Creative Assembly recent released a trailer for the next DLC for Total War: Warhammer 2; Curse of the Vampire Coast. The DLC will introduce a major new faction, the Vampire Coast, as well as new gameplay mechanics and rules. Thus far, the studio has only shown one of the new faction’s four Legendary Lords. Now, Creative Assembly have released details of what players can expect from Luthor Harkon, the Arch Grand Commodore of the Vampire Coast.
Who is Arch Grand Commodore Luthor Harkon?
“For centuries,” explains Creative Assembly; “Arch Grand Commodore Luthor Harkon has ruled a stretch of Lustrian shore known as the Vampire Coast. While assaulting a hidden chamber, powerful glyphs rebounded Harkon’s sorcery, shattering his mind into many warring personalities and severing him from the Winds of Magic. Harkon’s multiple identities now battle for dominance but they have one common goal, to plunder the sacred places of the Lizardmen and use the power of their Slann artefacts to break the curse and heal his damaged mind.”
Luthor Harkon in Total War: Warhammer 2
When players use Luthor Harkon as their Legendary Lord in a Vampire Coast campaign, they will have a variety of unique effects at their disposal. His Faction Effect penalises his diplomatic relations with Lizardmen, but gives his armies advantages when fighting them. Creative Assembly does not go into detail about his Lord Effects, but simply states that; “Luthor Harkon’s mind is fractured, meaning any one of his myriad different personalities can seize control – with unpredictable consequences.”
If players want to give the Arch Grand Commodore a mount, they can send him into battle upon a Death Shriek Terrorgheist. Of course, he also has a ship; the Dread Abyssal. In addition, Harkon can take advantage of a unique item called Slann Gold. This allows him to reduce the cost for raising undead units, bolster magic resistance, and even reduce the starting amount of the Winds of Magic for his enemies in battle.
Luthor Harkon’s Unique Skills
Man-O-War: Reflecting Harkon’s millennia of battlefield experience, this skill improves the leadership of both Zombie Deckhands and Depth Guard units. It also boosts the hero capacity for his Vampire Fleet Captains.
Severed From the Winds: The Lizardmen curse which afflicts Harkon has severed him from the Winds of Magic. Although it means Harkon cannot use magic, it also gives him high magic resistance, and reduces the starting amount for the Winds of Magic when he faces enemies on the battlefield.
Hand Cannon: Harkon’s powerful hand cannon isn’t just a useful weapon for himself. This skill actually improves missile damage for himself and his Zombie Gunnery units.
Moment of Lucidity: This skill allows Harkon to temporarily quell his warring personalities. It grants him temporary increases to both his melee defence and armour.
Pirate King: “Luthor Harkon’s reign as Pirate King of the Vampire Coast is absolute,” says Creative Assembly. As such, this final skill reduces unit upkeep costs for Harkon’s army. It also increases his global recruitment capacity.