Why You SUCK with The Empire

Blake's Takes presents the definitive guide to The Empire in Immortal Empires. This video will show you how to play as Reikland in Total War: Warhammer 3. Do you know what units to recruit as the empire, this guide will show you the best units in The Empire's roster, including the best army compositions for the empire and how to set them up. This immortal empires guide for warhammer 3 is a one stop shop for the empire.
This video will show you how to deal with Vlad as the Empire and how to defeat the vampires as Reikland. This guide analyses the best lord abilities to take and how to use The Empires wide variety of heroes. This guide will analyse the strengths and weaknesses of the Empire.
Is Karl Franz Warhammer 3's best campaign? Is The Empire the hardest faction in Immortal Empires? I'm sure you'll enjoy these tips for dominating with Karl Franz in Immortal Empires.
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Link to handout:
drive.google.com/file/d/11Aq3...
========================
Timestamps
00:00 - Introduction
01:13- Reason 1: You don't surprise the Secessionists
03:33 - Reason 2: You fall into the Marienburg Trap
08:52 - Reason 3: You don't know how empire armies work
22:21 - Reason 4: You don't understand Imperial Authority and Prestige
29:01 - Reason 5: You don't know how to deal with Vlad
36:08 - Reason 6: You neglect diplomacy
38:41 - Reason 7: You forget your heroes
42:36 - Reason 8: You don't know what to build
44:00 - Reason 9: You level your lords wrong
========================
Link to my Patreon:
patreon.com/user?u=98073522

[@BlakesTakes420]

Happy new Year folks - Hope you all had a nice Christmas. Link to video handout here: drive.google.com/file/d/11Aq3VOhtR782lKmNrdPcQmluod3pYe1m/view?usp=sharing

[@francesco.virzi4]

Of course we expect a new guide once the empire rework is out :)

[@BlakesTakes420]

@@francesco.virzi4 of course sir.

[@robosoldier11]

Is this a mod or something? Why is Karl franz like a giant on his gryphon mount?

[@BlakesTakes420]

@@robosoldier11 no mods, just camera angle causing perspective I'd say.

[@skinless333x2]

Thank you, happy new year to you too!

[@sirsecular1277]

One thing you didn’t mention but is actually super important: Returning a province always gives you imperial authority, even if the game doesn’t tell you. There are often dilemmas where two elector counts dispute over a settlement and you can decide for them to keep or return it. The decision screen doesn’t say that you will gain authority from returning it, but you will still gain +1

[@BlakesTakes420]

You're goddamn right.

[@octogen1282]

Really wish the game told us this because this IS huge. Makes retuning the province easily the more desirable option pretty much 100% of the time (unless you really really need the approval of the guy holding the province, but that's almost never worth more than +1IE)

[@deskslam4232]

​@@octogen1282 I always returned the settlements to make sure everyone was in their place. Averland takes the moot and no event to return it? Guess Averland's about to find out.

[@octogen1282]

@@deskslam4232 Poor Marius probably just forgot he doesn't have any halfling subjects, lol

[@dontgankmebruv7273]

i believe the main part of this is that a lot of imperial authority is fluid as you lose one authority for empire provinces not being fully controlled by electors, but you gain one back if the province is fully controlled by empire factions. also returning capitals is the ultimate cheese sometimes as returning it gives 2 fealty and an imperial authority each time you return it, so when toddy loses middenhiem for the fifth time you can get more authority from giving it back to him.

[@GamerGrovyle]

Hey! I don't suck with the Empire! I just fail to win as the Empire!

[@Robert-re2kz]

You just prefer lore accurate playthroughs, that's fine!!

[@BlakesTakes420]

do you want an end times? because this is how you get an end times.

[@GamerGrovyle]

@@BlakesTakes420 I can't get the End Times because there is no End Times crisis for late game.

[@shubhamghoshal2939]

Bro thinks he's General George McLellan

[@LSOP-]

​@@GamerGrovyle based, square based.

[@denistannenberg]

2:14 you can see Blake panic as he fears he might have girlbossed too deep into the enemy territory with the raiding lord and may not get an ambush

[@BlakesTakes420]

THAT WAS CONFIDENTIAL!

[@RyanMoran-wy1ip]

How in all the years of playing total war have I not done that tactic. Always just brute forcing my way through or chasing 🤦

[@fakeprophecy]

Ambush exploit cheese... so inovative... you can just set the game to easy too.

[@BlakesTakes420]

@@fakeprophecy a brave attempt at spelling innovative friend.

[@hisokamorow6709]

​@@fakeprophecy Exploit and cheese are mutually exclusive Cheese is using a mechanic in its intended way but it gives far more value than intended, i.e projectile dodging Exploit is using a mechanic not in its intended way gaining an unfair advantage i.e save scumming The AI can always see you have an army in ambush, but if not discovered, it will ignore it, working as intended, ergo, not an exploit. You can call anything that gives you an advantage "cheese" but then the word losses all it's meaning. i.e Doomstacking, traits stacking, healing single entities,

[@magni5648]

For terrain, the optimum for you ISN'T a flat plain, actually. It's having the foot of a hill. You park your melee infantry right at the bottom of the slope and your flat-trajectory missile units (handgunners, cannons, volleyguns) behind, which allows them to fire over the heads of the melee line rather than requiring checkerboarding or similar to clear up their lines of fire. This also works on a reverse slope.

[@BlakesTakes420]

Correct, I should have put a section in clarifying that

[@snakeoo7ca]

​@@BlakesTakes420 you missed alot in this video lol just remake the video

[@mherrj]

You are explaining exactly what he explained. He doesnt have to say every single way to apply it. Put your artillery on the high spot because it can see. The idea is just put the artillery where it can see. Stop nitpicking every little thing. Maybe go make your own channel and release "better" videos.

