Highlights

  • The Canaanite faction in Total War: Pharaoh focuses on ranged units and mobility, offering a unique approach to combat with powerful Gods for bonuses.
  • Canaanite units may not be as strong individually, but they are cheaper and can be recruited in higher numbers, allowing for various tactical approaches.
  • The Canaanite faction features versatile units such as the Veteran Canaanite Swordsmen, Canaanite Spearmen, Veteran Canaanite Warriors, Elite Canaanite Vanguard, Royal Chariot Companions, Veteran Canaanite Slingers, and Canaanite Stalkers with unique abilities and strengths.

The Canaanite faction is one of the most interesting and unique factions available to players in Total War: Pharaoh. With an emphasis on strong ranged units and good mobility, this faction centers around the hard-and-fast approach to combat, while their culture also offers several very powerful Gods to worship which provide tremendous combat and raiding bonuses. Though they may not have the same conventional approach to warfare as the Ancient Egyptians or the Hittites, the Canaanites are still a very powerful combat force and can be one of the most fun to play in the game.

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While their forces may not be as strong when compared at face value with other factions, the Canaanite faction allows for several different tactical approaches in combat, and in general their forces will consist of cheaper units at a higher number. Even the most elite Canaanite units are still relatively cheap compared with their rival counterparts, so it can be worth recruiting them where possible when building armies for any game mode.

1 Veteran Canaanite Swordsmen

Capable Infantry Force With Raider Ability

Total War Pharaoh Best Canaanite Faction Units Veteran Canaanite Swordsmen

The Veteran Canaanite Swordsmen is a sword and shield infantry unit with solid stats and some useful abilities. With 85 Armor and 55 Morale, it will take a very high number of losses to rout them, and the unit is also capable of engaging in a short spear throw before engaging targets.

The Good Defense perk means this unit is equally adept at holding its own in addition to attacking enemy positions, while the Raider ability enables the unit to set fire to any surrounding buildings when raiding an enemy settlement.

2 Canaanite Spearmen

Solid Defensive Unit Ideal For Countering Chariots

Total War Pharaoh Best Canaanite Faction Units Canaanite Spearmen

The Canaanite Spearmen are a strong spear and shield melee infantry with several useful abilities. Despite being a light infantry unit, the Canaanite Spearmen boast a strong 52 Melee Defense coupled with their strong mobility and 41 Speed.

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The unit is ideal for guarding archers and more vulnerable units, particularly with the Excellent Defense and Strong Against Chariots perks, which can be used to counter some of the enemy's strongest units in most battles.

3 Veteran Canaanite Warriors

Experienced Infantry Unit Offering A Variety Of Uses In Both Attack And Defense

Total War Pharaoh Best Canaanite Faction Units Veteran Canaanite Warriors

Veteran Canaanite Warriors are a solid axe and shield infantry unit that is ideal for grinding down enemy armored units. The Strong Against Shields perk grants them bonus damage against shielded enemies, which can be very useful when faced with defensive spear formations.

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With 29 Melee Attack and 39 Melee Defense, this unit is both versatile and sturdy, offering a balanced option that can be used tactically in a variety of ways. The Veteran Canaanite Warriors also have a ranged spear attack which can deal up to 37 Missile Damage.

4 Elite Canaanite Vanguard

Powerful Offensive Unit With Good Mobility And Damage

Total War Pharaoh Best Canaanite Faction Units Elite Canaanite Vanguard

The Elite Canaanite Vanguard is a powerful two-handed axe infantry unit capable of unleashing massive amounts of damage on enemy defensive troops. With 62 Damage and a 47 Charge Bonus, this unit is most effective when used offensively.

The Armor-Piercing and Strong Against Shields perks also ensure that the Elite Canaanite Vanguard will deal extra damage to the enemy's stronger units. As a Medium Infantry unit, they also have 41 Speed, which is relatively high for a two-handed axe unit.

5 Royal Chariot Companions

Solid Ranged Units With A Useful Charge Bonus

Total War Pharaoh Best Canaanite Faction Units Royal Chariot Companions

Royal Chariot Companions are a very strong bow chariot unit capable of either charging enemies or engaging them from a distance. Their 200 Range and 60 Ammunition means they are best kept outside of melee range, but the unit equally has a powerful 75 Charge Bonus which can be useful for breaking up enemy formations.

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The Royal Chariot Companions also have several useful perks including Excellent Charge and Skirmish, giving them bonus damage to both of their respective attacks. If caught out of position, the unit's 14,560 Hit Points ensure that they have a good chance of survival.

6 Veteran Canaanite Slingers

Elite Ranged Unit With High Damage And Long Range

Total War Pharaoh Best Canaanite Faction Units Veteran Canaanite Slingers

Veteran Canaanite Slingers are one of the strongest ranged units in the game, offering a great combination of tactical versatility and firepower. With an exceptional 230 Range, very few enemy units can match them, and they can engage most other ranged units without fear of sustaining damage of their own.

The Veteran Canaanite Slingers also have a very useful Ambush ability, which enables them to fire upon enemies while remaining hidden. The unit has 11,700 Hit Points, meaning that even if they are engaged, they have a good chance of survival if withdrawn quickly.

7 Canaanite Stalkers

Elite Medium Infantry Unit With Ambushing Ability

Total War Pharaoh Best Canaanite Faction Units Canaanite Stalkers

Canaanite Stalkers are one of the most elite infantry units in the game and have a great combination of abilities and high-level stats. Their 20,400 Hit Points make them very difficult to rally in the field, and their 47 Melee Defense will ensure that they are very slow to take losses.

Canaanite Stalkers also have the Ambusher Perk, enabling them to hide and spring attacks tactically with great efficiency. This unit is also able to attack from a distance with 50 Missile Damage and 75 Range.

total war pharaoh
Total War: Pharaoh

Released
October 11, 2023
Genre(s)
Turn-Based Strategy , Tactical , Grand Strategy
Platform(s)
PC
Developer(s)
Creative Assembly