Nurgle is a faction in Total War: Warhammer 3 that focuses on spreading disease and corruption. It has a unique playstyle that revolves around outlasting opponents and infecting their armies with a variety of deadly diseases. Here are some tips on how to play as Nurgle in Total War: Warhammer 3:
Faction Mechanics
Nurgle’s faction mechanics revolve around spreading corruption and disease. You can spread corruption by building shrines and recruiting agents that specialize in spreading corruption. Additionally, your armies will infect enemy armies with diseases when they engage in battle, which can weaken them over time. Then they will die and spread corruption even more, gg!
Related: Warhammer 40K Tacticus Tier List
Army Composition
Nurgle armies are known for their resilience and their ability to outlast opponents. Their units have high health pools and are resistant to damage over time effects like poison and disease. Additionally, they have access to a variety of units that can spread disease, like Plaguebearers and Nurglings.
The core of your armies will consist of Plagueridden, Nurglings, Plaguebearers, Beasts of Nurgle, Plague Toads and Soul Grinder. Obviously every army is going to be different depending on personal tastes, but these are the most solid picks to at least get you started.
Plagueridden – These are your sword and board spell casters. They can ride on Rotfly mounts to increase your armies overall speed.
Nurglings – These are little goblins who are designed to be killed. They’re meat shields who can stop enemies from approaching. Nurglings are designed to over power enemies by outnumbering them.
Plaguebearers – These are your front line dudes. They’re the core of your army, and you’re going to want as many of them as you can get. They are very durable and will slow down most things trying to get to you.
Beasts of Nurgle – These beasts are going to be the ones who support your frontline. They are very good at locking down the enemy archers in a pinch.
Plague Toads – This is the Nurgles heavy calvary option. Giant Toads that can be used to thwarts your enemies.
Soul Grinder – What the Soul Grinder excels at is making the Nurgle army less incompetent. What we mean by this is that the Soul Grinders fill up the massive holes the Nurgle army has, specifically by being fast. You will want to have at least two of these in your army at any given time. They will tear through the enemy frontline in the blink of an eye.
Battle Tactics
When playing as Nurgle, it’s important to focus on living longer than your opponents. Use your resilient units to tie up enemy units while your disease-spreading units weaken them over time. Additionally, try to spread corruption throughout the map to weaken enemy armies before engaging in battle. You want to be like a poisonous ninja, who spread gas.
To spread your disease you will need to focus on the use of these spells:
Curse of the Leper (Augment) – As the caster speaks, his followers are blessed with resilience, whilst his enemies watch in horror as their limbs wither and drop off. Adds armor and damage reflection to a unit. Overcast version increases both values.
Rancid Visitations (Direct Damage) – The enemy is gifted the Plague Lord’s nightmarish necrosis, causing their skin to blacken and their internal organs to mulch. Pours filth over an enemy, dealing damage all the while. Overcast version lasts longer.
Blight Boil (Explosion) – This filthy, pulsating blister rapidly grows before suddenly bursting, showering the enemy with its disgusting fluid and all the maladies contained within. Creates a massive explosion at target area, after a short delay. Overcast version deals more damage.
Miasma of Pestilence (Hex) – The most putrescent vapor fills the air, loosening lunches and bowels, and causing violent, crippling vomiting seizures in nearby foes. Target unit has reduced melee attack and charge bonus. Overcast version changes this to all units in a target area.
Stream of Corruption (Breath) – A poisonous spurt of diseased gas and bile spews forth from the spell caster’s diseased lungs, drenching the enemy in vile, choking pus. Long, thin cone attack that leaves a trail of damaging poison, and applies Poison! To all enemies hit. Overcast version deals more damage.
Legendary Lords
Nurgle has two Legendary Lords to choose from Rotigus and Ku’gath. Rotigus is a powerful spell caster who can summon units and has a variety of powerful spells at his disposal. Ku’gath, on the other hand, is a more defensive Legendary Lord who can buff his troops and has a variety of disease-spreading abilities. He’s a big guy who most Lords won’t even look at because of how strong he is.
If you like our Warhammer content, be sure to check out How to Equip Curios in Warhammer 40K Darktide and What are Penances and How to Complete Them in Warhammer 40K Darktide?.