[@magni5648]

@@mherrj What I described was putting the artillery on the LOW spot. And no, I will continue to offer alternatives and good advice, no matter how mad that makes you.

[@vahlen5281]

The Empire is also one of the factions that greatly benefits from the ally recruitment system via outposts. I usually keep one of the minor dwarf factions around to get some of their melee units.

[@BlakesTakes420]

It sure does, dwarf infantry and Brettonia cav are great additions

[@MatteV2]

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE! "Borrow" a Dwarf army with a lvl 20 Engineers (immortal) in it, dis and him just before the army disaplears, and when he comes back hes yours to keep, and will buff tge ever living shit out of your artillery and ranged units 👀

[@jonathanenciso]

Wait what. Can you explain a bit better lol​@@MatteV2

[@MatteV2]

@@jonathanenciso In WH3, if you are allied in good standing with a faction, you can request to borrow an army for a limited amount of time. If a high enough level hero were to die on the turn just before the army leave, the hero would return not under the Allies control, but yours instead! One of the best uses for this particular glitch for an Empire army is to get Dwarf engineers, as they massively buff Handgunners and IIRC also artillery. Its great.

[@jonathanenciso]

@@MatteV2 bruh. I've been allied to the biggest drawf faction in my latest campaign. I knew I could hire their units but not a whole army 💀. What's the best way to get them killed on the turn before they leave? Is it just getting them into a battle?

[@Blaas123]

I love the ending comment "You will be summoning the elector counts in no time" 10/10, instant fan after my first video on this channel

[@BlakesTakes420]

Welcome aboard friend.

[@minibotas9496]

One time I won a defensive siege against 2,5 full stacks of Skaven that assaulted Helmgart. I don’t remember what tier Helmgart was at that point, but it was not higher than 4… maybe The map was the best empire siege map, the one with an elevation and flat terrain, outside the fort being a steep climb upwards to the gates. The plan was simple: use the single unit of mortars only when necessary, placed on the capture point of the elevated surface, put crossbowmen on the elevated surface too, use swordsmen to hold the towers until the Skaven put ladders then retreat to the defensive position, where the spearmen are going to hold the line, if a swordsman dies, it won’t be that bad, but I’d lose valuable frontline force. Last step of the plan: convince the rats to take the main road instead of the flanks, and use the single unit of cavalry to kill any unit of Skaven that tried to use the side paths. It went PERFECTLY. The mortars did not stop firing once on the blob of rats that had gathered on the tight ramp, as crossbowmen fire at will at literally fucking anything they can see. Rat men arrived very tired from climbing ladders and running all the way to here to try to avoid fire from towers and missiles, my men were fresh when swords clashed. Still, it was very close, my missiles ran out of ammo as the last horde of Skaven arrived at my beaten up frontline, and had to become part of it. The mortars kept firing. Cavalry was useful to convince fleeing Skaven to give up permanently, plus intercepting sneaky rats once or twice. I don’t remember what Skaven faction came from there, and yes it was mostly comprised of clan rats and Skaven slaves, with the odd gutterrunner, BUT IT FELT SO FUCKING COOL

[@BlakesTakes420]

The Fortress battles are very satisfying. I wish they had made the settlement layouts more like that in Warhammer 3.

[@sentient.t-5522]

Lore accurate skaven wouldve just dug under the wall

[@gusfring8451]

If you build the 300 supply rampart on a barricade portion of your supply capture point, you can spam your crossbowmen onto and off of it to gain ammo.

[@Yorkington]

The "Faith, Steel, Gunpowder" flowchart is amazing, I love it. When I attempt an Empire run I'll try to remember this video, thank you.

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you friend, I hope it helps!

[@HeiligeBestrafer]

Loved the alliteration with V's bit. That was mint!

[@BlakesTakes420]

Glad you enjoyed it friend.

[@BradHann]

Verily.

[@redjacc7581]

There is a point you are missing regards cannons and mortars. These units provide you the range advantage which the AI cannot ignore. So fighting the vamps as an example means that in a battle the AI will always attack you while you can just sit there and decimate them with your ranged units.

[@BlakesTakes420]

or you can just vanguard deploy outriders to open up on the enemy and achieve the exact same result. Vampire Counts will always rush you anyway - they only have melee troops.

[@darknight910]

Not to mention, they don't take any morale damage so one of the key powers of artillery is useless.@@BlakesTakes420

[@johnbourlier7883]

@@BlakesTakes420doesn’t sylvania have access to crossbows?

[@BlakesTakes420]

@@johnbourlier7883 in very, very small quantities. They also have access to handgunners in small quantities too. Only by advancing the Von Carstein bloodline can you access these, so I didn't include it. I have only seen the AI field 1 unit of crossbowmen in an army, which wouldn't pose much of a threat to your outriders.

[@hobowithashotgun48]

One important correction: Do NOT return dead elector counts in their original capital. Keep the capital for yourself so that you can assign your own elector and unlock the bonuses. Instead, return the dead elector in a minor settlement, which will still give them enough income to field a full army, and they can assist you in defending the region.

[@BlakesTakes420]

You see I just return all their land to speedrun fealty and confederation. You raise a good point though.

[@someguy3763]

Crushed that Ice Court campaign thanks to you, these guides are genuinely entertaining to watch even though I don’t plan on playing most of these factions-however I’m still picking up my jaw from the floor after seeing the steam tank division, and by coincidence I’ve just started an Empire campaign

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you so much, let me know how your new campaign goes!

