Man, I remember firing up the first Total War Warhammer game back in 2016. Skeptical at first – how would cannons and dragons mix with Roman legion tactics? But holy Sigmar, watching a Steam Tank plow through zombie hordes while Griffons dueled in the sky... pure magic. These games aren't just strategy titles; they're love letters to Warhammer Fantasy fans.
If you're wondering whether to dive into this trilogy or just got your first dragon ride, this guide's for you. We'll break down everything: the bloody faction wars, essential DLCs, whether your PC can handle it, and why conquering the Mortal Realms feels like playing 3D chess with orcs. No fluff, just straight talk from someone who's lost too many hours to Chaos invasions.
What Exactly Are Total War Warhammer Games?
Picture this: the deep empire-building of Civilization collides with Warhammer's gothic madness. You'll spend hours on a turn-based campaign map managing cities, alliances, and wizard colleges, then zoom into real-time battles where thousands clash. Ever ordered a Dwarf Slayer to belly-flop onto a giant spider? Yeah, that happens.
The trilogy spans three standalone games that combine into one massive map called Immortal Empires if you own all three. Each title focuses on different continents:
| Game | Release Year | Core Factions | Campaign Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total War: Warhammer | 2016 | Empire, Dwarfs, Greenskins, Vampire Counts | The Old World (Europe-inspired) |
| Total War: Warhammer II | 2017 | High Elves, Dark Elves, Lizardmen, Skaven | The New World (Americas/Africa) |
| Total War: Warhammer III | 2022 | Kislev, Cathay, Daemons of Chaos | Eastern Steppes & Chaos Realms |
Pro tip: Start with WH2 if budget's tight. Its Vortex campaign is more newbie-friendly than WH1's sandbox. But the real endgame? Owning all three for Immortal Empires. Leading rat-men gun teams against Chinese dragon-lords? Priceless.
Breaking Down Each Total War Warhammer Game
Total War: Warhammer (Game 1)
This is where it all kicked off. Playing as Karl Franz trying to unite the Empire while fending off vampire counts felt like herding cats with swords. The factions here are classics:
- The Empire: Renaissance humans with rockets and faith (my personal favorite – nothing beats a Helstorm Rocket Battery volley)
- Dwarfs: Stubborn beard-lords with flamethrowers and helicopter bombers
- Greenskins: Football hooligans who fight for fun and sometimes explode
- Vampire Counts: Zombie spam masters with OP vampires
Downsides? The vanilla map feels small now, and Beastmen were laughably weak at launch. But mods like SFO fix that.
Total War: Warhammer II
This refined everything. The High Elf vs Dark Elf civil war made naval invasions actually tense. Lizardmen riding dinosaurs into battle? Chef's kiss. Key improvements:
- Introduces magical Vortex race (story-driven campaigns)
- Revamped diplomacy and sea lanes
- Skaven weapon teams changed warfare forever (ratling guns melt everything)
Still the most polished entry. My 200-hour Tyrion campaign proves it's dangerously addictive.
Total War: Warhammer III
The newest and most ambitious. Kislev's hybrid ice-magic/artillery playstyle is brilliantly chaotic. But let's be real – the Realm of Chaos campaign was divisive. Getting yanked into demon realms every 20 turns annoyed strategy purists. Still, Immortal Empires redeems it:
- Combines ALL factions from all three games
- Largest strategy map ever made (278 starting factions!)
- Cathayan harmony mechanics force smart planning
Performance can chug late-game. I upgraded to 32GB RAM because Skaven doomstacks murdered my frames.
Essential DLCs Worth Your Gold
CA's DLC policy sparks more debates than elf grudges. After testing all major packs, here are the game-changers:
| DLC | Price | Key Content | Must-Buy For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warhammer II: The Prophet & The Warlock | $9.99 | Skaven weapon teams, Lizardmen nuke-dinos | Anyone playing rats/lizards |
| Warhammer I: Call of the Beastmen | $18.99 | Horde-focused chaos beasts (best in WH3) | Chaos fans |
| Warhammer III: Champions of Chaos | $19.99 | Four mono-god demon factions | Chaos enthusiasts |
| Warhammer II: The Queen & The Crone | $8.99 | High Elf sisters with dragon mounts | Elf players |
Honestly? Skip race packs like Norsca unless you love vikings. Lord packs offer more bang for buck. Wait for Steam sales – DLCs drop 50-75% regularly.
