Norsca

	Norsca
	General data Type Major race / playable faction Category Norscan Tribes Ruler Wulfrik the Wanderer Campaigns The Old World Mortal Empires Playable subfactions Wintertooth Territory Starting territory All campaigns: Ice Tooth Mountains (Icedrake Fjord only) Climates Suitable in many climates, but with restrictions Regional Special restrictions (see article) Racial capital None, occupies other racial capitals Distinct features Allegiance to the Gods: Provides significant bonuses to Norscan armies, through pledging allegiance to a specific god. Monstrous Arcanum: Norscan Lords can track, battle, and acquire the services of the most fearsome monsters of the Old World. ? Norsca settlements and tech tree Can generally only occupy settlements in Norsca, or coastal/port settlements. Faction capitals can be captured to unlock powerful techs. Aggressive unit roster Aggressive infantry based roster with a variety of cavalry and monstrous units.

For other uses, see Norsca (disambiguation).

Norsca requires the Norsca paid DLC to play.

Norsca is a playable race introduced in Total War: Warhammer. It consists of two playable subfactions: World Walkers, led by Wulfrik the Wanderer and Wintertooth which is led by Throgg. Norsca is playable in campaign, custom battles and multiplayer.

The land of Norsca is an icy mountainous peninsula in the far north, under the shadow of Chaos. Its inhabitants (the hardy and warlike Norscan Tribes) are Chaos-worshippers, and they share their inhospitable land with ferocious monsters. When the Norscans raid and plunder other lands, it is with hordes of barbarian warriors backed up by trolls, mammoths, fimir, skin-wolves and even mighty frost-drakes.

Development

Norsca was introduced in Total War: Warhammer via the Norsca (DLC) on August 10th 2017. Prior to this, Norscan factions existed in the campaign with a limited unit roster, as AI-only factions (see here for details). Norsca's inclusion in Total War: Warhammer II's Mortal Empires was delayed for several months, until May 31 2018.

How they play

A summary of Norsca gameplay:

• Units: Cheaper, undisciplined marauder units, backed up by many large monstrous units. Few ranged options.
• Regiments of Renown: Norsca has access to several RoR, some have special requirements in the campaign.
• Allegiance to the Gods: Norscan factions can gain favour with one of four Chaos Gods, gaining various rewards and bonuses.
• Norsca settlements: Unique settlement system, can only colonise settlements in the Norscan peninsula, coastal settlements and racial capitals, which unlocks technologies.
• Monstrous Arcanum: A book that allows Norsca to engage in monster hunt quests, for great rewards.
• The Everchosen's Summons: A special dilemma which allows Norsca to join the Chaos Invasion with the Warriors of Chaos, if they choose.
• Tribal Confederation: Norsca can confederate Norscan Tribes by defeating their leaders, or vassalize them by taking their last settlement.

Background

“

Mortals despair! The reign of the Gods has begun.

„

The harsh and brutal nature of the far north is reflected in the grim character of its peoples. Yet even more than the privations of their cold and barren lands, their proximity to the Realm of Chaos shapes the Norsca and other northern tribes. Rather than fight the darkness, they embrace it, worshipping the forces of Chaos as Gods, providing a willing army for the Ruinous Powers' never-ending war against order and reason.

Though physically tougher and more powerful than those living an easier life in the south, the Northmen are still Men - although many of them will have their humanity warped by mutations, and their savagery and barbarism are legendary. War is their natural state, and whether raiding across the Sea of Claws in their longships or feuding with neighbouring tribes, their blades never go long without blood. They follow the Ruinous Powers with unquestioning fervour, personifying them as the Hound, the Crow, the Serpent and the Eagle. They need no priests to intercede with their Gods, believing the slaughter and terror they bring is an act of worship in itself, though they are also highly superstitious and often raise twisted shrines and make blood offerings to honour whichever deity they hope to win favour with. The shared ambition of every northern warrior is to cause the greatest possible bloodshed and mayhem in order to appease and please their Gods; in seeking this goal most die violent deaths, or fall into warped insanity, but a few become favoured as Champions of the Gods, often 'blessed' with mutations such as a melding of flesh and armour, or weapons fused with the hands that wield them.

