The Sword of Khaine, also known as The Widowmaker or the Godslayer, is an extremely powerful weapon item and feature in the campaign mode. It was introduced in The Resurgent Update for Total War: Warhammer II.
It is present in the following campaigns:
- Eye of the Vortex (TWW2)
- Mortal Empires (TWW2)
- Immortal Empires (TWW3)
Background[ | ]
According to elven myth, the blade was forged by the smith-God Vaul for use by Khaine, the God of war and murder. Another legend states that it was forged using the fiery breath of Draugnir, father of dragons, and this weakened him so much that dragons were forever bound to the race of elves.
Regardless of its origin, the blade is both incredibly powerful and also has a dark corrupting influence on the minds of the wielder and those around them.
Historically, the sword has only been drawn once, by Aenarion, the first Phoenix King of the elves (before they split into different varieties of High, Dark and Wood). Aenarion used it to fight off the hordes of Chaos Daemons that invaded Ulthuan in ancient times.
The Sword corrupted him and his people in the kingdom of Nagarythe, turning them cruel and bitter. This was one of the contributing factors that later led to the elven civil war (The Sundering) after Aenarion's death.
It was last used by Aenarion to defeat four Greater Daemons at once, while defending the archmage Caledor Dragontamer as he created the Great Vortex. Aenarion was mortally wounded in that battle, and returned the widowmaker to the Altar before dying.
Even fused in the Altar of Khaine, it still calls out to leaders and warriors, seductively promising them great power if they draw it. Despite its name, the "Sword of Khaine" appears as a different object to different people. To Malekith, it was a royal sceptre. To Aenarion and Tyrion, a sword. Malekith and Tyrion have thus far managed to resist its call.
To Tethlis the sixth Phoenix King, it appeared as a spear - Tethlis desired revenge on the Dark Elves for a costly defeat they inflicted upon him, but the Dark Elves were both literally and metaphorically out of his reach, so the spear symbolised him being able to reach them.
Tethlis disappeared under mysterious circumstances near the Altar of Khaine, and some rumours say that he was killed by his own bodyguards after trying to draw the sword.
Game Mechanic[ | ]
The blade is available in the following campaigns: Eye of the Vortex, Mortal Empires, and Immortal Empires . The blade is initially located in the Shrine of Khaine settlement in Nagarythe (province). To get it, a High Elf, Dark Elf or Wood Elf faction must take possession of the settlement and construct the following building:
- Abandoned Shrine of Khaine, and upgrade it to
- Shrine of the Widowmaker
This will cause a dilemma to appear which gives a choice of whether to draw the sword or not. After the sword is drawn, a large rotating red sword symbol will appear above the wielder on the campaign map.
Killing/wounding the wielder in battle will cause a dilemma to appear that gives that player the choice to take the sword for themselves. In this way, any lord from any faction may take possession of the Sword of Khaine - providing an Elf faction has drawn the sword first.
Alternatively, the victorious faction may return the Sword of Khaine to its altar, which restarts the cycle.
Whoever has the sword gains all the power of the sword, but their faction gains faction-wide penalties to public order, diplomatic relations and upkeep. These effects are increased in 3 stages (Thirsting, Thriving and Dominating) which progress over time. At each stage a dilemma will appear giving the player the choice to keep the sword or return it. After the final stage (Dominating) there is no way to return the sword without dying in battle, and the wielder gains a special character trait.
In the bottom right of the UI on the campaign map, there is a Sword of Khaine symbol which will show whether the Sword has been drawn (chained or unchained) and which faction currently has it.
Stage 1 Thirsting[ | ]
- Sword of Khaine (Thirsting)
The mighty Sword of Khaine, a weapon of untold power - think of the greatness that can be achieved!
Armour-piercing damage +450- Melee attack +25
- Ward save +20%
- Enables magical attacks
- Ability: "Sword of Khaine"
- Attribute: Unbreakable
- Curse of the Sword (Thirsting)
A darkness lurks on the fringes of your soul.
- Public order -2 (all provinces)
- Diplomatic relations -10 with all factions
Stage 2 Thriving[ | ]
- Sword of Khaine (Thriving)
Khaine's sword has bonded with its owner, together they are one. Now ambition turns to dominance...
- Armour-piercing damage +550
- Melee attack +30
- Ward save +20%
- Enables magical attacks
- Ability: "Sword of Khaine"
- Attribute: Unbreakable
- Curse of the Sword (Thriving)
The darkness is consuming your soul.
- Public order -5 (all provinces)
- Diplomatic relations -20 with all factions
- Upkeep +5% for all units (all armies)
Stage 3 Dominating[ | ]
- Sword of Khaine (Dominating)
The wielder of the Sword of Khaine is the ultimate warrior whom none dare challenge. Be they friend or foe - all will kneel!
- Armour-piercing damage +650
- Melee attack +35
- Ward save +30%
- Enables magical attacks
- Ability: "Sword of Khaine"
- Attribute: Unbreakable
- Curse of the Sword (Dominating)
Darkness now dominates your soul, only death can release you from its grasp!
- Public order -8 (all provinces)
- Diplomatic relations -40 with all factions
- Upkeep +10% for all units (all armies)
- Curse of the Sword of Khaine
Darkness now dominates your soul, only death can release you from its grasp!
- Character's aura leadership effect: -5
- Public order -2 (local province)
- Attribute: Causes fear when fighting against High Elves
- Attribute: Causes fear when fighting against Wood Elves
Sword of Khaine ability[ | ]
- See Sword of Khaine.
Strategy[ | ]
Beastmen:
- The Sword of Khaine can be an ideal choice for Beastmen because they are unaffected by public order, don't pay any upkeep, and already have very bad diplomatic relations with other factions. They can benefit from the positives of the Sword, while being immune to most of the negatives.
Vampire Coast:
- As Count Noctilus you may find the Sword of Khaine approach your settlements in Caledor. This is is useful as elven races will attempt to move past you with the sword. Promptly get a backup arm and swarm the Sword's master. Acquiring the sword will grant Noctilus immense power whilst he stays safely atop his Necrofex mount. In battle let your melee infantry hold the front lines and stop the enemy. Once the enemy is clumped together unleash the Swords ability onto the middle of the group. Afterwards your missile and artillery units behind the infantry will clean up the rest. Best used with Zombie Pirate Deckhands Mob Halberds + Animated Hulks as melee, Deck gunners as missile, and Carronades, Queenbess and Necrofex Colossuses as artillery.
Warriors of Chaos:
- The Warriors of Chaos, much like Beastmen, do not suffer many downsides. Besides the upkeep increase, as long as the player continues to loot settlements, they can continue to use the sword with little worry. Warriors of Chaos lack settlements, and they care little for diplomacy. (WH2 only)