How to Get Theodore Bruckner
Theodore Bruckner is a legendary hero unit in Total War: Warhammer III, introduced with the Thrones of Decay DLC. Known as the Hound of Judgment and the Titan Headsman, he serves as the judicial champion of Countess Emmanuelle of Nuln. Recruiting him requires meeting specific campaign criteria and completing a unique quest chain tied to Melee Cavalry combat. If you want to add this towering melee monster to your roster, here’s everything you need to know.
Who Is Theodore Bruckner?
Theodore Bruckner is a legendary hero for The Empire faction. Towering over most citizens of Nuln, he embodies ruthless justice and battlefield dominance. Built like a titan and wielding the mighty Liarsbane, he serves as the Countess’s personal executioner and judicial champion. His mount, the massive demigryph Reaper, and powerful equipment like the Stormlance make him a force to be reckoned with on the campaign map and battlefields alike.
Quest Chain to Recruit Theodore Bruckner
To recruit Bruckner, players must progress through the Empire’s quest chain. Specifically, he becomes available after completing two key quests.
The Countess’ Champion
This initial quest appears once you meet preconditions such as building the livery in Nuln and taking key campaign steps. Completing it triggers the next and final quest
Trials by Combat
This final stage of the quest chain requires you to:
- Kill 1,000 enemies using Melee Cavalry or Demigryph Units.
- Once completed, you’ll receive treasury funds and unlock Theodore Bruckner for recruitment.
Only after fulfilling this combat milestone does Bruckner appear next to Elspeth von Draken or the relevant NPC on the campaign map.
Common Recruitment Issues and Bug Fixes
Some players report not receiving the quest prompt even after building the required building. Community feedback suggests:
- Reloading a save made right after constructing the livery can trigger the missing quest.
- The quest will appear correctly if all prerequisites building the livery and connecting a CA/Steam account are satisfied.
If the quest doesn’t trigger, reverting to an earlier campaign save often resolves the problem.
Step-by-Step Guide to Recruit Theodore Bruckner
1. Ensure Prerequisites
- Play as an Empire faction with access to Nuln.
- Construct the livery building in Nuln early in the campaign.
- Link your CA account with Steam to avoid missing quest triggers.
2. Complete The Countess’ Champion Quest
This quest sets the stage for the Trials by Combat. If it doesn’t appear, reload a save from before you built the livery and try again.
3. Achieve 1,000 Melee Cavalry Kills
- Use melee cavalry and demigryph units during battles to rack up kills.
- Consider attaching your general to cavalry armies when attacking weak targets.
- Focus on high-tempo battles to make progress faster.
4. Trigger the Trials by Combat Quest and Claim Reward
Once you hit the 1,000-kill threshold, the quest completes. You’ll receive bonus treasury funds and Theodore Bruckner becomes recruitable next turn alongside Elspeth in Nuln.
Using Theodore Bruckner on the Campaign Map and Battlefield
Once recruited, Bruckner offers strategic flexibility:
- His high melee attack and armour make him ideal for dueling enemy lords or heroes.
- Mounting him on Reaper grants powerful charge attacks and increased toughness.
- Though not a general himself, he can be embedded as a hero to support your leader or act independently.
Players often pair Bruckner with cavalry armies for maximum effectiveness in the field.
Maximizing Bruckner’s Effectiveness
- Use him to hunt high-value targets like enemy heroes or enemy lords.
- Attach him to armies with cavalry and demigryph units to trigger his passive leadership aura and other combat bonuses.
- Equip gear like the Baleflame Amulet or Liarsbane to boost his unique abilities.
Some users note that while powerful, his buff support is more limited compared to other legendary heroes, focusing on weapon strength for demigryph units rather than broad army buffs.
Troubleshooting Tips
If Theodore doesn’t appear:
- Verify that you built the livery in Nuln and connected your CA account.
- Complete the first quest fully and reach 1,000 melee cavalry kills.
- Use an earlier save if the quest line fails to trigger.
Players report that starting a new branch or campaign with proper prerequisites often resolves the issue.
Getting Theodore Bruckner in Total War: Warhammer III involves progressing through a specific quest chain tied to The Empire. After building the necessary structure in Nuln and completing the Trials by Combat which demands 1,000 kills with melee cavalry you can recruit this fearsome headsman. Despite being unavailable through trading or simple building alone, Bruckner rewards focused play and can bring devastating melee power to your armies. With the right preparation, strategy, and perseverance, you’ll soon wield the Hound of Judgment himself in your imperial forces.
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