Zhao Ming Immortal Empires Campaign Review

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[@Erik_Dz]

for melee ogre units, Zhao Ming's Lord trait also works. Ending up at 75% reduced upkeep. It is a weird thing for a Legendary Lord to have such a substantial buff to units from another faction. He gets cheaper Ogres than the ogre factions can get.

[@MrBlueSleeves]

Unfortunately Ogre melee units are quite mediocre as they don't give Yang and do not benefit from the very powerful upgrades you end up getting. Maybe i'd consider having the capped amount if I have access to ironguts or mournfang as these guys are solid additions.

[@Lark88]

It was funny that you said that Ghorst will probably declare war on you because in my Sisters of Twilight campaign, I went to day my tree from Ghorst and found out that he and Zhao Ming were military allies. I took care of Ghorst quickly enough, but then I had to deal with Zhao Ming's Empire for a while.

[@Johann_Gambolputty_of_Ulm]

Same in my case steamrol...playing as Vlad. Good thing i was BBF with Zhao, so Ghorst instantly liked me as well. But yeah, playing as Zhao... antiplayer bias is a vexing thing 😑

[@x0lopossum]

This part of the map is so different and I love it. Its like... Asia.

[@TheAlienpope]

This campaign has to be one of the most fun campaigns I've played early to mid game. Quite a few strong factions around you. Skaven, dark elves, vampires, greenskins and chaos. Challenging, fun and rewarding.

[@RichyRich2607]

I find their army rooster super boring tho.

[@TheAlienpope]

@@RichyRich2607 It could use some more variety yeah, the same with the Kislev roster. But it's not bad

[@Faelivri]

Don't forget lizards. Stupid Nakai was playing "catch me if you can!" with me for a good amount of time (even sending peace deals, cowardly little git), and then there was his second army to deal with.

[@melliflously5058]

@@Faelivri LOL I had to hold in my laugh while on my flight idk why it was so funny

[@Totaluser1]

Early and midgame is fun, i think the problem with his campaign is that once you conquered Cathay, there's no more good territory for a while until you get past the dark lands or go across sea lanes

[@fatwe1992]

My favorite thing about him is that he's like the black sheep of the family. Very honorable and intelligent but seen as eccentric and a bit of a weirdo. Probably from all that warpstone exposure.

[@montsaint-michel9443]

To be fair, everyone sends caravan to drakenhof, and nobody gives that sword to some nobody. Miao Ying also has regeneration.

[@macanudo6206]

Breton ou normand

[@riley_028]

you can give her regen, but Zhao Ming gets it without having to use up a weapon slot. so he could use something else that Miao Ying couldn't

[@alejandrotuazon4831]

​@@riley_028 this is why I have Miao Ying trying to hunt down Isabella for her defeat trait, to free up the weapon slot for something else 😂

[@mattisuber222]

@@alejandrotuazon4831 Isabella defeat trait... in Immortal Empires... right... right...You're definitely not BSing... right

[@ajitae1460]

@@mattisuber222 you actually can if vlad got viped out before crisis, it revive isabella as a lord

[@SpectrumSO]

Surprised you said that Ghorst would declare. From Ghorst's perspective Zhao Ming was a stable ally, and from the outside they looked like they had a good relationship. Only having -10 aversion between them is wild.

[@danielszabo7988]

You didn't mention desert armour, desert weapons and iron strength. Those skills are unique to him and give some reasonable buffs to his army, especially melee units. Also, I think he might be strongest 1 man doomstack in the game, you can get 76% ward save as Zhao Ming plus he has regeneration.

[@TheRewasder97]

Those skills actually make him a quite good commander, his melee units can get quite good, and all of it affects sentinels too. Regarding the one man doomstack, I don't think he's better than Malus, but he's a close second for sure.

[@user-zh1hz1gq1l]

@@TheRewasder97 he is better that miao ying and miao ying is better than malus so I think he is better overall

[@danielszabo7988]

@@TheRewasder97 Yeah, I agree, his melee units can get really strong with those skills. I have managed to make him a really strong 1 man doomstack, 12k hp, over 100 melee attack and defence and over 700 armour piercing weapon damage. But still, Malus might be the best.

[@TheRewasder97]

@@user-zh1hz1gq1l she's not stronger as a one man doomstack, she simply doesn't have two healthbars and easy 90% resistance. She's better with dealing with infantry, until Tzarkan and his skills at least, but Malus is way better against single entities.

