Total War Warhammer 3: Slaanesh - unique mechanics Total War Warhammer 3 guide, walkthrough

This guide page will tell you all about the unique mechanics of the Slaanesh faction in Total War Warhammer 3.

Last update: 12 April 2022

This page of the guide will introduce you to the unique mechanics of the Slaanesh faction from Total War Warhammer 3.

• Devotees
• Spread cults
• Seduction (seduce units)
• Seductive influence
• Summon disciple armies
• Unholy Manifestation
• Pleasurable acts

Devotees

Devotees are Slaanesh's unique resource. You gain them via random events, pillaging settlements and after battles.

They serve as currency for your unique faction abilities so you should always have as many as possible.

Spread cults

If a province's corruption level is high enough there's a chance a cult will be established there. Demons can use this to their advantage to create special buildings. Slaanesh, however, doesn't need to wait until they get lucky. This faction can establish their own cults.

At the top of the screen there's a button which creates Slaanesh cults in up to three provinces after pressing it. This is unfortunately expensive, as it costs 1,000 Devotees (though the cost can be lowered with specific technologies). This can be done once every 10 turns. It's worth it if you have the opportunity as you'll be given a chance to create unique buildings.

In each province controlled by the cult you can build one structure granting different effects - increasing the number of Devotees every turn, Seductive Influence bonus for the settlement's owner, summoning an army / a hero nearby, etc. This, unfortunately, costs 250 Devotees.

When you open the provinces menu in the upper right corner you should easily recognize settlements with cults thanks to the "pyramid" icons.

Seduction (seduce units)

Slaanesh demons are adept at seduction. This is represented by their special ability to seduce enemy units.

Before each battle Slaanesh can convince a few enemy squad to switch sides. You can't unfortunately do so without limits. You can't go over a certain budget and number of units that can be obtained this way.

You must be aware that the seduced squad won't stay with you forever - it will either return to its previous owner after the battle (if your enemy survived) or disappear.

You can upgrade this skill with technologies from the second tree.

Seductive influence

Unlike other demons the Slaanesh faction doesn't automatically dislike non-chaos nations. It prefers dominating them. When dealing with humans and elves your demons can corrupt them.

Your influence can be increased by combat or pacts. When it reaches 100% you'll be able to turn the faction into your vassal. You'll know it's possible thanks to a purple glowing circle next to the faction leader's head.

It is worth noting that you cannot use this power against allies (you must break the pact first if you want to do so). You can also only dominate factions every 10 turns. Using this skill costs you 300 Devotees.

Summon disciple armies

Another mechanic unique to Slaanesh is summoning a Disciple Army. To do so, the summoning army must have at least 10 units. The ability costs 300 Devotees and 20 more every turn (upkeep cost).

A smaller, second army will appear near the original one. These units can't be replenished like regular ones. They also suffer from exhaustion with provinces without much Slaanesh corruption. They can prove useful in really closely matched battles though.

Unholy Manifestation

Unholy Manifestation is a support request addressed to the god of chaos. Each demon faction has their own spells - 4 of them. Not all are available initially and unlock when the faction's corruption grows all over the world (in this case it's, obviously, Slaanesh's corruption).

Slaanesh's Unholy Manifestations:

1. Pain for Pleasure (available from start) - army units take 6% damage but they can move further on the map, become faster, their charges and weapon strength increases.
2. Carnival of the Damned (1,000 Corruption) - the army becomes immobilized for two turns but you obtain 100 Devotees and lower the development of the enemy's local province;
3. Infernal Martyrdom (2,000 Corruption) - Unit Seduction budget increases by 100%, Slaanesh's corruption in the local province increases by 8 - 15 turn cooldown
4. Cult Uprising (3,000 Corruption) - The Disciple Army will be summoned near the settlement for 5 turns - 15 turn cooldown.

Pleasurable acts

Pleasurable acts are another unique mechanic for the Slaanesh faction. They allow you to apply special effects to the province.

The difference from commandments is that here, you can do it even in incomplete provinces. However, they have a cooldown and cost Devotees. From the left, these are:

1. Pleasure Party - cost: 2000 Allegiance (regular currency) and 100 Devotees; Growth 50, control 5;
2. Pleasure Hunt - cost: 200 Devotees; control 20, recruitment cost -25%, rank 2 local armies;
3. Pleasure Arena - cost: 100 Devotees, 50 controls; income from all buildings 20%;