[@TheTurbanatore]

Saw this on Reddit and decided to give it a watch. Even as a veteran player, this taught me some new tricks, like the empire successionist ambush trick at the start.

[@BlakesTakes420]

Love to hear it sir!

[@thegreatrainman2336]

if you need to use his corn on a lame faction like The Secessionists you really struggling in Life they aren't even a hiccup of a faction. taking walls is so easy against the AI

[@donkarnage6986]

thats an old old trick... you cant be a veteran if you didnt even know this! thats basic play

[@GamerGrovyle]

​@@thegreatrainman2336Doesn't mean it isn't annoying or costly depending on the difficulty level. There's a difference in quality between winning a fight you could win and a fight you could've won easier.

[@thegreatrainman2336]

@@GamerGrovyle No one should be struggling against this faction unless you have minimal hours put in they are so easy to beat.

[@nunosimoes3270]

I love how you put the meaning of the words for us. Such well done videos all together. Your narration is also fantastic. Keep them coming good Sir. I usually go like this: Turn 1 you attack Grunberg with Franz and occupy it. You recruit an additional lord in Altdorf. Turn 2 you force march max Franz into the woods near Ubersreik and put your second lord recruiting on the border of Ubersreik. Turn 3 you attack Ubersreik with the second lord with Franz supporting and occupy it. Then you have enough movement with Franz to occupy Eilhart and that way you take your province on turn 3.

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it. That's a spicy strat I'll have to try it.

[@cyberiankorninger1025]

Good one having second lord instantly is also what I do it just helps with getting more items, better recruit, better stealth strategies and easy winning against superior stacks with trash units. Even later I rarely field single Generals they are usually running around in a team with economically smart stacks instead of pricey doomstacks.

[@Shero1337]

Love your content Mr. Blake! While I don't necessarily need most of the advice in your videos they are presented in such an entertaining way that I keep coming back, keep it up my man! 👍

[@BlakesTakes420]

Glad you enjoy it sir, thank you for your viewership!

[@thegeneral2982]

I have yet to play a full Empire campaign in any WH (did 2 co-ops with a friend in WH 1 and WH 2 when they were released all the way back, for about 50 turns each) so this is genuinely very helpful and it explains the faction in its entirety so well. Ill keep it in mind whenever I get to that one legendary campaign for that coveted 100% completion for both 1 and 2. Suprisingly at least from my viewing of different ytbers the empire didnt go through serious changes throughout all the different itterations of its games. The melee infantry is just there to hold, ranged infantry is still extremely good, ok cav, except late game cav is phenomenal and helstorm rockets are still king. Also Franzer divisions, thats bloody brilliant Blake!

[@BlakesTakes420]

Good to see you again Herr General. The Empire is in a bit of a strange position. Jack of all trades master of none. But there are some real standouts. As you said demigryphs, Helstorms, I'd also add their magic in there, so much versatility. The empire was always going to be a contraversial one, because so many people main the empire. They'll all have their own niche strategies which make things work such as, halberdiers with the right tech, or imperial authority farming just to mention a few. I'll probably have to make an addendum to this video to cover off a lot of the comments. Glad you enjoyed the Franzer meme sir. Strength and honour, General.

[@Azraiel213]

The only problem with *not* taking Marienberg early is that if you don't, you risk Bretonnia getting around to it first. Granted, a short war with another nation of Order can be smoothed over eventually, but it does rather complicate getting Marienberg back.

[@BlakesTakes420]

Yeah, if Brettonia take Marienburg I declare war, simple as that.

[@Nirual86]

that or Kemmler. Vlad might not be as much of an early danger if you avoid war with him, but Kemmler always ensures I need to fight some undead early on Also its actually possible to just confederate Marienberg via the normal mechanics. Karl doesn't start off with the best relationship to them but if things drag out too long being friendly to them can still pay off.

[@Blitzsteak]

Awesome vid with very good info. Just want to add to not forget to spread the runefang love around when you confederate. You don't have to keep them with their elector count. You can use them to buff up your heroes, especially when fighting enemies that require magical damage to bring down efficiently

[@BlakesTakes420]

Absolutely, the Runefangs are excellent and I should've mentioned them.

[@LolDemeter]

I loved this video, it really showed me my past mistakes with this faction as I did immediately attack marienburg and about 20 turns after I destroyed them I caught myself thinking „was this a mistake?“ I’m glad I found this video as it just helped me to understand the mistake that I can’t be aggressively expanding like I do with Khorne or the chaos dwarfs. You definitely earned a sub hope your channel grows to your desired number ^^ much love from Hungary

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you sir, glad to be of service. 🫶🇭🇺

[@PraximusYT]

A timely tutorial and wonderful alliteration! Bravo!

[@BlakesTakes420]

High praise from you sir, thank you very much. Loved Nurgleworld™ btw.

[@Manwithfood]

Fuck yes! 47 minutes of pure Blake content. Can there be a better weekend gift? Cheers as always mate! 👊

[@BlakesTakes420]

You're most welcome sir. Thank you for your continued viewership hun 🫶

[@madma5855]

First time watching your content, and I am very impressed. And the Steel Faith and Gunpowder line was cold AF. Now I can't wait for a Dark elf one, I love the aesthetic, but I suck so badly with them.

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you sir, hopefully I'll get to the emo elves soon.

[@KhoiNguyen-wc5gn]

Love this series. I learn so much when play Kislev and now Empire. Good job and keep it up.

[@BlakesTakes420]

Glad to be of service sir

[@jshadowhunter]

Haleluya! I've been waiting for this. Once again, Blake delivers!

