Cult of Pleasure - advice, tips and hints | Factions Total War: Warhammer II Guide
Last update: 22 November 2017
This chapter provides hints for playing as Cult of Pleasure commanded by Morathi.
The starting situation
Morathi starts the game with a single city - Ancient City of Quintex. In the case of this faction, apart from the start army, you also have one hero- Khainite Assassin. Your start enemy will be another faction of Dark Elves - Bleak Holds. They have territories both in your start province and in a province to the East - The Black Coast. By your border, they keep an army of 13 units. The only amicable faction is Ss'ildra Tor, whose territories are to the South - you will not have to bother about being attacked from there. The remaining factions of Dark Elves are either hostile, or neutral. Also, you will be on bad terms with factions of High Elves, whose lands are on the East coast.
Initial turns
At first, ignore the enemy army by your border. Instead, march as Morathi to the South and deploy her armies close to the Moonshard settlement - but still on your territory. Start enlistment of additional units now (preferably, a unit of spearmen and two units of crossbowmen). You can also dispatch the hero into the battle - he will gain some experience during the forthcoming battles. Towards the end of the turn, enter a pact of non-aggression with Ss'ildra Tor.
In the next turn, seize the enemy settlement and enlist more units. Also, develop the seized city to the second level. Then, head out for the next enemy settlement - Ironspike. If the enemy army crosses your way, destroy them, but most probably they will retreat into their other province. After you have seized another settlement, you can destroy Conscription Hall in the capital city - the same building is in the newly-conquered settlement. Immediately, start development of this settlement, and in Moonshard, erect Craftsman's hut (this will increase your income). Also, remember to issue the order to, increase social order in the province.
Once the slot in Ancient City of Quintex frees, build a Cultist Gathering there - this will increase social order (but you will probably have to suppress one rebellion anyways). March with your armies there - while here, you will be able to react more quickly if the enemy faction enters your territories.
Spend next turns on development (it is a good idea to disband your army partially to increase income). In the capital city of the province, develop the building increasing social order and in smaller settlements, erect buildings that speed up development rate and income (remember to build iron mine shaft in Ironspike, and Lumberjack's Hut in Moonshard). Also, develop barracks.
While you are busy developing your province, you can dispatch your hero Eastwards, to keep an eye on what is going on in settlements there.
Once you have sufficiently developed your economy, (income at the level of 3000), replenish your army up to its full numbers and head out to The Black Coast province. The Tower of Despair is presumably already destroyed, and the territories will be under control of several other factions, including the High Elves.
Your first target here should be Vaul's Anvil - this is a Ritual Resource Site, so you will have to declare war on the faction that is in control of the city. After you have seized it, build Temples of Hekarti there immediately. This will provide you with points to perform the Ritual.
Next turns
Further into the game, finish uniting The Black Coast province and then, march north (conquest of territories to the West will be hampered by the climate, whereas to the South, you would encounter Lizardmen, so you would only gain another enemy).
Focus on subduing the rest of the factions of Dark Elves - it is best to enter a confederacy with Naggarond, thanks to which you will gain access to Malekith who is the other Legendary Lord of Dark Elves.
Once you have conquered the entire territory, you can focus on High Elves occupying Ulthuan to the East. During the attack on the isle, it is a good idea to use Black Arks - these floating cities will let you recruit units there, still before you seize any of the High Elven cities. Additionally, while you are fighting on the mainland, they will lend you support with their various abilities that you can use during the battle. To enlist a Black Ark, you will have to perform an appropriate Ritual.