Use your heroes correctly in battle and campaign

Each character in Total War: Three Kingdoms has their unique abilities that are different on the campaign map and in battle. For example a Commander can inspire nearby troops on the battlefield but can also boost income on the campaign map.

Each character and class has a specific bonus that can be used battle and to boost te commanderies. There are five classes and each character, including warlords, belong to one of them, they form the archetypes of each bonus available, we go over each class and differentiate their use in battle and on the campaign map.

Five classes

Strategists are intellectuals that aren't particularly strong in battle, but use their tactics to put the troops in certain formations in battle. Without a Strategist your units wouldn't be able to adopt the empty square or circle stance in battle. When you assign a Strategist to a commandery it will give buffs, depending on the character, that vary from 75% more income from commerce to counter-espionage actions.

Vanguards are the most powerful warriors of the five classes, they are specialized in leading the charge and fighting multiple enemies. Being able to disrupt enemy formations with area of effect attacks these warriors want to be on the frontline. In the campaign Vanguards will buff your military by for example shortening recruitment time or lowering recruitment cost.

Commanders are best compared to the traditional generals in other Total War games, they are characters that thrive in battle by inspiring nearby troops in a radius. If a Commander dies on the battlefield the impact will be felt in the morale of all other troops. Your Commander is best protected yet present in the fight. Outside of combat, they focus on improving your income.

Sentinels are the beefy characters of the classes, they have a large health pool and are difficult to kill. Also Sentinels specialise in defending against ranged attacks and excel in defending strategic positions on the battlefield. When assigned to a task in a commandery they lower construction times and costs, helping you grow your cities quicker.

The fifth class are the Champions, the strongest duelists in the game. Champions come to battle to try to get into a duel with an enemy general, they aren't as efficient against multiple troops like Vanguards are. One on one they are the strongest class in the game. Champions will boost your population growth or food production in the commandery of your choice.

Your empire, your choice

You decide what the base of your army will be, how you want to play is up to you starting from which classes you take in your main army. Are you the type of general that pins down enemy units to manoeuvre your cavalry and make devastating charges in the rear or side? Then you better take a Sentinel and a Vanguard with you. Or do you want to get rid of the enemy commander as fast as possible by sending your Champion in for a duel? It's up to you to discover what works best for you, conquering China goes the way you choose it to go.