<img src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/blt3d739748b4010cfa/64c12f4cd622a12a47aa790c/gameplay_armoured_canaanite_chariots_01.png"/>Canaan is a region ravaged by wars waged by bigger empires bordering its north and south. While often somewhat disregarded by Hatti and Egypt, however, victors will be forged from those who do not make the mistake of underestimating it.Be it the humble diplomat or the great raider, a Canaan leader will rise from the embers of both Hatti and Egypt – be it through subterfuge or by further fanning the flames of war.Today we take a look at the two playable Canaanite factions in Total War: PHARAOH. Please note that as the game is still in development, some elements may change between now and release.<img src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/blt98a135ddedd49ae6/64c12fcd7c7aad36ce483ef6/bay_irsu_combined_01.png"/>CONTRASTING CHARACTERSCanaan’s two leaders could hardly be more different from one another.Starting out in Retjenu, Irsu has no interest in ruling. Instead he yearns only to acquire. Be it resources, money or conflict – if you have something he wants, he will take it. Society’s downfall is of no concern to him - he will continue to raze and loot regardless. A prize fighter who brings heavyweight champions to their knees, to most his arrival heralds an oncoming apocalypse.Over in Fenkhu, the diplomat, Bay, is an entirely different proposition. Enamoured by Egyptian high society and already in decent standing with Merneptah, Bay has his eyes on the courts where he intends to spread his control and influence throughout society. It is not the acquisition of power that drives Bay but instead the chance to use it for good, be that through manipulating a puppet Pharaoh or even taking the throne himself, should circumstances so conspire.Where Irsu seeks chaos, Bay seeks to stem anarchy’s tide.<img src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/blta6e77247edde3ca1/64c131233ea10cb0fa176e66/cinematic_03.png"/>CONTRASTING PLAYSTYLESBay’s approach is unique in Total War: PHARAOH. As one who thrives not on the battlefield, Bay instead prefers to operate in society’s shadows. Swords and spears are not his weapons – he instead prefers influence, diplomatic relations and subterfuge.Bay utilises the vast amount of resources gained from his buildings to ensure he has friends in all the right places. But while he may shower gifts upon his admirers at first, the time will inevitably come when he stops giving and starts to take…His unique buildings bolster legitimacy, influence and resource production. The lighter side of Bay’s façade can be seen in the Singing Competition and the Chief Scribe’s Headquarters, which increase happiness, influence and legitimacy to the throne. Meanwhile, Bay's pragmatism is displayed in the Regional Fair, which increases production rates.&nbsp;Bay gains legitimacy through all manner of actions, be that plotting with factions or holding a position within the courts. All in all, he is a formidable political opponent.Irsu, meanwhile, is a far blunter instrument. Any power he wields is swung fiercely, leaving opponents in a smouldering rubble. His interest isn’t in building empires, but in tearing them down. He cares little for notions such as ‘economy’, ‘happiness’ and ‘diplomacy’. If something furthers his cause, he takes it. If not, it’s cast aside.Irsu’s unique buildings exemplify this. The Forced Labour Camps hugely improve production rates and workforce growth but do not, as one might imagine, do much for happiness. Whatever happiness he himself experiences is found in gold, and his Gold Tally Quarters bolster influence, happiness, production and even legitimacy. Irsu’s War Camp, meanwhile, increases recruitment slots and ranks in a region.<img src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/blte81c493a681d62f4/64c131bd79a63a2348eeae32/irsu_maryannu_of_the_king_02.png"/>CONTRASTING MILITARIESSpecialising in ambush tactics, nearly all of Bay’s forces boast the Ambusher trait, meaning they’re difficult to spot in even the most open of terrain. Not that spotting them makes a huge difference, as they’re very capable of disabling the majority of an army’s defensive and offensive capabilities. Facing chariots? Javelins can potentially break their wheels, greatly affecting their speed. Shields and armour? Bay’s armies strike fast hand-to-hand with surgical precision.However, if subterfuge is not for you then the unique forces of Irsu just might be.Irsu’s armies are forged in his image, adorned in the heaviest armour that shrugs off many attacks from more lightly armoured units. He even utilises heavy skirmisher chariots that can decimate missile forces with ease. Where lighter units are employed their purpose is simple – be expendable and harass the enemy until the big guns arrive.His forces can be reckless in combat, but their heavy armour affords them a certain casual obliqueness. Forget honour and strategy. This is war, and Irsu’s forces are here for a fight.