Total War Warhammer/Tactics/Slaanesh
This is the general tactics page on how to play Slaanesh in Total War: WARHAMMER. As the game isn't out yet and we know very little about how the faction will work, this page won't be filled out for a long time. However, we can make some early guesses based on the table top and the trailer.
Why Play Slaanesh?
- You prefer Speed and using your mobility to outmaneuver and tear apart your enemy as opposed to the simple rip and tear.
- Because you're a sexual deviant and this is the best way to show your horniness without going out in public. (Though given that this game is T rated expect the more sexual parts of Slaanesh to be toned down, at least until some of the modders have their say)
- Because fuck armor, your crab claw ladies don't give a fuck about it.
- Some degenerate is going to give you a NSFW mod, it's only a matter of time.
Pros
- Speed: You will likely be one of the fastest armies in the entire game. You will most certainly be up there with Wood Elves and Beastmen with how fast you can get around the battlefield.
- AP: Heavy armour shouldn't be a problem for you in the slightest. Factions that rely on armour like Dwarfs and Warriors of Chaos will dread when you come on to the battlefield.
- Immunity to Fear: A big part of the Mark of Slaanesh on the tabletop was immune to psych, and since Khorne has frenzy on most of his units it's safe to safe Immune to Psych will be very common on your units. As such, you really won't give a shit about big scary monsters or units.
- Diplomacy: Few mortals can resist the God(dess) of Pleasure. Unlike other Daemonic Forces, you have diplomatic options at your disposal. This can be useful to close off a front with a non-aggression pact, or even an alliance of convenience when necessary.
Cons
- Fragile: The downside of having an army of half naked monster girls/boys/things? There isn't a ton of armour to go around. Expect to be taking a punishing on the way in (Not that Slaanesh has an issue with that)
- Lack of Ranged: You can't hump your opponent to death from the other side of the map. Aside from maybe some mortals with javelins, don't expect much ranged play.
- Note: in the unlikely event CA starts drawing from Age of Sigmar, Slaanesh may end up with the second best range game of the chaos factions due to the new "blissbarb" units Slaanesh got recently. Again: this is unlikely but we are speculating at this point and the possibility can not be fully discounted.
- Lack of Fliers: When Furies are the best flying unit you have, it's safe to say you aren't a faction that is designed around dogfighting and controlling the skies. You will easily be the weakest Monogod faction when it comes to the air.
- DLC: Sorry but trends are trends and some of your better units may be reserved for Lord Packs.
Lords
Legendary Lords
- N'Kari: Considering he makes a cameo visit (several, actually) in TWW2, and the fact that it's been hinted that all the Monogods will have their named Greater Daemons at launch there is a high chance that he is the 1st Legendary Lord for Slaanesh.
Generic Lords
- Exalted Keeper of Secrets: If the Exalted Bloodthister is anything to go by, there will be an Exalted Keeper of Secrets acting as the lord while the standard one is a monster you can recruit. Expect a fast AP monster with the Lores of Slaanesh and Shadows that will be able to get around the battlefield very quickly. It's going to be way faster than a Bloodthirster but also much frailer, so it may be much more reliant on cycle charging and using it's mobility as opposed to the grinding style of the Bloodthirster. (Ironically, Khorne is better than Slaanesh at grinding, who knew?) It'll also probably be much more focused on dueling than the general slaughter style of the Bloodthirster.
- Herald of Slaanesh: There was recently a leak showing that a voice actress actually played this unit for the game, so safe to assume it's coming. It will likely be a hybrid hero with the Lore of Slaanesh and/or Shadow magic along with AP in melee. Think a Loremaster for the High Elves only faster and frailer. Will likely also have some support abilities for nearby Daemons.
Heroes
Legendary Heroes
Generic Heroes
- Alluress: Likely to be a hero version of the Herald, like for the other three gods. Same spell lords and mounts.
- Cultist of Slaanesh: It is most likely the bald elf chick that has shown up in some of the trailers. Based on her design she looks to be more of a speedy assassin type character.
Units
Infantry
- Marauders of Slaanesh: Slannesh's warriors of pain and seduction (no, not those guys. or those guys. Look, Slaanesh has a lot of freaks working for them, ok?) Seems like they used the Hellstrider models as a dismounted infantry unit. They wield what appears to be pikes/lances on the ground, so likely have some strong anti large. Why Slaanesh got the Maurader unit despite having the least sway in the north is anyone's guess.
- Daemonettes: Very easy bet. Very fast, very AP heavy, and very squishy Daemonic infantry unit. Confirmed in a recent blog post.
- Exalted Daemonettess: Given the trend of Monogod Daemons so far, this is a likely unit. Likely just going to be faster, killier, sexier Daemonettes.
Missiles
Cavalry
- Seekers: Has the potential to be one of the fastest units in the entire series, unfortunately they don’t even have any armour, so cycle charging might be your best strategy when using them.
- Hellstriders: Essentially the same as the above, only they’ll cut their losses and run rather than fight to the bitter end. Will come with lances (or pincers rather) and maybe Hellscourge whips.
Chariots
- Seeker Chariot: Given that the Exalted version is confirmed these guys are a very good bet. This one is the more likely of the two to act as a normal chariot unit rather than a single entity. Expect it to be super fast for a chariot but probably even more brittle when trapped in prolonged melee.
- Hellflayer: Essentially acts as a giant lawnmower, able to plough through infantry. Unfortunately it’s a wide target so might get singled out by ranged fire.
- Exalted Seeker Chariot: Recently confirmed. Expect an extremely fast but extremely fragile chariot that will mow down any heavily armored infantry it comes across. Unknown whether it will be a single entity or come in a unit. Likely to serve as a mount for Slaanesh characters.
War Beasts
- Fiend of Slaanesh: Imagine even faster, bigger, rat ogres with poison and you’d get the idea. Would be able to keep up with the rest of your forces, but unfortunately has just as much armour as the rest of them.
- Chaos Furies (Slaanesh): Essentially the same as the other furies, acting like daemonic harpies with buffs from their god. In this case, speed and armour piercing.
Monsters
- Soul Grinder of Slaanesh: Seems like all the gods are getting theirs, so expect a faster version for you.
- Keeper of Secrets: Given that Khorne and Tzeentch got Greater Daemons as generic units, I think it's safe to say the same thing for Slaanesh's princes of horny. They will likely be fast character killers designed to duel other single entities.
Artillery
Multiplayer Strategies
Slaanesh is all about one thing, going at your opponent as fast as possible. Oh, they will resist, but you'll get your way in the end. Slaanesh really needs to find that perfect vulnerable position and slide right in. Don't go for grinding here, get into the habit of rhythmically pulling in and out to get the best result possible. Be sure to conserve as much of your unit's energy and fight too, you don't wait to climax too early. If all goes well eventually everything will come together in one big- SNAP I'm the embodiment of ecstasy and excess and even I was getting sick of the sex puns! Ok fine, you have a ton of mobility and dps on your units but they will fall apart really fast if they meet stern resistance. The lack of ranged and fliers also means you will have to get to that backline the old fashioned way. It will be a Micro heavy army that will reward good timing and have one of the higher skill floors in the game. Now go teach those ungrateful bastards our horny ways!
- Slaanesh:
- Wood Elves: Calling it now, this will be an interesting mashup. You both are going to be fast, and very squishy, so dealing with their archers should be easy. However, your lack of armor on your nude beasts will make them easy targets. So basically a drag race of vegans vs virgins
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