Artillery units like Reaper Bolt Throwers offer flexibility with two fire modes, allowing them to deal with infantry or large units depending on the threat.

Q & A

What makes Dark Elves particularly strong in battle?

Dark Elves are strong due to their versatile army composition, which includes high armor-piercing units, strong ranged options, and powerful magic. Their ability to handle large enemy forces with their tanky front lines, such as Black Guard of Naggarond, and then deal significant damage through their ranged units and monsters gives them a unique edge in combat.

How should Dark Elves use their front-line infantry effectively?

Dark Elves should use units like Black Guard of Naggarond as their primary tanky front-liners to absorb enemy attacks. These units are equipped with high armor and strong defense against large units. It's important to support them with ranged units or cavalry to disrupt the enemy's flanks and rear.

What is the role of Dark Shards in the Dark Elf army?

Dark Shards are early-game ranged infantry that deal armor-piercing damage. They can be positioned at the back of the army to provide consistent ranged support. Their curved firing arc allows them to shoot over friendly units, making them effective against enemy infantry. However, they should be kept away from melee combat to preserve their effectiveness.

What is the difference between Dark Shards and Shielded Dark Shards?

Shielded Dark Shards are a variant of Dark Shards that come with additional melee defense and a shield. This makes them more resilient to melee attacks and able to withstand some damage, though they are still primarily a ranged unit. The regular Dark Shards are more focused on pure damage output.

How do the Black Ark Corsairs function in a Dark Elf army?

Black Ark Corsairs are versatile units that can serve as both melee and ranged troops. They are effective in the early and mid-game as they deal solid damage in combat. When used in combination with units like Shades, they can be very effective in attacking the enemy's backlines or supporting the front lines. The Corsairs are tough and resilient but should still avoid being drawn into prolonged melee combat against tougher enemies.

What role do Dark Riders serve in a Dark Elf army?

Dark Riders are fast cavalry units designed for flanking and hit-and-run tactics. They excel at charging enemy ranged units or disrupting weaker backlines. Their effectiveness relies on speed, so they should always be moving to avoid being caught and destroyed by enemy forces.

What is the strategic use of Doomfire Warlocks in a Dark Elf army?

Doomfire Warlocks are utility-based cavalry with poison and magic abilities. Their role is to provide support by debuffing enemies and dealing damage with their ranged attacks. Although they are not the best in direct combat, their high resistance to non-magical damage and their ability to cast spells can provide significant value when used correctly.

How should players utilize Cold One Dread Knights in battle?

Cold One Dread Knights are heavy cavalry with strong armor and decent melee stats, making them effective in sustained combat. They are best used to charge into the backs of enemy lines, causing disruption without being too vulnerable to ranged or weaker melee units. Players should keep them on the move and avoid getting bogged down by enemy forces.

What makes Harpies an important unit for Dark Elves?

Harpies are excellent for blitzing enemy backlines, particularly to target ranged units that are vulnerable to fast, hard-hitting troops. They should be used in small groups to ensure maximum effectiveness, attacking quickly and retreating before taking too much damage due to their relatively low health.

How does the Black Dragon contribute to Dark Elf strategies?

The Black Dragon is a powerful flying unit with strong melee capabilities and a devastating breath weapon. It is perfect for engaging enemy units from the air and causing chaos behind enemy lines. Players should use its speed and agility to target key enemy units, while using its breath weapon to inflict area damage.