All Top Tier Influence Traits for High Elves - Definitive Edition

🌊⚠️ I will be updating the guide after Tides of Torment has been released. Thank you! ⚠️🌊

We are the chosen of Asuryan, beloved of the gods and heirs to the world. Our armies are the finest in creation; swift where our foes are lumbering, cultured where they are barbaric. Give no thought to failure, nor defeat – we are the Children of Ulthuan and we shall prevail!

Fellow Asur, hear my words!

Upon popular demand, the highly anticipated All Top Tier Influence Traits for High Elves has returned for Total War: Warhammer III - bigger and better than ever before!

Within this guide, you'll find all Top Tier Influence traits for High Elves - alongside explanations and recommendations as to why you should consider them during your campaigns.

I may have missed something along the way, as this guide is more than twice as long as my previous. Please be patient as I conduct future updates and research.

Of course, changes may occur in patches - in which case, please be patient. I will try and update after every major DLC release, depending on my availability to do so. Thank you!

Bullet Point explanations are at the end. Thank you.

My previous guide can be found here:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2112630440

Lords: 60 Influence
Heroes: 40 Influence

Traits are awarded Elven Gemstones from 1 to 5.

💎💎💎💎💎 = Most beneficial.

💎 = Not as desirable.

Don't count lower rated traits outright - they're still Top Tier traits, with their own unique use and benefits.

This guide is created for an Immortal Empires campaign, using Eataine (Tyrion) as a baseline.

Results and conclusions are formed using game-logic, theory and my own campaign experience. In addition, their immediate vs time investment return.

This guide is a suggestion, rather than the definitive way to play.
Because ultimately, it's up to you to decide!

Top Tier Traits are shared between Lords and Heroes. These shared traits can offer different effects and passives. So read descriptions carefully!

The Princess does not share any of these traits. Instead, she has exclusive unique traits with a focus on archery.

Capable of enduring sustained hand-to-hand combat, against all kinds of foes.

Their Top Tier traits for provide vast variety of army wide buffs.

Best suited on foot as a line holder. But can pack a punch while on a Griffin or Dragon.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎💎

Additional Defence and Resistance compliments main Army Lord Skills:

- Miliitia Master
- Immovable Force
- Favourable Winds

Especially relevant during early game, as you will not have many invested Skill Points for army bonuses.

This trait provides value during all stages of a campaign.

However - once you've unlocked Mage heroes, you could opt for a different Lord trait. This is because the same trait (but with lower stats) can be found on a Mage Hero, for only 10 Influence.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎

Never be Blinded, Burnt, Dazed, Disoriented, become Frozen, Poisoned or suffer Corroded Armour. View the full list of contact effects here.[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]

A flat out +15% Ward Save is respectable and is the main draw of this trait. This is great for a Prince who likes to get into the thick of combat and sustain the front line.

Sword of Khane: 💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎

The +15% Ward Save is a base line. This can be increased via items and gear. With a Life Mage, this Prince won't feel a thing!

Because of this, a special 10 Gemstone rating is awarded for The Sword of Khane.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💍(3.5)
Conquest Lord: 💎💎💎💎

Update 6.2 brought sweeping changes to magic items, including adjustments to drop rates and a rework of how items are obtained. Essentially, the update lowered the overall chance of finding items after a battle.

Because of this change, add an Exhilarated Loremaster or Mage (Scouting Skill) and you'll have more staffs than hands can carry.

Gain exp from sacking / looting settlements while increasing gold reverses from loot and item salvage.

This Prince should always seek out conquest and not remain idle for long, otherwise you wont receive the full benefits of this trait.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎

High Elves lack early game armour piecing damage. This trait is great for a melee focused general, especially against highly armoured factions and units. Lower the armour and your attacks will hit harder.

Sundered Armour is a contact effect, meaning it only triggers when an attack successfully hits an enemy. Regardless if the Lord is mounted or not.

This trait is also available for The Noble. You could always select something else for your general and use a Noble for this trait instead.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎
Griffin / Dragon Mount: 💎💎💎💎

Clump enemy units for Mages / Archers to clean house, without becoming exhausted. But you could do this with The Noble instead, who also has this trait.

