For the character, see Sun Jian.
Sun Jian is a playable faction in Total War: Three Kingdoms. It is located in southern China in Changsha commandery. The faction appears in 190, 182, Gaining a rank as a duke, king or emperor renames the faction to Wu.
In 194 and 200 – after the death of Sun Jian – the faction changes significantly, with new unique units and a different faction resource.
Unique Features[]
Unique Units
- Mercenary Archers
- Mercenary Infantry
- Mercenary Cavalry
- Tiger Guard (Sun Ce)
- Handmaid Guard (Sun Ce)
Unique Buildings
Unique Features
- Mercenary Captain Retinues
- Heroism (Sun Jian)
- Reckless Luck (Sun Ce)
- Legacy of Wu (Sun Ce)
Mercenary Captain Retinues[]
Mercenary Captain Retinues are a fairly simple mechanic. If Sun Jian recruits any of the three unique mercenary units, they will immediately be deployed at full strength. Normally, the unit is deployed at a fraction of its strength and is reinforced over the span of a few turns. However, this feature only applies to the mercenary units. Deployed non-unique units as Sun Jian will still have to muster.
Heroism[]
Heroism is the unique faction resource of Sun Jian. It is gained by winning battles while losing fewer troops than the enemy, as well as by winning duels with your faction leader. There are four tiers of heroism. These are:
Heroism: Sleeping Tiger (0-50)
- -1 heroism decay
- -5 satisfaction
To govern others one must first learn to govern oneself.
Heroism: Awoken Tiger (51-100)
- -2 heroism decay
- +5 satisfaction
Yours is a heart of virtue and collected calm; your qualities as a leader inspire and motivate your people.
Heorism: Furious Tiger (101-150)
- -4 heroism decay
- +15 satisfaction
- -10% recruitment cost (faction-wide)
- -8% retinue upkeep
Your reputation walks before you – there is no man, woman or child in China who has not heard of your fury and your talents.
Heroism: Tiger of Jiangdong (151-200)
- -8 heroism decay
- +20 satisfaction
- -20% recruitment cost (faction-wide)
- -16% retinue upkeep
When you roar, enemies tremble. Your strength is legendary, from the highest mountains to the lowest valley.
Sun Ce's Features[]
Reckless Luck[]
Reckless Luck is the unique faction resource of Sun Ce, the heir of Sun Jian. It is significantly more complicated than Sun Jian's resources, and mismanaging it will lead to the death of Sun Ce. The resource will be 250 – the maximum amount – at the beginning of 194. It will decrease at a rate depending on difficulty. If Reckless Luck reaches zero, Sun Ce dies immediately. The way to gain Reckless Luck is through the Legacy of Wu missions granted to Sun Ce. Doing these will grant more Reckless Luck as well as decrease the rate at which it is lost. Potentially, the loss of Reckless Luck can be reduced to zero, eliminating the threat. Doing the missions also grants bonuses to all manners of things, from recruitment costs to income boosts. Below are the stages of Reckless Luck.
Reckless Luck: Divine Favour (176-250)
- +40% campaign movement range (faction-wide)
- -15% retinue upkeep (faction-wide)
- +15 military supplies (faction-wide)
- -7 Reckless Luck per turn
Destiny intervenes on your endeavours – walk the path put before you!
Reckless Luck: Very Lucky (151-175)
- +30% campaign movement range (faction-wide)
- -10% retinue upkeep (faction-wide)
- +13 military supplies (faction-wide)
- -7 Reckless Luck per turn
The guarded path is the one least walked. Captured storehouses are bountiful and able men flock to your worthy course.
Reckless Luck: Lucky (126-150)
- +25% campaign movement range (faction-wide)
- -8% retinue upkeep (faction-wide)
- +11 military supplies (faction-wide)
- -7 Reckless Luck per turn
Reinforcements and supplies will always arrive just in time, just before disaster. Just.
Reckless Luck: Slightly Lucky (101-125)
- +20% campaign movement range (faction-wide)
- -5% retinue upkeep (faction-wide)
- +10 military supplies (faction-wide)
- -7 Reckless Luck per turn
For every step back you take, fate seems to(sic) determined to push you two more forward.
Reckless Luck: Out of Luck (76-100)
- +15% campaign movement range (faction-wide)
- -3% retinue upkeep (faction-wide)
- +8 military supplies (faction-wide)
- -7 Reckless Luck per turn
You are carried forwards by the strength of your own deeds.
Reckless Luck: Unlucky (51-75)
- +10% campaign movement range (faction-wide)
- +6 military supplies (faction-wide)
- -7 Reckless Luck per turn
Minor accidents and obstacles constantly bar your path.
