⚠️ Visual update in progress. Guide will remain LIVE, but expect graphical inconsistency. ⚠️

Fellow Asur, hear my words!

Upon popular demand, the highly anticipated All Top Tier Influence Traits for High Elves guide has returned, bigger and better than ever before!

In this guide for Total War: Warhammer III, you'll find recommended Top Tier Influence traits, alongside explanations as to why you should recruit and focus on them during your campaigns.

Please note, some recommendations have carried over from Total War: Warhammer II, as their traits have received no change or update.

We are the chosen of Asuryan, beloved of the gods and heirs to the world. Our armies are the finest in creation; swift where our foes are lumbering, cultured where they are barbaric. Give no thought to failure, nor defeat – we are the Children of Ulthuan and we shall prevail!

https://cs2bus.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2112630440
As this guide is twice as long as my previous guide for Warhammer II, I may have missed something along the way.

Please be patient as I conduct future updates and research.

There are Combinations and Bullet Point Explanations at the end. Thank you.


Lords: 60 Influence
Heroes: 40 Influence

Traits are given a rating from 1 - 5 Elven Gemstones.

💎💎💎💎💎 = Most beneficial.

💎 = Not as desirable.

Don't count these lower rated traits outright - as they're still Top Tier traits, with their own unique uses and benefits.

Attention:

This guide is based on my own campaign experiences. Using game-logic and theory to determine results. My opinions and suggestions are by no means the definitive way to play.

The Mage, Noble, Loremaster and Handmaiden share Top Tier traits.

Some of these traits have their own unique passives, different depending on Hero class. Read descriptions carefully before making a decision.

The Prince is arguably one of the best generals available to High Elves. Their Top Tier traits provide a vast variety of army wide buffs.

Princes are capable to endure sustained hand-to-hand combat against Lords, Heroes, or monsters. Especially when mounted on a Dragon!

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎💎

No.1 pick. Excellent army wide bonus. The additional Defence and Resistance will keep your spear lines intact, both from combat and opposing magic. Paired with an Honed Noble or Handmaiden, and you'll have a desired combination made in Ulthuan.

This trait is also available on the Archamge and Mage, with slightly lower stat increases.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎💎

• Upkeep -15%: Ellyrian Reavers + Silver Helms
  
• Upkeep -25%: Archers, Spearmen, Silver Guard, LSG, Shadow Warriors,
  Shadow Walkers, SoA, Bolt Throwers

Eleven Armies primarily consist of basic Spears and Bows.

The reduction to upkeep enables you to field multiple armies at low cost to maintain a solid economy. This can be increased via Lord skills too - for additional reduced upkeep.

Once High Elf economy sets sail, you'll never be short of trinkets or gold. Best value during early-mid game.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎
Conquest Lord: 💎💎💎💎💎

Update 6.2 brought sweeping changes to magic items, including adjustments to drop rates and a rework of how items are obtained. Essentially, the update lowered the overall chance of finding items after a battle.

This Prince should seek out persistent conquest and should not remain idle for long.

Gain a boost to income from post-battle loot, or gain exp sacking / looting high value settlements to hinder enemy provinces. While at the same time, discover items of power to customise characters with powerful stats and abilities.

Combine with an Exhilarated Loremaster, plus any Mage (Scouting Skill) and you'll have more staffs than hands can carry!

Gemstones: 💎💎💎
Dragon Doomstack: 💎💎💎💎

It can take a really long time to build settlements to the required level to recruit dragons, so this trait roars most during the late game. Hence a respectable middle ground of 3 Gemstones.

For those who do not own either DLC, 4 Gemstones. As you may look to recruit Moon Dragon Doomstacks. DLC owners may look toward Sisters of Avelorn or Mistwalker units instead.

Gemstones: 💎💎💍 (2.5)
Dragon Mount: 💎💎💎💎

Exhausted? No such thing. Clump up enemy units for your Mages / Archers to clean house. Ideal for a Dragon mounted Lord, but will take time to level and unlock.

Sword of Khane: 💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎💎

• Once paired with The Sword of Khane, you'll have a Lord who'll never tire and never break - as the sword grants Unbreakable.
  
  Because of this, a special 10 Gemstone rating. As you'll only ever need 1 Vigorous Lord for The Sword of Khane.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎

The majority of units recruited during the endgame require little to no training, as they'll be recruited with high ranking chevrons via tech and upgrade unlocks. The +20% Ammunition for the entire Lord's Army is worth noting, however.

