Emperor Karl Franz

Lord· Lord· 1 model at Ultra size

The Empire

Health

4,288

bottom 21% of class

Armour

100

top 24% of class

Leadership

top 37% of class

Speed

bottom 8% of class

Melee attack

top 15% of class

Melee defence

top 46% of class

Weapon strength

140 base + 330 armour-piercing

470

top 29% of class

Charge bonus

top 21% of class

Attributes

Encourage
This unit provides a leadership bonus to nearby allies. Units within range of both the Lord's aura and an encouraging unit will receive the larger of the two bonuses.
Hide (forest)
This unit can hide in forests until enemy units get too close.
Immune to Psychology
The unit is immune to psychological attacks (Fear & Terror).

Abilities

WoundsHex · -10% Speed, -20% Armour-Piercing Weapon Damage…passive
Foe-SeekerAugment · +25% Charge Speed, +25% Speedactive
Stand Your Ground!Augment (Area) · +24 Melee Defence, +16 Leadershipactive
Hold the Line!Augment (Area) · +5 Melee Defence, +4 Leadershippassive

Defeat trait

Beat Emperor Karl Franz in battle and your lord can earn the trait

Reikshammer

Unit experience gain: +10% (Lord's army)

Even great men are flawed; failure is part of mankind's tragic condition.

All legendary lord defeat traits

Emperor Karl Franz skill tree

50 skills, line by line as the game lays them out. Hover a skill for the rank it unlocks at and its effects at each level.

Barded Warhorse
Barded WarhorseUnlocks at rank 6
- Mount: Barded Warhorse
A general's horse can be their most trusted and daring companion. Just don't name him 'Daisy'.
Imperial Pegasus
Imperial PegasusUnlocks at rank 11
- Mount: Imperial Pegasus
The Emperor has oft ridden a majestic Imperial pegasus in battle.
Deathclaw
DeathclawUnlocks at rank 15
- Mount: Deathclaw
The bond between Franz and Deathclaw - the mightiest of Imperial Griffons - is legendary.
Leader of Men
Leader of MenUnlocks at rank 7
- Elector Count State Troop pool capacity: +1
- Leadership aura size: +50%
Franz is a sterling leader beloved by many, who can inspire not just those close, but all men.
Hold the Line!
Hold the Line!Unlocks at rank 5
- Passive ability: "Hold the Line!"
Mark of Hysh
Mark of Hysh
- Spell resistance: 10%
Those who bear the Mark of Hysh are practitioners of the magical Lore of Light, and the bane of Chaos, for they are able to control and manipulate the White Wind of Magic.
Sigmar’s Ward
Sigmar’s WardUnlocks at rank 7
- Missile resistance: 10%
The relentless drive and fury of the Hammer, harnessed for the protection of this ward’s bearer.
Army of Renown
Army of Renown3 levels
Level 1
- Regiments of Renown army capacity: +2 (own army)
Level 2
- Regiments of Renown army capacity: +4 (own army)
Level 3
- Regiments of Renown army capacity: +6 (own army)
If their renown does them justice, they will be fit to serve one whose fame they will never outstrip.
Mentor
Mentor3 levels
Level 1
- Character experience gain: +20% (Heroes in Lord's army)
- Character will share +15% of experience earned between all other active Lords
Level 2
- Character experience gain: +35% (Heroes in Lord's army)
- Character will share +30% of experience earned between all other active Lords
Level 3
- Character experience gain: +50% (Heroes in Lord's army)
- Character will share +50% of experience earned between all other active Lords
Having learned much in their long years of service, this character now turns their attention to training others.