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you man - hope you enjoy!

[@spanner5940]

the empire also has a lack of spooky stuff so it makes the 2 main terror pieces; griffons and tanks, even more valuable. the griffon lord in particular has a -8 leadership debuff around it. combine this with artillery damage, cavalry charges or gunfire (all give unique leadership debuffs) and you can rout anything short of an elite unit. units that get into your backline need to go, and fast, so use some demigryphs and a griffon lord to clear them out in no time

[@wrongix6544]

The true way to play the empire is to play volkmar and only use flagellants, warrior priest, arch lector, knights of the blazing sun and a max of 1 or 2 artillery :)

[@kodiakjak1]

One thing i have noticed is that greatswords have been performing a lot better since the last two patches. They still won't hold very long, but I sent the ones that come with Karl into festus nurgle great axe chaos warriors and they routed them with about a quarter of their own health and about half their unit models left.

[@BlakesTakes420]

They definitely do perform better, but still not good enough to rely on.

[@hellboy7312]

one thing thats really important and is really helpful is declaring war on 3 elector counts right at the start. you get nuln and a free T5 steam tank on turn 3

[@AK-bm1yl]

Empire also just needs a dire DLC to bring them up to par with other races. They are still using dinky units from WH1

[@BlakesTakes420]

They certainly do.

[@patricklisso4357]

Rejoice. DLC is here

[@nicolasalegriahasbun7571]

Excellent guide as usual ❤. I would love for you to explain to me why i suck with Kholek, as he has a somewhat tricky start and lots of potential ways to continue the campaign after you deal with the initial enemy 😅

[@BlakesTakes420]

Don't you worry, I haven't forgotten. ;)

[@nicolasalegriahasbun7571]

Thank you. I don't know if you did the Skrag guide because of my request but i certainly appreciate it as i don't suck with him anymore, so god bless you and godspeed 😀🙏🏻

[@cbl1199]

The trick with Kholek is to get Grimgor as a vassal ASAP, and try to maintain good relations with Archeon so your northern border is safe. Honestly, from my personal experience, he is the only faction I've ever seen manage to do anything on its own as a vassal, I remember how he'd manage to raid and pillage his way all the way across Cathay while I was attacking from the north, while my ogres vassal were utterly useless and just raising entire armies of goblars that folded in half at the first sign of resistance.

[@ledzep215]

Another glorious video. Thanks for the upload!

[@BlakesTakes420]

You are most welcome my good man.

[@artificial_karma901]

Glad you're still posting my dude. Was worried the reaction of the last video would slow you. I legit enjoy your style with these videos. Keep it up homie.

[@BlakesTakes420]

Christmas and my day job slowed me. I enjoy making these, so I'm not going to stop. 🫶

[@krankarvolund7771]

The Irrepreasible skill gives only 30% to your lord. Still useful, especially if you use him as a tank, but not broken like the skill might make you think by saying "your lord army". Apparently, CA thought necessary to precise that your lord only gets its replenishment if he's in his own army....

[@TsunamiWombat]

this, though the wound time reduction is OK (lmao simply don't die) really though it's a bottleneck skill you have to take it to get to the juicy 2nd half so no reason not to.

[@krankarvolund7771]

@@TsunamiWombat Yeah never said not to take it just don't have hope that it will double your replenishment rate XD

[@octogen1282]

Reikland getting the spotlight this time, wunderbar! This was my favorite campaign in WH2, so I was extra happy to see this getting a blake-take

[@BlakesTakes420]

Happy to be of service sir. 🫶

[@TotalWarNeighbor]

I finally got to watching! Thank you for stopping by. Really great video!

[@BlakesTakes420]

Glad you enjoyed it sir. Great Khorne stream the other day.

[@TotalWarNeighbor]

Thank you! @@BlakesTakes420

[@Curiouswitch6]

I love these videos! 17:40 this part alone, everything is correct too, I'm impressed!

[@BlakesTakes420]

Dankeschön ❤

[@Curiouswitch6]

@@BlakesTakes420 gerne!

[@redluke8119]

I rock with the Empire....... on the battlefield. They just have so many fires to put out on the campaign map. My best battlefield faction is Slaanesh or Bretonia. Anything highly mobile so I do like the Empire roster their Knights are worthy sons of sigmar.

[@urahi830]

the empire starts crumbling on turn 3, it's just not enjoyable in this state, it feels like an endgame crisis from the get-go

[@Grivehn]

@@urahi830 Yeah. Removing the penalty (at least for first 50 turns or something) from the civil war would legit save the Empire campaign. You can deal with all the threats fine as they are. Empire needs enemies, otherwise they become the largest faction every time. (100+ turns in they already always are in top5 as AI) You just cant deal with all the threats killing your fellow Electors in the first 30ish turns...

[@BlakesTakes420]

@redluke you rock at everything sir.

[@jamieedwards4475]

Hi Blake, just some feedback on the video. I feel like the repetition is very bad for the overall quality of the video, if I need to go back I can, and it bloats the video unnecessarily. I like the humour, audio is good too.

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thanks for the honest feedback.

[@chewbacca1961]

Fantastic video, all valid and helpful points. Can't wait to see the rest of the faction guides. Maybe Dwarves or Lizards next?

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thanks you! all Suggestions are taken, but Dwarves will likely come after Thrones of Decay as they're getting changes.

[@zackwalker6775]

A very clear and concise guide that doesn't say to do the ONE thing. Nice work

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you pal

[@sirunklydunk8861]

Well I was debating what faction to do next after my Dark Elf campaign. Thanks for choosing for me, Blake!

