The Empires of Sand Culture Pack brings three new playable factions and new religion features to Total War: ATTILA.

- New Factions; Aksum, Himyar and Tanukhids with new unique units.
- New Campaign mechanics.
- New Horde mechanics.
- New Religion features.

Aksum, Himyar and the Tanukhids may be used in Single or Multiplayer Campaign modes and Custom and Multiplayer battles.

Hailing from the harsh deserts of Africa and the Middle East, these factions are part of the new Desert Kingdoms cultural group, and bring new campaign mechanics, new horde gameplay mechanics, events, enhanced religion features, battlefield rosters and unique units to Total War: ATTILA.

New Religion Features

Because of the dramatic impact religious changes had on these cultures in this period, the Empires of Sand Culture Pack includes a number of changes that increase the importance of religion. There are three new religions available: Eastern Christianity, Judaism and Semitic Paganism.
Each non-horde Desert Kingdoms faction has two main religions to choose between. Aksum may follow Eastern Christianity and Semitic Paganism, while Himyar may choose between Judaism and Semitic Paganism.

Religion now has further-reaching effects, influencing many aspects of Desert Kingdoms campaign gameplay. It is deeply intertwined with a number of features including building chains, victory conditions, events, technologies and overall campaign bonuses:

Dual religion building chains

Aksum and Himyar possess a building chain for each of their main religions. They can build these buildings regardless of their faction religion. This allows players to exert greater control over their faction religion and change it reactively in response to their situation.

Tier-5 barracks

Aksum and Himyar have two new tier-5 barracks available, one for each religion. To unlock a barracks, the faction must have 75% influence in the respective religion. These barracks buildings each provide three unique elite units as well as unlocking a variety of campaign benefits.

Split victory-conditions and achievements

Desert Kingdoms factions have two sets of victory conditions, one for each of their main religions, that involve a number of units and structures related to that religion.

Increased diplomatic significance

The new religions have increased diplomatic impact, forcing the player to choose their religion carefully based on who they wish to ally with.

Pleasure building-chain

Non-horde Desert Kingdoms factions have access to a new industrial building-chain which provides large sums of money, but decreases your majority religion, meaning you must choose between religious stability and financial gain.

Religious technologies

Each non-horde Desert Kingdoms faction has a technology chain for each of its main religions. These convey a number of religious and campaign bonuses to help you manage and optimize your religious choices.

Increased Religious Discord Penalties

The public order penalties for religious disharmony within your provinces have been increased between the new religions, meaning that the benefits are balanced with increased risk if you fail to manage your religions correctly.

Reactive Religious events (Aksum and Himyar)

Two new events have been added that trigger when certain religious conditions are met, and provide you with intriguing dilemmas and missions.

The Tanukhids

The Tanukhids are a horde faction, representing a desert rebellion with a hyper-aggressive playstyle, plus a host of unique traits and features.

Faction Trait: Legendary Raiders
Rapacious Horde: Food is obtained through settlement battles rather than buildings.
Victory rallies: Every military victory spreads your fame and swells your ranks, increasing the horde’s growth.
Swelling Ranks: Armies in Raiding stance gain a free Rebellion Militia unit every turn.

History
The Tanukhids have travelled a long way from their homelands. Originally part of the Qahtani tribal confederation, they migrated north in the aftermath of a flood which devastated their homeland, eventually leaving Arabia altogether.

Coming into contact with the Roman Empire, the Tanukhids have since been employed as Roman foederati, and considered a dependable cavalry force. However, they recently rebelled against Rome following Emperor Valens' attempts to convert them from Orthodox to Arian Christianity. The Tanukhids – under their warrior queen, Mavia – fought so hard, and so fiercely, that they defeated the Romans in the field on several occasions and forced agreement to their terms.

Despite the odds, these devout people have created a life for themselves as free Arabs, who pledge allegiance to none but God and their brave queen - surely all that is required to attain true greatness!

Campaign features

New building trees
While migrating, the Tanukhids have access to a completely new Horde building tree comprising 34 new buildings, each with unique artwork and campaign effects.

Unique event chain
A brand new event-chain guides you in your rebellion against the Romans, and leads you ultimately to settlement and the formation of an empire.

Dynamic Barrack unlocks
Completing missions unlocks higher tiers of barracks and provides access to new, defecting Roman units.

Unit Roster
The Tanukhid Roster focuses on battlefield area-control and micro management. Light but powerful shock cavalry are paired with stealth units and fast pike units.

Badyia Skirmishers – Light stalk (remain hidden in all terrains) Javelinmen
Desert Pikes – Light, rapid advance pikes with high missile block chance
Dune Lancers – Very light guerilla-deployment shock cavalry with javelin precursor
Mavia’s Bodyguards – Very heavy shock cavalry (general’s unit)
Mavia’s Chargers – Very light shock cav with very good charge bonus
Mavia’s Chosen – Very light shock cav with exceptional charge bonus
Mavia’s Lancers – Very light shock cav with good charge bonus
Rebellion Militia – Zero-upkeep troops with high missile block chance and low damage
Sandstorm Lancers – Very light guerilla deployment shock cavalry with javelin precursor
Tanukhid Ambushers – Light stalk swordsmen with exceptional charge
Tanukhid Pikes – Heavy pikes with rapid advance
Desert Palatina Defectors – Heavy Roman defensive infantry
Desert Legionary Guards - Heavy Roman defensive infantry
Hetaireia Guards – Roman two-handed axe infantry
Clibanarii – Heavy Roman shock cavalry with bows