Total War Wiki
Advertisement

Units in Three Kingdoms by types and unlock conditions. Many are available from the beginning, however these units tend to be not as good as the mid-late game units that are unlocked through other means.

Militia units[]

Every faction and every general has access to militia units, regardless of class and general rank. Militia units have low morale, often have low stats compared to more advanced units (but not always), and are usually the lowest cost for both recruitment and maintenance. Militia units do not have access to advanced formations. The only formation they can access is Loose Formation.

List of melee militia units

  • Ji Militia
  • Sabre Militia
  • Peasant Spearman (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Spearmen Gang (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Redeemed Outlaws (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Yellow Sky Heralds (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • People's Warband (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)

List of melee cavalry units

  • Mounted Sabre Militia
  • Mounted Lancer Militia
  • Mounted Sabre Defectors

List of melee range units

  • Archer Militia
  • Archer Defectors (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Poachers (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Archer Gang (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Men of the Forest (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)

Class specific units[]

The majority of units in Three Kingdoms are only available to generals of the correct class. For example, only Strategist can field siege weapons.

Some units have heavy variants that are unlocked by the rank of the general and possibly more advanced reforms. For example, when a Champion hits rank 6, they can recruit the Heavy Spear Guard, which is the heavy variant of Spear Guard. Heavy variants are typically better armored, slower, have more mass (for calculating charge damage), and are more expensive to both recruit and maintain. Using this, it isn't always better to have the heavy variants, as their upkeep may outweigh their benefits compared to the regular version.

Class-specific units available by class[]

Units available to Champion

  • Spear Guards
  • Heavy Spear Guards (unlocked at Rank 6)
  • Ji Infantry (requires reform)
  • Heavy Ji Infantry (requires reform)

Units available to Vanguard

  • Raider Cavalry
  • Peasant Band (requires reform)
  • Lance Cavalry
  • Cataphract (requires reform)
  • Heavy Cataphract (requires reform)

Units available to Strategist

  • Archer (requires reform)
  • Crossbowmen (unlocked at Rank 3)
  • Repeating Crossbowmen
  • Heavy Crossbowmen (unlocked at Rank 6)
  • Trebuchets

Units available to Sentinel

  • Axe Band (generic Sentinels have 2 units of Axe Band when they are first recruited. Further recruitment must first be unlocked in reforms, however, some factions may have this unit already unlocked)
  • Sabre Infantry (requires reform)
  • Jian Sword Guards
  • Zhanmajian Infantry

Units available to Commander

  • Sabre Infantry (requires reform)
  • Spear Guards
  • Archers (requires reform)
  • Crossbowmen (unlocked at Rank 3)
  • Jian Swordguard Cavalry (unlocked at Rank 4)
  • Dao Swordguard Cavalry (Eight Princes DLC, requires reform)

Faction specific units[]

Some units are unique to factions. Faction-unique units can be recruited by any general in the correction faction as long as Rank requirement is fulfilled. For example, all generals under Cao Cao can recruit Tiger and Leopard Cavalry at Rank 3 and its heavy variant at Rank 6.

