Since the announcement of Total War: Warhammer 2, Creative Assembly’s twitter account has been drip-feeding concept art into the public domain. So far, most (but not all) of these art pieces correspond to characters or units shown in the reveal trailer.
They provide a sense of the design choices being made for each of those units. Here’s what’s been released to date for the Lizardmen, Dark Elves, High Elves, and … hm, I’m sure there’s supposed to be a fourth faction in Total War: Warhammer 2. Oh well. Last Updated: 22 May.
Lizardmen – See the Full Roster Here
Lord Mazdamundi will be one of the two legendary lords available for the Lizardmen. In the announcement trailer he’s on a floating platform rather than wandering around; which is something he probably consider doing if he wants to tone up that bum.
This piece effectively confirms Kroq-Gar as the second legendary lord for the Lizardmen. It’s Grymloq, his gigantic and angry Carnosaur mount.
Speaking of which, there’s now concept art of Kroq-Gar himself. He’s an ancient Saurus, tasked by Mazdamundi to exterminate creatures who are not part of the Old Ones’ (the Lizardmen Gods) great plan. As mentioned, he’s the second Legendary Lord option in Total War: Warhammer 2.
The Temple Guard are the Saurus dedicated to protecting the Slann Mage-Priests (like Mr Mazdamundi up there) and their temples. As a result, they’re single-minded in their duties and will follow their Priests into war when necessary. Although not depicted in the concept art, in tabletop they carry ornate halberds. Great Weapon or Anti-Large traits may well be on the cards in Total War: Warhammer 2.
On the left it’s more Mazdamuni, but on the right you’ve got a Kroxigor. They’re listed as “Melee Monstrous Infantry” in the Warhammer 2 Lizardmen roster, which suggests they’ll be akin to Minotaurs or Trolls in the game. In Lizardmen society they’re the labourers, and are larger and more powerful than the Saurus.
Skinks, in contrast, are the smallest Lizardmen species. They’re smart and agile, and will have multiple variants in Total War: Warhammer 2. Skinks with blowpipes or javelins will serve as missile options. Those armed with spears and shields will make a fairly cheap infantry unit. The sneaky ‘Chameleon’ Skinks will have Vanguard deployment, while others will be riding Terradons. A Skink Priest will be available as a caster.
Bastiladons are heavily armoured dinosaur-like creatures who accompany the Lizardmen into battle, and act like support weapons by carrying weird devices on their backs. One, the Solar Engine, acts like a giant heat lamp and laser beam, while the Ark of Sotek is an infinite snake dispenser that can rain serpent death down on your foes. Yes, really.
Another mighty beast used by the Lizardmen, the Stegadon in Total War: Warhammer 2 will usually be carrying some kind of war machine. Giant Crossbow and Giant Blowpipe options are listed in Creative Assembly’s Lizardmen roster. There will also be a Feral Stegadon option to send charging into your foes.
Slightly different image from the rest. This one is campaign map concept art, with an obvious emphasis on the Lizardmen.
Dark Elves
Malekith, the Witch King of Naggaroth and rightful heir to the High Elf throne (according to him and all of his mates). He’s one of the two legendary lords the Dark Elves will get (his mum, Morathi, may well be the other) and is likely to be preoccupied by plans to destroy the vortex or use it to disintegrate High Elves. Longer form thoughts on what the Dark Elf roster will look like in Total War: Warhammer 2 can be read here.
Witch Elves, owners of the pointiest bra and panty sets in the Warhammer world, will most likely translate as a deadlier version of the Flagellants from the first game. Expect Frenzy, immunity to Fear/Terror, and a tendency to melt if put under any sustained missile fire. They should get some sort of poison attack too, as befitting a crazy blood cult of murderladies.
Mainstay of the Dark Elf economy, the humble Cold One will be found carrying Dark Elf Knights into battle or (possibly, if they include the unit in Total War: Warhammer 2) pulling chariots. Their scaly skin provides extra defense in the tabletop game, so that’ll probably translate to the sequel as boosted armour stats.
High Elves
The first piece of concept art released for the High Elves. Expect Teclis to show up at some point, since he’s in the announcement trailer. For now though, you’ve got the Silver Helms. These knights weren’t actually in the trailer but they’re High Elf staples; lanced cavalry with heavy armour, but also highly mobile.
As with the Wood Elf Glade Lords, this art piece seems to confirm that High Elves will get male and female versions of the standard army lord in Total War: Warhammer 2. Creative Assembly’s summary says the High Elf Princess is “capable of fighting with unmatched skill in the melee, or commanding their armies from a distance,” which certainly sounds like an army general to me.
Originally Chracian woodcutters, they became a unit of bodyguards after saving the would-be Phoenix King Caledor the First from a Dark Elf ambush. They wear a thick White Lion pelt (to join the organisation you have to hunt and slay a White Lion) and always carry their traditional woodman’s axes. In Warhammer 2 that may well translate as moderate arrow defense and an anti-large bonus.
Skaven
Don’t actually exist.