No single Lord holds sway over the nomadic northern tribes, although men and monster alike are increasingly drawn to fight for King Throgg, a Troll of surprising intellect, or to follow Wulfrik the Wanderer, a Norscan warrior cursed by the Gods to forever seek out and fight the mightiest opponents. And whenever the Ruinous Powers prepare for a new assault on the south the Northmen put aside their petty disputes and rivalries and unite behind their Champions, ready to fight and die in the name of their Gods. At times like this, the Realm of Chaos itself swells and expands, bleeding over into mortal lands. One day, the Norsca believe, their advance will not be checked, and Chaos will swallow the world.

In Battle

Unit Roster

Main article: Norsca unit roster

Cheaper, undisciplined marauder infantry and cavalry units, backed up by many large monstrous units. Few ranged options, though Marauder Hunters (Javelins) are quite good against monstrous units. Mammoth units are a great asset, and have siege attacker. No less than 7 monstrous infantry units including characters.

Norscan spellcasters have access to the Lore of Death, Lore of Fire, Lore of Metal and Lore of Shadows.

Regiments of Renown

Norsca have several Regiments of Renown available. These are elite, unique versions of standard Norscan units.

Two Regiments of Renown are rewards for Monster Hunts (see below), while one is a reward for gaining max allegiance with the Hound (again, see below).

The other six were added in the Foundation Update.

Navbox

Norscan units Standard Units Legendary Lords Wulfrik the Wanderer · Throgg Lords Marauder Chieftan Heroes Shaman-Sorcerer (Metal) · Shaman-Sorcerer (Death) · Shaman-Sorcerer (Fire) · Skin Wolf Werekin · Fimir Balefiend (Shadows) · Fimir Balefiend (Fire) Mounts Norscan Warhorse · Marauder Chariot (mount) · War Mammoth (mount) Infantry Marauders · Marauder Spearmen · Marauders (Great Weapons) · Marauder Beserkers · Marauder Champions · Marauder Champions (Great Weapons) · Marauder Hunters (Javelins) · Marauder Hunters Cavalry and Chariots Marauder Horsemen · Marauder Horsemen (Throwing Axes) · Marauder Horsemasters · Marauder Chariot · Marauder Ice Wolves Chariot Monstrous Infantry Norscan Trolls · Norscan Ice Trolls · Skin Wolves · Skin Wolves (Armoured) · Fimir Warriors · Fimir Warriors (Great Weapons) Monsters and Warbeasts Norscan Warhounds · Norscan Ice Wolves · Feral Manticore · Norscan Giant · Frost-Wyrm · Feral Mammoth · War Mammoth · War Mammoth (Warshrine) Regiments of Renown Soulcrusher · Brutes of the Hound · Beasts of Tashnar · Mist Stalkers · Maws of Savagery · Icehorn Marauders Campaign-Exclusive Units Unique Lords Azrik the Maze Keeper Unique Heroes Kihar the Tormentor Regiments of Renown The Cold-Voider · The Great Mawherd of Bloodfjord · The Ice-Forged Legion

In the Campaign

A Norscan army, showing Mammoth, Frost-Wyrm and Marauders

Norsca is a non-horde faction who occupy settlements and control provinces, however they use a special colonization system different to other races.

Legendary Lord choices

Norsca players can choose from the following lords when starting a campaign. See the individual lord pages for information on their various bonuses in campaign.

• Wulfrik the Wanderer - a powerful melee duellist and army leader.
• Throgg - a monstrous troll with a toxic vomit attack.

Norsca settlements

Main article: Norsca settlements.

Norsca as a race uses a different settlement system to other races, and is unaffected by regional occupation. They can only occupy settlements in the Norscan peninsula, coastal settlements, and racial capitals.

Monstrous Arcanum

Main article: Monstrous Arcanum.

The Monstrous Arcanum is an ancient book which contains monster hunt quests. These quests are unlocked via the Norscan technology tree, and have various powerful rewards such as unique items and Regiments of Renown.

In May 2018, four more monster hunts were added to the Monstrous Arcanum for Mortal Empires in Total War: Warhammer II.

Allegiance to the Gods

Main article: Allegiance to the Gods.

Allegiance to the Gods allows Norscan armies to take various actions to honour either the Serpent, the Crow, the Eagle or the Hound. This will fill up a bar for the corresponding god, and when the bar is totally full a bonus will be given - for instance filling the Eagle's bar will give the player a Lord of Change called Azrik the Maze Keeper, while filling the Crow's bar will create a plague to affect your enemies.

Tribal Confederation

This mechanic changed between Total War: Warhammer I and Total War: Warhammer II.