Suggested Tactic: 💎💎💎💎

• Use alongside a Fecund Loremaster to train up standby armies newly recruited Lords to inherit. A Fecund Loremaster will also stimulate province and factionwide growth too.
  
  You'll only need 1 Adept Lord, unless you need more than 1 army to be on standby.

Gemstones: 💎💎

Never be Blinded, Burnt, Dazed, Disorientated, suffer Corroded Armour, become Frozen or Poisoned. View the full list of contact effects here.[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]

Essentially, negate any combat applied debuffs. Respectable, but to receive the full benefit of this trait, you're relying on the enemy to have such effects to negate. You also sacrifice army-wide buffs that other top tier traits offer.

The +15% Ward Save is notable, however.

Gemstones: 💎

This trait is also available for The Noble.

For the cost 60 vs 40, would it not be better value to select this trait on a Noble? Instead, consider a trait that will benefit your entire army for your Lord. After all, your Prince can ride a dragon - isn't that enough!?

Gemstones: 💎

High Elves specialise in ranged combat.

Because this trait applies only to specific late game elite melee units, you may find choosing Resistant to be more beneficial - a trait which also bolsters elite late game units too.

The Princess' Top Tier traits provide a vast variety of army-wide buffs for archers and cavalry units. What they may lack in hand-to-hand combat, they pack a punch with arrows to the knee!

Once mounted on a Dragon, their hand-to-hand combat effectiveness increases.
While you wander the oceans, The Princess defends Ulthuan.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎💎

Perfect for a Lothern Sea Guard force to protect your home of Ulthuan, while Princes and Archmages conquest elsewhere.

Low expenditure once combined with additional upkeep reduction via Lord Skills. Exactly what you want for a Home Based Army - something cheep to maintain, as the amount of action they encounter may be minimal vs their cost.

The increase range is perfect for both offensive and defensive battles too. Ideal for defending settlements or choke point bridge battles.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎💎

Punitive is a must-pick choice for heavy archer builds. This trait gives extra strength to missile damage, protects your Lord from hostile actions.

More importantly, provides a debuff to all local enemy armies against your never ending tide of arrows! This even includes armies this Princess isn't even fighting within the same region!

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎💎

• Missile units (mounted and unmounted)
  
• Lord Campaign Movement Range: +10%
  
• Speed (Lord's Army): +15%
  
• Reload Reduction (Lord's Army): +10%

Another excellent choice to protect your home of Ulthuan with Lothern Sea Guard.

Additional campaign movement range allows you to catch invaders with ease and quickly reinforce key settlements - or even venture into new terrorises.

Increased speed helps archers get into position earlier, or disengage with ease.

Oh and reload reduction +10%? Your arrows will block out the sun.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎

If no other desirable trait is available, a solid choice for a ranged focused Princess - capable of sniping targets from great distances.

Essentially bolsters what Princess specialise in - ranged combat.

The magic missile Arrow of Kurnous is an added bonus.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎

Solid choice for a Princess, supported by Mages or Loremasters. Boosting magic reverses by an additional 5. The magic missile The Amber Spear (Lore of Beasts) is an added bonus.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎

Strong is strong. Especially for a Dragon mounted Princess.

The +40 Armour is a lot to gain, add additional Weapon Strength +20% and while Deadly Onslaught is active, this Princess stands on her own and needs no rescue.

A solid choice for a hand-to-hand combat Princess.

Gemstones: 💎💎

Increasing Campaign Line of Sight may reveal factions who can Declare War, but it does provide insight into dangers ahead. A doubled edged sword.

The main appeal of this trait is the +30% Ambush and -25% Enemy Hero action success chance. Perfect to catch enemies off guard, thus earning 2 Gemstones.

Gemstones: 💎

Only recruit this Princess for a fun Chariot and Bolt Thrower spam build. In which case, this trait is 5 Gemstones.

Hopefully in the future CA will revisit this trait and give it some other improvements, such as enabling Magical Attacks for Chariots and Bolt Throwers.

Ride Now, For Ellyrion!: 💎💎💎💎💎

Only recruit this Lord for a fun "Ride Now For Ellyrion!" cavalry build and do King Théoden proud.

Pair with a Dynamo + Crushing Noble and Crushing Handmaiden for an additional army wide +5 Leadership, +10% Speed, +20% Charge Bonus and +20 Weapon Strength.

"Let this be the hour when we draw swords together. Fell deeds awake. Now for wrath, now for ruin, and a Red Dawn! Forth, Ellyrions!"

🚧🛠️ TBC: More Coming Soon! 🛠️🚧

High Elves have access to all 8 base Lores of Magic, in addition to High Magic.

