At a glance
- Type
- Legendary Lord
- Battlefield role
- Transforming dragon lord and spellcaster
- Content pack
- Total War: Warhammer III (base game)
- Race
- Grand Cathay
- Faction
- The Western Provinces
Availability
Content pack: Total War: Warhammer III (base game). Immortal Empires ownership
- Included with Total War: Warhammer III. Select this Legendary Lord in Immortal Empires or The Realm of Chaos when starting a new campaign.
The Western Provinces
Choose Grand Cathay and The Western Provinces to play Zhao Ming. He is included with Warhammer III and can lead a campaign in Immortal Empires or The Realm of Chaos.
His background places him in Western Cathay, where he is associated with Shang-Yang and its alchemists. The Ivory Road makes trade expeditions part of Cathay's wider campaign rhythm: protect the main realm while deciding where resources and armies are needed next.
Warhammer Community’s June 2025 history names Zhao Ming the Iron Dragon, brother of Miao Ying and Yuan Bo. A February 2026 Community article on the Great Bastion describes tribes from the western mountains crossing the Warpstone Desert to fight his forces.
Using the Iron Dragon
Zhao Ming can fight in human or dragon form. Use the human form's magic and the dragon's physical presence according to the situation. A transformation changes the lord's immediate role; it does not remove the need to protect him from a bad engagement.
Jade Warriors and supporting missiles give his army a centre from which to fight. Keep fast enemies away from the artillery and avoid opening a gap in the line simply to follow a retreating opponent. Cathay is strongest when its units can continue helping one another.
Alchemy in the army
Alchemists are ordinary Cathayan heroes with Metal magic. They are closely associated with the western realm in the background, but an individual Alchemist is a recruitable hero rather than a second version of Zhao Ming.
Miao Ying, the Storm Dragon, governs the north. Compare the two lords through their factions and personal roles before choosing a campaign.
Miao Ying guards the northern frontier, while Yuan Bo brings statecraft to The Jade Court. Bhashiva's mercenary company has a separate campaign built around her relationship with the Iron Dragon. Playing Zhao Ming and playing Bhashiva are different faction choices.
Trade, research and the western realm
In Immortal Empires, plan the army's route alongside the settlements supplying it. A caravan's journey is a separate commitment from the field army defending your territory. Keep resources available for the home front while pursuing distant trade.
Update 8.0 separated Cathay's research into Military and Provinces trees. Alchemists also gained broader development choices and a Sky Lantern mount. Decide whether the next investment should improve the current army or the provinces supporting another one.
Unlock, campaigns and early plan
Zhao Ming is included with Total War: Warhammer III and leads The Western Provinces in Immortal Empires and The Realm of Chaos. CA's new-player guide picks him as a strong introduction to Grand Cathay: powerful armies and a forgiving campaign.
His faction trait favours Ogre mercenaries. Hotfix 5.3.1 gave all Ogre Mercenaries in his faction extra melee attack and defence, and his skills add more, so hired Ogres are a real part of a Western Provinces army rather than a stopgap.
Secure the western provinces first, then mix Jade Warriors and crossbows with Ogre mercenaries for weight. Keep Harmony balanced and start caravans once the home front is quiet.
Questions
Is Zhao Ming good for new players?
Yes. CA's new-player guide recommends him as a strong introduction to Grand Cathay, with powerful armies and a forgiving campaign.
Why does Zhao Ming hire Ogres?
His faction trait and skills boost Ogre mercenaries, so hired Ogres fight better in his armies than in other Cathay factions.
Sources
- Immortal Empires DLC Ownership Guide — support.sega.com
- Update 8.0 Patch Notes — community.creative-assembly.com
- A New Player Survival Guide & FAQ — community.creative-assembly.com
- Hotfix 5.3.1 notes — store.steampowered.com