[@user-zh1hz1gq1l]

@@TheRewasder97 true but malus doesn’t have spells

[@LBDA81]

Finally, I waited so long for this campaign review

[@nonesuch6833]

"If Grimgor comes smashing through..." yeah he always does that. I've played in that general area three or four times now and I've never seen Greasus not get rolled by him.

[@mailimittari135]

In my campaigns greasus always gets wrecked by ghorst while grimgor doesnt even bother with ogres, going instead to darklands.

[@mrh1390]

When I played this campaign I got the mortis engine item (Catalytic Kiln I think) from the very first battle. Sent Zhao Ming off by himself with the alchemist to boost movement range immediately after dealing with Snitch and one-man steam-rolled everything in his path, without even really putting effort into making him a one-man doomstack.

[@vaskil99]

As always, a great video with a solid breakdown. Honestly, I think Zhao has some kinda underwhelming faction effects. As Miao Ying, I discovered Cathay can become an economic powerhouse quite easily, so Zhao's bonus for the caravans is just a nice addition more than a must have. I had no idea about getting ogre mercenaries outside of an alliance and rarely would use them, so that 50% reduction in upkeep would be wasted for me. The +15 armor for melee units is quite good but not nearly as good as Miao's bonuses for ranged units, as Cathay seems to rely more on ranged units.

[@TuffLP]

0:55 For me Ghorst was my best friend as Zhao Ming. Zombie bro holding the West while i beat up Snikch and Lokhir.

[@421less1]

Might be different now, but he was the only one i finshed the main campaign with. Basically turtled to the win and slowly confederated the rest of cathay and just had armies spread out to close rifts. His economy is just so strong

[@Shane2020xxx]

The other option on rifts is, if you build the Torch series of defense buildings, no rifts will appear in that province. So you can preemptively keep your provinces cleansed, maybe let one appear to dive through.

[@catnipnapkin3329]

I'm currently 139 turns into my Miao Ying IE campaign, and around turn 50 I confederated Zhao and him and his army have so far performed a lot better at keeping invaders at bay, and taking over the Ogre territories (now vampire counts lol).

[@kennethward5564]

The main upside to Zhao is you can leave the north provinces to defend the constant Kurgan warband invasions and just focus on removing lothir/skaven and then kill ghorst As miao ying it was annoying have to spend resources to ensure I hold the gates on legendary, her start takes longer

[@redluke8119]

I love Cathay I always tell people great WH3 campaigns and I love the great bastion. Super good campaigns either LL for Cathay are great for beginners

[@Gritty1983]

Legend is the best

[@nasir6r996]

I daresay,he is a legend

[@nogsan195]

Funny thing with this campaign, I got an event where all Cathay improved relations, we all became allies and declared war together. Problem is all enemies attacked me only.

[@calebgrinnell5461]

Thanks much bruv! Appreciate all the effort as always!

[@Amir-by2xh]

Playing this campaign right now. Finfished 40 settlements at turn 30 vh/vh. This campaign is the easiest one so far. Good chances to confederate

[@evilgenius396]

Ah finally. Thanks mate

[@gregoryshinn9805]

Thanks for the video

[@melle4390]

In both Cathayan campaigns I've had Grimgor come over to wreck the Ogres and walk over them. I like the buffer that the the big neighbours give so sometimes I send over a decent stack of something to help defend/reconquer their lands.

[@signoreVanici]

@Legend Thx a lot There aren't too many lords left to review, so maybe the next serie could be again first 20 turns guides? Or (re)new tier rankings? Comparison of subjectively the best playing styles with a given lord/faction?

[@fiveforbiting]

Just about time for a Cathay Campaign..I started one before, but the gun units were so janky I couldn't continue.

[@gijskramer1702]

That regen is going to bite him in the arse when fighting the chaos dwarfs

[@BailensdeLykenos]

*IRON! DRAGUN!*

[@TisTheWay]

Looking forward to a Boris campaign overview

[@official_kden]

played zhao at the start of this year. overall had some enjoyment from his campaign. fire rain rockets go brrrr. but the cathayan roster is still so small that endgame didnt really feel that exiting, building the army units over and over

[@angelopueyygarcia43]

Agreed, after my first playthrough with Miao Ying, I downloaded a fuckton of mods for Cathay, basically made my own Cathay dlc lmao. 2nd campaign was definitely a better experience than the first one

[@Krispe]

@@angelopueyygarcia43 Any mod recommendations?

[@Dianbler]

I don't think it is that bad. You have Sentinels and Dragon Guard, Sky Junk, Jade... Dragons, was it? The flying cavalry; you can still use your gunners and you have some nice artillery to boot. It could use some more Dragon monsters that can fly, maybe some medium monster infantry. I honestly think the mid game roster is much worse. Jade Guardians like you're in China.

