Forgot password
Enter the email address you used when you joined and we'll send you instructions to reset your password.
If you used Apple or Google to create your account, this process will create a password for your existing account.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Reset password instructions sent. If you have an account with us, you will receive an email within a few minutes.
Something went wrong. Try again or contact support if the problem persists.
Total War Three Kingdoms Fates Divided Liu Yan Liu Zhang Guide Liu Yan Liu Zhang Aspirations Inheritance Tradeoffs

Total War: Three Kingdoms – Fates Divided — Liu Yan and Liu Zhang guide

It's not time to make a change. Just relax, take it easy. You're Liu Zhang, that's your fault...

Tradeoffs and farming Aspiration Points

Recommended Videos

You might’ve noticed the Aspiration Points mentioned in the previous section. Well, these primarily come from Tradeoffs also seen at the bottom of the Aspiration panel.

 

Tradeoffs: Points and penalties

Tradeoffs provide Aspiration Points each turn. Likewise, the effects increase (in tiers) the longer they’re active. Beware, though, because you’ll also experience severe penalties the longer they’re up.

Tradeoffs are a balancing act. You want to make sure that you have enough Aspiration points, but you also don’t want your economy or officer court to get wrecked. As such, it’s better to calculate just how many points you’d need. Likewise, consider the cooldowns of the Inheritance Rewards. Since you can’t use them each turn, think of how long you’ll actually play Liu Yan’s grand campaign in Total War: Three Kingdoms – Fates Divided.

Note 1: When a Tradeoff is disabled, it takes effect immediately. However, you can’t activate it again until a few turns have passed. Moreover, the tier/level of this Tradeoff will reset to its default value.

Note 2: Other than unlocking Aspiration tasks, Tradeoffs are another reason why you might want to delay before Liu Yan’s heir inherits. These are disabled the moment Inheritance is triggered.

Tradeoff Faction-wide Effects (Divided by Tier)
Public Checkpoints Public Order: -5/-10/-10
Aspiration Points: +5/+10/+20
Smith Education Unit Upkeep: +10%/+20%/+20%
Aspiration Points: +5/+10/+20
Raised Court Standards Character Salary: +25%/+50%/+50%
Aspiration Points: +5/+10/+20
Market Protectionism Trade Influence: -25%/-50%/-50%
Aspiration Points: +5/+10/+20
Military Surplus to Markets Military Supplies: -10/-20/-20
Aspiration Points: +5/+10/+20
Divert To Coffers Income From All Sources: -10%/-20%/-20%
Aspiration Points: +5/+10/+20

Tw3kfd Lylz Aspinh 2a

What about other sources of Aspiration Points?

Tradeoffs are a great source of Aspiration Points during the pre-inheritance stage for Liu Yan. But, there are other sources, too, and they’ll persist after Inheritance is triggered:

  • High-level buildings – A large city provides +2 Aspiration Points each turn. Continue upgrading that settlement and, once it becomes an imperial city, it can provide +10 Aspiration Points each turn.
  • Conquering settlements – Naturally, conquest provides you with these. The regular occupation adds +5 Aspiration Points (once only, not per turn). Meanwhile, the “loot & occupy” option adds +10 Aspiration Points.

Note 1: The mechanic is present in all settlements in your Total War: Three Kingdoms – Fates Divided campaign, including settlements owned by the Nanman, Yellow Turbans, and other bandits. Just to be clear, “loot & occupy” might not be a good idea when you think of the Imperial Intrigue mechanic. Since looting leads to a drop in Imperial Favor, you might find yourself targetted often by other Han factions due to being unruly.

Note 2: Speaking of the Nanman and Yellow Turbans, you can actually farm Aspiration Points using them. Just let public order drop and wait until a rebel force captures one of your minor settlements. Each time you re-conquer a settlement, you can still get Aspiration Points.

Okay, let’s discuss a few tips if you pick Liu Yan for the 190 CE campaign in Total War: Three Kingdoms. We’ll become a vassal of Dong Zhuo in that scenario.

Tw3kfd Lylz Aspinh 2b


PC Invasion is supported by our audience. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a small affiliate commission. Learn more about our Affiliate Policy
Author
Image of Jason Rodriguez
Jason Rodriguez
Jason Rodriguez is a guides writer. Most of his work can be found on PC Invasion (around 3,400+ published articles). He's also written for IGN, GameSpot, Polygon, TechRaptor, Gameskinny, and more. He's also one of only five games journalists from the Philippines. Just kidding. There are definitely more around, but he doesn't know anyone. Mabuhay!
twitter