• High Magic[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]
  
• Fire[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]
  
• Metal[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]
  
• Shadows[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]
  
• Beasts[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]
  
• Heavens[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]
  
• Light[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]
  
• Life[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]
  
• Death[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]

• High Magic
  
• Fire
  
• Life
  
• Light
  
• Heavens

Why?

Although the remaining Lores of Magic may have useful and powerful spells and effects, ask yourself this: Why recruit a dedicated caster, when most spells from these lores can be acquired from a Top Tier Trait, or even a Loremaster instead?

This is why the remaining Lores of Magic are not as favourable in this guide.

Archmages and Mages share the same traits. They are masters of magic and have access to all base Lores of Magic! Powerful spellcasters who can easily turn the tide of battle.

The Archmage is available via The Warden and The Paunch DLC.

Archmage / Mage: 💎💎💎💎💎
Magic: High, Life, Light

Barrier provides additional protection to soak up damage and regenerates out of combat. +20% Spell and Missile resistance is especially helpful once mounted on a dragon too.

Combinations:

• High: Shield of Saphery (Passive).
  
• Life: Life Bloom (Passive), Regrowth, Flesh to Stone and Shield of Thorns.
  
• Light: Resistance from enemy archers, while manoeuvring to cast Net of Amyntok or Banishment.

Fire Mage: 💎💎💎💎💎

Instant pick for Fire Mages. They are the only Mage Hero who can mount a dragon.
(aka Dragon Mage).

A Fire Mage can deal out insane amounts of damage with an active passive Kindleflame, weakening enemy units to fire damage, which this trait provides.

Combat Archmage: Life or High Magic

2 dragons are always better than 1. Archmages (any Lore of Magic) can unlock dragon mounts. Use Life or High Magic to heal both your Archmage and Fire Mage dragons.

Archmage or Mage (Life + Light): 💎💎💎💎
Archmage / Mage: 💎💎

Additional Spells from Lore of Metal (Protective) and Shadows (Negator). They provide no benefit to a Metal or Shadows character, as they can unlock them via skills instead.

Protective: Buffs
Magic: Life

Combinations:

• Additional defence from Glittering Robe is like a mini-heal. Providing amour while the passive Life Bloom heals.
  
  
• Heal units via Earth Blood while applying Transmutation of Lead, so your units heal while enemies barely touch your HP!
  
  

Negator: Debuffs
Magic: Light

Combinations:

• Use Pha's Protection or Birona's Timewarp while applying The Enfeebling Foe to buff your units while the enemy suffers debuffs to ensure a one sided engagement.
  
  
• Meloth's Mystifying Miasma substitutes while Net of Amyntok is on cooldown.
  
  

Archmage: 💎💎💎
Mage: 💎💎💎💎
Magic: Any (Except Heavens)

Additional range and miscast reduction are fine additions to a Spllcasters' arsenal.

All Archmages have Chain Lightning, but can only use it x2 times. Having this additional damage offers further destruction versatility.

Hence a respectable 3 Gemstones for an Archmage. A solid trait if no other desired options are available.

Lore of Heavens includes Urannon's Thunderbolt via skill unlocks, so choosing this trait could be considered somewhat redundant on a Lore of Heavens character.

Archmage / Mage: 💎💎
Magic: Any

Increased speed and 'Slippery' is notable for hit and run or escaping tight situations, especially once the Mage is mounted on a Chariot.

However, wouldn't you rather pick a trait which benefits what Spellcasters do best? Magic!

Archmage / Mage: 💎
Magic: Any

Research rate isn't too important, as you'll naturally unlock technology throughout a campaign.

There's an additional hurdle to cross first, as the majority of the High Elf tech tree is locked behind T3+ building unlocks.

Select a trait that benefits what Spellcasters do best. Magic!

Archmage / Mage: ⚖️
Magic: Any

Administrator is hard to judge. On one hand, you wish to select traits that support Archmage or Mage magic use.

On the other, this trait counters building time for unsuitable climates, or to quickly reconstruct confederated lands.

Saved Character Cheese: 💎💎💎💎💎

• Go to section "Ulthuan Was Built in a Day".

Archmage / Mage: Don't.

Unfortunately this trait was nerffed into the ground for Warhammer III - compared to the unnerffed +3% factionwide tax increase in Warhammer II.

There are more beneficial traits to select vs the cost and time investment.

Archmage: 💎💎💎
Influence Cost: 15

Mage: 💎💎💎💎💎
Influence Cost: 10

Magic: Any

An Army wide buff. A solid pick at an affordable Influence cost, if nothing else is available for your desired Lore of Magic.

