Total War: Warhammer 3 recently announced its latest DLC, Omens of Destruction, and many new things await the players within Patch 6.0. One of them is Golgfag Maneater, the legendary Mercenary who is undoubtedly one of the most successful Ogre mercenaries of all time, establishing their dreaded reputation as lethal hired fighters well before they became a familiar presence in forces worldwide. Boisterous and larger-than-life, Golgfag is also a top guzzler of Bugman’s ale. Today, we will discuss Golgfag Maneater Faction’s strengths and weaknesses in this Total War: Warhammer 3 guide. Let’s begin.
With the release of Omens of Destruction DLC for Total War: Warhammer 3, Creative Assembly continues their new DLC system by allowing players to choose which faction and Legendary Lord they want to play from the newest three Lords available inside the full bundle. For example, suppose you understand and enjoy playing as Ogre Kingdoms. In that case, you can simply purchase Golgfag Maneater DLC and leave the other two Lords, Gorbad Ironclaw and Skulltaker the Hero Slayer until you are ready to venture out into those two factions. However, if you want to enjoy the full package, you can still purchase the Omens of Destruction DLC bundle.
Total War: Warhammer 3 is available on Steam for $54.99, while the Omens of Destruction – Golgfag Maneater DLC is available on Steam for $5.99. Meanwhile, the full Omens of Destruction DLC Bundle is available on Steam for $15.99.
Golgfag Maneater Lore Overview
Before diving into his faction’s unique strengths and mechanics with this guide, it is wise to know why Golgfag is heralded as one of, if not the best mercenary in the world of Total War: Warhammer 3. Golgfag Maneater has more tales surrounding him than any other living Ogre, many of which he enthusiastically recounts himself. Despite his penchant for storytelling, much of the legend is truthful. Golgfag is arguably the most accomplished Ogre mercenary in history, having set the standard for their fearsome reputation as deadly hired warriors long before they became a familiar sight on battlefields across the globe.
A seasoned veteran, Golgfag has fought an incredible variety of enemies across continents and cultures. He’s willing to accept any job, eliminate any target, and seize any treasure, provided the payment meets his demands. His loyalty is purely transactional, lasting only as long as the contract holds. Boisterous and charismatic, Golgfag is also infamous for his fondness for Bugman’s ale.
Golgfag’s fearsome reputation isn’t built on leniency—on the battlefield, he shows no mercy, ensuring that any who dare to oppose him are left with nothing but regret.
Golgfag’s Notoriety.
Golgfag Maneater’s New Gameplay Mechanic
Golgfag’s fearsome reputation isn’t built on kindness. He’s a devastating anti-infantry killer on the battlefield, tearing through enemies brutally. But what sets him apart are his powerful abilities that turn the tide of battle.
With Dead Eye, he uses his pistol to deliver a deadly, armor-piercing shot, perfect for taking down elite foes. His passive Been There Done That debuffs nearby enemies, lowering their melee capabilities and reducing the effectiveness of terror-causing units. And when he needs a pick-me-up, Bugman’s XXXXX lets him regenerate health and regain stamina while savoring a strong brew.
While Golgfag Maneater only receives one unique campaign mechanic that sets him apart from other Ogre Kingdoms factions, the Mercenary Contracts, this function will still allow Golgfag to claim all Meats and Golds from around the world… If he can satisfy his client’s needs, blood’ll be in his hands—perfect for someone like Golgfag.
Golgfag’s Mercenary Contracts
Golgfag Maneater is a legendary mercenary, known for fighting other factions’ wars. Once he signs a contract, he’s got to attack the enemy within a time limit. Success brings rewards like Meat, Maneater Banners, and unique items.
The tougher the contract, the better the rewards—it all depends on how strong and numerous the client’s enemies are. Golgfag’s style leans heavily on sacking and burning settlements to gather Meat, which is crucial for keeping his Ogre Camps running. Compared to Greasus and Scragg, Golgfag’s campaign feels unique—less about control and more about pure mercenary chaos, with plenty of destruction and Ogre-style mayhem.
I find this campaign mechanic to be quite a breath of fresh air, since the Mercenary Contracts virtually make Golgfag able to dismantle and defeat any enemies he might encounter on the world map, as long as he can satisfy his client’s requests of annihilating a certain faction. This also means that you can ‘get away’ from waging wars and making peace constantly without receiving a staggering penalty for doing so.
