| Provider | NetEnt |
|---|---|
| RTP | 95.94% - Compare RTPs |
| Volatility | Medium |
| Reels | 5 |
| Paylines | 30 |
| Bet Range | £0.15 - £150.00 |
| Hit Frequency | 33.00% |
| Max Win | 1,111x |
| Features | Wilds, Scatters, Bonus Rounds |
Warlords: Crystals of Power is a 5-reel, 30-payline video slot from NetEnt released in November 2016. Three warlords - the Barbarian, the Priestess and the Samurai - fight for control of magical crystals, and that rivalry plays out directly in the bonus mechanics. With an RTP of 96.89%, a hit frequency of 33%, and a maximum win of 6,666x your stake, it sits firmly in the upper tier of NetEnt's catalogue.
Theme and Design
The setting is a dark fantasy world where three rulers have been locked in perpetual combat for centuries. NetEnt uses 3D-style visuals that bring each character to life: the Barbarian charges into battle on a wild boar with ferocious tusks, the Priestess commands a glossy black jaguar, and the Samurai is accompanied by a majestic wolf. The intro sequence sets the scene with atmospheric animation, and the soundtrack leans into an action-adventure tone that keeps energy levels high during long sessions.
The reels are framed against a stormy battlefield backdrop. High-value symbols are the three warlord character icons, each colour-coded to their crystal: blue for the Barbarian, green for the Priestess, red for the Samurai. Lower-value symbols are traditional card ranks rendered in a style that fits the theme rather than clashing with it.
RTP and Volatility
The RTP of 96.89% sits well above the industry average and makes this a strong choice for players who pay attention to return rates. NetEnt officially classifies the volatility as low to medium, which means wins arrive fairly regularly but rarely reach spectacular heights in the base game - the bigger payouts are reserved for the free spins modes. The hit frequency of 33% confirms roughly one in three spins produces a payout of some kind in the base game. Bets range from £0.15 to £150 per spin, making it accessible to most budgets.
Random Overlay Wilds
The first major base-game feature is the Random Overlay Wild, which fires at random on any standard spin. Each warlord has their own version:
- Samurai Sword Wild - places 2 to 5 wilds on reels 1 to 4
- Barbarian Hammer Wild - drops a 2x2 block of 4 wilds in a random position on reels 1 to 4
- Priestess Arrow Wild - generates 2 to 5 wilds spread across all five reels
These overlays use an alternate reel set that strips out scatter symbols, so any spin with Random Overlay Wilds active is dedicated purely to wild-boosted base-game wins. The Priestess version is the most favourable because wilds can land anywhere across all five reels, not just reels 1 to 4.
Scatter Battle and Free Spins Trigger
Landing two scatter symbols from different warlords kicks off the Scatter Battle mechanic. The reels re-spin automatically, with the existing scatters locked in place while the game tries to complete a matching set. If the re-spin doesn't produce a third scatter, the Final Chance feature activates: a random scatter may appear on any remaining reel. If it does, free spins begin; if it doesn't, you receive a coin win worth 3 to 100 times your bet.
Three matching scatter symbols from the same warlord trigger that warlord's dedicated free spins mode. Three mismatched scatters send you into a Final Battle sequence where the game determines which warlord "wins" and their free spins mode activates as a result. Either way, landing three scatters always leads to a free spins round.
Three Free Spins Modes
Each character has a distinct free spins structure with its own mechanics. The free spins reels only show symbols from the triggering warlord, which changes the dynamic considerably from the base game.
Barbarian Free Spins
Starts with 9 free spins. Only high-value animal and warrior symbols appear on the reels, which improves win potential on every spin. Landing additional scatters during the feature adds 3 more free spins each time. The maximum win from this mode is 600x your stake.
Samurai Free Spins
Awards 5 free spins. Each time a scatter lands during the feature, it converts to a sticky wild and stays on the reels for the remainder of the round. As scatters accumulate as sticky wilds across the 5 reels, the win potential builds noticeably. Maximum win from this mode is 600x stake.