<img src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/bltd9720dfb1e2f7b4b/64c1320f58d1bb9c5f2403ef/bay_canaanite_tribesmen_01.png"/>FEARSOME MILITIASCanaanite forces must be adaptable, facing danger both from the speedy units of the Egyptians and the heavy armour of the Hittites.In Bay’s starting location in Fenkhu, we find the native Fenkhu and Yamhad forces. These span the entirety of the armour spectrum – lightly armoured units capable of decent ambush tactics, plus medium and heavy armoured units capable at holding out against chariot charges from Egyptian forces.Meanwhile, Irsu starts with access to the Sinai and Retjenu militia also utilised by Ramesses. While the forces may be familiar, under Irsu’s command you’ll be utilising them for different reasons - chiefly their range and speed. The Sinai and Retjenu forces can pick up the slack where Irsu’s own armies may falter, although do not confuse Irsu for a slouch…<img src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/bltc69cd8289fc792cd/64c1309d0b8d5b3f5addd439/irsu_frontend_01.png"/>UNTIL NEXT TIMEWe'll be back soon with more insight into the excitement coming your way in Total War: PHARAOH. In the mean time, do check out&nbsp;<a href="https://pharaoh.totalwar.com/news/egyptian-factions/">our deep dive into the game Egyptian factions</a>.

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The contrasting figures of Irsu and Bay provide very different visions for the future of Egypt

Introducing the Canaanite Factions

To celebrate the launch of Total War: PHARAOH, we have a couple of incredible prizes to give away courtesy of our partnership with MSI, including a fully custom desktop PC and custom PC case!Taking part is simple – here’s what you have to do:<ul><li>Tune in during our livestream on Friday, October 13th from 15:00 – 17:00 BST</li><li>Type !giveaway into chat to be entered</li></ul>Entrants must be 18 years or older at the time of entry. Some country exclusions apply. You can find the terms and conditions in full below.<img src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/blt0c00d0a7ea51eb28/652402016f5d5dd97ca261c5/MSI_c.png"/>Here’s what’s up for grabs!1st PRIZE<ul><li>A custom Total War: PHARAOH branded MSI PC rammed with top-of-the-line tech:</li><li>CPU: Intel® Core™ i9-13900K</li><li>Case: MSI MPG GUNGNIR 300R</li><li>Motherboard: MSI MEG Z790 ACE</li><li>GPU: MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPRIM X 12G</li><li>Cooling: MSI MEG CORELIQUID S360</li><li>PSU: MSI MPG A850G PCIE5</li><li>SSD: MSI SPATIUM M480 PRO PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 2TB HS</li><li>Memory: Kingston FURY™ Renegade DDR5 RGB 24GB*</li><li>Plus one copy of Total War: PHARAOH – Dynasty Edition (Steam only)</li></ul>2nd PRIZE<ul><li>Case MSI MPG GUNGNIR 300R</li><li>One copy of Total War: PHARAOH – Dynasty Edition (Steam only)</li></ul>RUNNER-UP PRIZES (x3)<ul><li>One copy of Total War: PHARAOH – Dynasty Edition (Steam only)</li></ul><img src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/blte3e7ddbe093250fc/6524021debb661646c9b785b/MSI_b.png"/>TERMS &amp; CONDITIONS<ul><li>Each winner is eligible to claim only one prize.</li><li>Prizes will be administered via Twitch giveaway using the Streamlabs extension.</li></ul>In order to be eligible for entry, you must:<ul><li>Be a legal resident of USA, Canada or any of the following European countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Cross-region and/or country shall be strictly prohibited. Entries from residents of Italy, Poland and Turkey are not eligible for this competition and will not be counted.</li><li>Be 18 years of age or older at the time of entry.</li><li>Maintain and operate a valid email account.</li><li>There is no warranty provided on the product.</li></ul>For further terms and conditions, <a href="https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sega.co.uk%2Fsega_prize_draw_terms_and_conditions_nps&data=05%7C01%7CDavie.Andrew%40creative-assembly.com%7Cbfc441faaf9446bf15d808dbbf5f02f7%7Cb87f35166fa94db095bceceba0919454%7C0%7C0%7C638314187052635021%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=kxlwGI4peOV%2FPpAvdToy2K%2F14G9wHMBlfcWsOEszi1g%3D&reserved=0" target="_blank">click here</a>.