Ideal for a Griffin or Dragon mounted Lord, but those take time to unlock.

Sword of Khane: 💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎

Equip The Sword of Khane and you'll have a Prince who'll never tire, fight all day (and night) and also never break - as the sword grants Unbreakable.

Because of this, a special 10 Gemstone rating is awarded for The Sword of Khane.

Gemstones: 💎💎

Units recruited during late game often require little to no training, due to high ranking chevrons via tech and upgrade unlocks.

The +20% Ammunition for the entire Lord's Army is worth noting, as this can stack with a Frugal Noble for +40% Ammunition.

However - ammunition can also be increased via technology tree and Lord skills too.

Selecting a different trait and using a Frugal Noble would be more efficient, so your Lord can provide other benefits to your force - but still gain increased ammunition.

This trait is awarded 2.5 gemstones, because auto-resolve values the amount of ammunition greatly within its determination.

Army Reverses: 💎💎💎💎

Use alongside a Fecund Loremaster to train standby armies for newly recruited generals to inherit and will stimulate province and faction wide growth too.

You'll only ever need 1 Adept Prince - unless you require more standby reverses.

Because this Lord generally remains idle to recruit reverses, place focus on investing skills in the following:

• Inspiring Presence (+75 exp per turn)
  
• Route Marcher (Unlocks Blue Line)
  
• Merchant Lord
  
• Bonded Service (Lowers recruitment cost)
  
• Draft master (Increased recruitment Rank)
  
• Quartermaster (Decrease upkeep - army is generally remaining idle)
  
• Elven Scholar (Increase research)
  
• Renowned & Feared (Upkeep and recruitment rank)

Gemstones: 💎💎

Dragons require time. This trait tries to offset some of these drawbacks:

- High upkeep unit
- Long recruitment time
- Requires high tiered Settlement and Recruitment building

This trait roars most during late game. Hence the respectable middle ground of 2.5 Gemstones, as it provides no benefit during the early stages of a campaign.

Dragon Stack: 💎💎💎💎💎

For those who do not own DLC, 5 Gemstones. As you may look toward Dragon Doomstacks. DLC owners may favour Sisters of Avelorn or Mistwalker units instead.

Gemstones: 💎💎

High Elves specialise in ranged and staunch line of spears.

Because this trait applies only to specific late game elite melee units, you may find choosing Resistant to be more beneficial - a trait which covers a variety of units, the same elite melee units - and more importantly, applies benefit during any stage of a campaign.

Late Game: Elite Unit Force: 💎💎💎💎

Add an Honed Handmaiden and Noble to cover all elite infantry:

- Phoenix Guard (Prince + Noble) (+25% exp to unit)
- Sisters of Avelorn (Prince + Handmaiden) (+25% exp unit)

(Prince + Handmaiden)
- Swordmasters of Hoath
- White Lions of Chrace

(Noble + Handmaiden)
- Spear units
- Archer units

While you wander the oceans, The Princess defends Ulthuan.

Their unique traits provide a variety of army-wide buffs for archers and cavalry units.

What they may lack in hand-to-hand combat, they pack a punch with an arrow to the knee!

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎💎

Punitive is a must pick.

Missile Resistance reduction to all enemy armies within the region - plus additional missile strength to her entire army? Yes please!

Your Arrows will hit hard. Very hard.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎💎

Perfect for a Lothern Sea Guard force to protect Ulthuan.

Cheep to maintain via upkeep reduction, as the amount of action this army may encounter might be minimal vs their cost investment.

The increased range supports both offensive and defensive battles too.

This trait would be exceptional if the upkeep reduction and range also applied to Sisters of Avelorn.

Perhaps in a future patch? Who knows! This trait still earns top tier marks.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎💎

Additional campaign movement to catch invaders with ease and quickly reinforce key locations - or even venture into new terrorises

Pair this Princess with a Frugal Noble and Skill Points in Route Marcher, Dedicated to Hukon and Renowned & Feared for additional campaign movement range.

A Frugal Noble also provides +20% Ammunition to compliment the reload reduction from this trait, so your stockpiles will not deplenish themselves too quickly.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎

Increased Campaign Line of Sight can always reveal factions who can then Declare War, but it does provide insight into any dangers ahead. A doubled edged sword.

