Why can't Warriors of Chaos have Cultists?

[Lampros]

Being saddled with merely 2 Hero types is a huge disadvantage...

[Garatgh Deloi]

Well... They aren't really the traditional swollen Warriors of Chaos (with the exception of the Khorne cultist).

But on the other hand they are warriors sworn to chaos (the very definition of Warriors of Chaos)...

*Shrugs*

Honestly would be interesting to see WoC variations of cultists, cults (yes, the hidden settlements) and even perhaps cultist units (I am thinking something like skavenslave role filler mortals).

But on the other hand, it can see the argument that its kinda fitting for those to be a "monogod only" thing as well.

That said, why doesn't the dark elf "cult of pleasure" (Morathi) have access to a variation of the Slaanesh cultist! They are literately a slaaneshy "cult of pleasure" and the cultist hero is even a elf! :P

[Gnarl]

It is interesting WoC is the 'hammer' of Chaos so they forgo recruiting or rituals in enemy territory for the most part unless they fighting their already. But some now lords like Festus were totally kind of Cultist like in how they bought trouble to the Empire.

But I was wondering how we'd end up in the lore with some of the knightly orders of the Empires being corrupted towards the End Times and become more or less full chaos knights yet aren't WoC? Maybe the last Slaanesh lord will introduce some more cult jobbing that WoC can later do to some extent.

[Amphibian Artillery]

Simple they want the monogods to have their own unique heroes and mechanics

[Public Enema]

The Warriors of Chaos not having access to Cultists may seem like a disadvantage compared to other factions, but it's tied to their unique campaign design and balancing mechanics. Here’s an explanation of why this is the case and how it fits into their overall playstyle

Why Warriors of Chaos Don’t Have Cultists
Unique Hero Design Philosophy

The Warriors of Chaos are designed as a powerful, elite-focused army, with fewer unit types but higher overall quality and versatility.
Their two hero types—Chaos Sorcerers and Exalted Heroes—are versatile and cover a broad range of roles, from spellcasting to melee combat. This encourages a focus on upgrading and customizing fewer heroes, aligning with their thematic emphasis on chosen champions of Chaos.
Access to Other Unique Systems

Unlike factions with Cultists, Warriors of Chaos benefit from Chaos Gifts, Marks of Chaos, and Warband upgrades, which provide strategic and tactical advantages.
These systems offer a level of power and flexibility that compensates for their limited hero diversity.
Cultists Belong to Chaos God-Aligned Factions

Cultists are specific to Chaos God-aligned factions like Nurgle, Khorne, Tzeentch, and Slaanesh. Their role is tied to spreading their god’s influence through cult establishments.
The Warriors of Chaos, led by undivided lords like Archaon, don’t rely on spreading Chaos cults in the same way. Instead, they conquer directly, reflecting their aggressive playstyle.
Even when Warriors of Chaos align with a god (via Marks), they don’t adopt the same cult-building mechanics.
Balance Concerns

Warriors of Chaos are already incredibly strong in their reworked form (Immortal Empires update) with robust armies, the Warband system, and legendary lords like Archaon, Kholek, and Sigvald.
Adding Cultists to their roster might make them overpowered by giving them the ability to spread corruption and establish cults, further boosting their already formidable economy and influence.
Why Fewer Heroes Isn’t Necessarily a Disadvantage
While having only two hero types might seem limiting, the Warriors of Chaos have compensatory strengths:

Versatile Heroes

Exalted Heroes are excellent in melee, capable of taking on both dueling and army support roles.
Chaos Sorcerers can specialize in various lores of magic, offering strategic diversity and powerful spellcasting.
These heroes can be customized further with Marks of Chaos, making them adaptable to your playstyle.
Warband Upgrade System

The ability to upgrade and customize units into elite versions (e.g., Chaos Warriors into Chosen) reduces the need for specialized hero roles like Cultists.
Legendary Lords as Powerhouses

Warriors of Chaos legendary lords, like Archaon or Belakor, serve as quasi-heroes themselves, often providing abilities that outshine regular heroes from other factions.
Chaos Gifts and Vassals

Access to Gifts of Chaos, vassal mechanics, and unique buffs from aligned gods ensures they remain competitive without the need for Cultists.

How to Adapt

If you’re feeling the lack of Cultists and their utility, here are some tips to fill the gap:

Focus on Corruption via Chaos Sorcerers
Equip Chaos Sorcerers with traits and items that boost corruption spread to simulate the role of Cultists.

Expand Aggressively

Lean into the direct conquest playstyle of the Warriors of Chaos. Use vassals and gifts to spread Chaos influence in conquered regions.

Use Allied Recruitment

With the Allegiance system, you can recruit Cultists from god-aligned Chaos factions if you're aligned with them.
While it’s true that having Cultists would offer more utility, the Warriors of Chaos are designed to operate differently. Their raw power, unique mechanics, and thematic playstyle make them formidable despite the hero limitation. Let me know if you’d like more tips on optimizing your Chaos campaign!

