The Cataclysm decimated the world of For Honor, causing massive environmental and social catastrophes, and bringing many warring factions and their greatest fighters, suddenly face to face. Continents were rearranged and forcefully merged, creating the land of Heathmoor, while entire countries and their armies were wiped out in the apocalypse-like event, with only the strongest and hardiest surviving.
Some of the armies were lost entirely, others were left relatively unharmed, while fewer still were only thought lost, still barely clinging on as their land and people were taken by the Cataclysm. Now forced to share one landmass, the voices of those calling for peace were squashed, while those calling for war were amplified. But, not all factions are created equal, with some far greater than others, and there could only be one victor.
7 The Great Empire
Before the Cataclysm, the legendary Great Empire ruled. Styled after the empire of ancient Rome, The Great Empire was once one of the most powerful factions in the world of For Honor. But after the Cataclysm, they were almost destroyed completely, with only a handful of survivors. Most other factions believed them to have been wiped out entirely.
Gradually growing in number, and learning of the great war consuming the lands to their east, the Great Empire allied with the Knights. They sent their Centurions and Gladiators to the front lines, hoping that they might, one day, reclaim their lost glory. As one of the smallest factions, even they can pack a punch, but would ultimately lose if any of the others turned on them directly.
6 The Order Of Horkos
Beginning as a secretive cult whose ranks included members of the former Blackstone Legion and a number of warriors from China (which had been spared by the environmental consequences of the Cataclysm, but had left the county in a brutal civil war), the Order of Horkos desired to wage a constant and never-ending war against any and every faction. Harnessing what they called the 'Corruption' from the mineral known as Draconite, the Order gained unnatural abilities and were even able to control minds.
Later recruiting from the main factions, or forcing warriors to join, the Order of Horkos detested the peace that had been brought to the land, and eventually revealed themselves to the world and claimed the entire land of Heathmoor for themselves, beginning the great war anew. Although ambitious, it was not long before another came to resist them, showing their almighty power was not without its faults.
5 The Chimera Alliance
When the Order of Horkos, led by Astrea the Warmonger, succeeded in their attempt to overthrow Heathmoor, the Chimera Alliance fought back.
At first only a loosely connected band of rebels, with members drawn from all the main factions, the warrior Gryphon eventually brought the alliance together under his leadership. With the help of the blacksmith Ilma, whom the Samurai had helped free from imprisonment, the Chimera Alliance were able to harness the mineral Draconite for themselves, combating the corruption spread by the Order of Horkos. Still fighting for peace, the Alliance does what it can, with what it has. But, it is at the mercy of the allied factions within it, and if any had a change of heart, the Chimera Alliance would be finished.
4 The Wu Lin
Of the four main factions, The Wu Lin was the most recent to make an appearance in Heathmoor. Rising in power in civil-war-torn China, the Wu Lin splintered, with some remaining to fight and war in their homeland while others journeyed west, eventually reaching Heathmoor and coming into contact with the main factions there.
With no real home, the warriors of the Wu Lin travel the land warring with the other factions as they see fit, each with their own reasons for leaving their homeland. Although they are one of the most ferocious groups of fighters to arrive in Heathmoor, they would likely lose to the other three main factions in a straight-up fight, without allies to help them.
3 The Vikings
Along with the Knights, the Vikings were the first of the factions to find themselves on the newly formed continent. With their lands decimated by the Cataclysm, they journeyed north, only to return to their home territory and find the Knights attempting to claim it.
Although technologically inferior to the other factions, the Vikings make up for this in their ferocity. However, as they are only very loosely connected tribes, they are just as likely to war with one another as they are to war with the other factions. Still, their army and their land mean they are a force to be trifled with when united.
2 The Samurai
The Samurai were the third faction to arrive in Heathmoor. When their homeland was ravaged by the Cataclysm, they journeyed there, attempting to find a new home for their people before the rest of their civilization fell into the sea. Having arrived in the Myre, they sent ships back with word of their new home, only to find they were too late. With their land lost, the Samurai were the last of their people.
Having rebuilt in the Myre, the Samurai's numbers were still greatly eclipsed by the Vikings and Knights, and were forced to fight with cunning and skill to stand a chance, rather than relying on having greater numbers. This forced the warriors of the Samurai to become some of the most capable fighters in Heathmoor, and ones that only experts should attempt to play as.
1 The Knights
Arguably seen as the most stable faction within the For Honor universe, even the Knights were susceptible to war with each other. Shortly after the Cataclysm, the Knights took control of Ashfield as a unified army. Over the next millennia, however, they broke up into multiple legions, all vying for control. Eventually, the Iron Legion gained power and the others reluctantly followed their lead.
With the most diverse range of fighters (which can make it hard to decide which to play as), they are a formidable army — when unified. The Knights hold honor and duty above all else, but differ in what this means for peace, with some seeing the endless war as a vital conduit to demonstrate their honour, while others fight only so that one day, their people might not have to. If the Knights and their Legions are able to put their differences aside, they are the strongest, most disciplined, faction in all of Heathmoor.