Total War: Warhammer I

When the player kills another Norscan Tribes faction's leader (not just any lord, but the faction leader who appears on the diplomacy screen) in battle, then that faction will become extremely likely to agree to confederate with the player's faction. Additionally, after taking a Norscan faction's last settlement, the player has the option to subjugate them.

Total War: Warhammer II

When the player kills another Norscan Tribes faction's leader (not just any lord, but the faction leader who appears on the diplomacy screen) in battle, then a dilemma will appear called Warlord Defeated. This gives the option to release the enemy leader, kill them permanently, or confederate their faction.

If you defeat Throgg or Wulfrik then you will get Throgg Defeated or Wulfrik Defeated. These latter dilemmas only give the option to confederate or release the lord (which gives -20 relations with their faction).

The Everchosen's Summons

The Everchosen's Summons is a special dilemma for Norsca and Wintertooth that occurs when the Chaos Invasion starts. It allows them to either ally with Archaon and his Warriors of Chaos in their invasion, or forge your own route and destroy the Warriors of Chaos.

Buildings

Main article: Norsca buildings

Technology

Main article: Norsca tech tree

Limited technology tree. Some options must be research in order to unlock quests in the Monstrous Arcanum. Powerful technologies unlock after occupying other races' racial capitals.

Inventory

• Norsca items
• Norsca followers
• Norsca banners

Climate preferences

Climate preferences for Norsca (note they are still affected by the Norsca settlements restrictions):

• Habitable: Temperate, Wasteland, Frozen, Chaotic Wasteland, Savannah, Mountain, Jungle, Island
• Unpleasant: Desert, Magical Forest
• Uninhabitable: Ocean

Stances

Special stances: Raiding Camp (allows replenishment and attrition immunity while also raiding and remaining stationary)

Common stances: Default, March, Encamp, Ambush, Raiding, Channelling.

Post-battle options

Norscan post-battle options for captives are as follows:

• Kill Captives
• Sacrifice Captives
• Enslave Capitves

Settlement options

See settlement options#Norsca for details.

• Sack
• Occupy
• Subjugate
• Raze for the Serpent
• Raze for the Crow
• Raze for the Hound
• Raze for the Eagle

Commandments

Norsca does not have any commandments, since they cannot control entire provinces except in the Norscan peninsula itself.

Start Position

World Walkers start in Icedrake Fjord settlement in Ice Tooth Mountains, in all campaigns.

Wintertooth has a separate start location, east of Wulfrik's and west of Kraka Drak.

Victory Conditions (for World Walkers)

Short Campaign

• Attain Level 3 Allegiance with one of the Gods
• Defeat all of the Challengers sent against you
• Destroy the following faction(s):
  Wintertooth, The Empire, Bretonnia
• Control any 5 of the following settlements either by direct ownership or through vassals and military allies:
  Couronne, Miragliano, Karaz-a-Karak, Altdorf, Castle Drakenhof, Black Crag, Naggarond, Lothern, Hexoatl, Itza, Skavenblight, Hell Pit, Khemri, Kislev, Ironfrost, Fortress of the Damned, Skeggi, The Oak of Ages
• Earn the following amount from raiding:
  10000
• Maintain a total of 7 units of the following type
  Skin Wolves, Skin Wolves (Armoured), Feral Mammoth, War Mammoth, War Mammoth (Warshrine)
• Maintain 40 units in total

Long Campaign

• Attain Level 3 Allegiance with one of the Gods
• Defeat all of the Challengers sent against you
• Destroy the following faction(s):
  Wintertooth, The Empire, Bretonnia, Lothern, Khemri
• Control any 10 of the following settlements either by direct ownership or through vassals and military allies:
  Couronne, Miragliano, Karaz-a-Karak, Altdorf, Castle Drakenhof, Black Crag, Naggarond, Lothern, Hexoatl, Itza, Skavenblight, Hell Pit, Khemri, Kislev, Ironfrost, Fortress of the Damned, Skeggi, The Oak of Ages
• Earn the following amount from raiding:
  20000
• Maintain a total of 12 units of the following type
  Skin Wolves, Skin Wolves (Armoured), Feral Mammoth, War Mammoth, War Mammoth (Warshrine)
• Maintain 60 units in total

Strategy

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• Norsca's economy is usually quite poor, and they have a hard time generating income from settlements. They rely on raiding, looting and sacking for income.
• Defeating a hostile Norscan faction leader is a huge boon, resulting in you being able to confederate them immediately. This is a very effective way to become powerful, especially early in the campaign.
• If the player rejects the Call of Chaos at the end of the Norscan God quest chain, they must fight the Warriors of Chaos faction alone. This may seem like a daunting task, but the reward is equally great: defeating the Warriors of Chaos faction as Norsca grants the player a 75% reduction in upkeep costs, making Norsca a faction that can essentially have free armies, until supply lines catch up. This only applies to Total War: Warhammer II.