[Human bean]

Originally posted by Lampros:

Being saddled with merely 2 Hero types is a huge disadvantage...

What do you mean? WoC CAN use cultists...

[Garatgh Deloi]

Originally posted by Human bean:

What do you mean? WoC CAN use cultists...

No they can't.

[Human bean]

Originally posted by Garatgh Deloi:

Originally posted by Human bean:

What do you mean? WoC CAN use cultists...

No they can't.

Huh. Pretty sure I was using cultists when I was playing as the Man himself. Might be from a mod though. Well, in that case blame yourself for not getting the full experience

[Lampros]

Originally posted by Public Enema:

The Warriors of Chaos not having access to Cultists may seem like a disadvantage compared to other factions, but it's tied to their unique campaign design and balancing mechanics. Here’s an explanation of why this is the case and how it fits into their overall playstyle

Why Warriors of Chaos Don’t Have Cultists
Unique Hero Design Philosophy

The Warriors of Chaos are designed as a powerful, elite-focused army, with fewer unit types but higher overall quality and versatility.
Their two hero types—Chaos Sorcerers and Exalted Heroes—are versatile and cover a broad range of roles, from spellcasting to melee combat. This encourages a focus on upgrading and customizing fewer heroes, aligning with their thematic emphasis on chosen champions of Chaos.
Access to Other Unique Systems

Unlike factions with Cultists, Warriors of Chaos benefit from Chaos Gifts, Marks of Chaos, and Warband upgrades, which provide strategic and tactical advantages.
These systems offer a level of power and flexibility that compensates for their limited hero diversity.
Cultists Belong to Chaos God-Aligned Factions

Cultists are specific to Chaos God-aligned factions like Nurgle, Khorne, Tzeentch, and Slaanesh. Their role is tied to spreading their god’s influence through cult establishments.
The Warriors of Chaos, led by undivided lords like Archaon, don’t rely on spreading Chaos cults in the same way. Instead, they conquer directly, reflecting their aggressive playstyle.
Even when Warriors of Chaos align with a god (via Marks), they don’t adopt the same cult-building mechanics.
Balance Concerns

Warriors of Chaos are already incredibly strong in their reworked form (Immortal Empires update) with robust armies, the Warband system, and legendary lords like Archaon, Kholek, and Sigvald.
Adding Cultists to their roster might make them overpowered by giving them the ability to spread corruption and establish cults, further boosting their already formidable economy and influence.
Why Fewer Heroes Isn’t Necessarily a Disadvantage
While having only two hero types might seem limiting, the Warriors of Chaos have compensatory strengths:

Versatile Heroes

Exalted Heroes are excellent in melee, capable of taking on both dueling and army support roles.
Chaos Sorcerers can specialize in various lores of magic, offering strategic diversity and powerful spellcasting.
These heroes can be customized further with Marks of Chaos, making them adaptable to your playstyle.
Warband Upgrade System

The ability to upgrade and customize units into elite versions (e.g., Chaos Warriors into Chosen) reduces the need for specialized hero roles like Cultists.
Legendary Lords as Powerhouses

Warriors of Chaos legendary lords, like Archaon or Belakor, serve as quasi-heroes themselves, often providing abilities that outshine regular heroes from other factions.
Chaos Gifts and Vassals

Access to Gifts of Chaos, vassal mechanics, and unique buffs from aligned gods ensures they remain competitive without the need for Cultists.

How to Adapt

If you’re feeling the lack of Cultists and their utility, here are some tips to fill the gap:

Focus on Corruption via Chaos Sorcerers
Equip Chaos Sorcerers with traits and items that boost corruption spread to simulate the role of Cultists.

Expand Aggressively

Lean into the direct conquest playstyle of the Warriors of Chaos. Use vassals and gifts to spread Chaos influence in conquered regions.

Use Allied Recruitment

With the Allegiance system, you can recruit Cultists from god-aligned Chaos factions if you're aligned with them.
While it’s true that having Cultists would offer more utility, the Warriors of Chaos are designed to operate differently. Their raw power, unique mechanics, and thematic playstyle make them formidable despite the hero limitation. Let me know if you’d like more tips on optimizing your Chaos campaign!

Is this from a dev diary? If so, link?

[Garatgh Deloi]

Originally posted by Lampros:

Is this from a dev diary? If so, link?

Fairly certain its just a chat GPT (or some other AI chat) generated reply. It has all the trademarks.

[Lampros]

Originally posted by Garatgh Deloi:

Originally posted by Lampros:

Is this from a dev diary? If so, link?

Fairly certain its just a chat GPT (or some other AI chat) generated reply. It has all the trademarks.

Ah, yeah. It looked a bit suspicious ;)