Warriors of Chaos tech tree (WHI & WHII)

This page refers to the Warriors of Chaos tech tree in Total War: Warhammer and Total War: Warhammer II. For the tech tree in Total War: Warhammer III, please see Warriors of Chaos tech tree instead.

The Warriors of Chaos tech tree consists of technologies that unlock new advantages throughout the game. Research takes place constantly, but the rate at which discoveries occur can be increased by using heroes to spy or building additional research buildings at your settlements.

Tech tree

The Path to Ruination Research points: 100 Effects: Casualty replenishment rate: +5%Cost: 2500

The Lure of Dark Promises Research points: 100 Effects: Casualty replenishment rate: +5%Cost: 5000

Unholy Communion Research points: 100 Effects: Casualty replenishment rate: +5%Cost: 10000

Pledges to the Dark Gods Research points: 100 Effects: Casualty replenishment rate: +5%Cost: 20000

Daemonic Pact Research points: 100 Effects: Casualty replenishment rate: +5%Cost: 40000

Scrutiny of the Dark Gods Research points: 500 Effects: Recruitment cost: -15% for Marauder units

Banners of Ruin Research points: 1000 Effects: Leadership: +5 for Marauder units

Dark Standards Research points: 1500 Effects: Leadership: +5 for Chaos Warrior and Aspiring Champion units

Pennants of Chaos Research points: 2000 Effects: Leadership: +5 for Chaos Knights and Chosen units

Engines of Mass Destruction Research points: 2500 Effects: Ammunition: +15% for Hellcannon units Weapon strength: +10% for Chaos Chariots units Reload time reduction: +15% for Hellcannon units Recruitment cost: -10% for Chaos Chariots and Hellcannons

Skulls for the Skull Throne Research points: 500 Effects: Income from post-battle loot: +10%

Duels to the Death Research points: 1000 Effects: Unit experience: +2 for Marauder unit recruits

Aspiration for Greatness Research points: 1500 Effects: Unit experience: +2 for Chaos Warrior and Aspiring Champion unit recruits

Gaze of the Dark Gods Research points: 2000 Effects: Hero recruit rank: +2 for Exalted Heroes Recruitment cost: -10% for Chaos Warrior and Aspiring Champion units

Daemonic Armour Research points: 2500 Effects: Armour: +5 for Chaos Knights and Chosen units

Rituals of Corruption Research points: 500 Effects: Income from sacking settlements: +10%

Culling of the Weak Research points: 1000 Effects: Range: +5% for Marauder Horsemen units Speed: +10% for Chaos Warhound units Speed: +10% for Marauder units

A Thousand Twisted Blessings Research points: 1500 Effects: Charge bonus: +10% for Chaos Troll units Melee attack: +5 for Chaos Spawn units Weapon strength: +5% for Chaos Spawn units Weapon strength: +10% for Forsaken units Melee defence: +5 for Chaos Troll units

Slaves to Darkness Research points: 2000 Effects: Unit experience: +2 for Chaos Knights and Chosen unit recruits

Favour of the Dark Gods Research points: 2500 Effects: Hero recruit rank: +2 for Chaos Sorcerers Recruitment cost: -10% for Chaos Knights and Chosen units

Erection of Ruinous Monuments Research points: 1000 Effects: Income from sacking settlements: +20%

Supernatural Prowess Research points: 1500 Effects: Melee attack: +5 for Chaos Warrior, Aspiring Champion and Chosen units

Inscribed Chaos Armour Research points: 2000 Effects: Melee defence: +5 for Chaos Warriors, Aspiring Champion and Chaos Knights units

Ensorcelled Weapons Research points: 2500 Effects: Melee attack: +5 for Chaos Knights Weapon strength: +10% for Chaos Knights units

Blood for the Blood God Research points: 1500 Effects: Income from post-battle loot: +20%

Infernal March Research points: 2000 Effects: Campaign movement range: +10% Casualty replenishment rate: +5%

Herald of Doom Research points: 2500 Effects: Charge bonus: +10% for Chaos Feral Manticores Melee attack: +5 for Dragon Ogre Shaggoth units Melee attack: +7 for regular Dragon Ogre units Weapon strength: +10% for Chaos Giant units Weapon strength: +10% for Chaos Feral Manticores Recruitment cost: -10% for Chaos Giant units