[@VikingNewt]

yup, blakes videos seem to annoyingly correspond with my new campaigns too

[@BlakesTakes420]

You're most welcome.

[@fieldmarshalgaig4856]

Some of the most fun I’ve had with the empire is trying to do a melee focused army. Longswords combined with elector count swords and warrior priests to buff stats and for a bit you get get units with 100+ melee defence and attack lol

[@BlakesTakes420]

It's a strategy I haven't had the pleasure / courage to try

[@Ruthun92]

Greatsword frontlines are somewhat viable especially at hacking through enemy chaff and mid tier infantry. Unfortunately their anti infantry bonus will only carry them so far and will struggle to kill chaos warriors, marauder champions, Black orcs, and high dps skaven infantry before their low leadership fails them

[@fieldmarshalgaig4856]

@@BlakesTakes420I’ve got it running late game in my campaign so I can give all my heroes in that army runefangs and good items for buffing, probably couldn’t have more then one but it’s pretty funny seeing great swords or swordsmen bully chosen

[@user-on9yf7uc1l]

this was actually really help full. I learned to never build a Reiks guard only army.

[@mikeoakman6708]

i love these topic-related intros, great job yet again blake

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you sire!

[@user-xn5kk5ky4n]

Would love to see a video about the dark elf guy who starts over in cathay, or the demon prince. both hard AF campaigns at start

[@julianboxe]

What? Daniel might be, but Lohkir is one of not only the easiest DE campaign, but the whole game .

[@Azraiel213]

That Greatswords were (rightly) OP top-tier elite infantry in TWW1 and are now disregarded speaks volumes about how bad the game balance has gotten.

[@BlakesTakes420]

to be fair, they're better than they were in Warhammer 2, I think they did a pretty reasonable job at readjusting the ranged meta from that game, but yeah Greatswords I always thought were too expensive for how poorly they performed.

[@ethernaelis]

Hey thank you so much this video is very helpful 🎉

[@BlakesTakes420]

You're very welcome, thank you for your viewership. 🫶

[@dillonschroeder985]

Empire Warrior Priests usually save many of my empire campaigns. They are so damn strong as a single human unit.

[@PainRack]

In TWW 2, I beat a Chaos 4 stacks with Empire army with Settlement garrison because when my outriders ammo ran dry, the winds of magic is exhausted, but FAITH remains.

[@BlakesTakes420]

I *love* the warrior priests.

[@winchest961]

Can you do a Bretonnia one😊

[@BlakesTakes420]

I have ideas brewing for one.

[@clendatu]

What a great and well done series . Please give us more its very entertaining and also super helpful when you are new to the game (at least it was for me) . Some Factions are kind of tricky to learn without some kind of guide and tips how the mechanics work and your videos are super well done and easy to follow.

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you sir! Glad to be of service to you.

[@babesinclair]

A lot of good stuff here. Thanks for all your hard work.

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you sir! Very kind of you to say so.

[@malaficus]

*looks at all my wins* empire is annoying not difficult.

[@ajdutoit6529]

Wow, im early

[@fbiwiz4rd96]

Feels weird I know lmaooo

[@BlakesTakes420]

The best kind of on-time.

[@pogo8050]

Now this is the gravy train video youve been looking for Blake

[@BlakesTakes420]

all aboard!

[@sup1602]

I love the effort you put into all these videos.

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you sup! 🫶

[@DennisLjeti]

Great content! Something about the Empire really makes me push for better and better wins. I've won a Legendary/VH hard long campaign (250+ provinces) in 120 turns and im still finding useful information out from videos like this! The argument for Halberds is based around which faction you'll find yourself going up against. The diverse roster of the empire affords the faction the luxury of building armies specific to the foes you'll be dealing with. Sure, spears and shields are cheaper and are generally better against factions with missile based damage (elves, dawi, kislev) but if I need to go up against Ogres or Bretonnians, Im picking Halberds every time. As for taking Helmgart, you should be table to do it by turn 4 in addition to taking Eilhart: Turn 1 I take Grunberg and recruit a Huntsman General, recruiting two archers into the new lord army. Turn 2 I march Franz and the Huntsman General towards Ubersreik, while recruiting a third Huntsman General. Turn 3 Franz can solo take Eilhart while the 2 Huntsman Generals and their handful of archer units can dispatch Ubersreik - its a bitch cheesy with kiting the Huntsman Generals, but the two of them can easily take down half the opposing force before getting your archers involved. Keep them hidden and prepared to position to mop up the remaining units. End turn by recruiting a Warrior Priest. You can use these three lords to ambush the Secessionists stationed in Helmgart as theyll severely underestimate your balance of power. Again with a healthy dosage of kiting you can win with just these 3 lords and handful of archers On Turn 4 you can mop up Helmgart with Franz and these 3 lords. Subsequently camp out around Eilhart and Kazrak should walk straight into your forces in ambush and wipe himself out on Turn 5.

[@theholyroman6283]

I've been waiting for this moment!

[@BlakesTakes420]

I hope it doesn't disappoint!

[@simoncodrington]

What a great video mate, keep up the good work 🎉

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you sir, I hope to!

[@antonb8687]

I love this series! Looking forward to the next video. Subscribed!

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you Anton! More coming soon!

[@TotalWarriorLegends]

Love this video!!! Please more of this guide!

[@BlakesTakes420]

More to come soon! 🫶

[@damianspence]

Been looking forward to this one!!

[@BlakesTakes420]

Hope it doesn't disappoint!

[@goose4454]

Can't wait to see this channel get to a million subs. Won't take long with well made vids like this.