Faction-unique melee/Cavalry units by faction

  • Mercenary Infantry (Sun Jian's Faction)
  • Mercenary Cavalry (Sun Jian's Faction)
  • Xiliang Cavalry (Dong Zhuo's Faction)
  • Heavy Xiliang Cavalry (Dong Zhuo's Faction)
  • Qiang Raiders (Ma Teng's Faction)
  • Qiang Marauders (Ma Teng's Faction)
  • Rapid Tiger Infantry (Yuan Shu's Faction)
  • Warriors of the Left (Yuan Shu's Faction)
  • Warriors of Ye (Yuan Shao's Faction)
  • Defenders of Henei (Yuan Shao's Faction)
  • Black Mountain Marauders (Zhang Yan's Faction)
  • Black Mountain Outlaws (Zhang Yan's Faction)
  • Tiger and Leopard Cavalry (Cao Cao's Faction)
  • Heavy Tiger and Leopard Cavalry (Cao Cao's Faction)
  • Infantry of Jing (Liu Biao's Faction. Also available to Sima Ai in Eight Princes DLC)
  • Imperial Defenders (Liu Biao's Faction)
  • Hidden Axes (Zheng Jiang's Faction)
  • Fists of the Bandit Queen (Zheng Jiang's Faction)
  • Territorial Spearmen (Tao Qian's Faction)
  • Destroyers of Treachery (Lu Zhi's Faction - Mandate of Heaven DLC)
  • Defenders of the Empire (Lu Zhi's Faction - Mandate of Heaven DLC)
  • Chen Peacekeepers (Liu Chong's Faction - Mandate of Heaven DLC)
  • Tyrant Slayers (Zhang Liang's Faction - Mandate of Heaven DLC)
  • Gallants of the People (Zhang Liang's Faction - Mandate of Heaven DLC)
  • Messengers of Heaven (Zhang Jue's Faction - Mandate of Heaven DLC)
  • Chosen of The Eight Immortals (Zhang Jue's Faction - Mandate of Heaven DLC))
  • Zealots of The Way (Zhang Bao's Faction - Mandate of Heaven DLC)
  • Xianbei Raiders (Only exclusive to Sima Yong in the Eight Princes DLC)
  • Xu Raiders (Only exclusive to Sima Yue in the Eight Princes DLC)
  • Warriors of Xu (Sima Yue - Eight Princes DLC)
  • Chu Spearman (Sima Wei's Faction - Eight Princes DLC)
  • Chu Infantry (Sima Wei's Faction - Eight Princes DLC)
  • Imperial Guards (Sima Liang's Faction - Eight Princes DLC)
  • Qi Crossbowmen (Sima Jiong's Faction - Eight Princes DLC)

Faction-unique ranged/Horse Archers units by faction

  • Mercenary Archers (Sun Jian's Faction)
  • Black Mountain Hunters (Zhang Yan's Faction)
  • White Horse Fellows (Gongsun Zan's Faction)
  • White Horse Raiders (Gongsun Zan's Faction)
  • Qiang Hunters (Ma Teng's Faction)
  • Yi Archers (Liu Bei's Faction)
  • Yi Marksman (Liu Bei's Faction
  • Fury of Beihai (Kong Rong's Faction)
  • Thunder of Jian'an (Kong Rong's Faction)
  • Territorial Archers (Tao Qian's Faction)
  • Chen Royal Guard (Liu Chong's Faction - Mandate of Heaven DLC)
  • Archers of Jing (Sima Ai's Faction - Eight Princes DLC, has no association with Liu Biao's Faction despite Sima Ai being able to recruit Infantry of Jing also)
  • Xianbei Horse Archers (Only exclusive to Sima Yong in the Eight Princes DLC)
  • Yaoguai Hunters (Zhang Bao's Faction - Mandate of Heaven DLC)
  • Archery Masters (Huang Shao's Faction. Can also be recruited by other Yellow Turbans if they researched them in Reforms)
  • Guardians of the Land (Gong Du's Faction. Can also be recruited by other Yellow Turbans if they researched them in Reforms)
  • Youxia (He Yi's Faction. Can also be recruited by other Yellow Turbans if they researched them in Reforms)
  • Yaogui Hunters (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)

Faction-unique hybrid units by faction

  • Bringers of Righteousness (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)

Reform enabled units[]

More advanced units can be unlocked through the Reforms tree, including the elite Dragon units. Dragon units are not only powerful but also can be recruited by generals of any class -- the flexibility adding to their strength.