Suggested Combo:

• Resistant Lord (Prince)
  
• Resistant Mage
  
• Honed Noble
  
• Honed Handmaiden

• Kindleflame (Passive)
  
• Cascading Fire Cloak
  
• Fireball
  
• Flaming Sword of Rhuin
  
• The Burning Head
  
• Piercing Bolts of Burning
  
• Flame Storm

Incendiary is extremely powerful for Fire Mages, as they are the only Mage Hero that can mount a dragon.

Deal high amounts of damage via an active Kindleflame passive and cycle charge into combat effectively. Support units with either Flaming Sword of Rhuin or Cascading Fire Cloak.

The Fire Mage will roast all those who oppose them with a The Burning Head!.

• Exorcism (Passive)
  
• Shem's Burning Gaze
  
• Pha's Protection
  
• Net of Amyntok
  
• Light of Battle
  
• Birona's Timewarp
  
• Banishment

Conductor increases range for Shem's Burning Gaze. In addition, you're able to pin Net of Amyntok from safer distances, so more arrows can reach their foe. The provided Urannon's Thunderbolt (Upgraded) gives Light magic a targeted offensive spell, than relying on where Banishment travels.

Protected grants Barrier, +20% Missile and Magic Resistance. While mounted on a Great Eagle or Moon Dragon, your Lord is protected from further damage.

Negator provides an additional slow effect spell, for when Net of Amyntok is on cooldown.

• Life Bloom (Passive)
  
• Awakening of the Wood
  
• Earth Blood
  
• Flesh to Stone
  
• Shield of Thorns
  
• Regrowth
  
• The Dwellers Below

Protective grants respectable buffs from Lore of Metal to trigger the Lore of Life passive Life Bloom. Combine with either Earth Blood and Shield of Thorns and the trait offers amazing support versatility with Life Magic.

Incendiary is suited for a mounted dragon combat Life Archmage, supported by an Incendiary Fire Mage on dragoon. Both can hold their own, especially while the Archmage heals either via Regrowth, a powerful single entity heal.

Conductor is a solid pick, but the trait doesn't offer much versatility for Life as a whole in terms of their primarily function - support and sustain.

However, Urannon's Thunderbolt (Upgraded) fills a much needed damage dealing slot for a Light Mage Hero. Archmages can unlock Chain Lightning in addition to this.

• Shield of Saphery (Passive)
  
• Hand of Glory
  
• Apotheosis
  
• Soul Quench
  
• Tempest
  
• Fiery Convocation

Protected grants Barrier, +20% Missile and Magic Resistance. While mounted on a Great Eagle or Moon Dragon, your Lord is protected from further damage while buffing archers with Hand of Glory or healing with Apotheosis.

Conductor increases Spell Range by +25%, notable increase for Soul Quench.

Protective and Negator provide spells from Metal and Shadows to buff / debuff units. As mentioned previously - additional options to use.

Although High Magic includes Tempest, this slow-effect spell can only target flying units. Having Melkoth's Mystifying Miasma from Negator to slow units fulfils a missing slot from what High Magic offers and would be the preferred choice over Protective.

Recommended Traits: Any (Except Conductor)

• Roiling Skies (Passive)
  
• Wind Blast
  
• Harmonic Convergence
  
• Urannon's Thunderbolt
  
• Curse of the Midnight Wind
  
• Comet of Casandora
  
• Chain Lightning

Heavens you should not necessarily ignore or pass up, but consider if no desirable trait is available for other Lores of Magic and you require some Magic Mojo.

Wind Blast is low cost, though low damage, can disrupt formations or slow charges. It has great potential against low armoured units for its magic cost.

The trait Conductor provides access to Urannon's Thunderbolt (Upgraded), however the spell is included in Lore of Heavens. You wont receive the full benefits of this trait for either an Archmage or Mage.

Additionally, Archmages can unlock x2 uses of Chain Lightning via Lord Skills. Hence the conclusion, Lore of Heavens is best suited on a non-Conductor Mage Hero instead.

The Comet of Casandora is great against mass unit blobs. You'll want it for the cool factor alone.

Nobles are Armoured, Armour-piercing and Anti-Large duellists. Your go-to response to combat monsters or even clump up infantry with ease. Pair with a Princess or Archmage, who lack hand-to-hand combat proficiency.