Technologies

Tech	Prerequisite	Cost	Effects	Description
The Path to Ruination	When ultimate power is the prize, expect a perilous journey indeed…
Scrutiny of the Dark Gods Let the Marauders gather under their Ruinous masters' eternal gaze.			Recruitment cost: -15% for Marauder units	There are signs and portents that the tribes have long learned to identify. When women start weeping blood, when mutations increase and the call of the Manticore is heard over the wind - these are the signs that the Chaos Gods have cast their eyes and that eternal war is at hand. And so the Marauders gather in large numbers, awaiting a "Three-eyed King".
Skulls for the Skull Throne Khorne desires skulls, so gifts his followers with the initiative to find them. Every. Single. One.			Income from post-battle loot: +10%	Within the Brass Citadel sits Khorne atop a mountain of skulls, each one cleaved from their host in the Blood God's name. This pleases him greatly, for the taller his throne, the higher the death toll, the greater the chaos unleashed. He may even reward those that collect the most with some token gesture or gift, be it a smouldering hide or even a brass collar - such are the ways of the Gods.
Rituals of Corruption Rituals performed to please the Gods may see an increase in favour.			Income from sacking settlements: +10%	Once the sacking of a settlement has begun, the correct rituals will not only ensure the place is truly despoiled but also that the Dark Gods themselves see the discord and ruination, be pleased, and look fondly upon their agents. Of course, attracting the attention of the Chaos Gods is not always the best option, for they are fickle, but those who tread the Path to Ruination are clearly not averse to risk.
The Lure of Dark Promises Chaos is a seductive force.
Banners of Ruin Fell runes that burn the eyes when looked upon adorn Marauder banners, showing a tribe's true devotion.			Leadership: +5 for Marauder units	The Norse, amongst other Marauder tribes, daub their ragged banners with the shapes and runes of their Gods. Crows and serpents are common sigils, along with skulls and the all-consuming Chaos Star. Then there are the marks that give the true names of the Dark Gods; such runes are not meant for mortal eyes.
Duels to the Death The names of the worthy, decided by violent duel.			Unit experience: +2 for Marauder unit recruits	No Marauder Chieftain is elevated to power out of privilege alone. Should the Dark Gods be looking, he will garner the most attention, so must fight for the right to lead. This is why a weak leader will not be tolerated and quickly be challenged to bloody combat. So it has always been amongst the Northmen.
Culling of the Weak Stragglers will not be entertained. If you can't keep the pace, you are food for the Warhounds.			Range: +5% for Marauder Horsemen units Speed: +10% for Chaos Warhound units Speed: +10% for Marauder units	The weak will be culled. For the Northmen, this is as much an absolute truth as the motion of the tides. If a man grows to adulthood without showing a thirst for violence he is likely to be exiled or simply killed. Even those that make it to the raiding parties will be mercilessly left to die if they stumble or fail to keep up; it is merely the act of cutting off a septic limb, lest the host be weakened.
Erection of Ruinous Monuments Tributes and monuments to the Dark Powers ensure the Chaos Gods' favour.			Income from sacking settlements: +20%	Glorifying acts, those that praise the Chaos Gods, may lead to the granting of great favour. A tribute can be simple; a pile of victims' skulls in adulation of Khorne or the daubing of a desecrated temple with the runes of Tzeentch. Whatever the act, the monument itself does not matter as much as the sentiment intended.
Unholy Communion	Once promises have been made, the Champion is far along the road to damnation.
Dark Standards The Warriors of Chaos carry dark banners, bearing sigils and runes that writhe as if alive.			Leadership: +5 for Chaos Warrior and Aspiring Champion units	Dark standards, made in the far north or taken as trophies from campaigns past, are then changed and corrupted by Chaos. What was once the grand heraldry of the southern lands is daubed with the dread symbols of Chaos; withering runes that refuse to remain still even as they are being scrawled.
Aspiration for Greatness All Chaos Warriors aspire to great deeds in the Chaos Gods' name, for Daemonhood awaits the greatest of their number.			Unit experience: +2 for Chaos Warrior and Aspiring Champion unit recruits	There are many mortals who vie for even a flicker of the Chaos Gods' attention. Most will be ignored or simply fall by the wayside as another damned soul, but those that aspire to true greatness - they who rise above the ranks of the indeterminate to be chosen - are inexorably linked by fate to the Dark Powers for evermore.
A Thousand Twisted Blessings Such a generous gift is the thousand twisted blessings, think of all the needle teeth and tentacles it bestows.			Charge bonus: +10% for Chaos Troll units Melee attack: +5 for Chaos Spawn units Weapon strength: +5% for Chaos Spawn units Weapon strength: +10% for Forsaken units Melee defence: +5 for Chaos Troll units	A special gift for the Forsaken, given freely by the Chaos Gods to their most devout of children. A thousand little blessings can give the receiver many poisonous needle teeth, eye clutches and writhing limbs - the better to ravage and harvest souls for their benefactors. Glorious!
Supernatural Prowess Chaos Warriors have been touched by Chaos, gaining fighting abilities far beyond those of normal men.			Melee attack: +5 for Chaos Warrior, Aspiring Champion and Chosen units	Chaos Warriors may once have been of men, but donning Chaos Armour has changed them both in body and mind. The touch of a Dark God has denoted them as Warriors for their patron, marked among his possessions. The God, in turn, may gift his chosen ones with a fighting prowess beyond that of normal men so as not to appear lacklustre on the battlefield.
