The nine factions at a glance

A quick reference for what each faction does differently. Numbers change with balance passes, so I've kept this to how they play. Each name links to its full faction page.

Dwarves

• Heaviest armour and the strongest walls, towers and Fortress in the game
• Runic Overcharge: a Runic Library speeds up production at any of your buildings, anywhere on the map
• Key units: Ironguard, Crossbowman, Runesmith, Steam Cannon, Ironjumper (hops walls), Thunderwing

Goblins

• Cheapest units and quickest build times, fragile across the board
• Scrap and Pillage: workers salvage scrap off your corruption, and hitting enemy buildings loots gold
• Key units: Brawler, Warg Rider, Bomb Lobber, Demolisher, Hex Caster (Polymorph)

Ratmen

• Trench Rats train two at a time, so you're always outnumbering someone
• Corruption and Gnawholes: corrupted ground speeds you up and stops enemies building on it, and tunnels move armies across the map
• Key units: Trench Rat, Long-Rifle Marksman, Ironvermin, Vermin Hulk, Grind Wheel

Lizardmen

• Few, expensive units that each hit far above their cost
• Stone Obelisks and Ward Pyramids buff the army fighting near them, so pick your battlefield
• Key units: Saurian Warrior, Sun Guard, Saurian Behemoth, Ankylodon, Skink Oracle

Wood Elves

• Fastest infantry, low armour, built for hit and run
• Spirit Trees make lumber with no workers, and ground troops walk through forests
• Key units: Heartwood Archer, Bladedancer, Wildwood Blademaster, Wildsinger, Treant, Great Eagle

High Elves

• The deepest spell list of anyone, and a mediocre army if the casters die
• Energy Crystals provide population, Arcane and the power field most buildings must sit in. Kill the crystal first.
• Key units: Crystal Guard, Crystal Bowman, Archmage, Crystal Walker, Crystal Wyrm

Dark Elves

• Highest burst damage, weakest sustain
• Shadow Shroud: enemy units near their buildings lose sight range
• Key units: Shadow Blade, Shadow Archer, Umbral Cleaver, Shadow Engine, Deep Wurm

Humans

• Solid in every role, the best healing, and the faction to learn on
• Convert: a Battle Priest channels for about three seconds to steal an enemy unit for good. Steal a worker and you can build their faction's buildings.
• Key units: Man-at-Arms, Longbowman, Knight, Paladin, Battle Priest

Undead

• Worst early game, strongest late game
• Necromancy and Blight: enemy corpses become your skeletons, and enemy ground troops near your buildings slowly lose health
• Key units: Skeleton Warrior, Death Knight, Vampire, Necromancer, Lich, Bone Dragon

Disagree with a difficulty rating? Say so below. They're my guesses, not gospel.