Nobles can Assassinate enemy agents and Secure Influence.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎💎

• Diplomatic Relations: +5 with Humans and High Elves
  
• Lord Recruit Rank: +2 (Factionwide)
  
• Hero Recruit Rank for Nobles: +2 (Factionwide)
  
• Recruit Rank: +1 (Hero's Army)

Instant must-pick. Factionwide increase to recruit rank. The more you have, the more skills you'll unlock for new Lords / Nobles. Stacks with other rank increases from tech tree or buildings too.

The diplomatic relations contribute for easier diplomacy too. The +1 unit recruit rank is complimentary if the army suffers any loses and requires new units.

This Noble is perfect for the campaign map Assassinating key enemy agents and Securing Influence, as other traits offer army buffs for embedded Nobles.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎💎

An exceptional trait providing army wide bonuses for your Spears and Bows.

Combine with a Resistant Lord and Honed Handmaiden for additional benefits.

For late game, consider using a Doctrinal Lord with an Honed Noble and Handmaiden to cover all elite infantry units:

• Phoenix Guard (Lord: Prince + Noble) (+25% exp to unit)
  
• Sisters of Avelorn (Lord: Prince + Handmaiden) (+25% exp unit)
  
  
• Swordmasters of Hoath (Lord: Prince)
  
• White Lions of Chrace (Lord: Prince)
  
  
• Spear units (Noble + Handmaiden)
  
• Archer units (Noble + Handmaiden)

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎

Catch up to enemy armies with ease and never be just a tad short of capturing settlements.

Comparing to Conscientious and Honed, it's a tough call - still an exceptional choice. Hence 4 Gemstones instead of 5.

With Energetic Princess: 💎💎💎💎💎

• +20% Ammunition compliments +10% reload reduction from an Energetic Princess perfectly. A major buff to any ranged focused army, regardless of Lord choice.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎

Nobles excel at hand-to-hand combat. This trait empowers their combat effectiveness, as Sundering Attacks reduce the armour value of opponents.

Perfect for a Noble whose role is to pin down and defeat highly armoured units.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎

Exhausted? No such thing. Clump up enemy units for Mages or Archers to clean house. Run down retreating enemy Heroes and Lords with ease.

A respectable trait for a Noble.

Gemstones: 💎💎
(For Heroes)

• Ward Save: 15%
  
• Attribute: Immune to Contact Effects

Never be Blinded, Burnt, Dazed, Disorientated, suffer Corroded Armour, become Frozen or Poisoned. View the full list of contact effects here.[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]

Essentially, negate any combat applied debuffs - such as Sundering Attacks. Respectable for a combat hero. To top off, +15% Ward Save reducing all forms of damage.

However, you could argue there are better options to choose from, that either benefit an entire army or your faction as a whole - or use Dangerous instead, as you're not relying on enemy contact effects.

Gemstones: 💎
Legendary Difficulty: 💎💎💎💎💎

• Control: +1 (all provinces)
  
• Control: +5 (local province)
  
• Income from Entertainment buildings: +5%

Control will increase naturally via upgrades and stationed armies.

On higher difficulties such as Legendary, where Public Order is highly important to maintain - this is an exceptional trait. You can stack this trait to easily maintain and keep a happy populace.

On lower difficulties, you tend to ignore this trait since control comes naturally via buildings and stationed armies - hence the otherwise low rating.

Gemstones: 💎

A Noble leading the charge hits hard. However, there are various other army-wide and factionwide effects to consider first.

Ride Now, For Ellyrion!: 💎💎💎💎💎

• Exceptional trait paired with a Dashing Princess, Dynamo Noble and Crushing Handmaiden - all mounted on horse, for a "Ride Now, For Ellyrion!" themed army.

Gemstones: 💎

A Noble leading the charge hits hard. However, there are various other army-wide and factionwide effects to consider first.

Ride Now, For Ellyrion!: 💎💎💎💎💎

• Exceptional trait when paired with a Dashing Princess, Crushing Noble and Handmaiden - all mounted on horse, for a "Ride Now, For Ellyrion!" themed army.

Anti-Infantry Armoured hybrid Spellcaster Heroes. They deal armour-piercing weapon damage and offer versatility. Magic or combat.

Loremasters Spread Control and provide Training. They shine most when paired with an Archmage, to support their vast use of magic.

Loremasters can unlock the following spells:

• Shem's Burning Gaze (Light)
  
• Wyssan's Wildform (Beasts)
  
• Earth Blood (Life)
  
• Harmonic Convergence (Heavens)
  
• Spirit Leech (Death)
  
• Melkoth's Mystifying Miasma (Shadows)

With Archmage: 💎💎💎💎💎

• Applies to Lord's Army
  
• Cooldown: -10% to all Spells
  
• Melee Defence: +10
  
• Character's Aura Leadership Effect: +5
  
• Leadership aura size: +50%

Pair with a Conductor Archmage / Mage to benefit most from a -10% spell cooldown. Increased Leadership area +50%? Your troops are inspired to fight til the very end.

