So, you’ve unlocked those cool, fast-moving chariots in Total War: Warhammer III but now you’re thinking, “How do I use these effectively?” Well, a lot of players get frustrated with them. They get stuck, they die fast, and the micro feels like a full-time job. I get it. That’s why I’m here to show you how to turn your chariots from a dead weight into your most effective shock unit. In this guide, we’re going to break down the key strategies, matchups, and tips you need to make your chariots work for you. From unit stats to battle tactics, I’ve got you covered.
How to Use Chariot Units
Chariots are a surprisingly misunderstood part of the Warhammer 3 roster. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, they’re flashy, fast, and when used properly, absolutely devastating. But how do you get value out of a unit that demands constant attention?
Chariot Unit Stats: Charge, Speed, and Survivability
When it comes to chariots, there are some important stats you need to keep an eye on. These stats make all the difference between a chariot that crushes enemies and one that gets bogged down and destroyed.
- Health and Armor: Chariots are big, slow, and often the target of enemy missile units. This means you’ll want decent armor and health to survive long enough to do some damage. Don’t be surprised if the enemy AI zeroes in on them, chariots are high-priority targets!
- Speed: One of the biggest advantages of chariots is their speed. They typically have a movement speed around 70-80, which allows them to zip around the battlefield with ease. The faster you can reposition and escape danger, the more effective your chariots will be.
- Melee Attack and Defense: Don’t get too hung up on these stats. Chariots aren’t built to slug it out in prolonged melee fights. They’re much better off hitting and running, so focus more on their speed and charge than their fighting stats.
- Weapon Strength: This is nice, but it’s not the main focus. The most important stat to look out for is the Charge Bonus. Chariots often have some of the highest charge bonuses in the game (sometimes reaching over 80!). This is what will make them a true menace on the battlefield.
Key takeaway: Focus on armor, speed, and charge bonus. These will make your chariots thrive in battle.
Strategy on How to Use Chariots
Chariots in Warhammer 3 play a lot differently than in earlier Total War games. Instead of charging in and getting stuck in melee, chariots now have updated animations and behavior that allow them to move around enemy units with ease. Here’s the key to their success: hit and run.
- Constant Movement: Chariots are designed to stay in motion. You’ll want to keep them circling through enemy lines, avoiding long engagements. If they get stuck in combat, you need to manually pull them out, or else they’ll get overwhelmed.
I’ve personally found that Slaanesh chariots, while elite, don’t seem as useful in certain situations. In my Slaanesh campaign, I often found myself relying more on cavalry and Fiends of Slaanesh for their speed and damage, as I could just keep them moving without needing so much micro. But for chariot lovers, it’s all about constant micro. If you manage that, they can absolutely shine!
Also, use them like Skarbrand. When you get close to a target and your chariot starts its charge animation, don’t just stick with that first target. Look for the next enemy in your path and redirect your charge. Keep that momentum going by smashing through unit after unit, running over the previous target as you move on to the next. It’s all about maintaining that unstoppable forward motion, hitting multiple enemies in quick succession. Chariots thrive on momentum, so keep that charge going!
Missile Chariots: The Ranged Bonus
Some chariots come with ranged attacks, and while they’re a cool bonus, don’t forget: the charge is the main event. For instance, War Bear Chariots have armor-piercing firearms, and while they’re useful for skirmishing, their charge is still the most important tool for dealing damage.
Use them in skirmish mode to keep them at a distance and fire on the move. But remember, missile chariots are still most effective as chariots first, with ranged attacks as a nice extra.
Best and Worst Matchups
To really get the most out of your Chariots, you need to know what they’re good against, and what to avoid. Let’s break it down:
- Chariot Good Matchups
- Light/Unarmored Infantry: Chariots love plowing through these units. Their mass and speed let them break through formations with ease.
- Standard Cavalry: Unless the enemy has monstrous cavalry, chariots can often win these engagements. Use them to intercept enemy flanks and disrupt their plans.
- Chariot Bad Matchups
- Anti-Large Infantry: These units will reflect your charge bonus, and even flanking them won’t always do the trick.
- Elite, Armored Infantry: Units like Dwarven elites will stop your chariot dead in its tracks, leaving you stuck in melee.
- Monsters and Characters: These can wipe out your chariots in one hit with their single-entity damage.
- Artillery & Sniper Units: Chariots are large and easy targets for artillery and focused missile fire, so be sure to use cover to keep them safe.
Battle Tactics: Active and Passive Use
Here’s how you can use chariots in your battle plans, depending on whether you’re on the offensive or defensive.
Active Tactics (Aggressive Play)
If the enemy lacks fast units, go ahead and get aggressive with your chariots. Deploy them in the vanguard and start charging immediately. The goal is to disrupt enemy formations and force them to respond. Flank the enemy with your chariots, hitting from the sides or rear, especially targeting missile units and artillery. Elite chariots, like the Exalted Seeker Chariot, can even punch through the front lines, but most chariots are best at hitting weak spots from behind.
Passive Tactics (Defensive Play)
If you’re defending, keep your chariots behind your front line. When the enemy engages, send them in to flank or clean up, especially against bogged-down infantry. Be cautious of fast-moving enemies, though, as they can easily overwhelm your chariots.
Micro Management: Constantly Keep Them Moving
As mentioned earlier, chariots are incredibly micro-intensive. They can be incredibly powerful when you keep them moving and constantly switch targets. The key is to keep the momentum going and avoid getting stuck on enemy units, which is especially tricky with Slaanesh chariots.
From personal experience, I found that Slaanesh chariots didn’t always perform as expected, especially when dealing with swarming units. They’re better used in synergy with other units, so don’t expect them to be the lone star of the show. And if you can keep the chariot moving smoothly, you’ll make the most of its devastating charge.
Wrap-Up
Chariots are a high-micro, high-reward unit in Total War: Warhammer 3. They can be devastating when used correctly, but if you don’t manage them well, they can easily get overwhelmed or stuck. Keep them in motion, target vulnerable units, and always be ready to pull them out of melee when things get dicey.
For those playing the Slaanesh campaign, I get the frustration, chariots can be hard to manage, especially when there are better alternatives like Fiends of Slaanesh or cavalry. However, once you get the hang of their movement and positioning, they can definitely be useful, especially in Hammer and Anvil tactics.
Good luck on the battlefield, and may your chariots always find their targets! Are you experiencing lags? Try checking out our guide for the best settings for Total War: Warhammer 3, to boost your FPS and fix lag!