Reckless Luck: Very Unlucky (26-50)
- +5% campaign movement range (faction-wide)
- +4 military supplies (faction-wide)
- -7 Reckless Luck per turn
Missing supplies, defecting troops, constant opposition – life is nothing but a series of unfortunate events.
Reckless Luck: Forsaken (1-25)
- +2 military supplies (faction-wide)
- -7 Reckless Luck per turn
Great misfortune looms over you...
Legacy of Wu[]
Screenshot of Legacy of Wu Menu
The Legacy of Wu is the associated mission system alongside the Reckless Luck mechanic. The missions have no time limit. The rewards granted by completing missions are permanent. It is highly recommended to focus on the rewards that grant you permanent Reckless Luck increase first to prevent yourself from losing too much. Below are all the missions, their criteria, and their rewards, as well as the sets they belong in.
| Name | Description | Criteria | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xindu Shixin | Capture or have at the start of your turn Shixin. | Own Shixin | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Xindu Xin'an | Capture or have at the start of your turn Xin'an. | Own Xin'an | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Xindu Wuhu | Capture or have at the start of your turn Wuhu. | Own Wuhu | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Secure the Mountains | Sun Ce, having been called to action in a dream, promised to restore this mountain temple. | Own Xindu commandery | +3 public order
+2 Reckless Luck per turn |
| Name | Description | Criteria | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poyang Poyang | Capture or have at the start of your turn Poyang. | Own Poyang | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Poyang Haihun | Capture or have at the start of your turn Haihun. | Own Haihun | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Poyang Guangchang | Capture or have at the start of your turn Guangchang. | Own Guangchang | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Poyang Lean | Capture or have at the start of your turn Lean. | Own Lean | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Secure the Middle Yangtze | The Yangtze, more than any nation, holds the flow between north and south. The one who controls the Yangtze, then, controls China. | Own Poyang commandery | +1 available assignments
+2 Reckless Luck per turn |
| Name | Description | Criteria | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danyang Jianye | Capture or have at the start of your turn Jianye. | Own Jianye | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Danyang Wanling | Capture or have at the start of your turn Wanling. | Own Wanling | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Danyang Wu | Capture or have at the start of your turn Wu. | Own Wu | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Secure the Base Resources | Riches lay strewn about, unattended, at the mouth of the Yangtze, like so many coins in a busy market, waiting to be taken... | Own Danyang commandery | +2 Reckless Luck per turn
+15% income from industry |
| Name | Description | Criteria | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kuaiji Linhai | Capture or have at the start of your turn Linhai. | Own Linhai | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Kuaiji Shanyin | Capture or have at the start of your turn Shanyin. | Own Shanyin | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Kuaiji Wushang | Capture or have at the start of your turn Wushang. | Own Wushang | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Secure Campaign Provisions | No army can march on an empty stomach. By controlling Kuaji(sic) they could march forever. | Own Kuaiji commandery | Agriculture buildings construction cost reduction: -20%
+2 Reckless Luck per turn |
| Name | Description | Criteria | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Young Hegemon | Deploy 5 commanders. | Deploy 5 commanders. | +5 Reckless Luck
-1 mustering turns |
| Unbeatable | Win 5 duels with Sun Ce. | Have Sun Ce win 5 duels. | +5 Reckless Luck
+15% general's health |
| Master Sun | Capture 5 settlements with Sun Ce as leading commander. | Capture 5 settlements with Sun Ce. | +5 Reckless Luck
+5 charge speed |
| The Little Conqueror | By bravely leading from the front and his lightning conquests of the south, Sun Ce was by many compared to the great warrior-king Xiang Yu. | All of the above. | +1 Reckless Luck per turn
+25 prestige |
| Name | Description | Criteria | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Vanguard | Have a rank 4 vanguard who is over 40 years old (alive for 200 turns) | Aforementioned | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Old Sentinel | Have a rank 4 sentinel who is over 40 years old (alive for 200 turns) | Aforementioned | +5 Reckless Luck |
| The Old Guard | With just a piece of stone, Sun Ce was able to inherit his father's dauntless commanders. | All of the above. | +1 Reckless Luck per turn
+5% melee damage for all shock cavalry |
| Name | Description | Criteria | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Young Warrior | At the start of your turn, have a rank 4 sentinel or vanguard who is 18-30 years old (alive for 90-150 turns) and who is not Sun Ce. | Aforementioned | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Young Strategist | At the start of your turn, have a rank 4 strategist who is 18-30 years old (alive for 90-150 turns). | Aforementioned | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Young Leader | At the start of your turn, have a rank 4 commander or champion who is 18-30 years old (alive for 90-150 turns). | Aforementioned | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Next Generation | To secure the dynasty's future, one most(sic) find capable generals before their talent is noticed by others. | All of the above. | Enables formation: Turtle
+5% melee damage for melee infantry |
| Name | Description | Criteria | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scholar of Great Wisdom | At the start of your turn, have two rank 5 or higher strategists. | Aforementioned | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Governor of Great Authority | At the start of your turn, have two rank 5 or higher commanders. | Aforementioned | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Governors & Scholars | After having expanded his domain to the corners of the land, Sun Ce began to treat learned and virtuous men with the utmost respect. | All of the above. | +2 available administrator positions
