Eight completely different ways to wage war in Tabletop Tavern and you have absolutely no idea which one to pick? Don’t worry, I’ve written this text to help you in this.
This guide breaks down every playable army with accurate strengths, weaknesses and signature units. Hope it helps.
You’ll Read:
What Exactly Are Factions?
In Tabletop Tavern, factions are basically your army’s identity. Each one comes with its own units and abilities. Your faction choice shapes everything from how you recruit troops to how you win battles.
The Main Factions You Can Play
Here’s the rundown of the core factions you’ll find in the game:
The Iron Legion (Best for Beginners)
The Iron Legion represents with sturdy infantry, ranged options, and gunpowder support. Its Signature Units are Gunpowder units (armor-piercing arquebusiers), Heavy cavalry (knights/cavaliers and Artillery (cannons).
Key Heroes:
- Edric Valeward / Fairwind: Knightly leader with strong melee/leadership focus.
- Rhydan Greythorne: Ranged specialist.
Pros: Excellent for early economy and momentum and strong unit variety and reliable formations.
Cons: Lacks extreme explosive power spikes. Requires solid positioning for ranged/artillery.
The Raven Host
The Raven Host captures Viking raiders with fearless melee, high leadership, and rewards for bold conquest. Signature Units for the Raven Host are Berserkers and Jomsvikings and Huskarls/shieldwall infantry.
The Raven Host is really aggressive because its remaining units receive an armywide buff when a unit dies. This with their above-average leadership stat, creates a sacrificial aggression. Losing units actually makes your army stronger and that’s cool!
Key Heroes:
- Bjorn Ironskull: Frontline tank with melee defense and armor buffs.
- Freyja Stormweaver: Inspirational leader enhancing morale and combat.
Pros: It’s a top-tier melee stats and morale also rewarding for aggression and raiding.
Cons: It has Limited ranged options.
Gruntkin (Orcs)
The Gruntkin deliver brute power with goblins, regenerating trolls, giants, and artillery. Signature Units for Orcs are Regenerating trolls, Towering giants, Goblin chaff swarms and Monstrous artillery.
Pros: It has strong monsters with high strength. Excellent at breaking enemy lines.
Cons: It’s less disciplined units can break under pressure. Also they are vulnerable to mobile armies.
Taelindor Forest (Elves)
The elves excel at speed, precision archery, hit-and-run tactics, and terrain advantages (especially forests). Its signature Units are Elite elven archers and Fast forest rangers.
Pros: Best-in-class ranged firepower and mobility. Excellent for kiting, ambushes, and tactical deployment.
Cons: They are fragile if caught in melee. Also, they demand strong micro and positioning.
Deepstone Hold (Dwarves)
Dwarves are the ultimate defensive faction: slow, extremely durable, high-morale infantry backed by devastating gunpowder.
Rune-enhanced heavy infantry and powerful cannons and gunpowder artillery are its Signature Units. Most of them are heavily armored and fight in decline.
Pros: Best for a defensive play. Artillery can dominate battles from safety.
Cons: Dwarves have the lowest mobility.
Sakura Dynasty
The Sakura Dynasty’s faction rewards commitment. It means run a pure Sakura army unlocks substantial stat bonuses. You should know that mixing in mercenaries from other factions dilutes this bonus.
Samurai melee elites and Kunoichi infiltrators and Skilled archers are the main units of Sakura faction.
Pros: Highly adaptable with strong synergy bonuses. It has Balanced offense, defense, and visuals.
Cons: Weaker without committing to purity. Less specialized than dedicated factions.
Sanguine Court (Undead)
The Sanguine Court focuses on endless weak but spammable chaff paired with devastating limited elites (often with raising mechanics). Skeleton hordes, Vampire/elite undead and Necromantic support are its units.
Pros: It has Overwhelming numbers and sustainability. Sister Morvaine can deploy her unique Necrotic Chimera to gains loot after battles.
Cons: Vulnerable to AoE damage.
Drakosaur Brood (Lizardmen)
The Drakosaur Brood is the newest faction, having won a community vote to be added to the game. Kobold swarms, towering kaiju/monsters and armored beasts are the main units of Drakosaur.
Pros: Having unique chaff-monster synergy and sustainability. It has powerful monster spikes and flavorful gameplay.
Cons: Requires mastering chaff-monster balance. Also It has expensive monsters that are risky to lose.
Tabletop Tavern Factions Comparison Table
Now you need to compare them easily? Look at the table belw:
| Faction | Aggression | Defense | Mobility | Economy | Difficulty | Best For |
| Iron Legion | Medium | High | Medium | High | Easy | Beginners & Balanced |
| Raven Host (Vikings) | High | Medium | High | Medium | Medium | Aggressive Melee |
| Gruntkin (Orcs) | Very High | Medium | Low | Medium | Medium | Brute Force |
| Taelindor (Elves) | High | Low | Very High | Medium | Medium-Hard | Tactical Ranged |
| Deepstone Hold (Dwarves) | Medium | Very High | Low | High | Easy-Medium | Defensive Artillery |
| Sakura Dynasty | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | Versatile Purity Runs |
| Sanguine Court (Undead) | Medium | Low | Medium | Medium | Medium-Hard | Swarm & Elite |
| Drakosaur Brood | Very High | Low | Medium | Medium | Medium-Hard | Synergy & Monster Lovers |
Can I Mix Factions
Sure and it’s recommended. Defeat enemy armies or visit towns to recruit their units. This creates hybrid armies (e.g., Iron Legion infantry backed by Undead skeletons). However, as I said, some factions (like Sakura Dynasty) reward purity with bonuses.
Final Thoughts
Tabletop Tavern delivers incredible replayability through its diverse factions and roguelike structure. Pick factions that excite you, master their identity, and forge your legend on the tabletop.