Blood for the Blood God The Blood God never tires of hearing the war cry screamed in his name.			Income from post-battle loot: +20%	Those that shout the Blood God's infamous war cry should expect his attention, even if for the briefest of moments. However, invoking the Fog of War comes at a price. The battle must be won or else it will be Khorne's wrath, and not his favour, that will be in ready supply.
Pledges to the Dark Gods	Final pledges are made by aspirants who have long since bargained away their souls for ultimate power.
Pennants of Chaos Like the banners held by infantry, the Knights of Chaos ride to war with blasphemous pennants.			Leadership: +5 for Chaos Knights and Chosen units	Whether held aloft by plodding infantry or in the arms of a Chaos Knight on hellish steed, the banners and pennants of Chaos mark the regiments that carry them as servants to the Ruinous Powers. The beings that dare march under such diabolic symbols care not for other mortals, but know they act under the eyes of the Chaos Gods, and therefore with a measure of their protection.
Gaze of the Dark Gods All hope to catch the attention of the Gods, gathering where they think the Chaos Gods will be looking.			Hero recruit rank: +2 for Exalted Heroes Recruitment cost: -10% for Chaos Warrior and Aspiring Champion units	The Eye of the Gods is constantly roving to find great Champions, diabolical souls or simply mass carnage to cause amusement. Such events and glorifying acts will cause many Chaos Warriors to gather, drawn in the hope that the Dark Gods will glance down and see them, witness their devotion and award the worthy with great power and gifts.
Slaves to Darkness The elite of the Chaos Warriors are the Chosen and the Chaos Knights. They are the Dark Gods' willing slaves.			Unit experience: +2 for Chaos Knights and Chosen unit recruits	The Slaves to Darkness are those most committed to the ruination of the mortal realm. They are the most favoured of the Dark Powers' many mortal servants - the Chosen and the Chaos Knights. It is not for nothing that the Chosen are so called, as it takes a special, extremely twisted being to serve the Gods with such fervour.
Inscribed Chaos Armour Chaos Armour, inscribed with powerful litanies of hate, will glow hot and vengeful when struck.			Melee defence: +5 for Chaos Warriors, Aspiring Champion and Chaos Knights units	Chaos Armour is a gift from the Gods, an arcane suit of full-plate that is difficult to penetrate with conventional weapons. Yet as blasphemous as it may seem, it can be further improved upon. By inscribing the litanies of hate found in the Liber Malefic, the armour is hardened even more.
Infernal March The Chaos Gods grow impatient. Lending a sliver of majesty, they enable their followers to march faster.			Campaign movement range: +10% Casualty replenishment rate: +5%	Despite their immortal status, with time being a mere concept to the Chaos Gods, they still grow impatient - willing their followers on to bring about the world's destruction at a quicker pace. Frustrated with the tardiness of their armies, they see fit to gift their servants the ability to march for far longer than their foes.
Daemonic Pact	A pact with the Dark Gods should not be taken lightly.
Engines of Mass Destruction Powerful beasts and engines are enhanced if under the command of the Dark Gods.			Ammunition: +15% for Hellcannon units Weapon strength: +10% for Chaos Chariots units Reload time reduction: +15% for Hellcannon units Recruitment cost: -10% for Chaos Chariots and Hellcannons	The world cannot be conquered through close combat alone, despite Khorne's ceaseless demands. As mortal foes use artillery and exotic beasts, then so must the Chaos hordes. The Hellcannons must speak more often, and the Giants of Chaos have swollen muscles. That is what the Ruinous Powers demand, and so it shall be!
Daemonic Armour Even more precious than Chaos Armour, this heavy plate is imbued with Daemonic essence.			Armour: +5 for Chaos Knights and Chosen units	Daemonic Armour is forged within the Realm of Chaos and imbued with Daemon essence. Runes of a Daemon's name are inscribed, binding the magical creature to it and heightening the protective qualities of the plate. The cost - for there is always a cost - is the slow consumption of the bearer's soul.
Favour of the Dark Gods To be granted such favour is to be given untold power and a chance to rise above the ranks.			Hero recruit rank: +2 for Chaos Sorcerers Recruitment cost: -10% for Chaos Knights and Chosen units	They are Chosen, the greatest of their fell kind. They have the favour of the Dark Gods and with it power and a chance to impress their masters. Such an opportunity is rare and so all of such a rank eagerly seek out retinues to prove just how worthy they really are.
Ensorcelled Weapons The arms of a Chaos Knight are imbued with a small but not inconsequential amount of Unholy power.			Melee attack: +5 for Chaos Knights Weapon strength: +10% for Chaos Knights units	While many Chaos Knights ride to war with great lances, others brandish a deadly assortment of weapons - from cleavers and war-picks to heavy maces. These items can be imbued with magical power, that - while small compared to that of Archaon's sword - can still be a terrible thing to face. Imagine a whole unit wielding ensorcelled weaponry?
Herald of Doom Behold the Herald of Doom, a familiar eager to spread discord and panic with news that the Giants come.			Charge bonus: +10% for Chaos Feral Manticores Melee attack: +5 for Dragon Ogre Shaggoth units Melee attack: +7 for regular Dragon Ogre units Weapon strength: +10% for Chaos Giant units Weapon strength: +10% for Chaos Feral Manticores Recruitment cost: -10% for Chaos Giant units	Daemonic familiars can be messengers for their masters, bringing news to Champions of Chaos or appearing before a trembling foe, spreading malicious discord of the threats that are marching to meet them. They are the rabble-rousers of Chaos, but nothing more than an amusement when compared to the true Heralds of Doom... And where are they? Patience is required for now, for all things come to those who wait...