DLC

As noted above, World Walkers and Wintertooth require the Norsca DLC for Total War: Warhammer to play.

Minor factions: Norscan Tribes

Main article: Norscan Tribes

On the campaign map, many minor factions are grouped together as Norscan Tribes.

The Old World

Default factions:

• Goromadny Tribe
• Helspire Tribe
• Naglfarlings
• Skaeling
• Vanaheimlings
• Varg

Factions that appear for the Chaos Invasion:

• Bjornling

Factions that appear if awakened by Warriors of Chaos:

• Aesling
• Baersonling
• Graeling
• Sarl

Eye of the Vortex

• Aghol
• Mung
• Skaeling
• Skeggi

Factions that can appear to interfere with Rituals:

• Warband of the Crow (vs. Skaven Rituals)
• Warband of the Eagle (vs. High Elf Rituals)
• Warband of the Hound (vs. Dark Elf Rituals)
• Warband of the Serpent (vs. Lizardmen Rituals)

Chaos Invasion

Many Norscan factions join the Chaos Invasion in various campaigns. The playable Norscan factions are given the choice of whether to join Chaos (see above).

Trivia

The generic name of Wulfrik's faction Norsca was changed into World Walkers, along with many others, with the Shadow and the Blade DLC of December 2019.

Videos

Intro trailer

Factions in The Old World Playable Factions The Empire Dwarfs Clan Angrund Greenskins The Bloody Handz Crooked Moon Vampire Counts Von Carstein Bretonnia Bordeleaux Carcassonne Warriors of Chaos Beastmen Wood Elves Argwylon Norsca Wintertooth Minor Factions Empire Provinces Averland Hochland Marienburg Middenland Nordland Ostland Ostermark Stirland Talabecland Wissenland Dwarf Realms Barak Varr Karak Azul Karak Hirn Karak Kadrin Karak Norn Karak Ziflin Kraka Drak Zhufbar Greenskin Tribes Black Venom Bloody Spearz Broken Nose Crooked Moon Mutinous Gits Red Eye Red Fangs Scabby Eye Skullsmasherz Skull-takerz Teef Snatchaz Top Knotz Vampire Counts Mousillon Templehof Bretonnian Kingdoms Artois Bastonne Lyonesse Parravon Beastmen Redhorn Tribe Jagged-Horn Tribe Wood Elves Torgovann Wydrioth Norscan Tribes Goromadny Tribe Helspire Tribe Naglfarlings Skaeling Vanaheimlings Varg Kislev Kislev Southern Realms Tilea Estalia Border Princes Removed Factions Karak Izor Necksnappers Orcs of the Bloody Hand Schwartzhafen Factions that only appear under certain circumstances Chaos Invasion Bjornling Warherd of Chaos Empire Campaign Empire Secessionists Norsca Campaign Challenger of the Hound Challenger of the Eagle Challenger of the Serpent Challenger of the Crow Warriors of Chaos Campaign Chaos Gathering Aesling Baersonling Graeling Sarl Rebels Empire Rebels Marienburg Rebels Dwarfs Rebels Greenskins Rebels Vampire Counts Rebels Bretonnian Rebels Chaos Rebels Beastmen Rebels Wood Elves Rebels Norscan Rebels Kislev Rebels Tilea Rebels Estalia Rebels Border Princes Rebels

