In Total War: Pharaoh immerse yourself in ancient Egypt at the zenith of its power and experience the dramatic events that threaten its destruction.

With dynamic real-time battles and incredible turn-based empire management, can you rise above your adversaries to become Egypt’s last great Pharaoh and stand against the collapse of an iconic civilization?

With the end looming for the great Pharaoh Merneptah, the people of Egypt cry out for a new leader. Many desire the power of the throne, but the path to becoming Pharaoh is a perilous one. Unearth a breathtakingly vibrant recreation of the Bronze Age Collapse as you battle societal disarray, face natural disasters and fight to protect your people against waves of invaders.

The underdogs wait. As the shadow from Pharaoh Merneptah's demise lingers, the city states of Canaan strive to break free from the shackles of the competing Egyptian and Hittite empires. Will you rally behind a cunning leader who thrives on subterfuge and scheming, or will you stand with a fearsome commander who values bloodshed and gold above all else?

RECLAIM THE PRESTIGE OF THE CANAANITE EMPIRE

There is no Canaanite bloodline, only those strong enough to have survived on the sword edge between two rival empires. These warlords have little in common beyond seeking the demise of the current dynastic power structures and to instil their own unique legacy. 

• Irsu, the ravager, is a savage warlord and raider hoping to prey on the fragility of civilisation and reap the rewards of the chaos that follows. Proudly barbaric, he has no care for diplomacy and favours aggression and brute strength to overcome his foes. In battle, his units are well armoured, excel at fighting in melee and have access to the Raiders and Razers Ability allowing them to set buildings on fire to sow further discontent. 
• Bay, the schemer, is a supreme survivor and master manipulator. A wolf in sheep’s clothing, his ability to look weak and friendly come naturally to him, for he is tired of watching the spoils of high Egyptian society from afar. His clandestine playstyle is ideal for players who want to lurk in the shadows, slowly growing in influence before striking from positions of diplomatic power. Amidst battle, his troops expertly ambush with use of Abilities like Vanguard Deployment, Stalk and Sneak, allowing his nimble melee infantry and short-range missile units to strike from various angles, surprising enemies and securing rapid victories.

HARNESS A VERSITILE WAR MACHINE

As regional underdogs confronting two military giants, the Canaanites have refined their warfare strategies to counter the Egyptians' rapid speed and the Hittites' heavy armour. Their strength lies in their adaptability during combat, fielding armies that blend robust durability with remarkable agility. Consequently, they primarily employ medium-armoured forces, whilst occasionally incorporating heavy and light infantry depending on whether they're conducting land raids or surprising unsuspecting foes.

CANAANITE DEEEP DIVE

Canaan is a region ravaged by wars waged by bigger empires bordering its north and south. However, while often somewhat disregarded by Hatti and Egypt, victors will be forged from those who do not underestimate it.

Be it the humble diplomat or the great raider, a Canaan leader will rise from the embers of both Hatti and Egypt – be it through subterfuge or by further fanning the flames of war.

Today we take a look at the two playable Canaanite factions in Total War: PHARAOH. Please note that the game is still in development, and certain things may change between now and release.

CONTRASTING CHARACTERS

Canaan’s two leaders could hardly be more different from one another.

Starting out in Retjenu, Irsu has no interest in ruling. Instead he yearns only to acquire. Be it resources, money or conflict – if you have something he wants, he will take it. Society’s downfall is of no concern to him - he will continue to raze and loot regardless. A prize fighter who brings heavyweight champions to their knees, to most his arrival heralds an oncoming apocalypse.

Over in Fenkhu, the diplomat, Bay, is an entirely different proposition. Enamoured by Egyptian high society and already in decent standing with Merneptah, Bay has his eyes on the courts where he intends to spread his control and influence throughout society. It is not the acquisition of power that drives Bay but instead the chance to use it for good, be that through manipulating a puppet Pharaoh or even taking the throne himself, should circumstances so conspire.

Where Irsu seeks chaos, Bay seeks to stem anarchy’s tide.

CONTRASTING PLAYSTYLES

Bay’s approach is unique in Total War: PHARAOH. As one who thrives not on the battlefield, Bay instead prefers to operate in society’s shadows. Swords and spears are not his weapons – he instead prefers influence, diplomatic relations and subterfuge.

Bay utilises the vast amount of resources gained from his buildings to ensure he has friends in all the right places. But while he may shower gifts upon his admirers at first, the time will inevitably come when he stops giving and starts to take…

His unique buildings bolster legitimacy, influence and resource production. The lighter side of Bay’s façade can be seen in the Singing Competition and the Chief Scribe’s Headquarters, which increase happiness, influence, legitimacy to the throne. Meanwhile, Bay pragmatism can be found in the Regional Fair, which increases production rates. Bay gains legitimacy through all manner of actions, be that plotting with factions or holding a position within the courts. All in all he is a formidable political opponent.