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you friend 🫶

[@goose4454]

@@BlakesTakes420 I'm welcome😊

[@ViktorRzh]

Thanks for insight. I have just mooved my skill at defending really far. I previosly focused on envelopment (spred infantery, suround and send Karl Frans or potent spell in the midle)

[@StilyanGS]

Amazing series,keep them coming. I'm waiting on Cathey video to come out 👍

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you friend!

[@anatoliypetrenko1365]

really nice job! Now I want to try Karl Franz campaign

[@BlakesTakes420]

Glad to hear it!

[@asherward3671]

This video has reawaken my love of total war warhammer half way through the semester… thanks Blake!

[@BlakesTakes420]

You're very welcome 😊

[@anacapamori]

So impressed with the V speech mixed in with the reason 2 explanation!

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you sir! 🫶

[@nilsosterholt2967]

I love your content. I actually just picked up Warhammer 3 because I watched a lot of Grim Kleaper's Vids and I got totally overwhelmed by it. (Probally starting my first campaign with Bretonia bc they looked cool wasn't so smart) I learned a lot in your vids like recruting a second commander or using heroes in my armies :D I'm rly happy to have found you because otherwise I would've just dumped this gem of a game after a while.... thx for the great content and shared knowledge (P.s. Greenskins especially Orcs made my first long campaign victory a utter blast)

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you sir, appreciate you 🫶

[@TeloMovies]

Great video man, keep it up

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you so much for your generosity friend, really appreciate you 🫶

[@MerzaMonroe]

I hope you do this for all factions; As someone who plays FPS's/MOBA's and other sorts these videos are great plus the way you present everything in these types of videos are S-Tier for me

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you friend, I hope so too!

[@simonbas6]

On the note of fealty, you also get fealty from positive relations, i think its +1 at 50 relations and +2 at 150 relations. This is useful in the early game to get an early confed with Gelt. On the note of confederations, i oftentimes dont accept confederation straight away when its offered, since if you decline then you get +1 IA and theyll offer again in 20 turns. This can turn the smaller, less valuable elector counts like ostland, stirland and nordland into IA farms to help you stay in positive authority, which then gets you the 3 IA you need to confed without penalties. I find that i always confederate in a specific order. Gelt 1st, naturally. Then Talabecland which enables me to use Talabheim as a staging ground against festus and vlad, Then Nuln or Boris, whichever one RNG dictates i get the most random fealty for 1st. Following this strategy i find means you never have to deal with low IA as a mechanic, unless something goes horribly wrong

[@BlakesTakes420]

KZbin didn't post my response to this mademoiselle, my apologies. Beelining for Gelt is the correct play for sure. He's an excellent Lord. I hadn't considered farming the imperial authority in such a manner, I'll probably do a follow up video for this at some point, you'll probably make it into that just like Thwarting Throt. Thank you as always, great input.

[@simonbas6]

@BlakesTakes420 aww, don't flatter me too much, I've just been around for a while. Keep referencing my comments and you'll turn me into a channel celebrity XD

[@BlakesTakes420]

@@simonbas6 no paparazzi please. Just @simonbas6 doing the Lords work in the comments section.

[@joakimhansen8937]

This was a really good guide and just funny enough to make it interresting😂 I will take faith, steel and gunpowder to heart❤

[@BlakesTakes420]

Glad you like it friend.

[@ArbiterDan]

Thank you very much Blake.

[@BlakesTakes420]

You're most welcome!

[@jocsterplayz9782]

As some who has never played Total War: Warhammer III, this is incredibly insightful.

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you!

[@nicky640]

Hey Blake! Here is a take you might already know or might want to explore. Maybe I'll respond to myself if I'll add more. Isabella vh/vh - She and Vlad and 5 vampires are unstoppable. On turn four they march east to give the new Lahmian bloodline vampire the whole army. The Varghulf gives her siege attack. Turn 5 that army wipes out Templehof (kill, don't vassalise, for Empire diplomacy) with the 7 vamp reinforcement and then the 7 vamps take the village north, likely from Drycha. Turn 6 killing Drycha in Mordheim is hard, but doable with a raised army. Likely it's possible to vassalise the humans north and drycha in turn 6/7/8 if you trade settlements with barracks to them. Including the quest battle you'll have enough blood kisses for Lahmia bloodline 2 now and Vlad level 12 (save the skillpoints for this level). This gives +70 diplomacy vs empire. Beeline for Grunburg with the 7 vamps and destroy Franz asap. You get no reliability penalty for attacking Franz after turn 11. Destroy all factions that love Franz or that hate Drycha (Leon, Katarina, slayer king), vassalise the rest, they won't hate each other. So vassalise early: Fey enchantress, Kemmler. Later: the turquoise dwarfs under sylvania, Kostaltyn, and basically half of the empire. Consider yourself human/order, so kill skaven, chaos, orcs. Later maybe when all order is your vassal you might add some of those and the shared wars might keep the diplomacy among them up. Rule over the empire as Vlad and Isabella should. He is after all the true emperor by lineage. Oh, don't forget... The 7 vamps should often cluster the enemy around them for pit of shades. Basically the Lahmian bloodline vamps have armies and play a "normal game" while the 7 vamps are a "death touch" army that makes a strategic path.

[@JohnyRelax]

I just found this guy, but I have to sub right away, this video is top quality, and I love it.

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you sir and welcome aboard!

[@motnorote]

I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS

[@BlakesTakes420]

Hope it delivers!