Factions in Mortal Empires Playable Factions High Elves Lothern Order of Loremasters Nagarythe Avelorn Dark Elves Naggarond Cult of Pleasure The Blessed Dread Har Ganeth Hag Graef Lizardmen Hexoatl Last Defenders Tlaqua Cult of Sotek Itza Spirit of the Jungle Skaven Clan Mors Clan Pestilens Clan Rictus Clan Skryre Clan Eshin Tomb Kings Khemri Court of Lybaras Exiles of Nehek Followers of Nagash Vampire Coast Vampire Coast The Dreadfleet Pirates of Sartosa The Drowned Empire The Empire The Golden Order The Huntsmarshal's Expedition Dwarfs Dwarfs Karak Kadrin Clan Angrund Greenskins Greenskins The Bloody Handz Crooked Moon Vampire Counts Vampire Counts Von Carstein The Barrow Legion Bretonnia Bretonnia Bordeleaux Carcassonne Chevaliers de Lyonesse Warriors of Chaos Warriors of Chaos Beastmen Beastmen Wood Elves Wood Elves Argwylon Norsca Norsca Wintertooth Minor Factions High Elves Caledor Chrace Cothique Ellyrion Saphery Tiranoc Yvresse Dark Elves Bleak Holds Clar Karond Cult of Excess Deadwood Sentinels The Forgebound Ghrond Karond Kar Scourge of Khaine Ss'ildra Tor Lizardmen Sentinels of Xeti Teotiqua Tlaxtlan Skaven Clan Fester Clan Gnaw Clan Mange Clan Mordkin Clan Moulder Clan Septik Tomb Kings Dune Kingdoms Numas Rakaph Dynasty The Sentinels Vampire Coast Vampire Coast Mutineers Empire Provinces Averland Hochland Marienburg Middenland Nordland Ostland Ostermark Sudenburg Stirland Talabecland Wissenland Dwarf Realms Barak Varr Greybeard's Prospectors Karak Azul Karak Hirn Karak Norn Karak Ziflin Karak Zorn Kraka Drak Spine of Sotek Dwarfs Zhufbar Greenskin Tribes Arachnos Black Venom Bloody Spearz Blue Vipers Broken Nose Crooked Moon Mutinous Gits Leaf-Cutterz Tribe Red Eye Red Fangs Scabby Eye Skullsmasherz Skull-takerz Teef Snatchaz Top Knotz Vampire Counts Mousillon Necrarch Brotherhood The Silver Host Strygos Empire Templehof Bretonnian Kingdoms Artois Bastonne Knights of the Flame Knights of Origo Lyonesse Parravon Thegan's Errantry Beastmen Blooded-Axe Tribe Jagged-Horn Tribe Manblight Tribe Redhorn Tribe Ripper-Horn Tribe Shadowgor Warherd Wood Elves Bowmen of Oreon Laurelorn Forest Torgovann Wydrioth Norscan Tribes Aghol Goromadny Tribe Helspire Tribe Mung Naglfarlings Skaeling Skeggi Vanaheimlings Varg Kislev Kislev Southern Realms Tilea Estalia Border Princes New World Colonies Rogue Armies Abominations Boneclubbers Tribe Celestial Storm Doomseekers Heirs of Mourkain Hung Warband Hunters of Kurnous Jerrod's Errantry Army Mengil's Manflayers Morrslieb's Howlers Pirates of Trantio Troll-Skullz Vashnaar's Conquest Rogue Pirates Bleak Coast Buccaneers The Boyz of the Forbidden Coast The Churning Gulf Raiders Freebooters of Port Royale Grey Point Scuttlers The Terrors of the Dark Straits The Tyrants of the Black Ocean Removed (Still appear in Vortex Campaign) Xlanhuapec Factions that only appear under certain circumstances Chaos Invasion Bjornling Puppets of Chaos Servants to Chaos Warherd of Chaos The Empire Campaign Empire Secessionists Har Ganeth Campaign Blood Voyage The Huntsmarshal's Expedition Campaign Children of the Old Ones Norsca Campaign Challenger of the Crow Challenger of the Eagle Challenger of the Hound Challenger of the Serpent Spirit of the Jungle's Vassal Defenders of the Great Plan Tomb Kings Campaign Black Creek Raiders Dwellers of Zardok Eyes of the Jungle Pilgrims of Myrmidia Vampire Coast Campaign Dragon Spine Privateers Middle Sea Brigands Shark Strait Seadogs Bretonnian Merchants Dark Elf Slavers Exotic Goods Hauler Norscan Raiders Warriors of Chaos Campaign Horde of the Ever-Watcher Aesling Baersonling Graeling Sarl Separatists Naggarond Cult of Pleasure The Blessed Dread Har Ganeth Clan Mors Clan Pestilens Clan Rictus Clan Skryre Vampire Coast The Dreadfleet Pirates of Sartosa The Drowned Rebels The Empire Marienburg Dwarfs Greenskins Vampires Bretonnians Chaos Beastmen Wood Elves Norscan Kislevite Tilean Estalian Border Princes High Elves Dark Elves Lizardmen Skaven Tomb Kings Vampire Coast