Best of the Empire
Best of the EmpireUnlocks at rank 11
- Unit experience gain: +20% (Lord's army)
- Recruit rank: +2 for all units (Lord's army)
- Lord recruit rank: +3 (factionwide)
"If we die, we will die wielding our swords, for there is no better death for a warrior."
Imperial Special Forces
Imperial Special Forces
- Charge bonus: +5 for Reiksguard and Greatsword units (Lord's army)
- Bonus vs Infantry: +10 for Greatswords units (Lord's army)
- Bonus vs Large: +10 for Reiksguard units (Lord's army)
- Melee attack: +8 for Reiksguard and Greatsword units (Lord's army)
Requires: Best of the EmpireKarl Franz has been hailed as an innovative tactician and a valiant general. Only the bravest and best may fight at his side.
The Emperor's Men
The Emperor's Men
- Armour: +10 for all Elector Count State Troop units (all armies)
- Leadership: +5 for all Elector Count State Troop units (all armies)
- Missile Strength: +5% for all Elector Counts State Troop units (all armies)
- Vigour loss reduction: -15% for all Elector Count State Troop units (all armies)
Requires: Best of the EmpireFollowers of the Emperor are inspired by his presence to attain levels of excellence and personal loyalty they never thought possible.
Heroic Knightly Band
Heroic Knightly Band
- Hero capacity: +1 for Empire Captains
- Hero recruit rank: +4 for Empire Captains (local province)
- Upkeep: -15% for Empire Knights, Knights of the Blazing Sun, Knights of the Black Rose and Reiksguard units (Lord's army)
Requires: Best of the Empire"We will sit at Sigmar's banquet like the heroes of old and our names will be remembered in our people's songs until the end of time!"
Majestic Enforcer
Majestic Enforcer
- Control: +3 (local province)
- Growth: +50 (local province)
Requires: Best of the EmpireThanks to Karl Franz's tireless efforts on behalf of his people, the Empire has flourished during his reign as never before.
An Emperor's Journey
An Emperor's Journey
- Attribute: Perfect Vigour
- Attribute: Unbreakable
- Weapon strength: +10%
Requires: Imperial Special Forces, The Emperor's Men, Heroic Knightly Band, Majestic EnforcerAlthough Karl Franz walks a path many have trodden before, few - if any - have done so with such perfection and grace.

Hard to Hit
Hard to Hit
- Melee defence: +5
Hand-to-hand combat is a lethal match of cut and thrust. However, it’s not all about offensive strikes; parries and other defensive moves can also win the day.
Devastating Charge
Devastating Charge2 levels
Level 1
- Charge bonus: +15
Level 2
- Charge bonus: +30
Requires: Hard to HitSome creatures charge home with such fury that the very ground shakes beneath their feet.
Full Plate Armour
Full Plate Armour2 levels
Level 1
- Armour: +7
Level 2
- Armour: +15
Requires: Hard to HitFull-Plate armour protects the wearer from head-to-foot. Many such suits are blessed or imbued with arcane abilities.
Scarred Veteran
Scarred Veteran2 levels
Level 1
- Hit points: +7%
Level 2
- Hit points: +15%
Requires: Hard to HitThe scars on this storied warrior reveal a veteran of many battles, a being not easy to kill and one worthy of respect and fear.
Deadly Blade
Deadly Blade2 levels
Level 1
- Melee attack: +6
Level 2
- Melee attack: +12
Requires: Hard to HitA deadly blade is especially lethal when in the hands of this master death-maker, killer and slaughterer!
Foe-Seeker
Foe-Seeker
- Ability: "Foe-Seeker"
Requires: Devastating Charge, Full Plate Armour, Scarred Veteran, Deadly BladeFrom one bloodied, lifeless corpse to the next, this one is always looking for the next adversary to best.
Wound-Maker
Wound-Maker2 levels
Level 1
- Weapon strength: +10%
Level 2
- Weapon strength: +20%
Requires: Foe-SeekerSuch is their power and ferocity, a wound-maker will ravage the foe, cutting and pulverising until there is only one exit - death.
Blade Master
Blade Master2 levels
Level 1
- Melee attack: +6
Level 2
- Melee attack: +12
Requires: Foe-SeekerThis warrior is one with their blade; it is an extension of their will, making them a worthy foe in combat.
Tenacity
Tenacity2 levels
Level 1
- Hit points: +7%
Level 2
- Hit points: +15%
Requires: Foe-SeekerThis one will not go down easily - it will be necessary to break both the will and the body first.
Blade Shield
Blade Shield2 levels
Level 1
- Melee defence: +6
Level 2
- Melee defence: +12
Requires: Foe-SeekerA blade that sings in defence will not let its wielder be penetrated.
Heroic Killing Blow
Heroic Killing Blow
- Ability: "Heroic Killing Blow"
Requires: Wound-Maker, Blade Master, Tenacity, Blade Shield