The +30% Ambush and -25% Enemy Hero action success chance is the main appeal of this trait.

The ambush success chance is perfect to catch enemies off guard to lay traps through narrow pathways and mountain ranges.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎

If no other desirable trait is available, this a solid choice for a ranged focused Princess - capable of sniping targets from great distances.

Essentially bolsters what Princess specialise in - ranged combat.

Arrow of Kurnous brings this choice out on top when compared to Charmed, as it's an Armour-piecing missile with explosive capabilities.

Arrow of Kurnous also does not require any Winds of Magic to cast, saving reverses for Mages instead

Gemstones: 💎💎

Boosting magic reverses by an additional 5 for Loremasters and Mages within the army.

The magic missile The Amber Spear (Lore of Beasts) is an added bonus but there are better options available to consider first.

The Ward Save and Magic Reverses are the main appeal.

Gemstones: 💎💎

Strong is strong. Especially for a Dragon mounted Princess.

+40 Armour is a lot to gain, add additional +20% Weapon Strength with an active Deadly Onslaught?

This Princess stands on her own and needs no rescue. Though, you may wish to select a trait which supports her main combat proficiently - ranged.

Gemstones: ❌

Only recruit this Princess for a fun Chariot and Bolt Thrower build. In which case, it's 5 Gemstones.

Hopefully in future CA will revisit this trait and give it other improvements and some extra flair.

If High Elves get Sky Cutters, I expect them to be included for this trait.

Perhaps increased acceleration for Chariots and/or enabling Magical Attacks for Bolt Throwers would give this trait consideration.

Gemstones: ❌
Ride Now, For Ellyrion!: 💎💎💎💎💎

"Let this be the hour when we draw swords together. Fell deeds awake. Now for wrath, now for ruin, and a Red Dawn! Forth, Ellyrions!"

Only recruit this Princess for a fun "Ride Now For Ellyrion!" cavalry build and do King Théoden proud.

Use this Princess as a reinforcement army to run down retreating enemy units - without having to fill cavalry slots in your main force.

Pair with a Dynamo + Crushing Noble and Handmaiden for an additional army wide +5 Leadership, Speed, Charge Bonus, Weapon and Missile Strength.

Is it good? Eh. But is it fun? Yes!

High Elves have access to all 8 base Lores of Magic, in addition to High Magic.

• High Magic[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]
  
• Fire[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]
  
• Metal[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]
  
• Shadows[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]
  
• Beasts[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]
  
• Heavens[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]
  
• Light[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]
  
• Life[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]
  
• Death[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]

• High Magic
  
• Fire
  
• Life
  
• Light
  
• Heavens

Why recruit a dedicated caster, when most spells from the remaining Lores of Magic could be acquired from a Top Tier Trait, or even a Loremaster?

For this guide, this is why the remaining Lores of Magic are not as favourable.


High Elves lack armour piercing damage, until recruiting Sisters of Avelorn or White Lions.

• Plague of Rust: This is why Lore of Metal is an honourable mention. Ensures your arrows hit hard and piece all forms of armour. Especially helpful against Dwalfs!
  
  
• Glittering Robe: Buffs your front line of staunch spears.
  
  
• Searing Doom: An affordable bombardment spell with quick cooldown.
  
  
• Final Transmutation: AOE direct damage effective against both single characters and units.
  
  
• Glittering Robe and Transmutation of Lead: Spells available via Protective trait for Archmage and Mage.

Archmages and Mages share the same traits. Masters of magic who easily turn the tide of battle. They wield all base forms of Lores of Magic! Once recruited at high level, they are arguably one of the best generals and hero available.

The Archmage is available via The Warden and The Paunch DLC.

Archmage / Mage: 💎💎💎💎💎
Magic: Any

Barrier provides additional protection to soak up damage and will regenerate out of combat.

+20% Spell and Missile resistance ensures your caster survives, especially once mounted on a dragon or chariot due to the increased hit-box.

Lore of Fire Mage: 💎💎💎💎💎

Fire Mages are the only Mage Hero who can mount a dragon (aka Dragon Mage).