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Win a Total War: PHARAOH branded MSI PC!

The natural beauty of Hatti inspires wonder, but beneath its veneer lies an empire divided.Away from the squabbles of the Egyptians and the chaos of the Canaanites, the Hittites have their own trials and tribulations to navigate as they struggle to survive both the collapse of the Bronze Age and invaders from foreign lands.Whether you choose to command the Great King or assume the role of the stag god reborn, will you be the one to bring glory to Hatti in its darkest hour?<img src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/blt0d67f5dc97bb08b5/6512e06b42d32ea94d3b06ed/hattusa_02.png"/>The Hittite leaders you’ll command of in Total War: PHARAOH have similar goals, but their paths and mindsets vary greatly.In the capital, Hattusa, Suppiluliuma stands as Great King over a crumbling court. Surrounded by foes who crave his destruction, the Hittite empire threatens to crumble around him, but he will defend it to his dying breath to ensure his people’s safety and his empire’s glory.Meanwhile, in Tarhuntassa, the hunt begins with the cruel reign of Kurunta, a leader who shares a name with the stag god. Tracking his rivals, he plots to grow his power and take the Hittite Empire for his own, inflicting misery upon any he regards as an enemy. You can either join his new kingdom or be sacrificed in its glory.SUPPILULIUMAThe leaders of the Hittite factions may share geography in common, but their ethics and playstyles are polar opposites.<img src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/bltbcacc1ca3ef112f8/6512e09ccdb4a3594471971f/suppiluliuma_loading_screen.png"/>Suppiluliuma strives to rebuild and defend the honour of the Hittite Kingdom. He is a very defensive character, a trait embodied both by his campaign style and his armies. Owing to the fractured nature of the Hittites, Suppiluliuma’s unique buildings focus on increasing the happiness and morale of his people, defending them with stalwart garrisons that are well maintained.Support buildings include the Safe Haven, which increases happiness, workforce growth and food output, and the Garrison Quarters, which offer happiness, influence and the means with which to sustain sieges. The Royal Garrison Palace, meanwhile, provides additional ammunition for armies and strengthened morale for the inevitable sieges of rogue factions, while the Army Supply Centre improves melee defence and morale, all while reducing regional army upkeep.Suppiluliuma’s Faction Commands, a new feature added to Total War: PHARAOH, also embody his playstyle. As an active command, you can increase the replenishment of your armies. Furthermore, if you wait for Shemsu Hor, your workforce will increase across every province held.KURUNTAIn contrast, Kurunta believes the Kingdom is rightfully his.<img src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/blt4e178956d3a3606e/6512e0fd0c0dc882560c3577/kurunta.png"/>Along with the mind of a king, he also boasts the mentality of a hunter. He’s not focused on building people up – he wants them kept under heel so he can strike when they’re at their lowest.His titles and playstyle are geared toward stalking opponents, undermining and debuffing them in preparation for battle. His unique buildings get the best out of the land’s native units, with little regard for the hit it delivers to influence. The Military Sabotage Camp, meanwhile, decreases