Inspiring Presence
Inspiring Presence
- Unit experience gain per turn: +75 (Lord's army)
- Character's aura leadership effect: +5
There are Lords that radiate power, confidence and fear, inspiring their followers to great or terrible acts.
Emperor's Finest
Emperor's Finest3 levels
Level 1
- Melee defence: +4 for Melee Infantry units (Lord's army)
Level 2
- Melee attack: +4 for Melee Infantry units (Lord's army)
- Melee defence: +4 for Melee Infantry units (Lord's army)
Level 3
- Melee attack: +6 for Melee Infantry units (Lord's army)
- Melee defence: +6 for Melee Infantry units (Lord's army)
Requires: Inspiring Presence“We march to war for our Emperor, and Sigmar, our saviour and lord.”
Speed of Horse
Speed of Horse3 levels
Level 1
- Charge bonus: +6 for Melee Cavalry units (Lord's army)
Level 2
- Charge bonus: +6 for Melee Cavalry units (Lord's army)
- Speed: +5% for Melee Cavalry units (Lord's army)
Level 3
- Charge bonus: +9 for Melee Cavalry units (Lord's army)
- Speed: +10% for Melee Cavalry units (Lord's army)
Requires: Inspiring PresenceThese steeds are bred for speed and war, but foremost it is their gallop which marks them out.
Pistolkorps
Pistolkorps3 levels
Level 1
- Missile strength: +4% for Missile, Missile Cavalry and Missile Chariot units (Lord's army)
Level 2
- Ammunition: +10% for Missile, Missile Cavalry and Missile Chariot units (Lord's army)
- Missile strength: +6% for Missile, Missile Cavalry and Missile Chariot units (Lord's army)
Level 3
- Ammunition: +20% for Missile, Missile Cavalry and Missile Chariot units (Lord's army)
- Missile strength: +8% for Missile, Missile Cavalry and Missile Chariot units (Lord's army)
Requires: Inspiring PresenceThis Lord expects his men to practice the disciplines of the Pistolkorps, and all be expert marksmen.
Noble Beasts
Noble Beasts3 levels
Level 1
- Melee attack: +4 for Demigryph Knights and Hunting Hounds units (Lord's army)
Level 2
- Melee attack: +4 for Demigryph Knights and Hunting Hounds units (Lord's army)
- Speed: +5% for Demigryph Knights and Hunting Hounds units (Lord's army)
Level 3
- Melee attack: +6 for Demigryph Knights and Hunting Hounds units (Lord's army)
- Speed: +10% for Demigryph Knights and Hunting Hounds units (Lord's army)
Requires: Inspiring PresenceHarnessed for war, these great beasts have proven themselves as loyal and powerful champions on the battlefield.
Mighty Forge
Mighty Forge3 levels
Level 1
- Ward save: +7% for War Wagon, Steam Tank, Marienburg Land Ship and Celestial Hurricanum, Luminark of Hysh units (Lord's army)
Level 2
- Reload time reduction: +4% for War Wagon, Steam Tank, Marienburg Land Ship and Celestial Hurricanum, Luminark of Hysh units (Lord's army)
- Ward save: +11% for War Wagon, Steam Tank, Marienburg Land Ship and Celestial Hurricanum, Luminark of Hysh units (Lord's army)
Level 3
- Reload time reduction: +8% for War Wagon, Steam Tank, Marienburg Land Ship and Celestial Hurricanum, Luminark of Hysh units (Lord's army)
- Ward save: +15% for War Wagon, Steam Tank, Marienburg Land Ship and Celestial Hurricanum, Luminark of Hysh units (Lord's army)
Requires: Inspiring PresencePatrons of great forges and smiths expect, and are rewarded with, tougher and more enduring war machines.
Imperial Gunnery
Imperial Gunnery3 levels
Level 1