+1 available assignments |
| Name | Description | Criteria | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Female Commanders | At the start of your turn, have two rank 4 female commanders. | Aforementioned | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Female Warriors | At the start of your turn, have two rank 4 female sentinels. | Aforementioned | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Lady Sun's Guards | For her own security, Lady Sun established a guard of fierce fighting women. | All of the above. | +5% ranged damage
+5% attack rate for ranged units |
| Name | Description | Criteria | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yan Baihu | Defeat Yan Baihu | Win a battle against Yan Baihu. | +5 Reckless Luck
+10 diplomatic relations with Han Empire factions. |
| Huang Zu | Defeat Huang Zu | Win a battle against Huang Zu. | +5 Reckless Luck
+15% ranged block chance |
| Bandits & Murderers | Before the dynasty can be established, scores must be settled. | All of the above. | +25 prestige
+2 Reckless Luck per turn |
| Name | Description | Criteria | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Changsha Chibi | Capture or have at the start of your turn Chibi. | Own Chibi | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Changsha Chaling | Capture or have at the start of your turn Chaling. | Own Chaling | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Changsha Linxiang | Capture or have at the start of your turn Linxiang. | Own Linxiang | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Changsha Lingxian | Capture or have at the start of your turn Lingxian. | Own Lingxian | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Secure the Homestead | Returning to Sun Jian's first seat of power is like coming back to one's true home. | Own Changsha commandery | -10% construction cost (settlement administration)
+4k population growth |
| Name | Description | Criteria | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nan Huarong | Capture or have at the start of your turn Huarong. | Own Huarong | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Xiangyang Xiangyang | Capture or have at the start of your turn Xiangyang. | Own Xiangyang | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Nan Jiangling | Capture or have at the start of your turn Jiangling. | Own Jiangling | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Xiangyang Linju | Capture or have at the start of your turn Linju. | Own Linju | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Secure Zhou Yu's Ambition | Zhou Yu understood the importance of the Jing province. From its advantageous position, one may march on the great plains or the Riverland's(sic) with impunity. | All of the above. | +30% ranged firing rate for artillery
+50% ammunition for artillery units |
| Name | Description | Criteria | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sun Quan | At the start of your turn, have Sun Quan be rank 5 or higher. | Aforementioned | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Zhou Yu | At the start of your turn, have Zhou Yu be rank 6 or higher. | Aforementioned | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Sun Ce | At the start of your turn, have Sun Ce be rank 6 or higher. | Aforementioned | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Lady Sun | At the start of your turn, have Lady Sun be rank 5 or higher. | Aforementioned | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Legacy of Sun Ce | Sun Ce's greatest fear was not fulfilling his father(sic) ambition of establishing a Sun dynasty. | All of the above | -30% desire for higher office
+30 prestige |
| Name | Description | Criteria | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grandmaster of Instinct | At the start of your turn, have a character with 160 or more in instinct. | Aforementioned | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Grandmaster of Resolve | At the start of your turn, have a character with 160 or more in resolve. | Aforementioned | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Grandmaster of Authority | At the start of your turn, have a character with 160 or more in authority. | Aforementioned | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Grandmaster of Cunning | At the start of your turn, have a character with 160 or more in cunning. | Aforementioned | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Grandmaster of Expertise | At the start of your turn, have a character with 160 or more in expertise. | Aforementioned | +5 Reckless Luck |
| Grandmasters | By learning from the wise and worthy masters, one is driven to give their all, and then more. | All of the above. | +25 instinct
+25 resolve |
| Name | Description | Criteria | Reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bright Sun Ce | Have no vassal master. | Become independent | +25 prestige
+5 Reckless Luck. |
| New Imperial Capital | Have your capital have a rank 9 or higher settlement building or have Luoyang as your capital and be rank 5 or higher. | Capital city must be a Large Regional City or higher
OR |
+5 Reckless Luck
+20 faction support |
| Artery of the World | Capture 10 regions that has(sic) access to the Yellow River. | Own 10 Counties bordering the Yellow River | +5 Reckless Luck
+100% trade influence |
| Wolf Cub Roars | Capture 25 regions north of the Yangtze River. | Own 25 Counties north of the Yangtze River | +5 Reckless Luck
+10% speed |
| The Road to Emperorship | Its name and greatness will echo throughout history: The Kingdom of Wu. | All of the above | +50 presitge
+2 Reckless Luck per turn |
Starting Situation[]
Rise of the Warlords (190)[]
Sun Jian has never shied away from opportunity - and despite his loyalties, the fall of the imperial court presents great opportunities. As a young man, Sun Jian rose from the obscurity of his mercantile upbringing, learning from the deeds of his father that fortune must be seized - never expected. Since then, he has always led at the head of the charge, earning the epithet 'The Vanguard General'. It is this determined spirit that drives the Tiger of Jiangdong forward; may his roar sweep all obstacles away!