List of reform enabled Units

  • Azure Dragons (Heavy Glaive/Bow)
  • Jade Dragons (Cavalry)
  • Onyx Dragons (Archer)
  • Yellow Dragons (Axe Infantry)
  • Pearl Dragons (Glaive)
  • Mounted Archers
  • Heavy Mounted Archers
  • Cataphracts
  • Heavy Cataphracts
  • Ji Infantry
  • Heavy Ji Infantry
  • Archers
  • Repeating Crossbowmen
  • Heavy Repeating Crossbows
  • Peasant Band
  • Spear Warriors
  • Sabre Infantry
  • Sabre Cavalry
  • Lance Cavalry
  • Peasant Raiders
  • Imperial Gate Guards (Only unlockable in reforms for the Mandate of Heaven DLC)
  • Imperial Sword Guard (Only unlockable in reforms for the Mandate of Heaven DLC)
  • Imperial Household Cavalry (Only unlockable in reforms for the Mandate of Heaven DLC)
  • Imperial Lancer Cavalry (Only unlockable in reforms for the Mandate of Heaven DLC)
  • Imperial Palace Crossbowmen (Only unlockable in reforms for the Mandate of Heaven DLC)
  • Imperial Palace Cavalry (Only unlockable in reforms for the Mandate of Heaven DLC)
  • Axe Band (Unlockable in Reforms, but may be available at the beginning for a few Factions.)
  • Protectors of Heaven (Only unlockable in Reforms in the Eight Princes DLC)
  • Defenders of Earth (Only unlockable in Reforms in the Eight Princes DLC)
  • Trebuchet (Unlockable in reforms only to Yellow Turban Factions, does not apply to normal Factions)
  • Scholar Warriors (Only available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Ji Defectors (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Chosen of The Eight Immortals (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Bringers of Peace (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Arms of Supreme Peace (Only available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Exemplars of the Tao (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • The Land's Chosen (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Ascetics of the Way (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Fervent Defenders (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Venerable Wu (Only available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Militia of Virtue (Only available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Chanters (Only available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Stalwart Shields (Only Available to Yellow Turban Rebellions)
  • Virtuous Noblemen (Only available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Guardians of the Land (Only available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Watchmen of the Peace (Only available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Reclaimers (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • White Wave Veterans (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • White Wave Horsemen (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Mounted Lancer Defectors (Only Available to Yellow Turban Rebellions)
  • Youxia (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Stalwart Shields (Only Available to Yellow Turban Rebellions)
  • Huanglao's Paragon (Only Available to Yellow Turban Rebellions)

Units unlocked at King rank[]

Main article: Imperial Units (Total War: Three Kingdoms)

Factions that reached King rank unlock Protectors of Heaven, Defenders of Earth and Imperial Guards. Imperial units start at Rank 10 upon recruitment but have very slow replenishment. Imperial units can be recruited by any General without class restriction. Some imperial units may require reforms. Multiple imperial units in vicinity buff each other.

List of melee units unlocked at King

  • Protectors of Heaven
  • Imperial Guard Captain (available at capital or where Imperial Palace is built)
  • Imperial Gate Guards (unlocked through Reforms)
  • Imperial Sword Guard (unlocked through Reforms)
  • Imperial Household Cavalry (unlocked through Reforms)
  • Imperial Lancer Cavalry (unlocked through Reforms)

List of range units unlocked at King

  • Defenders of Earth
  • Imperial Palace Crossbowmen (unlocked through Reforms)
  • Imperial Palace Cavalry (unlocked through Reforms)
  • Bringers of Righteousness (This unit will become part of the garrison of a Yellow Turban Faction who has taken an Emperor seat, thus making the Faction reach Yellow Sky Mandate, which is the Yellow Turban equivalent to Emperor. Only available to Yellow Turban Factions.)

Yellow Turbans retinues[]

Note: Regarding the Yellow Turban units, most of their names have changed with the Mandate of Heaven DLC. E.g. Yellow Turban Warriors - Redeemed Outlaws. There may be duplicates in the listings with the same unit listed twice under different (old vs new) names.



Northern Units[]

The Northern Units are units unlocked after reaching rank 7 with your faction leader. You will then receive the ancillary, Colonel of the Northern Army. You will receive 5 ancillaries of this. These units are almost the equivalent to the Imperial units, minus the replenishment restriction, however, they aren't nearly as powerful as the Imperial units.

Melee[]

  • Northern Sabre Infantry
  • Northern Veteran Sabre Infantry
  • Northern Ji Infantry
  • Northern Veteran Ji Infantry
  • Northern Spear Guards
  • Northern Veteran Spear Guards

Ranged[]

  • Northern Mounted Archers

Shock Cavalry[]

  • Northern Lancer Cavalry
  • Northern Veteran Lancers

Melee Cavalry[]

  • Northern Sabre Cavalry
  • Northern Veteran Sabre Cavalry

Captains[]

Captains are only accessible to a few Factions, such as Yellow Turbans, Yuan Shao, or Sun Jian.

  • Ji Infantry Captain (Only exclusive to a few factions, including Yellow Turbans)
  • Cavalry Captain (Only exclusive to a few factions, including Yellow Turbans)
  • Archer Captain (Only exclusive to a few factions, including Yellow Turbans)
  • Mercenary Captains (Only exclusive to Sun Jian's Faction)
  • Imperial Guard Captain (Only available to Liu Hong's faction in the Imperial Army. Cannot be recruited)
  • Yellow Turban Spearmen Captain (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Yellow Turban Warriors Captain (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Yellow Turban Archers Captain (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
  • Yellow Turban Cavalry Captain (Only Available to Yellow Turban Factions)
Advertisement