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For the character, see Liu Biao

Liu Biao is a playable faction in Total War: Three Kingdoms. It starts the campaign in central China, located in Xiangyang commandery. The faction exists in 190, 182, 194, and 200. Gaining a rank as a duke, king, or emperor renames the faction to Chu.

Chu is a Han loyalist faction and cannot declare themselves emperor upon obtaining the rank of king. However, Chu can become emperor by capturing an existing imperial seat belonging to another faction.


Unique Features[]


Governance[]

Governance is the unique faction resource of Liu Biao. It can be gained in two ways: his unique Lodging building chain or through a diplomatic option called request co-operation. The latter is the same as normally vassalizing a faction, though it also gives Liu Biao more Governance. Therefore, the most effective strategy for Liu Biao is to gain as many vassals as quickly as possible.

Governance is tied to domain size. If Liu Biao has little to no legitimacy due to low Governance, he can only rule a small amount of territory. This is not a hard limit, and Liu Biao can have as much territory as he likes even with little to no Governance. Going over the limit will incur harsh diplomatic debuffs for all Han culture factions, making it nearly impossible for Liu Biao to gather more vassals diplomatically. It is therefore recommended to colour within the lines and not expand your own territory as quickly as possible.

Governance is divided into five tiers with a minimum of 0 and a maximum of 1000. These tiers and their effects are:

Governance: Insignificant (0-35)

Despite your noble reputation, the accusations against you have stripped you of all authority; it is time to take matters in hand.


Governance: Modest (36-135)

  • Domain extent: 4
  • +5% diplomatic income from tributaries (faction-wide)
  • No effect on replenishment

Your governance may be modest, but your increasing power is a promising sign of things to come.


Governance: Moderate (136-285)

Authority does not come easily; you have done well to grow beyond your humble desires and establish yourself as a respectable power.


Governance: Substantial (286-485)

You have proven yourself a worthy leader, establishing substantial governance over the people.


Governance: Great (486-740)

Your reputation precedes you as word of your humility and scholarly expertise spread throughout the nobility.


Governance: Extreme (741-995)

Your governance is far-reaching; the people sing your praises, as those who would oppose you fear the repercussions of the Han.


Governance: Supreme (996-1000)

Your authority is without question. You embody the filial piety of the Han!


Court Scholars[]

Liu Biao adds three unique court positions: Tutor, Scholar, and Student. These positions do not provide satisfaction like other court positions, instead granting experience bonuses. They give bonus experience to the character but also a faction-wide increase. As a result, Liu Biao's characters will level up significantly faster than most other factions'.


Starting Situation[]

Rise of the Warlords (190)[]

TW3K Liu Biao 190

190 - Liu Bio - Teal, Vassals - Green, Enemies - Red

Though the Han crumbles, its spirit and legacy endures through its many branches and descendants. Liu Biao holds this lineage closely, serving with unwavering sense of duty. An accomplished administrator, and ever the traditionalist, he wishes to preserve the status quo, earnestly hoping that the chaos will abate and reason will prevail. Yet times are changing, and Liu Biao must find his place, or fade forever into the mists of the forgotten...

Start: Hard

Liu Biao starts the campaign in Xiangyang commandery. A Han loyalist, he doesn't start at war with Dong Zhuo or the Empire. Instead, Liu Biao's start is focused on the Yellow Turban Rebellion, which is still ongoing. After defeating the nearby Liao Hua and capturing Linju county, unifying his starting commandery in the process, Biao's immediate concern is the nearby Yellow Turban Warlord He Yi, who threatens Biao's vassals: Cai Mao and Huang Zu. From here, he will have a good position in central China and can begin building his vast network of vassals.

TW3K Liu Biao-Inital-dilemma

Liu Biao's Initial Dilemma

Liu Biao's initial dilemma revolves around Sun Jian and the Imperial Seal. He will receive a secret message from Yuan Shao to the far north, asking Biao to attack Jian and reclaim the Imperial Seal from the Tiger of Jiangdong. Liu Biao can either go ahead with the request, attacking the weaker Sun Jian, or refuse, severely angering Yuan Shao. Note that going to war with Sun Jian will trigger Yuan Shu's initial dilemma, and he may join the fight on Sun Jian's side, leading to a war on two fronts.