enemy movement and melee attack strength in adjacent provinces while increasing the raiding income of Kurunta’s own armies.The Mercenary Hunting Village delivers experience to armies and food to the masses, along with reducing upkeep… at the cost of influence. The Mercenary Centre improves recruitment rank, increases recruitment slots and brings legitimacy to Kurunta’s name, albeit while once again denting influence. When activated, his Faction Commands grant increased income from Razing, but rob him of the ability to colonise ruins.<img src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/blt8cdd3e9670dbb1df/6512e1a75ea473742f5971b0/hittite_army.png"/>HOW THEY PLAYThe native forces of Hatti’s lands have not only the difficulties of fighting on sand to contend with – they must also confront elements such as torrential rain, heavy fog and fierce storms. As such, they are normally found wearing much heavier armour than their Egyptian and Canaanite counterparts.Two strong traits you can expect to see from Hittite forces are Mistwalker, which allows units to traverse fog unseen, and Storm Warrior, which reduces the penalties for fighting in rain or thunderstorms. Less of a quick, surgical force, and more a wall of nigh-impenetrable bronze, the Hittites bring a war of attrition to the table.The Anatolian, Kaskian and Phyrigian tribes make their home in the Highlands of Anatolia and are always prepared to answer the call of their Great King. Their lighter armoured units are capable enough, with high speed and skirmishing abilities – as raiders, they excel at causing chaos among enemy ranks so heavier units can eventually arrive to deliver the final blow.Heavier armoured units, such as Armoured Anatolian Spears, are also very capable defensive units, ensuring the line remains resolute.In the Anatolian Lowlands, Anatolian forces mix with the Isuwa tribesman. The Isuwan and Luwian forces bring lighter and medium armoured forces into the fray. Isuwan Axemen and Renowned Isuwan Axemen boast excellent anti-shield combat, while lighter armoured units can be utilised to thin enemy numbers ahead of the heavies. Their ranged infantry also excel.<img src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/bltcd0c7ff1c9b6b3e2/6512e24c49219b22e612f397/battle_suppi_ambushing_tausret_02.png"/>UNITSAll of which brings us to each leader’s unique faction units.Suppiluliuma’s forces are stalwart defenders. Adorned in heavy armour, these units can weather whatever you throw at them. He is not without offense, however. His archers apply pressure ahead of spear chariots, which cause devastating blows to undefended enemy missile lines.Kurunta’s unique offerings offer more variety than his counterpart’s forces. Featuring a mix of different armour types and weapons, his forces specialise in melee combat while the Hittite Chargers, wielding great axes and heavy armour, unleash devastating flanking attacks while Kaskian Warriors sow chaos with their raiding abilities.Phyrigian Mercenaries also bring the fury, throwing javelins and shattering shields with their axes.<img src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/blt1d29a88cfe41647a/6512e22fccb3f1e013e765a4/hattusa_03.png"/>From the Great King who’ll do whatever it takes to rebuild his home, to the Usurping Hunter who’ll take back the throne he believes is his, civil war has divided their lands – with whom will you take the throne to protect the Empire?