[@michaelfetter4541]

AI Zhao allies with Ghorst in almost every one of my campaigns.

[@josgretf2800]

Ghorst is friendly to me in all my games as Cathay

[@Everhardt94]

I'd like to see Alberic de Bordeleaux next.

[@scarletcroc3821]

Pretty fun campaign, but I usually choose Miao when I want to play as Cathay. Her boosting missile units is just more useful, not just for my playstyle but in general

[@kvltofsobek90]

Does that include artillery or just missile infantry units?

[@desfefe]

Miao is so boring as a campaign though. Feels like it lacks challenges. But Zhao Ming's campaign is solid.

[@scarletcroc3821]

@@kvltofsobek90 just missile infantry unfortunately, but one of her faction effects gives +20% ammunitiom to all armies, so she does still give artillery a significant buff

[@scarletcroc3821]

@@desfefe to each their own I suppose, I find Cathay boring in general due to the climate limitations. Maybe it’s better if you use the sea lanes, but Cathay is pretty much surrounded by orange climate if I’m not mistaken and that makes expanding kind of annoying

[@desfefe]

@@scarletcroc3821 Oh yeah, that is also what I noticed. It is pretty strange why everything around is orange, but then again from a lore perspective, you wouldn't be seeing cathay expanding that much other than holding the forces of evil from the wall. Looking forward to chaos dwarfs but man, we are in dire need of more DLC.

[@EveloGrave]

Zhao Ming is so much easier than Meow meow. The extra armor even on VH/VH allows him to just auto resolve all battles to conquer the entire of Cathay by like turn 30-40.

[@josgretf2800]

I have never once had Ghorst attack me. Him and Zhao are absolute bros dude, like, whats been going on in your games?

[@cohortConnor]

Zhao Ming should have -50% upkeep for melee units just like his sister gets for ranged units.

[@dumplingshakes22]

After I secured everything to the right of the start and confederated the gate factions it was basically a wrap. Easily defensible area with good economy.

[@AngryCheezburger303]

Helman actually didn't declare war on me (playing on VH), he offered a non aggression pact lol. In the midgame he got killed by Kugath who then attacked me

[@_FreeMetal_]

Sorry it's a bit off topic but, how do you manage to have the Skill / character menu windowed ? I just love that, is that a mod ?

[@MrBlond479]

Miao Jing upkeep reduction only works for missile infantry while Zhao Ming works for all melee units.

[@regalgiant1597]

Me: Where is Legend of Total War? Them: 0:01

[@Elliott13]

Oh hey. You get the fog of war flickering bug too

[@wilcohillebrand1458]

does the 25% upkeep reduction stack with Ogre reduction 25%? so get you minus 50% upkeep for any melee Ogre units?

[@WhichWazzockWantedEmailHandles]

Yes, it also halves the upkeep of any Ogres you recruit into your caravans. (if a caravan ends up in a territory with a friendly camp, it can recruit ogre mercenaries but they aren't free of upkeep).

[@steakdriven]

I am amazed the movement bug hasn't been patched...it must be like...intrinsic to the way movement works or something.

[@MrAsmil]

Total war is so weird sometimes man, imagine having a free lord with a 50 percent upkeep reduction for essentially dlc only units 😅 I assume all the merc buffs do apply to alliance units but its clearly intended for the ogre merc dlc.

[@luvi5463]

Legend how did you get the "phoenix staff" item (i don't remember the exact name) that gives you a lot of damage resistance?

[@manpersal]

I think you're talking about the 'bejewelled dagger' ane theoretically you need to send a caravan somewhere where you've already sent it, but the chance is still low, so you have to keep trying.

[@luvi5463]

@@manpersal Thank you

[@TwoTardTop]

and you can do this series all over again when the CHDWARFS come out. all outdated

[@nottabotta2046]

Is the Forge of the Chaos Dwarves DLC not on Instant Gaming?

[@redcrown5154]

only in europe

[@dzav8909]

Power of the Dragon 😡

[@Meisterss]

Is it possible to confederate the other Cathay legendary lord? As Miao Ying I never succeeded...

[@imMIB123]

2:55 maybe im confusing things since i do use mods, but im pretty sure miao ying does also have regen, right?

[@jakubs.5966]

She does not unless you give her an item or get vampire crisis and slay revived Isabella.