With Archmage: 💎💎💎💎💎

Arcane Conduit, +25% increase range and reduced miscast chance? Yes please! Place this Loremaster with an Archmage for maximum potential.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎

Growth is used to build up settlements, develop infrastructure and quickly level The Elven Gates to protect your inner Kingdoms of Ulthuan.

Handmaidens also have access to this trait and additional unlocks to increase growth. For this reason, this trait is best suited on Handmaidens. A solid pick for Loremaster, if no other desirable trait is available.

Wiih Adept Lord: 💎💎💎💎💎

• This is the perfect trait to pair with an Adept Lord. The Loremaster will train standby armies, while simultaneously providing settlement and faction wide growth.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎

• Ward Save: 15%
  
• Passive: Guardian

The passive Guardian applies a persistent Physical Resistance: +15% area of effect combined with a +15% Ward Save, will also reduce damage.

Respectable trait for the Loremaster. You could doom stack this hero - but that takes time.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💍 (3.5)

Update 6.2 brought sweeping changes to magic items, including adjustments to drop rates and a rework of how items are obtained. Essentially, the update lowered the overall chance of finding items after a battle. So the +25% Magic item drop chance is rather substantial.

Ideal trait bonuses for warring against Greenskins and Skaven to intercept armies - Imrik, looking at you!

Avaricious Prince + Mage Scouting: 💎💎💎💎💎

• Use alongside an Avaricious Prince and Gold will be overflowing from the Vortex! Throw in a Mage with Scouting unlocks and you'll have more staffs than hands can carry!

Gemstones: 💎💎💎

Although barriers aren't generally that strong, they do provide additional protection to soak up damage and regenerate out of combat.

The main appeal of this trait is a massive +20% Spell and Missile resistance. However, there's a selection of army wide buffs and supporting traits to consider first.

Still a respectable trait, if no other desirable traits are available.

Gemstones: 💎💎

Once levelled, +10% success chance is barely noticeable. However, there are other traits to consider first which support the entire army.

Loremasters do not have a mount option either. Because of this, they're unable to cycle charge and receive the full benefits of this trait.

Gemstones: 💎

Lord Skills, alongside Handmaidens and Nobles can all improve army replenishment via Skill Point unlocks.

There isn't much appeal for selecting this trait while others offer much more substantial bonuses.

Gemstones: 💎

• Lord's Army: Swordmasters and White Lions
  
• Upkeep Reduction: -20%
  
• Local Recruitment duration: -1 turn
  
• Charge bonus: +10

Combine with a Doctrinal Lord. Low upkeep for elite units with increased weapon strength and melee attack. Charge bonus and recruitment time reduction too? Why not!

However, Elven armies consist primarily of basic Spears and Bows. If this trait applied to ranged elite units, such as Sisters of Avalon - then we'd be talking!

Handmaidens are high ranking Sisters of Avelorn, offering an Anti-Large ranged Hero option, support archers via skills such as Entangle and Hawkish Precision.

Handmaidens Replenish Troops and Stimulate Growth.
Available via The Queen and The Crone DLC.

Handmaidens share the majority of Top Tier traits with other heroes.

Ranged heroes are usually regarded as the least powerful class of hero - thus their Top Tier trait ratings aren't as impactful or as highly rated.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎💎
Influence: 10

A Lord Trait on a Hero. You should never pass this up for what it provides vs its very low Influence cost.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎💎

Growth is used to build up settlements, develop infrastructure and quickly level The Elven Gates to protect your inner Kingdoms of Ulthuan.

Fecund compliments the Handmaiden's main campaign skill: Simulate Growth. When compared to other top tier traits, this is the standout choice.

Gemstones: 💎💎💎💎💎

An exceptional trait providing buffs to elite archer units and basic spears. Pair with a Resistant Lord and Honed Noble for additional benefits.

Or, consider using a Doctrinal Lord with a Honed Handmaiden and Noble to cover all elite infantry:

• Phoenix Guard (Lord: Prince + Noble) (+25% exp to unit)
  
• Sisters of Avelorn (Lord: Prince + Handmaiden) (+25% exp unit)
  
  
• Swordmasters of Hoath (Lord)
  
• White Lions of Chrace (Lord)
  
  
• Spear units (Noble + Handmaiden)
  
• Archer units (Noble + Handmaide)

Gemstones: 💎💎💎

Shoot while moving. Flank and snipe without getting exhausted, or chase retreating enemy Heroes and Lords. However, other options provide army wide buffs or even factionwide campaign benefits.

