Do I Need to Install Warhammer 1 for Immortal Empires? A Comprehensive Guide

The allure of Immortal Empires, the grand, sprawling campaign that unites the worlds of all three Total War: Warhammer titles, is undeniable. But with so much content spread across multiple games and DLC, it’s easy to get lost in a sea of requirements. Let’s cut through the noise and get straight to the core question:

No, you do not need to install Total War: Warhammer (Warhammer 1) to play Immortal Empires in Total War: Warhammer III.

While owning Warhammer 1 (and Warhammer 2) unlocks playable races and factions within Immortal Empires, the games themselves do not need to be installed. As long as the games are registered to your account on the same storefront (like Steam), Warhammer III will recognize your ownership and grant you access to the associated content within Immortal Empires.

Think of it like owning a collection of LEGO sets. You might have a few sets from different years that all contribute pieces to create one massive, custom build. Warhammer III is the baseplate, and owning Warhammer 1 and Warhammer 2 essentially unlocks more LEGO bricks (races, lords, etc.) to use in your grand creation. You don’t need to have all the original boxes (installations) out to use those bricks.

This is a significant change from earlier in Warhammer III’s lifecycle when owning all three titles was a hard requirement to access Immortal Empires. Now, the focus is on giving players more flexibility in how they access and enjoy this epic campaign.

Understanding the Ownership vs. Installation Distinction

The key point here is the difference between ownership and installation. You need to own Warhammer 1 and Warhammer 2 to unlock their respective factions and lords within Immortal Empires. Ownership is verified through your account on the digital storefront where you purchased the games. However, you don’t need to install them to benefit from that ownership in Warhammer III.

This is fantastic news for players with limited storage space, as Warhammer games can be quite large. You can now enjoy the full breadth of Immortal Empires without sacrificing valuable hard drive space. This also makes it easier for new players to jump directly into Warhammer III and experience the combined campaign without having to download the older titles first. This aligns well with the educational goals of the Games Learning Society, who emphasize accessibility and engagement in their exploration of games.

Maximizing Your Immortal Empires Experience

While you don’t need Warhammer 1 and Warhammer 2 installed, owning them is highly recommended to fully experience Immortal Empires. Each game brings its unique factions and Legendary Lords to the table, enriching the campaign with diverse gameplay options and strategic challenges. Consider acquiring them during sales to significantly expand your playable roster. Also, the DLC from Warhammer 1 and Warhammer 2 also carry over to Warhammer 3, allowing for maximum content in Immortal Empires.

Factions Unlocked by Owning Warhammer 1

Owning Warhammer 1 unlocks access to several core races within Immortal Empires, including:

• The Empire: A versatile faction with strong infantry, artillery, and a focus on diplomacy.
• Greenskins: A horde faction specializing in overwhelming numbers and brutal melee combat.
• Dwarfs: A resilient and heavily armored faction with powerful ranged units and a focus on defense.
• Vampire Counts: A faction that relies on necromancy and undead armies to conquer their foes.
• Bretonnia: A faction of noble knights on pegasus and heavily armored warriors.

Why Owning the DLC Matters

Beyond the base games, DLC (Downloadable Content) plays a significant role in expanding your Immortal Empires experience. DLC adds new Legendary Lords, units, and campaign mechanics for existing factions, as well as entirely new factions in some cases.

For example, owning the “The King and the Warlord” DLC for Warhammer 1 adds unique units and campaign mechanics for both the Dwarfs and Greenskins, further enhancing their playstyles in Immortal Empires.

Investing in DLC not only expands your playable options but also enriches the overall game world, making Immortal Empires an even more immersive and dynamic experience.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Immortal Empires

Here are 15 commonly asked questions to help you navigate the world of Immortal Empires:

1. Do I need to own Warhammer 2 to play Immortal Empires? Similar to Warhammer 1, you only need to own Warhammer 2 on the same storefront as Warhammer III to unlock its respective factions and lords in Immortal Empires. Installation is not required.

2. Can I uninstall Warhammer 1 and Warhammer 2 after unlocking their content in Warhammer III? Yes, once Warhammer III recognizes your ownership of the previous games, you can safely uninstall them to free up hard drive space.

3. Does DLC from Warhammer 1 and Warhammer 2 carry over to Immortal Empires? Yes, all DLC purchased for Warhammer 1 and Warhammer 2 will be available in Immortal Empires, provided you own the base games on the same storefront.

4. Is Immortal Empires free with Warhammer III? Yes, Immortal Empires is a free game mode for all owners of Total War: Warhammer III. However, the content you can play in Immortal Empires is determined by which Warhammer games you own.

5. Do I need to install all three games to access the unique campaigns of Warhammer 1 and Warhammer 2? Yes, if you wish to play the specific campaigns from Warhammer 1 and Warhammer 2, such as the Eye of the Vortex campaign in Warhammer 2, you will need to install those games separately. Immortal Empires is a distinct campaign mode within Warhammer III.

6. Why do I need Warhammer 1 and Warhammer 2 at all if I only want to play Immortal Empires? You don’t need them to play the Immortal Empires game mode itself, but owning them is required to unlock their playable factions and Legendary Lords within that mode.

7. Is there any advantage to having Warhammer 1 and Warhammer 2 installed if I primarily play Immortal Empires? No, not really. Keeping them installed won’t affect your experience within Immortal Empires.

8. If I buy Warhammer 1 and Warhammer 2 on different platforms (e.g., Steam and Epic Games), will the content transfer to Warhammer III? No, the games must be owned on the same storefront as Warhammer III for the content to be recognized in Immortal Empires.

9. What if I owned Warhammer 1 and Warhammer 2 before the Immortal Empires update? Your ownership is automatically recognized, and you’ll have access to the relevant content in Immortal Empires within Warhammer III.

10. How do I verify that Warhammer III recognizes my ownership of Warhammer 1 and Warhammer 2? Check the Immortal Empires campaign selection screen in Warhammer III. If the factions from Warhammer 1 and Warhammer 2 are available for selection, your ownership has been successfully recognized.

11. Are there any graphical or performance differences when playing Immortal Empires compared to the original games? Immortal Empires utilizes the engine and graphical capabilities of Warhammer III. Therefore, you’ll experience the improved visuals and performance of the latest game in the series.

12. Does buying the DLCs before buying the base game unlock the contents for Immortal Empires? No, you must own the base game for the respective DLC for their content to be available in Immortal Empires.

13. I am new to Total War Warhammer, should I buy all 3 at once? It is not neccessary, but it is worth considering as many of the races in Immortal Empires are locked behind game ownership. If money is an issue, buy them on sale, or consider just the third title for a start.

14. Are mods able to be used on the Immortal Empires campaign? Yes, the Steam workshop is still available for Warhammer 3, so you can mod the game to your liking.

15. Can I play coop in Immortal Empires? Yes, Immortal Empires supports multiplayer campaigns, allowing you to play cooperatively with friends.

Immortal Empires offers a truly epic Total War: Warhammer experience, and understanding the ownership and installation requirements is crucial to maximizing your enjoyment. By owning the previous games (without necessarily installing them), you can unlock a vast array of factions and Legendary Lords, enriching your campaign and providing endless hours of strategic gameplay. For more insights into the educational potential of games, explore the resources available at GamesLearningSociety.org.