- Missile strength: +4% for Mortar, Great Cannon, Helblaster Volley Gun and Helstorm Rocket Battery units (Lord's army)
Level 2
- Ammunition: +10% for Mortar, Great Cannon, Helblaster Volley Gun and Helstorm Rocket Battery units (Lord's army)
- Missile strength: +6% for Mortar, Great Cannon, Helblaster Volley Gun and Helstorm Rocket Battery units (Lord's army)
Level 3
- Ammunition: +20% for Mortar, Great Cannon, Helblaster Volley Gun and Helstorm Rocket Battery units (Lord's army)
- Missile strength: +8% for Mortar, Great Cannon, Helblaster Volley Gun and Helstorm Rocket Battery units (Lord's army)
Requires: Inspiring PresenceDespite what the Dwarfs think, no other race can bring to bear such devastating artillery volleys.
Rally!
Rally!
- Ability: "Rally!"
Requires: Emperor's Finest, Speed of Horse, Pistolkorps, Noble Beasts, Mighty Forge, Imperial Gunnery
Strength of Hardship
Strength of Hardship
- Armour: 10 for Melee Infantry (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
- Physical resistance: 10% for Melee Infantry (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
- Melee defence: +5 for Melee Infantry (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
Requires: Rally!The frontline will either make or break you. Those who survive become the backbone of any army.
Sharpshooter
Sharpshooter
- Missile strength: +12% for Missile, Missile Cavalry and Missile Chariot units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
- Missile resistance: 15% for Missile, Missile Cavalry and Missile Chariot units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
- Reload time reduction: +10% for Missile, Missile Cavalry and Missile Chariot units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
Requires: Rally!The veteran marksman knows the precise range required to land the killing shot.
Taste for Battle
Taste for Battle
- Melee attack: +5 for Empire Knight, Demigryph Knights and Hunting Hounds units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
- Leadership: +5 for Empire Knight, Demigryph Knights and Hunting Hounds units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
- Charge bonus: +12 for Empire Knight, Demigryph Knights and Hunting Hounds units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
Requires: Rally!Some men grow to relish war, dulled to the pain and living solely for the thrill of the kill.
Artillery Master
Artillery Master
- Ammunition: +20% for Mortar, Great Cannon, Helblaster Volley Gun, Helstorm Rocket Battery, Marienburg Land Ship, Celestial Hurricanum, Luminark of Hysh and Steam Tank units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
- Missile strength: +12% for Mortar, Great Cannon, Helblaster Volley Gun, Helstorm Rocket Battery, Marienburg Land Ship, Celestial Hurricanum, Luminark of Hysh and Steam Tank units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
- Reload time reduction: +10% for Mortar, Great Cannon, Helblaster Volley Gun, Helstorm Rocket Battery, Marienburg Land Ship, Celestial Hurricanum, Luminark of Hysh and Steam Tank units (Rank 7 and above) (Lord's army)
Requires: Rally!Those in command of ordnance can potentially decide a battle before the melee has even begun.
Stand Your Ground!
Stand Your Ground!
- Replaces: "Rally!"
- Ability: "Stand Your Ground!"
Requires: Strength of Hardship, Sharpshooter, Taste for Battle, Artillery Master

