Creative Assembly announced Curse of the Vampire Coast last week; the next DLC for Total War: Warhammer 2. Since the release of the DLC’s trailer, the studio has been releasing details for the four new Legendary Lords who lead the new Vampire Coast faction. Luthor Harkon was first, followed by Count Noctilus. Now, they have revealed a particularly interesting character; Aranessa Saltspite. Unlike her fellow lords, Aranessa is no vampire. Rather, she is a living human from Sartosa (albeit a mutant one), as explained by the official Total War Twitter account:
She commands a human pirate crew known as the Sartosa Free Company, otherwise reluctantly sharing control of the denizens of the Vampire Coast.
We'll have more info on her before launch! https://t.co/8V73Na0bLo
— Total War (@totalwar) October 11, 2018
Who is Aranessa Saltspite?
“Queen of the Tides,” describes Creative Assembly; “Aranessa Saltspite is one of the most respected and feared pirate captains of Sartosa. Some say she is the daughter of the sea god Manann himself and he whispers to her to take control of all the world’s oceans. Now, many a sea-bloated corpse washes up against the Swordfysh’s hull, and so the Vampire first mates breathe unlife into them, creating a vast rabble of loyal crew, ready to serve at Captain Saltspite’s command. As part of the living realm rather than the undead, she commands a human pirate crew known as the Sartosa Free Company, otherwise reluctantly sharing control of the denizens of the Vampire Coast.”
It seems that Aranessa will have living units, but it is unknown if she will also have access to the undead units of the Vampire Coast. It could be that Aranessa was the recipient of one of Luthor Harkon’s Ebony Skulls. These skulls were offered by the vampire as gifts to his potential allies. Those who break them open can call upon Harkon’s undead forces, but become indebted to him for eternity…
Aranessa Saltspite in Total War: Warhammer 2
Aranessa is a pirate first and foremost; she has a better chance of finding treasure maps than other Vampire Coast leaders, and gets extra income when she raids settlements. She is also better suited to commanding living troops than dead ones; her Lord Effects cause her aura of leadership and inspiring presence abilities to boost both the melee attack and weapon strength of her Sartosa Free Company units.
Like the other Vampire Coast Legendary Lords, Aranessa can take to the battlefield upon a monstrous mount. In her case, she can ride upon a Rotting Promethean, one of the giant crustaceans which were shown in the DLC trailer. Finally, she carries a unique weapon called Kraken’s Bane. This polearm grants Aranessa an aura which improves the melee attack of nearby allies. It also grants her a bonus against large enemies.
Aranessa Saltspite’s Unique Skills
Mutant: Aranessa is no vampire, but nor is she truly human. Thanks to her mutant form, she boasts greater hit points as well as immunity to fatigue.
Sawfish Peg-Leg: Aranessa’s legs resemble the jagged bills of swordfish. These give her bonuses to both her weapon strength and her armour.
Creatures of Manann: While Count Noctulis has an affinity for the Necrofex Colossi, it seems Aranessa has one for the monstrous denizens of the deep. Rotting Prometheans and Rotting Leviathans in her army have reduced upkeep costs and better missile resistance.
Gifted Sailor: Aranessa grants a boost to the leadership of all the Sartosa Free Company units in her army. She also boosts the army’s replenishment rate and movement speed.
Self-Taught Gunner: All Carronades, Mortars, and Queen Bess units in Aranessa’s army benefit from increased ammunition.
Your Worst Nightmare: Aranessa herself benefits from an improved melee attack and a ward save. In addition, she gets additional plunder after battles which take place at sea.