A Fire Mage can deal out insane amounts of damage with their magic and an active passive Kindleflame.

Lore of Life Archmage: 💎💎💎💎💎
Lore of High Magic Archmage: 💎💎💎

Archmages can unlock dragon mounts. 2 dragons are always better than 1, saving you from having to recruit further dragon units.

Use Life or High Magic to heal both your combat Archmage and Fire Mage dragons. Life comes out on top, as the Lore of Magic has the powerful single entity heal Regrowth.

Archmage / Mage: 💎💎💎💎💎
Magic: Any

Increased speed for hit and run and escaping tight situations - especially as The Archmage and Mage are rather vulnerable once pinned down.

An excellent choice for a mount, racing around the battlefield casting spells.

Archmage / Mage: 💎💎💎💍(3.5)
Magic: Any (Except Heavens)

The additional range and miscast reduction are fine additions to a casters' arsenal.

Urannon's Thunderbolt is from Lore of Heavens. Selecting this trait on a Lore of Heavens character would be considered somewhat redundant.

Hence a respectable 3.5 Gemstones instead of 4.

Archmage / Mage: 💎💎💎

Additional Spells from Lore of Metal (Protective) and Shadows (Negator).

These two traits provide no benefit on a Metal or Shadows caster, as they can unlock these spells via skills instead.

Protective: Buffs
Magic: Life

- Additional defence via Glittering Robe provides extra amour while the Lore of Life passive Life Bloom heals.

- Heal via Earth Blood while applying Transmutation of Lead, so your units heal up, while enemies barely touch your HP with their reduced weapon damage!

Negator: Debuffs
Magic: Light

- Use Pha's Protection or Birona's Timewarp while applying The Enfeebling Foe to buff your units while the enemy suffers debuffs to ensure a one sided engagement.

- Meloth's Mystifying Miasma substitutes while Net of Amyntok is on cooldown.

Archmage / Mage: ⚖️
Magic: Any

On one hand, you wish to select traits that support magic use.

On the other, this trait counters building time for unsuitable climates, or to quickly reconstruct confederated lands.

Generally, you'd avoid this trait. Unless you decide to stack it.

Saved Character Cheese: 💎💎💎💎💎

- See "Ulthuan Was Built in a Day".

Archmage / Mage: ❌

You'll naturally unlock technology throughout a campaign. Select a trait that benefits what Spellcasters do best. Magic!

In addition, this trait is available for The Handmaiden, but with better stats.

The only reason to recruit this trait is for a Mage Hero who'll roam the Campaign Map, stealing technology. For that purpose, it's top marks 5 Gemstones.

Archmage / Mage: ❌

Unfortunately this trait was nerffed into the ground for Warhammer III - compared to the unnerffed +3% factionwide tax increase in Warhammer II. There are more beneficial traits to select vs the cost and time investment.

Archmage: 💎💎💎💎💎
Influence Cost: 15

Mage: 💎💎💎💎💎
Influence Cost: 10

Magic: Any

An Army wide buff. A solid pick at an affordable Influence cost, if no desired trait is available for your selected choice of Magic - especially for the Mage Hero.

Armour-piercing, Anti-Large specialist. Your go-to response to combat monsters or rival enemy Heroes. Pair with a Princess or Archmage, who lack hand-to-hand combat capabilities.

Campaign Map: Assassinate and Secure Influence.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎💎

Never pass up on this trait when available.

The more Conscientious Nobles you have, the more skills and unlocks you'll have for newly recruited generals. This bonus stacks with Tech tree and Building increases too.

+2 free skill points from the moment of recruitment is too good to pass up.

Extremely important when it comes to recruiting Archmages - who pack a punch once the majority of their personal, army and magic skills are unlocked.

The diplomatic bonus is an added benefit and ensures allies remain friendly.

Conscientious Nobles are perfect for the campaign map - Assassinating and Securing Influence.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎💎

An exceptional trait providing a flat out bonus for Spears and Bows. Especially prevalent during early-mid game, where most armies consist of Spears, Archers and Lothern Sea Guard.

Combine with a Resistant Lord and Honed Handmaiden for additional benefits.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎

Catch up to enemy armies with ease and never be just short of capturing settlements.

