For Total War: Warhammer 3, there are now 28 paid add-ons that bring new races or commanders into the game. MeinMMO editor and Warhammer expert Benedict Grothaus explains which of these you actually need and which you can do without.
Of all the games in the series, Total War: Warhammer 3 has the most players on Steam according to steamcharts and has a rating of 83% positive based on the recent 944 reviews on Steam (as of July 1). Accordingly, the game is quite popular.
One reason for the great success is the massive Immortal Empires campaign featuring over 280 factions that play against each other on the entire Warhammer world map. This mode is free for all owners.
Total War: Warhammer 3 is often available at a low price during Steam Sales, but there’s a catch: the base game offers relatively little. If you want the full experience, you will pay over 200 euros for the entire collection with all DLCs on sale.
Since players looking to jump in may not know what else they need, you will find here a list of all factions and DLCs according to their strengths and weaknesses. After over 570 hours just on Steam and about 200 more in Game Pass, I have spent dozens of hours with each faction or against them.
In the overview, you will find all factions for a specific playstyle with a brief description. However, a few notes:
- All factions are fundamentally military; Warhammer does not work without war. Only the focus is a bit different.
- Almost every faction has access to diplomacy and trade, but it is more or less relevant for the respective races.
- Some factions as NPCs have different options than players; only player races are described here.
- Most races have several strengths and focuses, which is why you can find almost all of them in more than one category.
The Offensive Races and their DLCs
As already mentioned, every faction is initially military. Some place more emphasis on infantry, others on cavalry, chariots, magic, or artillery. For the overview, I decided to further subdivide the category into factions that are more war-seeking (offensive military) or can defend their positions well (defensive military).
Khorne
- included in Total War: Warhammer 3 (base game)
- focus on melee units and monsters, ranged combat is hardly available
- gains bonuses through constant war and combat
- can develop certain units
- additional legendary commander in the DLC Skulltaker – Omens of Destruction
Chaos Dwarfs (DLC)
- included in the DLC Forge of the Chaos Dwarfs
- focus on artillery, gunpowder units, and heavy armor
- greenskin units as support with a unique hero
- without war, your economy will likely collapse
- secondary strength: economy
Empire
- included in Total War: Warhammer
- balanced roster with many different wizards and war machines
- one of the strongest artillery in the entire game
- always start in conflict zones that require diplomatic or military solutions
- secondary strength: diplomacy
- additional commanders in the DLCs The Grim & The Grave, The Hunter & The Beast and Elspeth – Thrones of Decay
Beastmen (DLC)
- included in the DLC Call of the Beastmen
- do not have settlements but form “Hordes” instead
- training of new units and building structures mainly within the army itself
- balanced unit selection
- focus on ambushes and raids
- additional commander in the DLC The Silence & The Fury
Chaos Warriors (DLC)
- included in the DLC Chaos Warriors, additional commanders in the DLC
- only have “black towers” as large settlements and otherwise play with vassals
- versatile unit roster depending on the respective lord/chaos god
- can develop certain units
- secondary strength: diplomacy
- additional commanders in the DLC Champions of Chaos
Chaos Daemons
- included in Total War: Warhammer 3 (base game)
- versatile unit roster made up of units from all chaos gods
- can dedicate themselves to a god or worship all
- access to special chaos blessings and enhancements for the commander
Greenskins
- included in Total War: Warhammer
- focus on melee infantry with ranged as a weaker support
- can call WAAAGHs to recruit additional armies
- must wage war,
- no access to trade with other factions
- additional commanders in the DLC The King & the Warlord, The Warden & the Paunch and Gorbad – Omens of Destruction
Lizardmen
- included in Total War: Warhammer 2
- balanced unit roster with many flying units, monsters, and wizards
- blessed units as special elite troops
- have access to special rituals to gain advantages in the campaign
- additional commanders in the DLCs The Prophet & The Warlock, The Hunter & the Beast and The Silence & The Fury
Norsca (DLC)
- included in the DLC Norsca
- mainly cheap melee infantry and cavalry with strong monsters
- various bonuses through dedication to a chaos god
- secondary strength: diplomacy
- additional commander in the upcoming DLC Tides of Torment
Vampire Coast (DLC)
- included in the DLC Curse of the Vampire Coast
- focus on ranged combat and artillery as well as monsters, no cavalry
- can summon units without recruitment time (necromancy); stronger units where large battles have been fought
- legendary commanders and admirals can upgrade their ships for recruitment on the go
- ship abilities grant advantages in combat
- leaders can occupy officer positions for various bonuses
Leaders have loyalty and can mutiny if approval is too low - can obtain special units and commanders through infamy or parts of the pirate song
- secondary strength: economy
Dark Elves
- included in Total War: Warhammer 2
- balanced roster with strong units in every area
- leaders can gain “Names of Power” to receive advantages
- leaders have loyalty and can betray you if it drops
- Black Arks that sail the seas and can reinforce or fully build armies from there
- access to rituals for various bonuses at the cost of slaves
- secondary strength: economy
- additional commanders in the DLCs The Queen & The Crone and The Shadow & The Blade
Skaven
- included in Total War: Warhammer 2
- fundamentally weak units focused on huge masses and summons
- no flying units and no cavalry, only monsters
- usually fight ambush-style, even in attack, if possible
- commanders have loyalty and can betray you if loyalty decreases
- sub-cities as a special game mechanic that can call entire armies
- secondary strength: economy
- additional commanders in the DLCs The Prophet & The Warlock, The Shadow & The Blade and The Twisted & The Twilight
Skaven are an interesting race in themselves, as they are characterized by cowardice and ambush. They have their own god, who has now ascended to chaos god status in Age of Sigmar.
Of all the races in Total War: Warhammer 3, the commanders of the Skaven likely have the greatest differences in playstyle, ranging from inventors with weapons of mass destruction to crazy biochemists to assassins. Especially if you only know Warhammer 40,000, you should check out Skaven: One of the coolest races from Warhammer will remain unknown to you if you only play Warhammer 40,000