Priestess Free Spins
Starts with 7 free spins. Each scatter that appears during the round increases the win multiplier by 1x, stacking throughout the feature. This is the highest-variance of the three modes and the one with the biggest theoretical ceiling - the Priestess Free Spins can produce wins up to 6,666x your stake, which is the game's overall maximum. Players who hit this mode with scatters landing early stand to see the multiplier climb steeply across the remaining spins.
How to Play
Set your bet using the coin value and level controls at the bottom of the screen. Paylines are fixed at 30, so there's no payline selection to worry about. Hit Spin to play manually or use Autoplay to set a number of spins in advance. Wins pay left to right from reel 1, except scatters which pay anywhere.
For the base game, there's no player decision involved - the Random Overlay Wilds are random, and the Scatter Battle re-spin plays out automatically. Your most meaningful choice is selecting your stake level before you start.
The three free spins modes play very differently. The Samurai mode is the most consistent, as sticky wilds accumulate across all 5 reels during the 5 spins. The Barbarian mode gives you the most spins outright (9 minimum, with 3 more per scatter), and the Priestess mode carries the highest ceiling if multipliers stack from the first spin.
Mobile
Warlords: Crystals of Power runs in any modern mobile browser without a download. NetEnt built the game for cross-platform play, and the 5x3 grid translates well to portrait and landscape modes on iOS and Android. The Scatter Battle animations and free spins intros retain their full effect on smaller screens. All bet controls and the autoplay function work cleanly on touch.
Who It Suits
This slot works best for players who enjoy feature-rich gameplay where the mechanics feel distinct rather than interchangeable. The three separate free spins modes give it real replay value - each session can play out differently depending on which warlord triggers. The low-to-medium base-game volatility keeps the hit rate reasonable at 33%, while the Priestess free spins mode provides the variance ceiling for players chasing bigger wins. The £0.15 minimum makes it accessible; at £150 maximum it also suits players with a structured approach to session management.
For a comparison with other NetEnt titles - including Blood Suckers (98% RTP) and Jack and the Beanstalk (96.3% RTP) - see the full NetEnt games catalogue. To find casinos where you can play Warlords: Crystals of Power, visit our casino reviews.
What is the RTP of Warlords: Crystals of Power?
The RTP is 96.89%, which is above average for a video slot. NetEnt published this figure and it applies to the full game including all features.
How many free spins modes does the game have?
There are three separate free spins modes, one for each warlord. The Barbarian awards a minimum of 9 spins with high-value-only reels (plus 3 more per scatter). The Samurai gives 5 spins with sticky wilds. The Priestess provides 7 spins with a stacking win multiplier.
What triggers free spins in Warlords: Crystals of Power?
Landing three scatter symbols triggers free spins. If you land two mismatched scatters, the Scatter Battle re-spin activates to try to complete the set. If the re-spin falls short, the Final Chance feature may place a third scatter. A matching set of three scatters triggers that warlord's mode; a mismatched set goes to a Final Battle to determine the winner.
What is the maximum win in Warlords: Crystals of Power?
The maximum win is 6,666x your stake, achieved through the Priestess Free Spins mode where each scatter landing during the feature adds 1x to the win multiplier, which stacks for the duration of the round.
What is the volatility of Warlords: Crystals of Power?
NetEnt officially classifies the game as low to medium volatility. The hit frequency of 33% means roughly one in three base-game spins returns a win. The Priestess free spins mode introduces significantly higher variance potential through its stacking multiplier.
When was Warlords: Crystals of Power released?
NetEnt released Warlords: Crystals of Power in November 2016. It remains available at most NetEnt-powered online casinos and continues to be one of the developer's more mechanically complex slots.
Where to Play Warlords: Crystals of Power
These online casinos carry NetEnt games including Warlords: Crystals of Power. Read our Donbet review or browse all casino reviews.
Warlords: Crystals of Power RTP and Variance
Warlords: Crystals of Power has an RTP of 95.94%, which is around the industry average. See our highest RTP slots for the best returning games. Medium volatility offers a balanced mix of win frequency and payout size.
At the minimum bet of £0.15 per spin, a £10 deposit gives you 66 spins with a statistical expected return of £9.59. Read our slot betting strategy guide for tips on managing your bankroll.
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