If we compare this trait to Conscientious and Honed, it's a tough call - Frugal is still an exceptional choice and provides value throughout your entire campaign.

Energetic Princess: 💎💎💎💎💎

+20% Ammunition compliments +10% reload reduction from an Energetic Princess perfectly, so your archers will never run out of arrows!

In addition, Energetic includes +10% campaign movement. Combined with a Frugal Noble and a Skill Point in Route Marcher - and that's a massive +20% increase!

Gemstones: 💎💎💎

Sundering Attacks reduce armour value of all opponents this Noble fights - Support your Noble with archer fire - and your arrows will piece all forms of heavy armour with ease!

Perfect for a Noble whose role is to pin down and challenge highly armoured units.

High Elves lack anti-armour damage. Hence this trait comes out on top when compared to both Vigorous and Resilient.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎

Exhausted? No such thing. Clump up enemy units for Mages or Archers to clean house. Run down retreating enemy Heroes and Lords with ease.

A respectable trait for a Noble. Ideal pair with an Archmage or Princess, where you need a heavy-hitter to the front line.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎
Never be Blinded, Burnt, Dazed, Disoriented, become Frozen, Poisoned or suffer Corroded Armour. View the full list of contact effects here.[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]

Essentially, negate any combat applied debuffs - such as Sundering Attacks. Respectable for a combat hero.

To top off, +15% Ward Save reduces all forms of damage. This Noble will be a line holder for The Archmage and Princess.

Gemstones: 💎
Legendary Difficulty: 💎💎💎💎💎

Control will increase naturally via upgrades and stationed armies.

On higher difficulties such as Legendary, where Public Order is highly important to maintain - this is an exceptional trait. You can stack this trait to easily maintain and keep a happy populace.

On lower difficulties, you tend to ignore this trait since control comes naturally via buildings and stationed armies - hence the otherwise low rating.

Gemstones: 💎

A Noble leading the charge hits hard. However, there are various other army-wide and factionwide effects to consider first.

Ride Now, For Ellyrion!: 💎💎💎💎💎

- Exceptional trait paired with a Dashing Princess, Dynamo Noble and Crushing Handmaiden - all mounted on horse, for a "Ride Now, For Ellyrion!" themed army.

Gemstones: 💎

A Noble leading the charge hits hard. However, there are various other army-wide and factionwide effects to consider first.

Ride Now, For Ellyrion!: 💎💎💎💎💎

- Exceptional trait when paired with a Dashing Princess, Crushing Noble and Handmaiden - all mounted on horse, for a "Ride Now, For Ellyrion!" themed army.

Anti-Infantry Armoured hybrid Spellcaster Heroes. They deal armour-piercing weapon damage and offer versatility. Magic or combat.

Loremasters Spread Control and provide Training. They shine most when paired with an Archmage, to support their vast use of magic.

Loremasters can unlock the following spells:

• Shem's Burning Gaze (Light)
  
• Wyssan's Wildform (Beasts)
  
• Earth Blood (Life)
  
• Harmonic Convergence (Heavens)
  
• Spirit Leech (Death)
  
• Melkoth's Mystifying Miasma (Shadows)

With Archmage: 💎💎💎💎💎

Pair with a Conductor Archmage Lord to benefit most from the -10% spell cooldown.

Increased Leadership area +50%? Your troops will be inspired to fight til the very end. Especially with their increased +10% melee defence!

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎💎

Growth is used to build up settlements, develop infrastructure and quickly level The Elven Gates to protect your inner Kingdoms of Ulthuan.

This is the perfect trait to pair with an Adept Lord. The Loremaster will train standby armies, while simultaneously providing settlement and faction wide growth.

With Archmage: 💎💎💎💎

Arcane Conduit, +25% increase range and reduced miscast chance? Yes please! Place this Loremaster with an Archmage for maximum potential.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎

• Ward Save: 15%
  
• Passive: Guardian

The passive Guardian applies a persistent Physical Resistance: +15% area of effect combined with a +15% Ward Save, will also reduce damage.

