Total War: Three Kingdoms tips: Everything you need to know before playing

Summary

This video offers six key tips for mastering Total War: Three Kingdoms, whether you're a newcomer or a veteran player. It covers optimizing complex diplomatic relations; building an espionage network; managing diverse characters and their motivations; synchronizing your economy through strategic construction and reforms; understanding the color-coded complementary character attributes and unit types; and assembling versatile,Specializedretinues under influential generals.

Takeaways

• 😊 Diplomacy in Three Kingdoms is more dynamic with allegiances changing rapidly
• 🕵️‍♂️ Espionage actions become available once you reach the rank of 2nd Marquess
• 👥 Managing character satisfaction is key to preventing defections
• 💰 Carefully plan your economy around complementary income sources
• 🧠 Pick characters for assignments and court positions based on their traits
• 🏅 Develop legendary characters by increasing attributes to 200
• 🔶 The color-coded system helps optimize unit recruitment and army building
• ⚔️ Armies are built around retinues attached to characters rather than standalone
• 🤝 Consider counteroffers carefully as many will reflect the arrogance of characters
• 👀 Espionage actions sometimes have risky follow-up events requiring more cover points

Q & A

When can you start recruiting spies in Three Kingdoms?

You can start recruiting spies once you reach the rank of 2nd Marquess, which is typically around 2 hours into a campaign if you auto resolve battles.

What is the 'make it work' button in diplomacy?

The 'make it work' button allows you to automatically add whatever is needed, such as money and ancillary items, to broker a diplomatic deal at any cost. It's like handing the negotiations over to your assistants.

How can you mitigate the risk of your spies defecting?

Don't leave your spies embedded in an enemy faction for too long. There is a chance they will defect if they stay too long. Also, keep an eye on their cover points.

How do you make characters happy?

Give them better court positions, use the promote option for a temporary satisfaction boost, assign them to armies led by faction leaders they have good relationships with, and make sure their traits align with other characters in their retinue.

How does the color-coding system work?

Everything is color-coded to show compatibility. If a character's top attributes are blue and yellow, build complementary strategies around those colors like their assigned units.

What is the benefit of disbanding armies?

Disbanding armies allows you to save money very quickly by eliminating their upkeep costs. You can also recall characters specifically to save on their salaries.

How do character attributes impact the campaign?

Attributes like resolve and cunning provide campaign buffs like population growth and increased supplies in addition to battlefield boosts.

How are armies and units connected?

Units are attached to characters, not armies directly. If a character leaves, their units go with them. Build armies with three balanced character retinues.

Why pay attention to income sources?

Tailor buildings and assignments to complement each other for maximum income. Specialize regions based on primary income sources.

How does the game simplify unit recruitment?

As characters level up, they unlock additional advanced troop types automatically over time instead of via building chains.