Summary
Total War: Pharaohtakes players to the glory days of Ancient Egypt as they seek to assert dominance over their rivals in an RTS format. Among the game’snew and improved featuresis a more fleshed-out religious system with a variety of different deities depending on the player’s faction. The Egyptian faction has the most options, but there are still plenty of useful and important gods among the Canaanite and Hittite factions.
Players will have to discover each god to draw any benefits from them. Once they have been discovered, there are a number of ways in which players can make use of them. Constructing Shrines and Temples will grant benefits and accelerate the advancement of deity worship to the next tier. Each tier will improve the benefits provided by the chosen god, and these apply to Devoted Generals and armies who Pray. Players can change the chosen God in each location by using the “Local Deities” tab in the upper-middle toolbar.
10Horus (Egyptian)
Increased Movement Speed for Armies, and Attrition Immunity
The famous falcon-headed God of wisdom and tutelage, Horus, makes for a great deity to worship when preparing or bolstering armies. Horus provides a number of useful benefits in this area:
When combined, these bonuses can make war preparations significantly faster and easier. They also providing a small combat bonus for when the armies are deployed to fight.
9Baal (Canaanite)
Bolsters Armies with Defensive and Attacking Bonuses
Although the figure Baal has more recently become associated with occultism and theBalenciaga fashion brand, there was a time when this deity was revered among the Canaanites. Baal is useful when under attack, and provides a number of helpful bonuses:
Worshiping Baal can be advantageous in defensive settings. He will provide units with an extra boost that could make all the difference when it comes to defending cities and settlements.
8Arinna (Hittite)
Significant Bonuses for Raiding Enemy Territories
The sun-goddess Arinna is best worshipedduring times of social unrestor when raiding enemy settlements. InTotal War: Pharaoh,the benefits of Arinna’s worship include:
Devoting a General to Arinna will grant their army additional benefits, including:
These bonuses can be huge in combat, and are particularly suited to large armies.
7Ra (Egyptian)
Large Recruitment and Combat Bonuses for Armies
The Ancient Egyptian sun god, Ra, is one of the better known deities to emerge from that time. He is particularly useful in prosperous provinces with lots of production buildings. Ra’s effects include:
Having armies pray to Ra will also provide them with considerable bonuses:
These perks can be useful when outnumbered, and will serve to even the playing field in such circumstances.
6Moloch (Canaanite)
Large Combat Bonuses for Devoted Generals
Moloch is another ancient Canaanite god whose name hasnot disappeared from popular culture. Often associated with demons and hell, Moloch’s abilities are focused on waging war. In the game, he will give Canaanite troops a number of valuable bonuses, including:
Moloch can also help to stimulate the economy, providing+8 Workforce Growthto any province with a dedicated Moloch Shrine. Local provinces will also receive+4 Melee Defenseon Recruitment.
5Kumarbi (Hittite)
Massive XP Gains for Armies, and Influence for Provinces
Kumbari was regarded by the Hittites as “King of the Gods,” much like Odin and Zeus in the Viking andGreek cultures respectively. He is an extremely powerful deity offering bonuses to a variety of different areas. Effects of Kumarbi worship include:
Devoting a general to this god will bring the greatest benefits to the devoted general’s army:
Overall, this can create much stronger troops than normal, who can quickly ascend the ranks and gain an XP advantage over rivals.
4Thoth (Egyptian)
Decreased Construction Time and Cost; and Fortified Armor
Thoth is another iconic Egyptian deity, depicted with the head of an ibis. Often regarded as the god of wisdom, writing, and knowledge, Thoth’s main benefits relate tomanaging provincesmore effectively. Therefore, it is best to worship Thoth during peacetime or in developing provinces facing few external threats.
3Yamm (Canaanite)
Increased Food Production and Happiness; and Massive Raiding Bonuses
The Canaanite sea god, Yamm, provides a range of useful benefits applicable in both peace and wartime. In their local province, Shrines will provide:
Armies who pray to Yamm by visiting a Shrine will gain the following:
This is especially useful for larger armies heading out toattack and conquer enemy territories, and will be particularly beneficial to armies containing expensive, elite units.
Allied Morale & Combat Abilities are Greater for Allies, Decreased for Target Enemies
Anubis, the canine-headed lord of the underworld, was equal parts feared and admired inAncient Egyptian society. Worshipping this god is especially useful for demoralizing enemy armies, which will cause their units to route sooner during combat.
Shrines to Anubis will add+5% Missile Rangeand+4 Morale on Recruitmentfor allied units.Prayers targeting an enemy army can reduce Morale by 25.Devoted Generals for Anubis will receive+15 Armorfor all units and+29% Charge Bonusfor chariots.
1Isis (Egyptian)
Bonuses To Workforce and Production; Reduces Enemy Happiness and Influence
The supreme goddess of Ancient Egypt, Isis can contribute toall areas of a factionand makes for a good default worshiping stance for the Egyptian faction. Shrines will add:
Prayers can be used to target enemy territories, giving-8 Happiness and -5 Influence to a targeted province.This can be useful for weakening enemy defenses and demoralizing units, or stirring up rebellions to do the fighting instead.