Route Marcher
Route Marcher
- Campaign movement range: +5%
Those who know the land and its secrets will travel faster and further than the foes who don't.
Iron Disciplinarian
Iron Disciplinarian3 levels
Level 1
- Control: +1 (local province)
Level 2
- Control: +2 (local province)
Level 3
- Control: +3 (local province)
Requires: Route MarcherThis Lord expects utter obedience from the smallfolk, and has little time for insurrections or petty revolts.
Leader of Renown
Leader of Renown3 levels
Level 1
- Recruitment cost: -5% (Lord's army)
Level 2
- Recruitment cost: -10% (Lord's army)
Level 3
- Recruitment cost: -15% (Lord's army)
Requires: Route MarcherRevered by the masses, such a celebrated leader will inspire many new recruits.
Reassuring Presence
Reassuring Presence3 levels
Level 1
- Attrition: -10% casualties suffered from all attrition (Lord's army)
Level 2
- Attrition: -20% casualties suffered from all attrition (Lord's army)
Level 3
- Attrition: -30% casualties suffered from all attrition (Lord's army)
Requires: Route MarcherThe presence of this Lord ensures a measure of calm, reducing panic and desertion amongst followers.
Fervent
Fervent3 levels
Level 1
- Corruption: -1 (local province)
Level 2
- Corruption: -2 (local province)
Level 3
- Corruption: -3 (local province)
Requires: Route MarcherThrough our acts, the gods will cleanse the lands.
Irrepressible
Irrepressible
- Casualty replenishment rate: +30% for this Lord (Lord's army)
- Character experience gain: +15%
- Wound recovery time: -1 turns
Requires: Iron Disciplinarian, Leader of Renown, Reassuring Presence, FerventIt is said that Sigmar would bear a mortal wound and carry on fighting; this champion follows the hallowed Warrior-God.
Lightning Strike
Lightning Strike3 levels
Level 1
- Enemy battle reinforcement time: +25%
- Battle reinforcement time: -10%
- Reinforcements supporting this army can have their arrival point adjusted by +250 metres without incurring any time penalty
Level 2
- Enemy battle reinforcement time: +50%
- Battle reinforcement time: -20%
- Reinforcements supporting this army can have their arrival point adjusted by +600 metres without incurring any time penalty
Level 3
- Enemy battle reinforcement time: +50%
- Battle reinforcement time: -30%
- Reinforcements supporting this army can have their arrival point adjusted by +1000 metres without incurring any time penalty
- Enables lightning strike battles when reinforcements are present
Requires: Irrepressible"The time to strike is now!"
Quartermaster
Quartermaster3 levels
Level 1
- Upkeep: -3% (Lord's army)
Level 2
- Upkeep: -6% (Lord's army)
Level 3
- Upkeep: -10% (Lord's army)
Requires: IrrepressibleA good quartermaster can ration equipment and foodstuffs efficiently, making supplies last longer.
Logistician
Logistician3 levels
Level 1
- Casualty replenishment rate: +2% (Lord's army)
Level 2
- Casualty replenishment rate: +4% (Lord's army)
Level 3
- Casualty replenishment rate: +6% (Lord's army)
Requires: IrrepressibleProficient with figures, this Lord, or his subordinates, can keep his army fulfilled, even in dire circumstances.
Alert
Alert3 levels
Level 1
- Ambush defence chance: +6% (Lord's army)
Level 2
- Ambush defence chance: +16% (Lord's army)
- Chance of intercepting an army using Tunnelling, beast-paths or Worldroots: +5%
Level 3
- Ambush defence chance: +30% (Lord's army)
- Chance of intercepting an army using Tunnelling, beast-paths or Worldroots: +10%
Requires: IrrepressibleCountless conflicts and a keen sense of awareness have made this Lord difficult to entrap.
Headhunter
Headhunter
- Campaign movement range: +5%
- Recruit rank: +2 for all units (Lord's army)
- Upkeep: -8% (Lord's army)
- Local recruitment capacity: +1 (local province)
Requires: Lightning Strike, Quartermaster, Logistician, Alert"Ever thought about joining the Elector's troops, chief? You'd make a good soldier alright."

Every version of Emperor Karl Franz

4 units share this name (mounts, race versions, renown or faction variants). Differences from the first row are highlighted.

Version	HP	Models	Armour	Lead.	Speed	MA	MD	WS	Charge	Cost	Upkeep	Unit key
The EmpireLord	4,288	1	100	80	34	65	45	470	65	1,100	275	`wh_main_emp_cha_karl_franz_0`
The EmpireLord	6,836	1	100	80	90	56	38	490	90	1,900	475	`wh_main_emp_cha_karl_franz_1`
The EmpireLord	5,216	1	100	80	105	65	45	470	90	1,500	375	`wh_main_emp_cha_karl_franz_2`
The EmpireLord	4,900	1	120	80	78	65	45	470	90	1,350	337	`wh_main_emp_cha_karl_franz_4`

Who can field it

Reikland

The game also has 1 summoned or scripted copy of this unit that players don't recruit directly (wh_main_emp_cha_karl_franz_3).

Where these numbers come from

Read from the game's database tables for patch 9.0 (main_units, land_units, battle_entities, melee_weapons, projectiles…) as published in the WH3-Dump export (commit 8a4f7e64). Formulas that turn table values into card values are checked against known units before they are shown — how we verify.