The Undead Legions faction in Total War: Warhammer 3's Lords of the End Times DLC eschews a traditional tech tree for a unique enhancement system centered around Nagash, the faction's legendary lord. This system, referred to as the Black Pyramid, has drawn comparisons from players and previewers alike to the complex upgrade paths found in the action RPG Path of Exile.
The Black Pyramid presents a multi-branched maze of upgrades, so intricate that it includes its own search bar. Many of these enhancements focus on buffing Nagash himself, transforming him into a formidable force on the battlefield. Even when investing in upgrades that unlock various troop types from the Tomb Kings, Vampire Counts, and Vampire Coast, players inevitably find themselves strengthening Nagash directly.
Once sufficiently upgraded, Nagash becomes a devastating unit, capable of casting powerful spells like Abyssal Swarms that decimate enemy forces while leaving his own troops unharmed. He can also engage in close combat, wielding a massive sword and deflecting projectiles with his armor. Players can further enhance his capabilities by adding spells to the Books of Nagash, allowing him to passively drain enemy life while fighting.
Acquiring these Books of Nagash involves a quest to retrieve tomes held by rogue armies. Nagash must also rally his nine mortarchs, powerful legendary lords and heroes. Each mortarch has specific demands before joining the faction, such as securing locations or activating sigils within the Black Pyramid, an endeavor that has been likened to collecting Pokémon.
Nagash's unique position comes with significant diplomatic challenges. Performing the Ritual of Undeath, which expands the Land of the Dead, incurs diplomatic penalties, as other factions often react negatively to the spread of undead territory. This necessitates building necropolises to increase the number of available structures for activating sigils on the Black Pyramid. These necropolises also provide crucial defensive garrisons, as other settlements like burial mounds and mausoleums are relatively weak.
The Lords of the End Times DLC introduces an apocalyptic event that shifts the campaign dynamics. When the End Times arrive, typically through an invasion like Archaon's Chaos forces, other factions may become more amenable to alliances, offering a temporary reprieve from constant hostility. This creates a precarious balance for the player, where Nagash can be an overwhelming offensive powerhouse, but the faction's economy and scattered holdings can leave it vulnerable to attacks.
Playing as Nagash offers a dual experience of feeling incredibly powerful while also being constantly under threat. The overwhelming presence of Nagash on the battlefield contrasts with a fragile economy that relies on affordable undead units for defense. The challenge lies in managing these disparate elements, especially when facing the formidable power of Nagash as an opposing force in future campaigns.