Respectable trait for the Loremaster. You could doom stack this hero - but that takes time.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💍 (3.5)

Update 6.2 brought sweeping changes to magic items, including adjustments to drop rates and a rework of how items are obtained. Essentially, the update lowered the overall chance of finding items after a battle. So the +25% Magic item drop chance is rather substantial.

Ideal trait bonuses for warring against Greenskins and Skaven to intercept armies - Imrik, looking at you!

Avaricious Prince + Mage Scouting: 💎💎💎💎💎

- Use alongside an Avaricious Prince and Gold will be overflowing from the Vortex! Throw in a Mage with Scouting unlocks and you'll have more staffs than hands can carry!

Gemstones: 💎💎💎

Although barriers aren't generally that strong, they do provide additional protection to soak up damage and regenerate out of combat.

The main appeal of this trait is a massive +20% Spell and Missile resistance. However, there's a selection of army wide buffs and supporting traits to consider first.

Still a respectable trait, if no other desirable traits are available.

Gemstones: 💎💎💍 (2.5)

Combine with a Doctrinal Lord. Low upkeep for elite units with increased weapon strength and melee attack. Charge bonus and recruitment time reduction too? Why not!

However, you could select a trait which supports growth or magic instead.

If no other desirable trait is available and you have Swordmasters in your late game armies; this trait offers complimentary bonuses to their stats and upkeep and the reason why it earns 2.5 Gemstones.

Gemstones: 💎💎

Once levelled, +10% success chance is barely noticeable. However, there are other traits to consider first which support the entire army.

Loremasters do not have a mount option either. Because of this, they're unable to cycle charge and receive the full benefits of this trait.

Gemstones: 💎

Lord Skills, alongside Handmaidens and Nobles can all improve army replenishment via Skill Point unlocks.

There isn't much appeal for selecting this trait while others offer much more substantial bonuses.

Handmaidens are high ranking Sisters of Avelorn, offering an Anti-Large ranged Hero option, support archers via skills such as Entangle and Hawkish Precision.

Handmaidens Replenish Troops and Stimulate Growth.
Available via The Queen and The Crone DLC.

Handmaidens share the majority of Top Tier traits.

Ranged heroes are usually regarded as the least powerful class of hero - thus their Top Tier trait ratings aren't as impactful or as highly rated.

But we are Elves and arrows are our bread and butter!

There is an argument to be made Handmaidens can essentially replace Nobles in your Elven army. The Noble can replenish troops, but The Handmaiden can do this too - and provide Settlement Growth.

In addition, she provides buffs to archers via skill unlocks and can pin enemy units down with magic.

Add this all up, the use of The Noble on the battlefield becomes less relevant and has a far more profound effect on the campaign map, Assassinating targets and gaining Influence.

Nobles are excellent for Princess - as Princess lack hand-to-hand combat capabilities to challenge enemy melee Lords.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎💎
Influence: 10

Essentially a 60 Influence Lord Trait on a Hero. You should never pass this up for what it provides, given its very low Influence cost of 10.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎💎

Growth is used to build up settlements, develop infrastructure and quickly level The Elven Gates to protect your inner Kingdoms of Ulthuan.

Fecund compliments the Handmaiden's main campaign skill: Simulate Growth. When compared to other top tier traits, this is a standout choice.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎💎

An exceptional trait providing buffs to elite archers and basic spears. Pair with a Resistant Prince and an Honed Noble for additional benefits.

Consider a Doctrinal Prince with a Honed Handmaiden and Noble to cover all elite infantry:

- Phoenix Guard (Prince + Noble) (+25% exp to unit)
- Sisters of Avelorn (Prince + Handmaiden) (+25% exp unit)

(Prince + Handmaiden)
- Swordmasters of Hoath
- White Lions of Chrace

(Noble + Handmaiden)
- Spear units
- Archer units

Gemstones: 💎💎💎

Handmaidens can shoot while moving. Flank and snipe targets without getting exhausted. Chase down retreating enemy Heroes and Lords.

Gemstones: 💎💎

You'll eventually unlock all technology naturally, even if it takes a little longer. For High Elves, the majority of the tech tree is locked behind T3+ buildings regardless.

However, -25% Hero Action Success Chance for enemy characters in region is beneficial while Handmaidens Stimulate Growth and Conscientious Nobles assassinate intruding enemy agents.