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The wildly differing approaches of Suppiluliuma and Kurunta

Introducing the Hittite Factions

Looking for a helping hand? Or the ultimate challenge? Campaign Customisation gives you the freedom to play however you like.<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/89-3AbWtxSc" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe>It was the 18th US President Ulysses S. Grant who famously said that “War never changes”. But that’s not quite the case in Total War: PHARAOH.That’s because when fighting for the mantle of Pharaoh, no two battles need ever be the same. Do you think you’d be getting a fairer crack of the whip if you had more resources? Or if the AI had different personalities? Or if your starting positions had been different? With Total War: PHARAOH’s Campaign Customisation features, all of these elements and more are yours to dictate.We reached out to some of your favourite Total War creators to see how they would change their campaigns if given this power!<img asset_uid="blt5ac0aa53fdf7671d" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/blt5ac0aa53fdf7671d/6502d5752b483c530a743d3d/Screen2.PNG"/>The first to take a stab at crafting a unique campaign was Arkcard, creating an economy that would impress Mansa Musa!Using these settings, the high Resource Deposits setting allows you to swiftly build up your armies and settlements. As lands are then conquered, you’ll quickly be able to field several large armies, and with Character Movement set to high your reach will be rapidly extended with each passing turn, especially when each army is led by Fully Equipped and Levelled Generals!Not that it’s all plain sailing, however. With Attrition Intensity set to high, your large numbers will nonetheless rapidly fall – although feel absolutely free to ease the pain a bit by also setting Unit Replenishment to high!But please choose your battles carefully, as if we end up in a scrap there is no backing out thanks to both Auto-Resolve and Retreating being turned off completely!It isn’t just the battlefield where things are getting spicy. With the thresholds for Public Order and Rebellion set to low, you’re going to need armies at home as well as on the front lines!To ensure every campaign is unique, Random Starting Positions has also been turned on while Shroud has been turned off, allowing you to see the entire world and who starts where from the off. That should be handy for forming some early alliances, right? Perhaps, had AI Aggression not been cranked right up…<img asset_uid="bltd0e16ee27f7f9d78" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/bltd0e16ee27f7f9d78/6502d6dd066a8b1e61eb5959/Screen44.PNG"/>Do you think Arkcard’s setup looked a bit frenzied? Well, you ain’t seen nothing yet! Zerkovich cooked up a campaign designed purely for all out, top-tier warfare.It includes High Starting Budgets, High Resources and a High Research Rate, guaranteeing Tier 4 or 5 units in next to no time.&nbsp;Along with this there’s also High Recruitment Capacity, Fully Equipped and Levelled Up General, as well as the toggling off of Rebellions. Expansion is the name of the game, and attrition is not going to be a problem as armies speed through the deserts and mountains toward their next target.Also on the menu is lots of melee combat. There will be no Retreat From Battle, and the Missile Unit Ammunition of our archers is set to low, forcing all ranged units to get in and amongst it. Is it really a fight if you can’t see the whites of your enemies’ eyes?Upping the lunacy, the Starting Positions and Enemy AI have been shuffled, so perhaps we’ll see an Irsu starting in the Egyptian deserts who wants nothing more than to sit down with a nice cuppa and gossip about the latest barrack romances?<img asset_uid="blt1ba6af58b63616c9" src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/blt1ba6af58b63616c9/6502d711ecce7998156b5164/Screen55.PNG"/>There’s also plenty of scope for getting creative with your Campaign Customisation.An interesting combo is High Movement coupled with the Disabling of Diplomatic Penalties for Trespassing. The pairing of Disable Battle Auto-Resolve with High Ammunition Capacity for ranged units paves the way for an absolute snipe-fest!How about a selection of settings designed purely to spark turmoil? With Random Faction Personalities and Random Faction Starting Positions the world is scrambled from the off. Then we give every faction Lots of Money and set Pretenders to the Throne to high, meaning everyone and their mothers are going to present themselves as the rightful heir to the Kingdom.The backdrop to all this political upheaval is equal disquiet at home, thanks in no small part to the maximised effects of Disasters. Plus, those pesky Sea Peoples are going to be a far bigger endgame problem, meaning it’s imperative that our place on the throne and land fortification are secured to an almost absurd degree before they roll into town.