Will Your PC Run Total War Warhammer Games?
Let's cut through benchmark BS. Having tested all three on four different rigs:
| Component | Warhammer I (Min) | Warhammer III (Rec) | My Real-World Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel i5-4570 | Intel i7-9700K | Multi-core matters for endgame turns |
| GPU | GTX 760 2GB | RTX 3070 8GB | 6GB VRAM minimum for ultra textures |
| RAM | 8GB DDR3 | 16GB DDR4 | 32GB prevents late-game stutter |
| Storage | 35GB HDD | 150GB SSD | SSD mandatory – loading times halved |
On my RTX 3060 laptop, WH3 runs at 65fps (1080p/high). But during 4v4 siege battles? Drops to 40s. Pro settings tweak: disable depth of field and AA – barely noticeable gains.
Performance Tip: If campaigns crawl after turn 100, open task manager and set the game's priority to "high." Saved my Kislev run from becoming a slideshow.
Core Gameplay Loop: Why It's Crack for Strategy Fans
Every session plays out in two layers:
Campaign Map Phase
This is your chessboard. Key actions:
- Build province chains (e.g., farms → barracks → walls)
- Manage hero agents (assassins, scouts, mages)
- Negotiate alliances and trade deals (Wood Elves hate everyone)
- Research faction-specific tech trees (Skaven get nukes faster)
Diplomacy is deeper than it looks. As High Elves, I bankrupted Dark Elves by manipulating slave prices. Felt like fantasy Wall Street.
Real-Time Battles
When armies clash, you control units directly:
- Position archers on hills for range bonus
- Time cavalry charges to rear/flanks
- Overcast spells for devastating effects (Wind of Death deletes infantry)
- Manage morale losses (goblins flee fast)
Terrain matters. Ambushing Beastmen in forests? Hide units behind trees. Defending settlements? Murder holes at gates shred attackers.
New Player Tactics: Not Just Right-Clicking
After 800+ hours across the trilogy, here's what I wish I knew sooner:
Army Composition Rules
- Always bring 2-3 anti-large units (spearmen, halberds) vs monsters
- Limit artillery to 4 units max – they're vulnerable to flanks
- Balance cheap infantry (shields up front) with damage dealers
Campaign Survival Tips
- Secure provinces completely before expanding
- Scout with heroes before declaring wars
- Rush growth buildings early
- Trade agreements generate passive income
Seriously, don't be like me on my first campaign. Expanding too fast as Empire left me bankrupt with 5 wars. Learned that lesson through bankruptcy notifications.
Mods That Fix Everything
CA's balancing... fluctuates. These mods are essential:
- SFO Grimhammer: Complete faction overhauls (makes Beastmen viable)
- Community Bug Fix: Patches lingering issues
- Recruit Defeated Legendary Lords: Save unique heroes after faction loss
- Dryrain's Reskins: Makes units gorgeous
Steam Workshop installation takes 2 clicks. Literal game-changers.
Total War Warhammer Games FAQ
Do I need all three games to play?
Only for Immortal Empires. Each base game has its own campaign. But owning previous titles unlocks factions in sequels.
Which game is friendliest for beginners?
Warhammer II's High Elves. Strong economy, versatile units, and Vortex campaign guides you.
Why do sieges feel clunky in WH3?
Even after reworks, pathfinding in multilayered forts struggles. Defenders still have major advantages.
Are the games still being updated?
Yes! WH3 gets quarterly patches/DLC. Shadows of Change DLC just dropped in August 2023.
Which faction has the best artillery?
Skaven (rattling guns) or Dwarfs (flame cannons). Empire rockets are flashier but less accurate.
The Verdict: Worth Your Silver?
Look, these aren't perfect games. WH3's launch was rocky, DLC pricing sparks rage, and late-game turns test patience. But name another strategy series where you can:
- Pit Aztec dinosaurs against undead pirates
- Have wizard duels during castle sieges
- Negotiate treaties with tree spirits
The sheer scale of Immortal Empires makes other strategy games feel small. With mods? It's endlessly replayable. After seven years and thousands of battles, I still find new interactions. That's the magic of Total War Warhammer games – they reward deep dives like no other fantasy strategy titles.
If you dive in, start small. Pick one faction that vibes with you (dino-riders or machine-gun rats?), learn their rhythm, and embrace the chaos. Just warn your family first – "one more turn" syndrome is real.
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