Irsu, meanwhile, is a far blunter instrument. Any power he wields is swung fiercely, leaving opponent in a smouldering rubble. His interest isn’t in building empires, but in tearing them down. He cares little for notions such as ‘economy’, ‘happiness’ and ‘diplomacy’. If something furthers his cause, he takes it. If not, it’s cast aside.

Irsu’s unique buildings exemplify this. The Forced Labour Camps hugely improve production rates and workforce growth but do not, as one might imagine, do much for happiness. Whatever happiness he himself experiences is found in gold, and his Gold Tally Quarters bolster influence, happiness, production and even legitimacy. Irsu’s War Camp, meanwhile, increases recruitment slots and ranks in a region.

CONTRASTING MILITARIES

Specialising in ambush tactics, nearly all of Bay’s unique forces have the Ambusher trait, meaning they’re difficult to spot in even the most open of terrain. Not that spotting them makes a huge difference, as they’re very capable of disabling the majority of an army’s defensive and offensive capabilities. Facing chariots? Javelins can potentially break their wheels, greatly affecting their speed. Shields and armour? Bay’s armies strike fast hand-to-hand with surgical precision.

However, if subterfuge is not for you then the unique forces of Irsu just might be.

Irsu’s armies are forged in his image, adorned in the heaviest armour that shrugs off many attacks from more lightly armoured units. He even utilises heavy skirmisher chariots that can decimate missile forces with ease. Where lighter units are employed their purpose is simple – be expendable and harass the enemy until the big guns arrive.

His forces can be reckless in combat, but their heavy armour affords them a certain casual obliqueness. Forget honour and strategy. This is war, and Irsu’s forces are here for a fight.

FEARSOME MILITIAS

Canaanite forces must be adaptable, facing danger both from the speedy units of the Egyptians and the heavy armour of the Hittites.

In Bay’s starting location in Fenkhu, we find the Native Fenkhu and Yamhad forces. These span the entirety of the armour spectrum – lightly armoured units capable of decent ambush tactics, plus medium and heavy armoured units capable at holding out against chariot charges from Egyptian forces.
Meanwhile, Irsu starts with access to the Sinai and Retjenu militia also utilised by Ramesses. While the forces may be familiar, under Irsu’s command you’ll be utilising them for different reasons - chiefly their range and speed. The Sinai and Retjenu forces can pick up the slack where Irsu’s own armies may falter, although do not confuse Irsu for a slouch…

UNTIL NEXT TIME

We'll be back soon with more insight into the excitement coming your way in Total War: PHARAOH. In the mean time, do check out our deep dive into the game Egyptian factions.

Are you ready to take on the mantle of Pharaoh?

By pre-ordering now, players can gain access to a Pharaoh’s trove of early-adopter bonuses including the ability to take part in an Early-Access Weekend, the Avatar of the Gods Cosmetic Pack, and the Heart of the Shardana Cosmetic Pack. For more information regarding each, please visit the Total War: PHARAOH FAQ. 

Pre-order directly from the developers at the Total War: PHARAOH store, Steam or the Epic Games Store.

Key Features:

• SHAPE YOUR DYNASTY: The Pharaoh is dead, and the people of Egypt, Canaan, and the Hittite empire cry out for a new leader. Many desire the power of the throne, but the path to becoming Pharaoh is a perilous one. As the leader of these great nations, you must overcome societal collapse, face natural disasters and fight to protect your people against invaders from far off lands.  With a choice of eight Faction Leaders from three rich cultural hubs, step into their unique playstyles and take charge of deadly and diverse unit rosters. Whether you’re charming the courts as a peerless diplomat, charging into battle as an unwavering commander or causing chaos as a fearless warlord, become a leader that history will remember. 
• UNEARTH ANCIENT EGYPT: On your journey to becoming Pharaoh, uncover a beautifully lush and vibrant recreation of Ancient Egypt at the height of its power. From the fertile banks of the river Nile to the windswept, arid deserts of the Sinai Peninsula and the mountainous crags of ancient Anatolia, this magnificent visual reimagining brings the beauty and brutality of Egypt’s most tumultuous era to life. 
• EXPERIENCE EPIC DYNAMIC BATTLES: Enemy armies aren’t the only challenges to overcome on the battlefield. Lead your soldiers through sudden and dramatic shifts in weather, such as thunderstorms and sandstorms, and witness the tides of battle turn as it directly impacts the surrounding terrain. Beware the threat of fire too, as battles can become engulfed in flames, striking and spreading across the battlefield as it burns forests and damages the foundations of enemy settlements. 
• CUSTOMISE YOUR CAMPAIGN AND PLAY YOUR WAY: With a brand-new Campaign Customization feature, no two campaigns will ever feel the same. Determine how you play with an extended range of campaign customization options, such as random starting positions for all factions, detailed resource settings, the ability to toy with natural disasters and much more. With an abundance of options, stack the odds against yourself for an added challenge or become an unmatched power to breeze your way to victory. 

Total War: Pharaoh is coming to PC (Steam / Epic Games Store) in October 2023.