Gemstones: 💎💎

You'll eventually unlock all technology naturally, even if it takes a little longer. For High Elves, the majority of the tech tree is locked behind T3+ buildings regardless.

However, -25% Hero Action Success Chance for enemy characters in region is beneficial while Handmaidens Stimulate Growth and Conscientious Nobles assassinate intruding enemy agents.

Gemstones: 💎

Lord Skills, Nobles and Handmaidens can all improve army replenishment via Skill Point unlocks.

There isn't much appeal for selecting this trait while others offer much more substantial bonuses.

Gemstones: 💎

Never be Blinded, Burnt, Dazed, Disorientated, suffer Corroded Armour, become Frozen or even Poisoned. View the full list of contact effects here.[totalwarwarhammer.fandom.com]

The Handmaiden would rather keep her distance to shoot, than engage in hand-to-hand combat where these debuffs usually take effect. Use on a Noble instead.

Gemstones: 💎

An overview has been explained in the Archmage / Mage section.

On a Handmaiden however, the Experience Gain +15% could prove useful to level quickly for the Stimulate Growth unlock. But there are far more useful options to consider vs the cost and return investment.

Gemstones: 💎💎

Bolster a Handmaiden's hand-to-hand combat capabilities. But you do have Nobles and Loremasters to fill a hand-to-hand combat role.

"Ride Now, For Ellyrion!": 💎💎💎💎

• Additional weapon damage and charge bonus for The Handmaiden in a "Ride Now, For Ellyrion!" themed army, if Crushing is unavailable.

Gemstones: 💎

The Handmaiden is a ranged hero. She'd rather her keep distance than charge into combat. She is best used to snipe high value targets via her Anti-Large speciality.

Ride Now, For Ellyrion!: 💎💎💎💎💎

• Exceptional trait paired with a Dashing Princess and Dynamo Noble mounted on horse, for a "Ride Now, For Ellyrion!" themed army.

The following tactics are maximum Elf cheese. if you decide to use this forbidden knowledge... it will forever change you. Will Chaos tempt and take hold?

Recommendation Requires: Eltharion the Grim Campaign + Archmage

https://cs2bus.com/steamstore/app/1209120/Total_War_WARHAMMER_II__The_Warden__The_Paunch

Saved Character Archmage (Lord): 💎💎💎💎💎
Magic: Any
Trait: Administrator

• Construction Cost for buildings: -15% (Local Province)
  
• Construction Time for buildings: -20% (Local Province)

After capturing your first settlement as Eltharion, decide to keep your homeland in Ulthuan and be awarded with 120 Influence.

Use this Influence to recruit and save Level 1 Archmage Administrators for future campaigns via the load saved character feature. By turn 5 of your new campaign, you could have x3 - 4 Administrator Archmages at the expense of additional Supply Lines.

Why? The Administrator trait stacks.

By moving Administrator Archmages into the same Provence, building turn time and cost is reduced dramatically - usually to 1 turn and more often than not, for free.

Your Archmages will slowly gain experience and level up too. Invest points in Route Marcher and Iron Disciplinarian, as these Lords aren't recruited for combat.

You could even disband as you acquire Administrator Mages to replace them. Just remember to keep your highest ranking Administrator Archmage as a general, so you can place your Administrator Mage Heroes in the army for easier campaign micro management.

Combine this army with Fecund Handmaidens to increase growth. Now you have an all hero Army to build Ulthuan and its surroundings quickly and for free.

You could even use this method to bank other top tier trait Prince and Princess for future use - completely bypassing Influence recruitment.

It remains to be seen if this is an intended feature, or if the Administrator trait gets changed in the future.

Recommendation Requires: Alarielle the Radiant Campaign + Handmaiden

https://cs2bus.com/steamstore/app/779880/Total_War_WARHAMMER_II__The_Queen__The_Crone/

Saved Character Handmaiden: 💎💎💎💎💎
Trait: Fecund

• Growth +5 (All Provinces)
  
• Growth +50 (Local Provinces)

Alarielle the Radiant recruits Handmaidens at a lower tier than all other High Elven factions.

Use the same method - save Handmaidens with the Fecund trait for future campaigns to bolster growth to expand settlements quickly.

However, unlike Eltharion the Grim, an Alarielle campaign requires time investment first. Or, opt to save Fecund Handmaidens naturally through any Elven campaign.