<img src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/blt6ce07fbf4926aaa2/6502db8448f1baef4af54db8/Screen8.PNG"/>All of which is just a taster of the options available to players through Campaign Customisation.Maybe you want to go hard and extreme with a brutal campaign that will test your battle and diplomacy skills like nothing before? Or perhaps you’re after a relaxing stroll to the throne, commanding a stacked army that’s equipped to steamroll all wannabe conquerors?Instead you may want to keep the game mostly at default, but with just a few tweaks to the aspects you enjoy the most? Or the least?Total War: PHARAOH will hit (digital) shelves on October 11th 2023 at 15:00 BST / 10:00 EDT / 22:00 CST. <a href="https://store.totalwar.com/en/total-war/total-war-pharaoh" target="_blank">You can pre-order it here.</a>

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Define Your Destiny with Campaign Customisation

<img src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/blta1cd98948d714e1c/64a562e932c9f8e2dac21337/mennefer_02.png"/>Egypt. The Land of the Pharaohs, one of the greatest civilisations ever known.The dawn of a new age awaits. Merneptah’s final years are upon us. The hopes of the Egyptian Court, and its people, rest with new leaders – leaders that you will command in Total War: PHARAOH.Today we examine the game’s Egyptian factions. Guided by your hand, we explore how will they stem the tide of Hittites, Canaanites and the Sea Peoples, and how can they hope to navigate the collapse of the prestigious Bronze Age.<img src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/blt12141956f9ef6d12/64a564aa92961f2a7223f647/ramesses_army_03.png"/>THE EGYPTIAN FACTIONSOn the border of Canaan in Sinai, we have&nbsp;Ramesses.Begotten of the Sun God, Ra,&nbsp;Ramesses&nbsp;is young, ambitious and ready to follow the path of greatness shared by his namesake, Ramesses II. A martial prodigy, Ramesses’ youth brings speed and capabilities unmatched by his opponents. He’ll need to utilise both to deal with the incursions at the Canaan border from the great raider, Irsu, and the growing menace of darker challenges ahead.Along the river in Hardai,&nbsp;Seti, the son of Merneptah, skirmishes with the western desert tribes to prove his superiority and worthiness to rule. While birthright sees him next in line to the throne, he yearns to prove his worth in a language more familiar than the parlance of the courts – battle. To him, the Sea Peoples are nothing but a group of barbarous thugs to crush beneath his heel.Tausret, on the other hand, has a very different approach to power. She cares not for grandstanding and is uninterested in the notion of god given rights – she simply knows she will be a better Pharaoh than anyone else. A methodical genius, Tausret’s strength lies in her intelligence, her planning and her ability to ensure those machinations come to fruition.Her campaign begins in the deserts of Yebu in Upper Egypt. Through synergising her provinces to bolster her economy and working alongside Seti – or whoever else she can sway to her line of thinking – she strives to maintain the majesty of this ancient empire.And lastly, down in the South, lies Amenmesse, the Viceroy of Kush. Such a title may sound like a high honour, but to him it’s merely a backhanded compliment – and an unwelcome one at that. While Amenmesse is the eldest male heir, Seti is the designated heir. As grandiose as a title like ‘Viceroy of Kush’ may sound, it’s not nearly as powerful or attractive as ‘Pharaoh’ – a moniker which Amenmesse believes is rightfully his.Being Viceroy of Kush does offer benefits, however. Benefits like control over Egypt’s gold mines. Amenmesse knows that true power over man isn’t forged in blood but bought with money. He’ll use his wealth to fight his way back up to Mennefer, buying whoever he needs along the way to fulfil his ambitions.<img src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/blt711abb665e61e2d2/64a5646e30ebe686392b2cf5/leaders_composite.png"/>HOW THEY PLAYWith the stage set, let’s explore what makes our cast mechanically distinct from one another. No two journeys to the crown are ever alike.As a militaristic leader, Ramesses is an exceptionally capable warrior who is efficient with all weapons. His elite warrior status is something also shared by his armies which, while smaller in number, are stronger and more able than the average footsoldier.Accompanying his&nbsp;impressive martial prowess is incredible&nbsp;speed, both on the field and in the courts, enjoying two court actions per turn compared to the one received by other leaders. His unique buildings also reflect his court standing and status among his people.