Total War Three Kingdoms: How to Recruit Units

Total War’s long-anticipated venture to the middle kingdom is finally upon us, and fans of the history-centric entries in the series should be stoked –Three Kingdoms is absolutely superb, and marks a return to form after the divisive Thrones of Brittania. There are a few major changes to some key gameplay mechanics in Three Kingdoms. Namely, recruiting units, which may even have series veterans a little stumped. Here’s how to recruit units in Total War Three Kingdoms if you’re struggling.

How to Recruit Units in Total War Three Kingdoms

As we just mentioned, there have been some changes to the way recruiting units works in Three Kingdoms, which won’t be familiar even if you’ve played Rome and Warhammer iterations of the series. Here’s how it works.

Once you have selected an army and have the army panel up, you’ll see an option marked ‘recruit’ to its left. This is the function that allows you to recruit new generals and units into the army you’ve selected.

Unlike in previous games, Units are now recruited in retinues of up to 6 units in Three Kingdoms.

To add units to a retinue, click the plus symbols to the right of existing retinues. Note that if you hire a new general it will create a new retinue and instantly populate it with two or so units of their own, according to what their character class is.

When recruiting units into a retinue, you will only be able to select those that the associated general has access to according to his character class.

Other factors also determine which units can be added to a retinue, including what faction the leader comes from. For example, generals under Cao Cao will be able to recruit Tiger and Leopard Cavalry once they hit rank 3, and the heavy variant at rank 6.

Also, powerful Dragon Units won’t be available to you until you have completed a reform, while Defenders of Earth and Protectors of Heaven units are only unlocked once you have declared yourself Emporer.

Keep in mind that recruitment can only be performed in a territory you own.

That does it for how to recruit units in Total War Three Kingdoms. For more useful tips and tricks on the game, be sure to search Twinfinite.