While Golgfag doesn’t necessarily need to accept any Mercenary Contracts, without this campaign mechanic, you’d be severely limited in how you can play, as this is what separates him from other Ogre Kingdoms factions, which is why I recommend getting to work immediately and continuously throughout your campaign as Golgfag Maneater.
Golgfag Maneater’s Mercenary Contracts.
New Units for Golgfag Maneater in Total War: Warhammer 3
As part of the deadly and meaty Ogre Kingdoms, Golgfag Maneater recruits like-minded Ogres to join his cause and wreak havoc on everything they can set their eyes on, as long as they receive rewards in meats and ales. These vile and savage beasts of Golgfag Maneaters include Blood Vultures, Thundertusks, Yhetees, Pigback Riders, and Golgfag’s Maneaters.
Blood Vultures
The first unit we’d dive into within this guide is the one that accompanies Golgfag Maneater on his journey to fulfill his contracts around the Total War: Warhammer 3 world; the Blood Vultures. These nimble scavengers dominate the battlefield, swooping down on exposed enemies with unmatched speed. As the only flying unit in the Ogre roster, they bring a much-needed edge in aerial combat and unmatched versatility.
Their strength lies in disruption—pinning down missile units to neutralize threats or chasing down retreating foes to ensure they stay beaten. Plus, their unique passive ability boosts their stats as the bodies pile up, making them deadlier as the chaos escalates.
As a Flying War Beasts-type, the Blood Vultures have the highest top speed among all Ogre Kingdoms units, sitting at 100 base Speed. Although quite fragile, their numbers are more than enough to hold down the fort while charging through your enemies’ backlines and target their missile units easily.
Blood Vultures. Image Courtesy of Creative Assembly.
Thundertusks
The next unit that Golgfag Maneater brought with him to the fray is the Thundertusks, to ensure that his mercenary days run smoothly and without any hiccups. Thundertusks are colossal beasts that retreated to the icy peaks of the Mountains of Mourn as the world grew warmer. Infused with magical winds, they embody the harsh chill of winter. Despite their size and ferocity, Ogres have tamed these frost-covered giants, harnessing their crushing power, freezing aura, and devastating ice magic.
Under Ogre Kingdoms’ control, Thundertusks become invaluable in battle. Their sheer size lets them break through even the toughest infantry, while mounted Ogres provide ranged support with oversized crossbows. Their icy attacks don’t just deal damage—they also slow and weaken enemies, making them perfect for turning the tide of combat.
Thundertusks. Image Courtesy of Creative Assembly.
Yhetees
Although Golgfag and his bands of The Maneaters are more than enough to fight through any contracts coming their way, they still need to employ some heavy-duty shock troops to ensure that their raids to different cities across the world are successful without many casualties. This is where the Yhetees come into play in Golgfag’s employment, and we’ll discuss them in this Warhammer 3 guide.
Ferocious creatures from the towering mountain heights, these savage beasts often accompany Ogres in their raids. Charging ahead of the main force, they ambush unsuspecting foes with sharp claws, primitive clubs, and an icy aura that chills to the bone.
Their bond with the cold gives them the ability to imbue their weapons with freezing air, turning crude clubs into frost-laden instruments of destruction. This grants them devastating Frostbite attacks, leaving them vulnerable to fire. Wielding dual weapons, they strike with speed and ferocity, instilling fear as their frozen enemies crumble before them.
While Yhetees’ numbers per unit are quite small (12 Yhetees per unit on Large setting), their Aura of Frost ability, in tandem with their 20% Spell Resistance is more than enough to offset their small numbers to be the brunt of your melee units. However, keep in mind that Yhetees have one major weakness, and that is fire attacks, as they will receive 25% more damage from fires.
Yhetees. Image Courtesy of Creative Assembly.
Pigback Riders
The next units that Golgfag Maneater recruits to his ranks are the Pigback Riders, which mainly serve as cannon fodders for your more expensive and valuable Ogre units. Pigback Riders are a peculiar group of Gnoblar warriors who charge into battle perched on the backs of their fellow Gnoblars. Though their appearance may seem humorous, their shields can protect against incoming missile fire.
These riders play an important role in bolstering Ogre battle lines, acting as a meat shield for the more valuable units. By stacking one Gnoblar atop another, they essentially double the meat shield, making it harder for enemies to break through.
While they technically mimic a Cavalry unit, the Pigback Riders are classified as Infantries, meaning that they don’t have greater Speed than other units, though their numbers per unit are quite sizable and go toe-to-toe with heavier enemy units momentarily to give your Ogre units some precious time to get to the thick of the battlefield. In short, Pigback Riders serve the purpose of meat shields, so you should try to recruit many of them while backing them up with stronger units in your armies.