‘The Necropolis of the Honoured Dead’ bolsters happiness and influence within provinces, while the ‘Wine Markets’ improve happiness (as one would imagine) and promote workforce growth and resource production. ‘The Military Academy’ produces astounding warriors, raises recruitment rates and reduces the recruitment cost of generals. It also fortifies soldiers with a steady amount of experience.Seti, meanwhile, is in many ways an opposite to Ramesses. He cares little for the court, preferring to speak in a language he understands fluently: war. With battle always close, Seti focuses on the moment and cares little for the long-term. Thankfully, he begins with Tausret, who understands the courts and diplomacy like the back of her hand.His starting army is large and his journey commences near all five resource settlement types, allowing him to quickly kickstart his economy… provided he deposes said resources’ current occupiers.Seti’s unique buildings exemplify his love for war, his sizable ego and his genuine lack of care for the opinions of others. ‘The Mustering Office' increases recruitment slots and decreases the cost of enlisting troops.The ‘Recruitment Administration Centre’ extends this further while allowing for the training of additional troops. ‘The Tax Administration Palace’, meanwhile, ensures maximum production from the populace – albeit at the cost of workforce growth and happiness.Lastly, there’s ‘Seti’s Royal Palace’, a glistening monument befitting of a prospective Pharaoh that improves his legitimacy and increases influence. The sight of it boosts his troops’ morale, though opponents dismiss it as unnecessary grandstanding from a potential tyrant. Although we wouldn’t tell him that to his face.Tausret, meanwhile, understands the importance of structure and resources, especially in trying times such as these. She starts with strong diplomatic&nbsp;ties to her husband Seti, even going as far as being assisted by his forces in some circumstances. Militaristic might isn’t Tausret’s main objective, however – it’s production.While her unique buildings may not elicit happiness and joy among her people, they are a big boon to their economy. ‘The Provisioning Headquarters’, ‘Tausret’s Armoury’, ‘Tausret’s Goldsmiths’ and the ‘Storage Centre’ all offer powerful buffs that, when executed correctly, offer hugely significant benefits. Build them in provinces with resource generating structures and the buffs will stretch as far as the neighbouring provinces, too.Her machinations can be perilous, but once Tausret gets the ball rolling, her power and momentum can quickly become hard to stop.Lastly, we have Amenmesse. As Viceroy of Kush, he begins with significant standing in the Egyptian Courts. This comes with drawbacks, however, as the mixing of Egyptian cultures with the Kushite and the Nubian peoples can create a brittle atmosphere among his closeminded followers that can grow to potentially to problematic levels.His starting location has plentiful gold within reach for those who can successfully navigate relations with the Kushite people, although one must contend with the natural inclination of Amenmesse’s populous to look down upon foreign institutions. Successfully navigate this tangle, however, and increased production and improved diplomacy await as reward – even if public happiness takes a hit in the process.This can be somewhat offset with ‘The Hidden Rooms’, which provides big boost to all resources – including happiness and legitimacy to the throne&nbsp;–&nbsp;albeit at vast financial cost. Cost, however, is not of huge concern to Amenmesse, whose ‘Gold Mine Labour Villages’ produce vast wealth, although the great suffering it imparts is problematic… unless you discreetly pay for that problem to quietly go unmentioned, of course.