[@maestromarat6195]

For dealing with Vlad. I was playing as golden order so maybe that changes something, but for me Vlad's armies tended to be pretty good by the time I could afford multiple armies. Yes they'd have a lot of chaf, but they'd also often have multiple varghulf's or blood knights which can be massive pains in the ass to deal with. I think he got them from raise dead. Also vampiric flyers like fell bats and vargheists can decimate your ranged units which is definetly a reason to try to auto resolve

[@yobogoya4367]

I do love this video series. It inspired me to try Skragg, and I had a good time with that campaign. And oddly, while I despise playing Empire, your video does push me to possibly play them again. I don't despise Empire because I'm unsuccessful with them, but because I just don't enjoy it. I don't like the available infantry, the early to midgame ranged is abysmal imo, I don't like managing Elector Counts. Admittedly, I last played Karl in the 2nd game, for achievements; and have only played Volkmar in WH3. So if the Elector Count system is better than previous iterations, I'd be willing to try again.

[@BlakesTakes420]

Unfortunately the elector count system is still...bad, but The Empire's in a reasonable spot.

[@jeghaterdegforfaen]

I feel like most of the latter mistakes also applies to other factions. Using diplomacy in particular. Having another faction pay you to join a war against someone is a really good strategy, especially since their allies won't be compelled to join war against you immediatley. And all factions needs to make use of their heroes.

[@BlakesTakes420]

Absolutely they apply to different factions. But I often see folks saying they can't win as the empire and they haven't brought a wizard in their army, so I want to make sure that people are aware of how powerful imperial magic is.

[@jeghaterdegforfaen]

@@BlakesTakes420 yeah, I did that mistake playing a Drycha campaign. I completely ignored brancwraiths, which was unwise.

[@squaresausage171]

Super helpful!! I'm playing as the empire at the moment and have honestly never really got hold of them! Probably because I expect the infantry to hold 😂

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you sir. Appreciate your comment!

[@theinquisitor8112]

Gotta say, this guide's been pretty helpful. I still had to turn the campaign difficulty down to easy because I really do be trash with the Empire, but I'm actually seeing some success and fun now that I've accepted that Vlad's just gonna fuck some shit up to the east before I can clean up the greenskins, beastmen, and festus. Drycha and Vlad haven't gone to war yet though, which is weird considering.

[@BlakesTakes420]

That's it, it's a mindset. It's not a guarantee that Vlad will go to war with Drycha there's a bit of RNG to it, but he definitely will end up warring Katarin, and she doesn't get bodied as hard these days. V

[@HopeiThis]

My name Blake too and hearing you say it so confidently at the beginning of every video gives me a strange sense of pride in it!

[@BlakesTakes420]

Hello fellow Blake. 🫶

[@kyallokytty]

amazing video, just one thing at 19:40 we disagree heavily I have always 4 reiksguard per army, they are often the units with it I get the *most* value with, specially before the hellstorms. but even then they usually get a higher value than recruiting them costs every battle it's mostly a game of luring one or two units and then doing the hammer and hammer technique(bait a formation with one unit by pretending to charge, charge them on the back with the other unit, then charge them on the back a second time)... they fall off hard because of no AP, but on Karls army the Anti large makes up to keep them relevant sure, it is a unit that you gotta pay more attention than usual because they suck if you're not taking good engagements. edit: but getting them to take good engagements is very easy if you're paying attention that said, I dont think the reiksfort building is worth it in empire lands. Only the special one in altdorf

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you. Yeah Reiksgurd aren't terrible to be fair, probably a bit harsh on them in my handout. Still, the awkward building and the cost of them is just too prohibitive for me to place them in my armies. May do some testing and a follow up to this video. Watch this space.

[@Slapdab]

Thanks for the advice

[@BlakesTakes420]

Any time!

[@kalependlebury7387]

I still watch these videos as someone who plays exclusively on Legendary/Very Hard, I guess hoping that there is some sneaky trick I have yet to learn. Sad reality is is... the only strat left is to "get gud". To ALL the gamers out there, I wish you good fortune in the wars to come.

[@johncreek3145]

There’s actually some fun strats for the empire, I recommend you to take nuln by force after the secessionist. It will give you a great economic base, an Autowin elector count unit in the steam tank and nuln hates your guts anyways you would take ages to confed them peacefully That nets you a -7 authority, but who cares you’re just gonna clap vlad next by slowly camping through his vampire territories and then trapping him before sieging castle drakenhof Once you wiped him (don’t take out the weak vamps first because they will actually distract him in a helpful way) your economic base is so solid you can afford 2 1/2 stacks now you can decide to either try to play good empire man and not go to civil war (which is weak because it takes forever) or you confed a strategically important ally (Balthasar) and drop down to -10 to have a jolly old civil war against a bunch of weakling empire factions Averland you overrun first to connect your territory, stir land will be fighting back because they have no enemy, talabecland and Hochland will usually be taken out or decapitated at the least by festus (by the way squeez Hochland for money early on because they die quickly but don’t make any treaties with other empire factions you don’t 100% want to confed, they will at some point force you to break treaties which is terrible) midden land is in shambles because of festus and khazrak. Marienburg doesn’t care but has most likely been decimated by either kemmler or louen, nordland is getting rekt by norscans, ostland (?) is being rekt by drycha and the last dude up north is really too far away to be doing much Voila you just gobble everything up and make sure to get NO authority because now you want to stay at -10 (-10 is actually good because it’s neutral in terms of bonus malus) Best elector count units are tbh the Hochland long rifles … such insane missile troops After you have united the empire you are literally steamrolling everything else unless you managed to get your ass into too many other wars due to bad diplomacy (appease the dwarfs and kislev man …)

[@michaelforsythe4335]

Funny sh*t and very solid tips. Haven't even played WH 1 yet but when I do, Empire will probably be my first choice. Subbed.

