Getting to know Total War: Three Kingdoms

Whether you are new to the franchise and need help with the basics or a hardened veteran looking to master the mechanics, this guide contains a series of short videos to help you learn how to play Total War: Three Kingdoms.

The videos are narrated in English and have subtitles in other languages.

Introduction:

Whether you are new to Total War, or an advanced player looking to add some finesse to their playstyle. We’ve worked to produce a series of short videos to help you out.

Remember, if you are ever stuck in game, you can access these videos by pressing F2 or F1 when you are stuck in-game and right clicking on the UI element that is puzzling you.

The Basics:

New to Total War
A top level run-through of what Total War games are exactly and how they function for you the player.
https://youtu.be/oSePYjZjFV0

New to Three Kingdoms
A less top-level run-through covering specifically new to Three Kingdoms, features, goals and rules.
https://youtu.be/IN4zaeIvPVQ

How to win a campaign
Looking at a few of the ways to win a campaign in Three Kingdoms from becoming Emperor to Military domination.
https://youtu.be/IN4zaeIvPVQ

How to win a battle
An excellent summary, of units types, basic strategy and most importantly KEYBOARD BINDINGS that any new total war player should know – such as moving your army as one set structured formation for example.
https://youtu.be/PCtBt_Iar4o
How do I set up custom/ multiplayer battles?
https://youtu.be/FsjJ2g_RRok

Army Management:

How do I recruit a unit?
https://youtu.be/qlVzsl4ISvs

What are retinues and how to use them?
https://youtu.be/nJCjaKuS9R8

How do I maximise unit replenishment?
https://youtu.be/l3iX-EHkkY4

Can I upgrade units?
https://youtu.be/cprZaSlQvfM

Can I dismiss or merge units and retinues?
https://youtu.be/XxBpGEpAaxY

How far can my armies move?
https://youtu.be/8NNoThZT79A

What are army stances?
https://youtu.be/qIq5YFWvYvE

Character Management:

How do I manage character satisfaction?
https://youtu.be/P6h2SGPuArM

What are the best skills for my character?
https://youtu.be/YFwtYoSqsaQ

What makes a character good/bad at a specific role?
https://youtu.be/t4BEmqXqOBw

How do I see and manage character relationships?
https://youtu.be/8z4honBfY-Q

How do I increase my characters rank?
https://youtu.be/F7dHXjd9cvc

How do I earn & equip ancillaries?
https://youtu.be/X_UDGk85GFA

Commandery Management:

How do I unlock and construct buildings?
https://youtu.be/nWwD9moifpk

How do I manage public order?
https://youtu.be/Mwjpio4EXAc

How do I get more building slots?
https://youtu.be/bzT_TvLkWE8

How can I make more money?
https://youtu.be/CHJez78tQxE

What is faction support?
https://youtu.be/zR0nQVlG5UU

How do I use assignments?
https://youtu.be/Ee4Au-Yhbh4

Spies and Diplomacy:

How do I recruit and deploy a spy?
https://youtu.be/B1xHG90kI9E

How do I use a deployed spy?
https://youtu.be/OBdt9CmAnTY

How do I use Quick Deal in diplomacy?
https://youtu.be/Uucqe_IVKk4

How do I improve my diplomatic reliability?
https://youtu.be/6VUNsDlmRvw

Faction Management on the Campaign Map:

Using Quick Lists to manage your faction.
https://youtu.be/m_rSeCdCuSc

How to use the Reforms Tree? (technology)
https://youtu.be/7z2k9L1N8wo

How do I use the faction court?
https://youtu.be/Hy6p-Lciozo

How to view your faction summary & progress?
https://youtu.be/KHuxaJ6AkbI

How to approach a siege?
https://youtu.be/n2_1y21sEqI

What is the difference between: occupy, loot & occupy or raze?
https://youtu.be/oXsLgCyDpFc

Unique Faction Specialisation:

Each playable faction has its own faction specialisation, a unique mechanic which heavily influences its playstyle. This is noted in the faction's description before a campaign begins, and in the faction summary panel during a campaign.

Cao Cao - Credibility
https://youtu.be/OjO3SHmDJsI

Sun Jian - Heroism
https://youtu.be/DwLE8rUMeAg

Zheng Jiang - Infamy
https://youtu.be/UVrll9UgBmY

Yuan Shu - Legitimacy
https://youtu.be/oV91w2Fw2yg

Yuan Shao - Lineage
https://youtu.be/I-MlmAmt2Uw

Dong Zhuo - Intimidation
https://youtu.be/-jPupCeqhE0

[Xyyxyx B Bck]

thanks for the guides, helped me out!

[Yasko]

Never got the point of putting youtube videos here in steam guides. If i wanted to waste hours of boring watching about the game i would just search at YouTube... :-P

[edibirsan]

Things that are not covered but I would like addressed/Answered
1. in battles, do hills and slopes have any impact? Seems like they do not.
2. When winning a battle in an enemy province with prisoners, it seems the option of taking reinforcements does not have any result and reinforcements only happen in controlled (before the battle).
3. Not sure what the caltrops actually do on the latest update

[Juvenoia]

Hello, great game! Question: What does "5 food production (Generals)" mean exactly? I just don't understand the meaning of the generals at the end. Does it add production when generals are present in the Commandery? I'm sorry if this is a simple answer but i can't seem to find information covering it myself anywhere. thanks!!!!

[Darth Alpharius]

@CA_OtherTom anychance for a Unique Officer event Guide?

[Kuloyi]

我无法看到我的弓箭尾迹

[Complicated Ape]

This is so great ! I'm completely new to the Total War games. Played for about 2 hours when I realized I was so lost. Came across this gem and I now feel so much more confident playing this title. Not to mention i'm having so much fun learning and playing this amazing game.

[StormTrooper]

Legit amazing guide! Only thing i would add is some more advance stuff or make that seperate if you already havnt. Been playing total war along time and i learned stuff thank you!

[Arakus]

@Yasha

Look here:
{LINK REMOVED}https://www.pcinvasion.com/guides/

Very helpful guides.

[Jah The Prophet]

Yasha dude just fucking look at the ones you need to look at. Simple really.