Pair Fecund Handmaidens with Administrator Archmage + Mage and you can build, grow and upgrade settlements at an extremely staggering rate.

First:

• Resistant: Army wide buffs, combo with Resistant Noble / Handmaiden.
  
• Efficient: Maintain cheep Spear + Archer doom stacks.
  
• Vigorous: This Elf just. doesn't. stop! Excellent Lord pair with Sword of Khaine.

Second:

• Avaricious: Bolster income and economy through conquest, especially when paired with an Exhilarated Loremaster. This Lord should not remain idle for long.
  
• Dragon-Willed: End Game Dragon doomstack. No applicable use prior to unlocking Dragons.

Suggestion:

• Adept - Early game elite trained army via Save Character feature. Use alongside a Loremaster to train standby armies to send to front lines throughout a campaign. At most, you'll only ever need 1 Adept Lord.

• Ardent: Low upkeep Lothern Sea Guard army to protect your home lands, while Princes and Archmages conquest elsewhere.
  
• Energetic: Low expenditure Lothern Sea Guard army to protect your home lands, while Princes and Archmages conquest elsewhere. Campaign movement range to catch invaders or ready the defences.
  
• Dashing: For a LOTR inspired Ride-Now-For-Ellyrion fun time.

(Traits in order of provided value)

• Lore of High Magic:
  Protected, Incendiary, Conductor, Protective, Negator
  
• Lore of Light:
  Conductor, Protective, Negator
  
• Lore of Life:
  Protective / Conductor, Protected / Negator
  
• Lore of Heavens:
  Protected, Incendiary, Protective, Negator

Fire Mages can access Sun Dragon mounts, so why recruit a Fire Archmage? Use Life or High Magic Archmages to heal a Fire Mage hero instead.

Suggestion:

• Administrator - Elven Cheese is the best cheese. It's pointy. 🧀
  See "Ulthuan Was Built In a Day".

(Traits in order of provided value)

• Lore of Fire:
  Incendiary, Protected, Conductor
  
• Lore of High Magic:
  Protected, Incendiary, Conductor, Protective, Negator
  
• Lore of Light:
  Conductor, Protective, Negator
  
• Lore of Life:
  Protective / Conductor, Protected / Negator
  
• Lore of Heavens:
  Protected, Conductor, Incendiary, Protective, Negator

Campaign Map:

• Conscientious: Free skill points for newly recruited Lords and Nobles. The more you have, the more skills you can unlock upon recruitment! Instant High level Lords and Nobles. Perfect for a Noble roaming the campaign Assassinating targets and acquiring Influence.

Army:

• Honed: Army wide buffs, why wouldn't you?
  
• Vigorous: This Elf just. doesn't. stop! He'll never tire. Amazing combat trait for Noble.
  
• Dangerous: Respectable combat trait for Noble.
  
• Emollient: Perfect option for harder difficulties / Legendary.

• Conductor: Increased Magic for Archmages and Mages. Excellent trait.
  
• Disciple: Army wide buff and 10% CD on Spells for Magic: Use with an Archmage Lord.
  
• Protected: Additional hit points via barrier. 20% Missile and Magic reduction!
  
• Exhilarated: Farm magic items and income with Avaricious Lord + Mage scouting.
  
• Fecund: Stimulate growth for increased momentum levelling settlements, but may be worth getting a Handmaiden with this trait instead.

Campaign Map:

• Fecund: No.1 Pick: Increase momentum levelling settlements. Compliments the key campaign trait of Handmaidens - Stimulate Growth.

Army:

• Resistant: Lord Trait for only 10 Influence. No.1 pick every time. Army-wide buffs.
  
• Honed: Army-wide buffs.
  
• Vigorous: Perfect to flank and kite the enemy, as Handmaidens can shoot while moving. Hunt down routing Lords and Heroes. You'll never tire.

Suggestion:

• Genius - Pair with an Ardent or Energetic Princess, stationed to protect Ulthuan. Enforce and support Conscientious Noble Assassins while take care of enemy Agents within the same Provence.

• C'mon CA - The Asur are waiting!

Below are a few suggested Trait Combinations from this guide to use for your Elven armies:

Thank you checking out this guide.


All Top Tier Influence traits for High Elves in one place, feels good doesn't it?

Due to new patches or DLC, some information in this guide may become outdated, please be patient with future updates.

This is where YOU can help.

If you have any combinations or suggestions, please share in the comments below. Knowledge is power!

Go forth, fellow Asur! For Ulthuan! For The Phoenix King!