Gemstones: 💎💎

Bolster a Handmaiden's hand-to-hand combat capabilities. But you have Nobles and Loremasters to fill the hand-to-hand combat role.

Gemstones: 💎

Lord Skills, Nobles and Handmaidens can all improve army replenishment via Skill Point unlocks.

There isn't much appeal for selecting this trait while others offer better and more substantial bonuses.

Gemstones: 💎

Never be Blinded, Burnt, Dazed, Disorientated, suffer Corroded Armour, become Frozen or even Poisoned. View the full list of contact effects here.[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]

The Handmaiden would rather keep her distance to shoot, than engage in hand-to-hand combat where these debuffs usually take effect. Use this trait on a Noble instead.

Gemstones: 💎

An overview has been explained in the Archmage / Mage section.

On a Handmaiden however, the Experience Gain +15% could prove useful to gain levels quickly for the Stimulate Growth unlock. But there are far more useful options to consider vs the cost, time and return investment.

Gemstones: 💎

The Handmaiden is a ranged hero. She'd rather her keep distance than charge into combat. She is best used to snipe high value targets via her Anti-Large speciality.

Ride Now, For Ellyrion!: 💎💎💎💎💎

- Pair with a Dashing Princess and Dynamo Noble mounted on horse, for a fun "Ride Now, For Ellyrion!" themed army.

The following tactics are maximum Elf cheese. if you decide to use this forbidden knowledge... it will forever change you. Will Chaos tempt and take hold?

Recommendation Requires: Eltharion the Grim Campaign + Archmage

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1209120/Total_War_WARHAMMER_II__The_Warden__The_Paunch

Saved Character Archmage (Lord): 💎💎💎💎💎
Magic: Any
Trait: Administrator

After capturing your first settlement as Eltharion, decide to keep your homeland in Ulthuan and be awarded with 120 Influence.

Use this Influence to recruit and save Level 1 Archmage Administrators for future campaigns via the load saved character feature. By turn 5 of your new campaign, you could have x3 - 4 Administrator Archmages at the expense of additional Supply Lines.

Why? Because the Administrator trait stacks.

By moving Administrator Archmages into the same Provence, building turn time and cost is reduced dramatically - usually to 1 turn and more often than not, for free.

Your Archmages will slowly gain experience and level up too. Invest points in Route Marcher and Iron Disciplinarian, as these Lords aren't recruited for combat.

You could even disband as you acquire Administrator Mages to replace them. Just remember to keep your highest ranking Administrator Archmage as a general, so you can place your Administrator Mage Heroes in the army for easier campaign micro management.

Combine this army with Fecund Handmaidens to increase growth. Now you have an all hero army to build Ulthuan and its surroundings quickly and for free.

You could even use this method to bank other top tier trait Prince and Princess for future use - completely bypassing Influence recruitment.

It remains to be seen if this is intended, or if the Administrator trait will receive changes in the future.

Recommendation Requires: Alarielle the Radiant Campaign + Handmaiden

https://store.steampowered.com/app/779880/Total_War_WARHAMMER_II__The_Queen__The_Crone/

Saved Character Handmaiden: 💎💎💎💎💎
Trait: Fecund

Alarielle the Radiant recruits Handmaidens at a lower tier than all other High Elven factions.

Use the same method - save Handmaidens with the Fecund trait for future campaigns to bolster growth to expand settlements quickly.

However, unlike Eltharion the Grim, an Alarielle campaign requires time investment first. Or, opt to save Fecund Handmaidens naturally through any Elven campaign.

Pair Fecund Handmaidens with Administrator Archmage + Mage and you can build, grow and upgrade settlements at an extremely staggering rate.

• Resistant: Army wide buffs, provides value throughout an entire campaign. Combine with Resistant Noble / Handmaiden.
  
  
• Resilient: Sword of Khaine option. Respectable +15% Ward Save boost.
  
  
• Avaricious: Boost economy through conquest. Exhilarated Loremaster to gather Magic Items from battles. This Lord should not remain idle and always seek battle.

Late Game Options:

• Dragon-Willed: End Game Dragon stack. No applicable use prior to unlocking Dragons.