Start: Normal
Sun Jian starts the game in Changsha commandery. Dong Zhuo, who controls the Han Empire, is at war with him. As a result, Sun Jian starts the game totally surrounded by the hostile Han Empire. However, there are practically no armies down here belonging to the Han, and Sun Jian should be able to carve out a sizeable realm in the south. First, he must defeat Han general Quan Rou and take Nan commandery before expanding. However, before long, he might become an enemy of Liu Biao over the ownership of the Imperial Jade Seal.
190, Green - Sun Jian, Enemies - Red
Characters
Children
Mandate of Heaven (182)[]
Sun Jian is bold and brave - some may say reckless - yet everything he does, he does for his family. He is no stranger to throwing himself head-first into the action, regardless of the consequences. Famed for single-handedly defeating a group of pirates, he tricked them into fleeing without ever raising his blade. As a storm of discord rolls across China, Sun Jian knows that whatever action he takes, it will be in defence not only of China, but his homeland and his family.
Start: Hard
Sun Jian starts the game in Northern Jian'an commandery, located far away from the ongoing Yellow Turban Rebellion in the north. However, he is no spectator, as he is tasked with protecting the south against bandits. The first order of business is to defeat Shen Chen who is leading the Looters in the south. After that, Sun Jian will expand throughout the uninhabited south. However, constant attacks by bandits, pirates, and yellow turbans make this a difficult task.
182, Sun Jian - Green
Characters
Children
A World Betrayed (194)[]
The legacy of his family spurs Sun Ce ever onward – the hopes of his father lifting him to ever-greater deeds. Since his father's death, Sun Ce has searched for a way to emulate that same bravery and power. It is in the service of Yuan Shu that he may have found this power. However, as the machinations of Yuan Shu become ever-more nefarious, and the lure of a new land in the south becomes stronger, Sun Ce has to ask once again how he might best serve his people.
Start: Hard
Sun Jian is dead, replaced with Sun Ce. Sun Ce is the vassal of Yuan Shu and has become landless. However, he has room to expand. He starts the game at war with the weak warlord Lu Kang and can easily take over his territory in the first turn. Once Sun Ce has taken over Hefei, he will have room to expand southwards. He must move quickly to keep his Reckless Luck high, but once Sun Ce gains momentum, he can easily dominate southern China.
Characters
Children
Fates Divided (200)[]
Whilst Cao Cao and Yuan Shao ready their forces, Sun Ce is poised to unify the south. With Yuan Shu gone, Sun Ce is able to step out from his oppressive shadow and finally chase the same glory and unity as his father. Sun Ce continues to look to build on his southern successes whilst keeping an eye on any who might threaten his people...
Start: Hard
Sun Ce has come far since 194, gaining a sizeable realm after the death of Yuan Shu. However, he now finds himself in a massive war between himself and Liu Biao. He has two vassals, Wu Jing and Li Shu, which should be able to relieve some of the stress. However, Sun Ce's Reckless Luck is at 20, and if he does not move quickly, he will be dead in three turns. This is a very difficult start.
That would happen, if not for the bonuses for certain missions. Kuaiji, Poyang (parts of it), and Danyang (parts of it) are under your control. Kuaiji being united gives you +2 Reckless Luck, and you can unite Poyang and Danyang, giving you extra Reckless Luck and leading to you substantially putting off Sun Ce’s death. Add to the fact that you can annex Wu Jing (with diplomatic maius) to get the entirety of Xindu, survival is not only possible easily, but highly likely if you play your cards right.
There is also one extra thing done for you that adds +1 Reckless Luck, which relieves a bit more stress. Adding to the fact that you automatically get +5 Reckless Luck for twenty turns, depending on your difficulty, you could hold off death for at least two in-game years, or gain +1 Reckless Luck per turn, adding to the timer, and adding to Sun Ce’s lifespan.
200, Sun Ce - Green, Vassals - Blue, Enemies - Red
Characters
- Sun Ce
- Cheng Pu
- Han Dang
- Zhang Hong
- Huang Gai
- Zhou Yu
- Zhou Tai
- Lü Meng
- Xiao Qiao
- Yu Fan
- Lü Fan
- Sun Quan
- Zhu Zhi
- Jiang Qin
- Zhang Zhao
- Zhang Cheng
- Taishi Ci
- Da Qiao
- Lady Wu
Children
Gallery[]
