Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties – Beginner’s Guide and Tips

by Fernando Diaz / Game Guides, Tips & Tricks / 26 Jul 2024

Want to crush your enemies and build an empire for the ages in Total War: Pharaoh Dynasties? I’ve been messing around with this game for a while and I’ve picked up some stuff that’ll help you crush your enemies; let’s break it down…

Focus on Growth

I know, I know—you’re here for the battles, and you want to recruit good units as early as possible. But trust me, instead of building early military buildings, focus on workforce and growth. More growth means better building and resource production, which leads to a higher army quality.

Here’s what I did: I had this province at the edge of the map that I just unified. I spent some resources on growth buildings, and the workforce skyrocketed. Once the cities were upgraded, I could turn this province into a resource printer or a military powerhouse. Trust me, the payoff is huge.

Maximize Ranged Units

Ranged units are the name of the game. With lethality introduced, they are just so broken. This also means that the once-harmless AI archers can destroy you if you don’t take them out fast.

To maximize your ranged units, put them in the thinnest formation possible. They take a lot less damage and deal more than the enemy. Whenever possible, get your ranged units behind the enemy lines, switch to direct shot, and watch the enemies drop like flies. Seriously, their killing power shoots through the roof!

Utilize Morale Debuffs

Sometimes you don’t want to grind through a 10-hour battle—you just want it over as fast as possible. Enter the shock and awe tactic. There are tons of morale debuffs you can stack to make the enemy soldiers run away and panic.

Equip your generals with weapons and shields that give the fear modifier (minus 8 to enemy morale). Combine this with flaming shots from archers (minus 16 debuff) and the minus 4 from being under fire, and you have 28 morale gone in a second. Use the Path of the Marauder Legacy to reduce morale even further. Your enemies will be running for the hills in no time.

Leverage Javelins

Javelins are the most versatile unit type in the game. They will kill anything they touch, from light units to heavy infantry. They’re even better against chariots and cavalry than spears, if used correctly.

For instance, I used Canaanite skirmishers and Abyssinian skirmishers with the spear and focus ability. They massacred chariots with ease. All you have to do is click the ability, target the chariots, and watch them go down in one volley.

Worship Strategic Gods

There are so many gods to worship in the game, but you only start with one slot. You can increase that to three with research, but that takes time. Choosing the best gods for the early game is crucial.

Instead of worshiping Amun (an amazing late-game god but useless early on), choose Isis for early game public order and growth or Set for murdering enemies and growth. Later, you can switch to Amun or hybridize them into a powerhouse combo. This will make your armies unstoppable.

Strategic Outpost Placement

Build shrines at locations that are easy to reach before major battles and alongside roads. Waystations refund 50% of the move speed it takes to reach outposts, so you can travel really fast around the map. Markets should be placed where they can’t be easily raided, and forts should be in situational locations.

I optimized my general for movement speed. When I put him in force march down a sea lane, he almost landed on Crete from Egypt in one turn! Always use sea lanes and avoid traveling across open water to prevent massive attrition.

Abuse the Economy

You don’t have to conquer territories with the resources you need. Just barter with the AI for them—they usually take pretty bad deals. Trading gold, which the AI massively overvalues, can get you tons of food or any resource you need.

Forced Inheritance and Marriages

Forced inheritance is an amazing way to earn extra resources and avoid civil wars. You can request to get adopted into a ruling dynasty, depending on your royal court.

Instead of establishing your own dynasty and risking a civil war, ask Daddy Pharaoh to adopt you. Once he dies, you become Pharaoh without fighting a single battle. Boost your legitimacy by winning battles, building monuments, and asking for legitimacy in diplomacy. It feels good to be king, doesn’t it?

Settlement Trading

Settlement trading is back, and it’s a fantastic way to get resources and vassals. After occupying a city, you can sell it back to the faction you were at war with or to their nearby enemies for resources and loyalty.

Exploit the Legacy of Perseus

This legacy allows global recruitment of units not just from your territory but also from vassals and allies. It makes units cheaper and gives them a rank increase.

Enable all legacies in the campaign customization and take the Legacy of Perseus for any faction. Host games, make peace between participants, and avoid unnecessary fights. This legacy can fill any gap in your roster.

Fernando Diaz

Fernando is doing what he always did, sharing his honest opinions about games whenever he can. The difference is now he is writing and not talking about it.
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