[@adriltythorin6702]

If you're quick and dedicate all efforts to it you can take out Sniktch by turn 6-8, and you should do. No other faction is much of a threat early on, but Skaven start weak and get progressively nastier. If you do everything well I was able to conquer or confederate all Cathay by turn ~45 except for your sibling who will eventually come around.

[@KazeKoichi]

Is it time for Boris yet?

[@XAMJ54]

I love how the comment meta on these videos has shifted to finding obscure things you don't mention and calling you an idiot for it lol 🤓☝️

[@TalosLordOfNight]

Still have not played Cathay I’m waiting for the dlc

[@millerrepin4452]

Reject humanity return to monke

[@colenowell826]

Hey Legend, could you do a campaign review for Luthor Harkon? I've got absolutely no idea how to deal with Gor Rok in that campaign.

[@Qulize]

Check his playlist. He already did Luthor.

[@vicente2bravo247]

Do you think any of the previous games races will get a dlc? Like the dwarf or the empire would much benefit from a dlc or a serious update

[@roundthoughts4644]

I still hope for a Skaven dlc which ads the Verminlord (greater daemon of the horned rat)

[@mattandrews2594]

Boris Todbringer will be a Lord for the Empire at some point.

[@Hezort]

WH1 races got DLCs in WH2, so most we can expect that again.

[@FractalSpiral1]

I mean, yeah Skaven and Vampires are absolutely getting some kind of DLC. Neferata has been hinted at since WH2 and Thanquol is a fan favorite. Plus, Nagash is the last major Big Bad that isn't in the game now that we have the Chorfs. I'd love to see Malakai Makaison brought in as FLC or as part of a DLC, but the Dwarf Roster is basically what they had in eighth edition.

[@millerrepin4452]

WH3 races need to have their rosters fleshed out first then the new race packs like Kuresh and ind. Finailly we'll have the lord packs for WH2 and 1 races.

[@kolpere1625]

I always feel like Cathay is not a complete faction. There is no real leader above all, like KZ for Empire or Thorgrim for Dorfs. I hope we will see some dragon emperor faction soon...

[@guitarjacksonblue]

The dragon emperor couple would be too overpowered. Its like not playing as the phoenix king, skavencouncil and so on. I think you get a broader taste of the faction when they eventually add the other dragon siblings

[@kolpere1625]

@@guitarjacksonblue Well, i think we have a dragon sibling governing the central province, innit? Maybe he can be the dragon representative of the entire cathay in the emperors orders.

[@guitarjacksonblue]

@@kolpere1625 yeah thought the same. Think he's the Jade Dragon. I see him bringing big administrative buff and boni for visited provinces like Alarielle. Kinda Liu Bu character

[@kolpere1625]

@@guitarjacksonblue As always the administrative ones are the key for success in a world in perpetual war lmao (im looking at you, my smurf primarch from 40k)

[@rhettmeyers474]

Lol, “…just go through the motions…” way to sound so enthusiastic about playing this one. I get the feeling LoTW is getting a bit burnt out of playing TW games. Can’t say I blame him considering it’s basically a FT job.

[@nailigniststarzear6689]

one of his problem is Deathmaster trait is trash and even give you demerit....you must (use other lord to) kill him as soon as possible to prevent him to infect your lord with his trash trait... for me NEVER let Zhao Ming get Stalk..it make so much harder to use him after that I will go down to Nakai to get his trait before he somehow die somewhere when I am not looking

[@exobreaker6149]

for me one of the main reasons i dont like cathay is the lame generic lords

[@forsenlevel2425]

Rakarth next maybe?

[@mattandrews2594]

I hope Rakarth comes last, just for you.

[@forsenlevel2425]

@@mattandrews2594 forsenLevel

[@holdinmcgroin8639]

Certified forsenLevel campaign

[@senshibat8920]

madi or canti pronuncements.. says same Tought Dragon Boi they is[change the name of settlement two to woohoo xen wu..hero to blur or gorillaz..;3]

[@williamm.3612]

When I play Cathay, I roll Imrik the Dragon Boi.

[@Jakannsein]

First

[@dad378]

1

[@NapoleontheLesser]

2

[@bestintheworld4850]

Honestly, I feel like touching eastern factions, or badland ones is a no no, as CD will come in like a week and will change a lot of this.

[@Ranulf13]

I found me boared with him very early. He has no items to claim no hard enemys to fight and the Faction over all is a bit boring too i think. And i am someone that likes very much Turtle factions. Also the focus on Meele units is a bit strange because they are not the units that win you fights anyways. So i did not liked him. Really like your Series and it often inspires me to play a new campain.