Total War: Warhammer 3: 10 Things You Need to Know Before Playing

It’s finally happening: Total War: Warhammer 3, the third and final game in the franchise, is coming out on February 17, 2022. With tons of sneak-peeks at the factions in the game, game modes, and more, fans are eager to get their hands on the game.

But this game tweaks the traditional formula just a bit while also adding to the overall lore of the franchise and Warhammer universe. Here’s what you need to know before playing Total War: Warhammer 3.

Some Mechanics Are Changing

The past entries into the franchise remain well beloved by fans including Geralt of Rivia himself – Henry Cavill. Though the ambitious final entry into the series will have familiar tactics, some mechanics, such as siege battles, have been reworked.

Fans can look forward to more map variety with better faction themes. Other key changes include:

• Survival Battles – unique quest chain apexes that build in intensity as you go
• Defender changes and multi-layered settlements
• New Factions with unique mechanics
• Overall quality of life improvements from previous games such as flying units being able to land and charge then take off again
• Daemon cults – available to Daemon factions, these cults can act as sleeper cells in competing settlements

Total War: Warhammer 3 Available on Game Pass

Microsoft made waves when they purchased Activision/Blizzard recently. They can add even more incredible titles to their already great catalog of games that players can enjoy on Xbox or on PC thanks to Game Pass.

As of launch on February 17, 2022, Total War: Warhammer 3 will be available via Steam and a few other platforms. However, it will also be available via Game Pass, as well and maintain the same features as versions available in other online storefronts.

Ogre Kingdoms Comes With Early Adopter Version

Any gamer will tell you: pre-ordering a game isn’t always worth it. Total War: Warhammer 3 makes the early adoption worthwhile by offering the Ogre Kingdoms DLC as a bonus. After February 24th, 2022, the DLC can only be purchased separately from the base game.

The Ogre Kingdoms DLC includes:

• 23 additional units
• Legendary Lords Skrag the Slaughterer and Greasus Goldtooth
• Lords Slaughtermaster and Tyrant
• Heroes Firebelly, Hunter, and Butcher

Not All Chaos Enemies Are The Same

With so much lore in the Warhammer universe, it’s easy to forget that there are layers upon layers upon layers of deities, gods, and entities. Though the tabletop game doesn’t, this game breaks down Chaos into four Ruinous Powers: plague god Nurgle, changer of ways Tzeentch, lord of excess Slaanesh, and god of blood and slaughter Khorne.

Each entity’s forces bear varying grotesque and dangerous forms. Players can expect each unique faction to have different playstyles, attacks, and more as in past games of the franchise.

Eight Factions at Launch

So far, Creative Assembly has confirmed eight playable factions at the game’s launch including one DLC faction available in the early-adopter version. These include:

1. Kislev
2. Cathay
3. Korne
4. Slaanesh
5. Tzeentch
6. Nurgle
7. Ogre Kingdoms (DLC and Early Adopter version)
8. Legion of Chaos (Chaos Undivided)

The most important thing to keep in mind here is that the Legion of Chaos option gives players tons of freedom when it comes to builds, battle strategies, and even role-playing. As Ragnar, a Daemon Prince, players can customize their body in honor of one of the Chaos gods gaining various perks and play styles on top of the aesthetics.

What is Mortal Empires?

Moral Empires first appeared in Total War: Warhammer II with a glacially slow cadence. Creative Assembly has revisited the concept for the third game in the series making it bigger, faster, and better overall.

Known as Immortal Empires, the “mega campaign” merges factions and maps from the other games. It won’t be available at launch, but it will be made available at some point after. Best of all is that it will be available for free to people who own all three games in the franchise.

Lore of Ice

This game adds the Lore of Ice to the catalog of magic schools available to players. As used by the Kislev faction, it features all-new passives, abilities, and unique units such as Tzarina Katarin – the Ice Queen of Kislev.

Though not much is known yet about the lore of the magic, fans do have an idea about all of the stats, abilities, etc from the game wiki. Highlights include:

• Lore passive “Frost Shield” – freezes water vapor into a spell shield for the entire force
• “Crystal Sanctuary” – protective crystal dome that temporarily roots allies
• “Ice Maiden’s Kiss” – ice breath that can slow or freeze enemies
• “Death Frost” – inflicts an enemy with cold damage over time using touch
• “Ice Sheet” – creates ice on terrain upon which enemies can slip
• “Frost Blades” – imbues weapons with ice energy
• “Heart of Winter” – area of effect winter storm that gradually freezes enemies

Multiplayer is Bigger Than Ever

Now, up to 8 players can compete (or cooperate) in one standard campaign match for chaotic supremacy in the Realm of Chaos mode.

But Creative Assembly will also introduce more game modes, too, including Darkness and Disharmony where up to 8 players can save Grand Cathay from destruction or doom it to oblivion. For a smaller-scale adventure, opt for the Something Rotten in Kislev mode for up to 3 players.

Total War: Warhammer 3 System Requirements

As with any new game, you’ll need a rig that can handle the performance needs of the software. Given the protracted shortage of video cards, gaming on a budget is more difficult now. Luckily, this game is fine in the graphics realm; it’s the storage space that’s killer.

120GB of storage space is quite the premium, but many games are trending toward larger size requirements – one of the few cons to games like Call of Duty: Warzone. Having Windows 10 or 11 as your OS also helps the game run a bit more smoothly vs. older iterations of Windows.

Similar to Previous Games

Not every fan is satisfied when a game sequel is just “more of the same” with very little that’s novel about a game. Of course, others are completely ecstatic about this – especially if the game before it had solid mechanics and story. A great example of a franchise like this would be Assassin’s Creed.

The same can be said for Total War: Warhammer 3 and some fans have noted this on Reddit already. However, the adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” exists for a very good reason. Given the unique and customizable Daemon Prince faction, revamped Mortal Empires, and scope of this game vs. previous titles, fans are in for a good time – even while in familiar territory.