Characters

Children


Mandate of Heaven (182)[]

TW3K Liu Biao 182

182, Liu Biao - Teal

Liu Biao has served the Han faithfully and wisely, yet for his efforts he has found nothing but condemnation. A well-respected and high-ranking academic in the imperial capital, Luoyang, Liu Biao was vocal and outspoken in his criticisms of the corruption affecting the empire. The eunuchs, displeased by his defamations, found ways to strip him of his titles and all-but exile him. Liu Biao has now found himself far from the capital, a fervent loyalty for the Han and a burning hatred of the eunuchs still beating in his breast...

Start: Normal

Liu Biao starts the campaign in 182 in Nan commandery. After defeating nearby Looters under Shen Chen and establishing order in Huarong county, Liu Biao is tasked with defeating more and more Looters. Gong Shen, Yu Chun, Yan Xin, and Zhao Jun are all enemies of the Han that need to be put down. Due to the nature of the Mandate of Heaven DLC, this is the start of Liu Biao's more story-driven campaign, focusing primarily on gaining political power after his involuntary all-but exile and developing the lands he rules over.

Characters


A World Betrayed (194)[]

TW3K Liu Biao 194

194 - Liu Biao - Teal, Huang Zu - Green, He Yi - Red

Though the Han crumbles, its spirit and legacy endures through its many branches and descendants. Liu Biao holds this lineage closely, serving with unwavering sense of duty. An accomplished administrator, and ever the traditionalist, he wishes to preserve the status quo, earnestly hoping that the chaos will abate and reason will prevail. Yet times are changing, and Liu Biao must find his place, or fade forever into the mists of the forgotten...

Start: Normal

TW3K Liu Biao Stalwart of Han

The Stalwart of the Han?

Liu Biao's position in 194 is vastly more powerful than in 190. The Yellow Turbans have scattered into the wind, defeated by warlords all over China. One of the last remnants is the elusive He Yi to the east. Defeating He Yi should prove difficult, though doable, with the help of his Liu Biao's vassal, Huang Zu. Upon He Yi's defeat, Liu Biao is in an excellent position to establish hegemony over central China and can choose to involve himself with the power struggles around controlling Emperor Xian or simply strike south, subjugating minor warlords or even the Nanman factions.

Characters

Children


Fates Divided (200)[]

TW3K Liu Biao 200

200 - Liu Biao - Teal, Huang Zu - Green, Li Shu - Yellow, Enemies - Red

Liu Biao remains an even-handed administrator, even as the forces of unrest and disorder pull apart the world around him. Despite being drawn into short but furious wars with the Sun family, Liu Biao has remained steadfastly neutral. Yet that may be set to change; as one of the few warlords powerful enough to resist Cao Cao and Yuan Shao, the day may come where lines may need to be drawn. Though Liu Biao wishes ernestly (sic) for peace, such a future may need to be paid for in blood...

Start: Normal

TW3K Liu Biao Situation

The Situation

Liu Biao doesn't have any content or missions during this start, though he does start in an interesting position. He begins with a large amount of territory in Nan commandery, dominating much of central and southern China. However, he is at war with Sun Ce and Wu Jing to the east. Between them rages a proxy war between Liu Biao's vassal Huang Zu and Sun Ce's vassal Li Shu. Finally, a minor warlord, Yan Lin, also clashes with Liu Biao to the south.

Despite the lack of content, Liu Biao is in a great spot to dominate the south. If he can defeat Sun Ce and Yan Lin, he will undoubtedly become one of the mightiest factions in the game. Though his Han loyalties prevent him from outright becoming emperor, from his strong position, Liu Biao can most definitely take over an existing one later in the game.

Characters


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