<img src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/blt963e61220de8975e/64a565e36087031daae41450/swordsmen_01.png"/>COMPETING ARMIESThe Egyptians are masters of desert warfare and surgical strikes, focusing on primarily lightly armoured forces and a good mixture of ranged and melee units. Strength comes from their speed and manoeuvrability across the land’s vast oceans of sand. Bolstering this with the unique abilities of each region’s natives is vital to success, be that through conquest or diplomacy.On the border of Canaan you’ll find the Sinai and Retjenu militia. Their forces contain a mixture of expendable units to hold lines or harass, along with high value troops that greater bolster your damage output. Their medium armour units stand toe-to-toe with Canaanite forces thanks to their decent armour piercing and breaking capabilities.Lower Egypt brings a decent mix of melee and ranged units, although you should expect to pay more than their worth, so try not to rely on this as a primary plan. Not that such armies should not be considered, however, as there is value in their resistance to heat, and their vast number.In contrast, the forces of Upper Egypt are a potentially very powerful addition to your defensive garrisons. Many of the region’s melee units utilise medium armour, making them an ideal defensive force for guarding any oases found in the vast deserts. As exceptionally capable flankers, they’re able to deal big damage.In the deserts to the west lie the Libu Tribesmen and the West Desert Natives. The former are unparalleled desert warriors who are unimpeded by loose sand underfoot. Resilient to the sweltering heat of high noon, they can march unharmed through attrition zones in the desert, and the blistering sandstorms that cross the dunes do little to blunt their combat prowess.To the south you’ll find the Nubian and Kushite forces. These armies are primarily built around the strength of their archers, which are some of the finest in the land, laying siege to opponents who remain preoccupied with numerous expendable harassing units.Lastly there are the Pharaoh Elite. Available once the crown is yours, these highly disciplined fighters clad in medium armour can turn the tide of battle in your favour, even in very low numbers.<img src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/blt6c01c5b31c6fa245/64a56696db2efcc1b3c8e365/ramesses_chariot_01.png"/>UNIQUE UNITSEach leader of course also boasts their own unique troops.Ramesses’ formidable forces reflect his strengths as a leader. The&nbsp;Medjay and Sherden&nbsp;may lack numerically, but can adapt to any situation. Fast and adept at flanking, many of his troops also boast the Underdog trait, allowing them to thrive in fights against multiple units. Potentially outnumbered but rarely outclassed, Ramesses’ retinue are a balanced and highly capable force.The Levy soldiers that make up Seti’s unique forces, meanwhile, compensate for their lack of skill with enhanced numbers and the Expendable trait, meaning partnering elite troops won’t rout (or potentially even pay the slightest notice) when lower tier units meet their grizzly demise. &nbsp;Many of these elite units, meanwhile, boast the Heedless Charger trait, meaning they dive headlong into battle the moment they spot the enemy and regardless of their orders. Perhaps they believe that such heroism will earn their leader’s respect, or maybe they’re simply emulating an anger he himself all too often elicits…Tausret’s forces showcase the devastating power of chariots. Their speed and range can cause extreme damage to the enemy, all while staying clear of harm, although her forces enjoy plenty of other resources, too. Tausret’s infantry offerings, such as the steadfast Queen’s Guard,&nbsp;combine excellent defensive capabilities with relentless speed.&nbsp;When it comes to attacking from distance, however, there are none who can rival the elite archer armies amassed through Amenmesse’s deep pockets. The Kushite, Nubian and Ta-Ceti Archers strike with excellent range and devastating power, and even the lower tiered units in his unique forces can down elite rivals with relative ease.<img src="https://eu-images.contentstack.com/v3/assets/blte19ac56754d294fe/blt0c89b40a55230872/64a56736b337ce7019a5041e/mennefer_01.png"/>UNCERTAIN FATESDark days approach. With the Bronze Age teetering on the brink of collapse, the fate of Egypt’s people is in your hands. Which leader will you pick and what strategies will you employ as you fight to survive this apocalyptic, historical upheaval?Are you ready&nbsp;to embrace the mantle of Pharaoh?

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Ramesses, Seti, Tausret and Amenmesse come under the spotlight.

Introducing the Egyptian Factions

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Total War: PHARAOH is the newest entry in the award-winning grand strategy series from the developers at Creative Assembly.

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Introducing the Egyptian Factions - Ramesses, Seti, Tausret and Amenmesse come under the spotlight.