[@BlakesTakes420]

Welcome aboard! Thank you for your kind words sir.

[@michaelforsythe4335]

Can we convince you to do more of the factions ? I'm playing Troy atm but I've started to play with the dwarves in WH1. Damn there's just so much to love about these games.@Takes420

[@Andali-]

not often I like a video before finishing it, but just for the 05:35 part you deserve it.

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you sir! 🫶

[@eduardopernaut3908]

Thank you good sir, I've enjoyed this video very much. Funnily enough, I'm starting my Empire campaign and so far I've been following these steps: I let Marienburg for later, I got rid of beastmen and Festus, I'm prioritising growth and cash buildings, saving 1000 prestige... now I'm starting to deal with Vlad, and with this knowledge it will be easy to deal with. Do we know when will your next 'Why you suck with... ' chapter be released? I'm really looking forward to High Elves.

[@BlakesTakes420]

You're very welcome sir. Hopefully have the next installment out the weekend after next. High Elves will definitely be done soon.

[@xR0Mz]

Amazing tips and tone. Subscribed. Sir, your game looks fantastic too, what visual mods do you use ?

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you kind sir. Welcome aboard. No mods used at all, vanilla game, ultra settings in 3840x2160 resolution.

[@Aldebaran...]

It'll be cool seeing how the new changes will change Franz's starting moves, and if It'll change the grand campaign in any way

[@Krethak]

As usual lovely content and I don't know how much you practiced on the part when you talked about vanquishing vampires :x But there is actually one thing that is missing in your guide and I was wondering the whole time when it would pop up. How do you deal with the Changeling in your campaign? Truth be told, I haven't played any campaign in the Empire Region since he came out so I don't know if he's a non-issue when played by the A.I. or not?

[@BlakesTakes420]

Thank you, I actually managed to do the alliteration on the first take haha. I didn't actually see the Changeling in the campaign, so I would say he's a non-issue.

[@Krethak]

Thank you ^^ This is actually curious considering how many cheats the Changeling has on his side, but perhaps he has a bad buil order as A.I. and get smoked out easily when his cults get discovered, who knows ^^

[@Staunchie91]

Loving the jokes and excellent presentation. Subbed for sure

[@BlakesTakes420]

Welcome aboard! Thank you for the sub!

[@user-qj9br4hx9r]

Reason number 10: You do not use Gotrek and Felix in the early game. When playing Reikland/Karl Franz campaign Gotrek and Felix can be recruited from Tap Room (hostelry building chain) in Altdorf as early as on turn 5 (or even 4 if you are lucky enough to get lord with the “Noble” trait on turn one). Simply upgrade Altdorf to tire 2, build Tap Room and on next turn Gotrek and Felix should appear on the campaign map ready to be recruited into your service. Having already a formidable early game killing and healing potential, G&F become near invincible when supported by 2 (or even better by 3) arch lector lords (tip: put them on foot. When on mounts they become more vulnerable to spear infantry). Since auto resolve will almost always show defeat you will have to fight every battle manually. However, all you have to do is to keep G&F and supporting arch lectors close together, use buffs (Grand Shield of Faith, Grand Hammer of Sigmar) to constantly keep offensive&defensive stats boosted, crowd control with Soulfire bombardment while letting G&F deal with enemy lords and heroes who come to close. Due to Felix’s Blood Oath healing ability both G&F and supporting arch lectors will probably end combat with full health bars. Easy. That way you can defeat even full stacks of any early empire (Secessionists, Marienburg) greenskins (Black Pit Tribe, Skullsmasherz) or vampire counts (Barrow Legion) armies easily conquering settlements and forts nearby Altdorf while leaving Karl Franz army free to deal with Khazrak and/or Festus.

[@Tiberium10332]

A little warning there. Don't let Gotrek loose a single battle against Vlad, because Gotreks defeat trait would make Vlad unbreakable.

[@toobig7150]

​@@Tiberium10332 That's more scary than any late game archaon sweep

[@victorcaldera249]

i would love to see chaos warriors/chaos dwarfs in the future, they are my favorite races to play as

[@BlakesTakes420]

🔜

[@martinmurphy8887]

Here for the advice, liked and subscribed for the V for Vendetta reference :D

[@BlakesTakes420]

Glad you enjoyed it! Welcome aboard!

[@eddiedaly2551]

Entertaining and informative video. I have had epic battles with a level 20+ Vlad, I would advise to not auto resolve - get better at the battle game. I normally get issues as time moves on and potential allies start to fall. The Dwarves fall to the Orcs/Skaven - The Bretonians fall to the Orcs/vampires - the North gets attacked by chaos and Norsca and the Elves fall to the dark Elves. Like the Roman Empire I still can smash anyone BUT the edges start to fray..... Greatswords are decent and I quite like lobbing mortars.

[@BlakesTakes420]

Good comment, I enjoyed reading it. I find an early campaign against the barrow legion really helps prop up Louen.

[@davids.8909]

I play a lot of factions, but turns out most of them have good or great infantry as I've come to realise after giving the empire a try after the 5.0 patch. I had to look up if you have a guide and what do you know! A very helpful video even with the new additions and after the changes! Thanks!

[@BlakesTakes420]

You are most welcome sir ♥️

[@Noctani]

Solid in-depth video. You missed the 2 important ones. 1. You don't use your prestige early to get a confederation turn 6 - 8 with a strong army. 2. You don't use additional lords early to xp leech to lead future armies while upkeep is low.