Suggestions:

• Adept: Use alongside a Loremaster to train standby armies for newly recruited generals. At most, you'll only ever need 1.
  
  
• Vigorous: Sword of Khaine option.

• Punitive: Bonus missile damage to all enemy armies within the same region. Your arrows will hit hard.
  
  
• Ardent: Low upkeep Lothern Sea Guard stack to defend home lands. Additional upkeep reduction via Dedication to Mathlann.
  
  
• Energetic: Combine with a Frugal Noble. Increased Campaign movement range to catch invaders and reinforce far away armies. (Route Marcher + Dedicated to Hukon + Renowned & Feared).
  
  
• Vigilant: Set ambushes in narrow pathways / mountain ranges.

Suggestion:

• Dashing: LOTR inspired Ride Now For Ellyrion army. Cheep cavalry reinforcement army to run down and flank enemies.

• C'mon CA - The Asur are waiting!

All Archmages and the Lore of Fire Mage have dragon mounts. Use Life or High Magic Archmage to heal a Fire Mage. 2 dragons are better than 1!

(Traits in order of preference)

• High Magic: Protected, Incendiary, Limber, Conductor, Protective, Negator
  
• Light: Limber, Conductor, Protective, Negator
  
• Life: Protective / Conductor, Limber, Protected / Negator
  
• Heavens: Protected, Limber, Incendiary, Protective, Negator
  
  
• All Lores of Magic: Resistant - Standout choice if no desirable trait is available.

Campaign Map:

• Administrator x4 / 5 - Free buildings in 1 turn. Every turn.
  See "Ulthuan Was Built In a Day" for detailed explanation.

(Traits in order of preference)

• Fire: Incendiary, Protected, Conductor
  
• High Magic: Protected, Incendiary, Conductor, Protective, Negator
  
• Light: Conductor, Protective, Negator
  
• Life: Protective / Conductor, Protected / Negator
  
• Heavens: Protected, Conductor, Incendiary, Protective, Negator
  
  
• All Lores of Magic: Resistant - Standout choice if no desirable trait is available.

Campaign Map:

• Genius - Use this trait for Mages who steal research technology from enemy factions.

Army:

• Honed: Stack Army wide buffs, why wouldn't you?
  
  
• Vigorous: Never tire. Amazing trait for a combat Noble holding front lines.
  
  
• Dangerous: Respectable combat trait, use against high armoured factions.
  
  
• Emollient: Best choice for Legendary.

Campaign Map:

• Conscientious: Free skill points for newly recruited Lords and Nobles. The more you have, the more skill unlocks upon recruitment for instant high level Lords and Nobles. Perfect trait for Nobles roaming the campaign map, Assassinating targets and acquiring Influence.

Army (with Archmage):

• Disciple: Army wide buff and 10% CD on Spells for Magic: Use with an Archmage Lord.
  
  
• Conductor: Increased Magic for Archmages and Mages. Magical.

Army:

• Protected: Additional hit points via barrier. 20% Missile and Magic reduction!
  
  
• Exhilarated: Farm magic items and income with Avaricious Lord + Mage scouting.
  
  
• Resilient: Loremaster doomstack, pair with a Vigorous Sword of Khaine Prince.

Campaign Map:

• Fecund: Stimulate growth for increased momentum levelling settlements.

Army:

• Resistant: Lord Trait for only 10 Influence. No.1 pick every time. Stack Army wide buff.
  
  
• Honed: Stack Army wide buff.
  
  
• Vigorous: Flank and kite enemy units. Shoot while moving, never tire. Hunt down routing Lords and Heroes.

Campaign Map:

• Fecund: No.1 Pick: Increase momentum levelling settlements. Compliments key campaign skill trait - Stimulate Growth.

• C'mon CA - The Asur are waiting!

Thank you checking out this guide.

Go forth, fellow Asur! For Ulthuan! For The Phoenix King!

All Top Tier Influence traits for High Elves in one place, feels good doesn't it?

Due to new patches or DLC, some information in this guide may become outdated, please be patient with future updates.

This is where YOU can help.

If you have any combinations or suggestions you wish to share, please mention in the comments below.