Playing as Kislev in Total War: Warhammer III offers a unique and thrilling challenge. This icy northern faction combines strong frontline units, magic, and cavalry, along with a distinct cultural identity tied to the forces of nature, devotion, and resilience. Kislev stands as the shield of the Old World against the chaos of the north. Mastering Kislev means understanding its diverse unit roster, making use of devotion mechanics, navigating the Realm of Chaos, and leveraging both military and political power. A well-balanced approach can turn Kislev from a frontier kingdom into a dominant empire.
Choosing Your Legendary Lord
Tzarina Katarin
Katarin is a powerful Ice Witch who excels at using magic and diplomacy. Starting in the city of Kislev, she benefits from growth and devotion bonuses. Her campaign is suited for players who want to rely on magical dominance and smooth expansion.
Kostaltyn
Kostaltyn leads the Great Orthodoxy and focuses on faith and fanaticism. He has strong public order and devotion mechanics, making him ideal for a more defensive, religious-themed playstyle. His armies may be slower to develop but become incredibly zealous and unbreakable over time.
Boris Ursus (Beast Slayer)
Unlocked through campaign progress, Boris is a powerful melee lord who combines brute strength and leadership bonuses. Once unlocked, he offers a very aggressive and fast-paced campaign that rewards decisive attacks and relentless momentum.
Understanding Kislev’s Unique Mechanics
Devotion System
Devotion is a key currency that fuels Kislev’s religious fervor and access to powerful blessings. You earn devotion by winning battles against Chaos, building certain structures, and engaging in rituals. Spend devotion wisely to invoke gods, gain faction-wide buffs, or defend against Chaos incursions.
Supporters Race
Katarin and Kostaltyn compete for the support of the Kislevite people. Gaining more supporters than your rival allows you to become the Supreme Ruler, unlocking powerful bonuses and unifying Kislev. You gain supporters through buildings, events, and hero actions. This internal race is crucial for political dominance in Kislev.
Atamans and Province Management
Each Kislev province can be governed by an Ataman, a unique Kislevite mechanic that grants random bonuses to income, growth, or control. Choosing the right Ataman for each province can greatly improve long-term campaign stability and economy.
Kislev Unit Roster and Battle Strategy
Infantry and Hybrid Units
Kislev’s frontline troops are versatile and durable. Most infantry units can perform multiple roles, blending melee and ranged capabilities. Some notable units include:
- Kossars: Basic hybrid troops with bows and axes. Excellent for early game armies.
- Armored Kossars: Improved defense, still able to fight both at range and in melee.
- Streltsi: Gunpowder troops with great armor-piercing ranged attacks and solid melee stats.
Ice Guard and Elite Infantry
Ice Guard are high-tier hybrid units that use magic-infused arrows and function well in melee. Their versatility makes them central to many late-game armies. They can be further enhanced through tech and lords that focus on Ice magic.
Cavalry and Bears
Kislev features strong cavalry options, including Winged Lancers and Gryphon Legion. Later, you can unlock the monstrous War Bear Riders, who deal massive damage and cause fear. These bear-mounted units are crucial for breaking enemy lines and chasing down routing enemies.
Magic Users
Kislev’s magic system is tied to Ice and Tempest Lores. Ice Witches and Frost Maidens provide access to powerful offensive and defensive spells. The Lore of Ice is focused on slowing enemies and dealing damage, while Tempest offers crowd control and anti-flying abilities.
Early Game Strategy
Securing Kislevite Lands
In the early turns, focus on consolidating your starting region. Capture nearby minor settlements to stabilize your economy. Building structures that increase income and devotion is essential. Keep public order high to avoid rebellions and chaos corruption.
Balancing Devotion and Expansion
Be mindful of how much devotion you accumulate. Use it to invoke the gods for campaign-wide buffs. At the same time, expand toward vulnerable Chaos factions to gain momentum. Prioritize taking regions that grant strategic resources or are easy to defend.
Dealing with Chaos Invasions
Kislev borders the Chaos Wastes, so you must always be prepared to repel sudden invasions. Keep armies near northern provinces and build garrisons to deter surprise attacks. Use devotion to summon defenders when necessary.
Realm of Chaos Campaign Tips
Timing Your Entry
When the rifts to the Realm of Chaos open, you must send a lord to collect the souls of the Chaos gods. Timing is crucial if your empire is unstable, entering the rift could leave your lands vulnerable. Choose your moment wisely.
Realm Navigation
Each Chaos realm has unique challenges. Prepare your armies for attrition and constant combat. Kislev armies excel at surviving long campaigns thanks to hybrid units and magic support. Choose paths that avoid unnecessary fights and focus on your objective.
Winning the Final Battle
Once you collect all four souls, you must face the final battle against Be’lakor. This fight is difficult, so bring your most experienced army with elite units, bear cavalry, and magic casters. Use layered defenses and strong morale-boosting skills to survive.
Late Game Domination
Unit Synergy
By the late game, your armies should be composed of elite troops like Ice Guard, War Bear Riders, and multiple spellcasters. Use layered formations where hybrid infantry hold the line, ranged troops whittle down enemies, and bears smash into flanks.
Campaign Goals
After completing the main objectives, Kislev can become a major empire. Consider dominating nearby factions like the Empire, Norsca, or Ogre Kingdoms. You can also vassalize weaker factions and turn them into buffers against Chaos.
Maintaining Order
Keep corruption and rebellions in check by recruiting Frost Maidens with anti-corruption traits and building temples in troubled provinces. Continue appointing strong Atamans to maximize growth and income. Use devotion rituals to maintain stability during long wars.
Diplomacy and Alliances
Trade and Confederation
Kislev can form diplomatic relations with human factions, especially the Empire. Trade agreements and military alliances help fund your war machine. Use the Supporters race to eventually confederate with rival Kislev factions like the Great Orthodoxy.
Enemies to Watch
Focus on hostile factions like Tzeentch, Nurgle, and Khorne. These chaos factions will constantly harass your borders. Prepare counter-armies and garrisons to deal with them. Defeating them early prevents greater threats later in the campaign.
Learning how to play as Kislev means mastering a careful balance of offense, defense, and devotion. This faction excels at hybrid warfare and magical synergy, allowing for creative and adaptive tactics. With their unique mechanics like the Supporters system, devotion rituals, and powerful hybrid units, Kislev provides one of the most engaging and rewarding campaigns in Total War: Warhammer III. Whether you march with Katarin, Kostaltyn, or Boris Ursus, Kislev’s path to victory is forged through determination, faith, and cold steel.