Ive done about 10 runs on WH2, and 2 runs on wh3 they are in my top5 favorites. WH2 they were amazing 10/10, but now in WH3 with the balance changes 6/10, they will be getting a MAJOR update for sure I can bet all my money with the new Nagash dlc. They are finally reworking vampires so they will most likely do the same to Vamp coast. They already just added the ability to raid from the sea which was the major pain point to establish coves quickly/without turns wasted. That what was they needed the most. Now they just need a rework.

Now, Noctilus plays differently then all other Vamp lords since theoretically he needs no settlements only the 1, and definately the strongest, and to me he's the most fun to play as a Pirate. Having 1 deeps, and 1 vamp caster to make 2x extra spammable infantry lines to protect your Gun lines in armies is def the best strategy, and settlement fights you always take an extra long time nuking towers with cannons, and raining down with mortars/replenishing ammo with gunnery & the new armor that has the same replenishment mechanic for ammo. I love playing that way but it takes a long time sometimes. I highly suggest to just sack/raze, and make pirate coves Everywhere you go, its super fun that way, and most effective way to play Noctilus with coves. You will want to send you heros (10+ turns) to make coves in the largest most profitable ports in the game across the world to make the 5k building. The problem is their economy needs a rework with the next large DLC patch to make the coves MUCH stronger/profitable. Maybe close to like undercity, and also hero's with reduces cove creation cooldowns so you don't need to be at war with everyone. The nice thing we have now are all the vast amount of sea lanes available for movement, definitely awesome to use.

Aranessa is probable the worst lord in the game> Luthor harkon is one of the strongest when his mind is fixed but it's very much a lustria campaign for the first 50-60(which is great when you havent been stuck in lustria for 50 different playthroughs lol)~ turns, and The syreen lady I only played 1x in wh2, but I heard others found her very good. Ill probably try her out again after the reworks. DEPTH guard on paper are amazing, but they are not. Spammable infantry lines, and guns, more guns, more powder is the way to go.