In the dark and mystical world of Warhammer, few characters exude the same awe and dread as Settra the Imperishable. Known for his relentless pursuit of eternal power and his unyielding will to rule, Settra is not merely a king he is a godlike figure in the lore of the Tomb Kings of Nehekhara. Whether you’re a Warhammer lore enthusiast or a player diving into Total War: Warhammer II, understanding Settra’s background, abilities, and battlefield tactics is key to mastering the ancient undead legions of Nehekhara. This guide delves deep into the legacy, playstyle, and leadership of Settra the Imperishable, ensuring you can command his empire with full knowledge of his strengths and strategies.
The Legacy of Settra the Imperishable
Origins of a Ruthless King
Settra was once the mighty and mortal ruler of Khemri, the most powerful city in ancient Nehekhara. Obsessed with immortality, Settra dedicated his entire reign to conquering neighboring lands and perfecting death-defying rituals. While he died before achieving true immortality, the mortuary cult resurrected him centuries later as an undying Liche King. However, he awoke enraged he had not returned as a living god, but as a skeletal king. Nevertheless, his will remained unbroken. He swiftly reasserted dominance over Nehekhara, demanding loyalty from other Tomb Kings and punishing disobedience with fire and steel.
Ruler of Nehekhara
Settra considers himself the rightful and eternal ruler of all Nehekhara. Unlike other Tomb Kings who may seek solitude or focus solely on their own realms, Settra seeks to unify and expand. He is charismatic yet tyrannical, merciless yet brilliant. His leadership is rooted in unwavering ambition, driven by a belief in his divine right to rule not only Nehekhara but the entire Warhammer world.
Settra’s Role in Total War: Warhammer
Legendary Lord Overview
InTotal War: Warhammer II, Settra the Imperishable is one of the Legendary Lords of the Tomb Kings faction. He begins his campaign in Khemri, ideally positioned to expand into Nehekhara and beyond. Settra comes with unique bonuses and access to powerful units from the start, making him a formidable force early in the game.
- Faction Bonuses: Public order bonus across all provinces, increased unit capacity for Tomb Guards, and cheaper construction costs for buildings.
- Lord Effects: Boosts unit experience, grants aura bonuses, and provides early access to elite units such as Necropolis Knights and Ushabti.
Early Game Strategy
Settra’s initial goal should be to secure Nehekhara. His early game strength allows for swift conquest of rival Tomb Kings, Greenskins, or Skaven factions. Focus on expanding infrastructure, unlocking dynasties through research, and obtaining Canopic Jars to recruit elite Lords and Heroes. He benefits from a strong economy based on monuments, gold mines, and trade goods like exotic animals and spices.
Settra on the Battlefield
Powerful Combat Abilities
Settra is not just a strategist he is a warrior-king. On the battlefield, he is a heavily armored melee combatant mounted on a Chariot of the Gods. His high leadership, defensive stats, and spell resistance make him hard to kill. Key abilities include:
- Fated of Nehekhara: A regeneration spell that allows Settra to heal during battle.
- Wrath of Ptra: A magic missile that deals damage in a straight line, ideal for disrupting enemy formations.
- The Chariot of the Gods: His mount, which adds impact damage, mobility, and crowd control.
Army Composition Tips
Settra thrives when surrounded by elite Tomb Guard infantry, Necropolis Knights, and strong ranged support from Screaming Skull Catapults. Use skeleton warriors as a buffer and let Settra and his elite units do the heavy lifting. His campaign skills also boost army replenishment and casualty reduction, making prolonged campaigns easier to manage.
The Mortuary Cult and Dynasty Research
Unlocking Nehekhara’s Ancient Power
The Tomb Kings rely on the Mortuary Cult to access powerful artifacts, units, and buildings. Settra’s leadership provides advantages in acquiring Canopic Jars essential currency for crafting legendary items, awakening ancient Tomb Kings, and constructing Casket of Souls and other magical war machines.
Dynasty Trees and Unique Lords
Researching dynasties is key to increasing army limits and unlocking faction-wide buffs. Settra can unlock legendary lords like Khalida, Khatep, and Arkhan the Black, but he remains dominant due to his balanced skill tree and economic perks. Prioritize dynasties that increase growth, unit capacity, and Lord slots early on.
Diplomacy and Expansion
A Ruthless Conqueror
Settra does not believe in diplomacy for its own sake. While it may be useful to secure early trade with factions like the Dwarfs or Lizardmen, his long-term strategy should always be conquest. The Tomb Kings do not suffer from upkeep costs in the same way other factions do, allowing Settra to field multiple armies once unit caps and dynasties are unlocked.
Enemies and Threats
Major threats include Skaven infestations in the south, Greenskin hordes, and vampire incursions. Each of these factions can disrupt Nehekhara’s growth. Prioritize their removal early. The Vampire Coast and Lizardmen are also major late-game adversaries, depending on campaign progression.
Settra’s Personality and Lore Impact
The Undying Ego
Settra is arguably the most arrogant and proud character in Warhammer lore. His personality influences the very design of the Tomb Kings faction there is no revival without ambition. He is often quoted as saying, Settra does not serve. Settra rules. His disdain for other undead factions, particularly the Vampire Counts, runs deep. In his eyes, they are abominations that pervert the sacred rituals of death.
Symbol of Undeath Done Right
Unlike Nagash’s necromancy, which reanimates soulless zombies, Settra’s magic is bound to the divine energies of the Nehekharan pantheon. His undeath is not a curse, but a continuation of divine rulership. This distinction is essential in understanding the ethos behind the Tomb Kings and their aversion to vampirism and dark necromancy.
Settra the Imperishable is more than just a legendary lord he is a living embodiment of domination, ambition, and eternal legacy in the Warhammer universe. Whether leading armies across the dunes of Nehekhara or crushing foes beneath the wheels of his divine chariot, Settra’s presence is felt in every part of the Tomb Kings faction. To master Settra is to understand power without compromise, rule without mercy, and immortality without decay. With strategic prowess, an unbreakable army, and a will of steel, Settra remains one of the most iconic and powerful figures ever created in Warhammer lore.