Pigback Riders. Image Courtesy of Creative Assembly.
Golgfag’s Maneaters
Now, the last unit that we will discuss in this Golgfag Maneater guide will be the private and best units he brings to Total War: Warhammer 3, and, as thanks for their services to him, these Ogres bear the name of Golgfag’s Maneaters.
Golgfag’s Maneaters, also known as Golgfag’s Ogres, are a notorious band of mercenaries from the unforgiving mountains of the Ogre Kingdoms. Led by the infamous Golgfag Maneater, they’ve carved a bloody path through countless battles, driven by an endless hunger for gold, glory, and, of course, food. Golgfag doesn’t care who’s paying—he’ll fight for anyone willing to meet his price.
These Maneaters are no ordinary Ogres. Their raw strength makes them perfect for smashing through infantry lines, and their anti-infantry bonuses give them an edge against smaller foes. Pair that with their powerful Ogre Charge, and you’ve got a unit that’s as unstoppable as it is terrifying.
Golgfag’s Maneaters. Image Courtesy of Creative Assembly.
Strengths and Weaknesses
After assessing Golgfag Maneater’s new gameplay mechanics and units in Total War: Warhammer 3, it’s time to take a look at The Maneaters’ strengths and weaknesses in the final part of this guide. We have curated them in the table below:
| Goglfag’s The Maneaters Overview | |
|---|---|
| Strengths | Weaknesses |
| With units like Blood Vultures for aerial control, Thundertusks for magical ice attacks, and Yhetees for swift melee strikes, Golgfag’s army is ready for almost any battlefield scenario. | Some units, like the Yhetees, struggle against fire-based attacks or other magical attacks, which can quickly turn the tide against them. |
| Golgfag’s Mercenary Contracts add a fresh dynamic to gameplay, letting players earn Meat, banners, and valuable rewards by completing aggressive missions. | Gnoblar units like Pigback Riders are great distractions but fall apart in prolonged engagements or against stronger foes. |
| With heroes like Bragg the Gutsman—an executioner and terror-inducer—your forces have strong single-target killers and morale-shattering presence. | Meat is essential to keep Ogre Camps and units going, and Golgfag Maneater is not an exception to this rule, forcing you to stay on the offensive to avoid running out. |
| Units like Golgfag’s Maneaters and Thundertusks can smash through infantry lines with ease, making them ideal against armies reliant on foot soldiers, while your missile units can barrage arrows and rain hell upon them. | Golgfag Maneater cannot make an Alliance with other factions, making his campaign feel less about long-term alliances and more about short-term gains, but he has the capabilities to do so comfortably through Mercenary Contracts. |
Conclusion
Alongside Golgfag Maneater, the Ogre Kingdoms are getting some much-needed love in Patch 6.0, and the changes are all about making their brutal, meat-driven playstyle more exciting. The Meat resource is now front and center, with more ways to gather and use it. Whether you’re powering up your armies with the new Hunger mechanic or transferring Meat between Camps and forces, this resource is now key to every decision. Offerings to the Great Maw have also been overhauled—you’ll now toggle these bonuses on and off, with effects that evolve based on how much Meat you can maintain. It’s a meat feast, and it’s never been more satisfying to hoard it all.
Ogre Camps are finally breaking free of their static roots and can now move around the map, albeit at a cost. This change gives players the freedom to adapt their strategy while leaning into the nomadic lifestyle that defines the Ogres. Meat, once again, is crucial—armies sack and raid settlements to gather it, sending it back to Camps to build stronger forces. Combine these changes with updates to legendary lords like Skrag and Greasus, a reworked tech tree, and streamlined Big Names, and you’ve got an Ogre Kingdoms experience that’s wilder, meatier, and truer to the faction’s lore than ever.
To give a definitive conclusion to this Golgfag Maneater guide, is he worth the price tag? And the answer is yes, as The Maneaters’ faction mechanic can help you snowball your progression easily in Total War: Warhammer 3 without getting bogged down with diplomacies and whatnot, though you should still be wary of Meat consumption. If you’re on the fence about diving into the entire Omens of Destruction DLC, trying out each new Legendary Lord individually is a great way to ensure you get your money’s worth. Golgfag Maneater, in particular, delivers an exciting experience for anyone looking to dominate as the ultimate Mercenary leader in the world of Total War: Warhammer 3.
And that’s everything you need to know about Golgfag Maneater’s guide for Total War: Warhammer 3.
