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High Elves are a major race in Total War: Warhammer II, playable in multiplayer and custom battles. In the campaign, they have two playable subfactions: Lothern and Order of Loremasters.

The High Elves are an ancient, proud race who dwell on the island continent of Ulthuan, once home to all Elves. The High Elf military consists of small numbers of highly-discplined elite troops which march to war alongside powerful spellcasters, dragons and phoenixes. High Elves are also masters of diplomacy and trade, able to manipulate other factions to suit themselves.

How they play

A summary of High Elves gameplay:

  • Units: High Elves have a varied unit roster with spellcasters and dragons. High Elf armies tend to focus on quality over quantity.
  • Martial Prowess: In battle, High Elf armies gain extra bonuses while they are at high strength.
  • Intrigue and Influence: In campaign, High Elves can spend this resource to manipulate other factions.
  • Espionage and Trade: If High Elves make a trade agreement they gain vision of that faction's territory. They also benefit greatly from trade in general.
  • Rites: High Elves access to various rites which grant bonuses in campaign.
  • Lileath's Blessing: An army stance which replaces channelling and has greater bonuses.
  • Fortress Gates: These unique settlements are only found in Ulthuan.

Background

Our beautiful land is besieged on all sides, but we resist like our fathers before us. We will emerge victorious and more intractable than ever to these turbulent times, when our corrupt brothers come to ravage our shores. We are the Asur, the sons of Aenarion and Ulthuan shall never fall.

The High Elves – or Asur as they call themselves – are among the oldest civilisations in the world; possibly, only the jungle-dwelling Lizardmen can lay claim to a longer existence. Although mortal, Elves lead incredibly long lives; so long, in fact, that the spans allotted to humans seem to be as fleeting as those of mayflies. From their island fortress-paradise of Ulthuan near the centre of the world, the High Elves – although aloof and arrogant in their manner – have generally walked the path of Order, using their longevity to become warriors without peer and mages without equal.

The ancient High Elves have long stood guard over the world, ensuring it remains in balance – Daemonic efforts of hordes of Chaos and the foolish meddling of younger, ‘lesser’ races notwithstanding. The High Elves are both conceited and detached, no doubt due to their immense longevity and the comparative isolation of their island kingdom of Ulthuan, which forces such a worldview to a great extent. Whereas in other races such traits could prove fatal, in the Asur’s case they are assets, for the Elves have used them to attain knowledge and skills in magic and war that far outstrip those of almost all their historical adversaries.

However, the Asur are also a race in decline. Though still a great power with a powerful navy and wide influence, their once-global empire has been reduced to just Ulthuan and a few outposts. The Asur were never a numerous people, and bitter wars against the Dark Elves and Dwarfs have reduced them to a fraction of their former strength.

Though their numbers grow fewer with every passing year, the Asur will die before they let their island homeland fall.

In Battle

Unit Roster

Main article: High Elves unit roster

The High Elves enjoy a balanced unit roster which isn't lacking in any particular area. They have infantry, cavalry, strong missile troops, artillery, flying units, versatile spellcasters and powerful monsters. Most High Elves units have decent armour (though aren't particularly tough), good leadership and fairly fast movement. High Elf troops tend to be expensive, as they rely on quality over quantity.

High Elf spellcasters have access to most of the Lores of Magic in the game. High Elf Star Dragons are the most powerful variety of dragons in the game.

Martial Prowess

Main article: Martial Prowess

Bullet hef martial prowessMartial Prowess is a mechanic that gives the High Elves extra stat bonuses in melee combat, when they enter a battle at full health. Once the strength of the army drops below 50%, the Martial Prowess bonuses are lost. Thus, High Elves tend to perform better in the first half of a battle - in campaign it is important to quickly crush enemies to avoid taking too many losses. Martial Prowess is also important because High Elves units, while having good armour, tend to not be particularly tough - relying on ranged units to soften up the enemy. So Martial Prowess helps the High Elves withstand the initial charges of the enemy.

In the Campaign

High Elves are a normal, non-horde race who occupy settlements and control provinces.

Intrigue and Influence

Bullet hef intrigueInfluence is a unique resource for the High Elves. It can be used to improve or ruin relationships between other factions, allowing you to set enemy factions on one another or manipulate others into being friendly towards each other or your own faction. This is done by clicking the influence icon in the bottom right of the screen. The current amount of influence is seen at the top of the screen alongside money. Influence can also be spent to recruit certain lords.

Espionage and Trade

Bullet hef espionageEspionage gives High Elves an infiltrator with every faction the have a trade agreement with. This is similar to a defensive alliance, except you won't get pulled into unwise wars with your trade partner as you would with an ally. Additionally, High Elves have extra bonuses allowing them to earn lots of money from trade. In the campaign, this puts Lothern in a strong position as they start near many friendly factions who are willing to trade. Thus, trade is even more vital to the High Elves than it is for Dwarfs or Empire factions.

Fortress Gates

Fortress Gates are a special type of settlement. Though not specific to the High Elves, they are found only in Ulthuan. They have larger garrisons but less building slots.

Rites

Main article: High Elves rites

High Elves can perform several rites to give them various powerful bonuses.

Buildings

Main article: High Elves buildings

Technology

Main article: High Elves tech tree

Stances

High Elves have access to the following stances:

Post-battle options

The post-battle options for High Elves are as follows:

  • Ransom captives
  • Execute captives
  • Force Labour

Commandments

See the article on commandments for a list of High Elves commandments.

Climate preferences

High Elves climate preferences differ depending on which faction you play. See the climate article for more info.

Chaos Invasion

During a Chaos Invasion, the AI High Elves factions gain the Shield of Civilization trait along with certain other races.

Playable Factions

Campaign starting positions for High Elves factions:

Tyrion / Lothern

Lothern

Tyrion leads the Lothern faction in campaigns. He is a powerful melee fighter and leader.

Starting positions

Eye of the Vortex

Mortal Empires

Teclis / Order of Loremasters

Order of Loremasters

Teclis leads the Order of Loremasters faction in campaigns. He is a powerful and versatile spellcaster, but weak in melee.

Starting positions

Eye of the Vortex

Mortal Empires

Trailer

Videos

Official - How to win as High Elves

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