Do You Have to Buy Immortal Empires? Your Ultimate Guide to Total War: Warhammer III’s Epic Campaign
The short answer is no, you do not have to buy Immortal Empires. It’s a free game mode available to all owners of Total War: Warhammer III. This massive campaign combines the maps and factions from all three Total War: Warhammer games into one colossal, sprawling experience. Think of it as the ultimate culmination of years of strategy, lore, and epic battles – and it’s all yours without spending an extra dime if you already own the third game.
What is Immortal Empires Anyway?
Before we dive deeper, let’s quickly define what Immortal Empires actually is. Essentially, it’s a grand-scale campaign mode for Total War: Warhammer III. Imagine taking the world maps from Total War: Warhammer I, II, and III, stitching them together, and then populating them with almost every faction and Legendary Lord from across the entire trilogy. The result is a truly immense and diverse strategic sandbox where you can conquer, scheme, and battle your way to glory.
How to Access the Immortal Empires Campaign
Getting into Immortal Empires is straightforward. If you own Total War: Warhammer III, you simply need to ensure that it’s updated to the latest version. Once that’s done, you can access Immortal Empires from the main campaign menu. It’s typically listed alongside the Campaign of Chaos and any other available game modes. Selecting it will launch you into the enormous combined map, where you can choose your faction and begin your conquest.
Untangling the DLC Web: What Do You Really Need?
The world of Total War: Warhammer DLC can seem overwhelming, but it’s important to understand that DLC, while enriching, is not mandatory to enjoy Immortal Empires. You don’t need to own any of the DLC from the first two games or the third. The DLC simply unlocks the associated races and Legendary Lords for your use, and often adds unique units and mechanics. You can still face those DLC factions in the game even if you don’t own the DLC themselves. It’s all about expanding your own roster and options, not about gating the base experience.
Understanding Faction Unlocks
Owning the previous Total War: Warhammer games, or their DLC, unlocks their respective races and Legendary Lords for use in your Immortal Empires campaign. For example, if you own Total War: Warhammer II, you’ll be able to play as High Elves, Dark Elves, Lizardmen, and Skaven in Immortal Empires.
Is Total War: Warhammer III Worth It?
Even without the DLC, Total War: Warhammer III is a fantastic game, and Immortal Empires massively enhances its replayability. The core races are compelling, the campaign mechanics are deep, and the battles are as epic as ever. The DLC offerings are additional content you can pick and choose from to further enhance your gameplay experience, so starting with the base game is perfectly viable.
Immortal Empires: Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s tackle some common questions to provide a clear understanding of how Immortal Empires works and what you need to play it.
1. Is Immortal Empires free now?
Yes, Immortal Empires is a free update for all owners of Total War: Warhammer III. You do not need to purchase it separately.
2. Can I play Immortal Empires without Warhammer 3?
No, you must own Total War: Warhammer III to access Immortal Empires. It’s a game mode within the third installment, not a standalone game.
3. Do I really need all 3 Warhammer games installed to play Immortal Empire?
No. You only need Total War: Warhammer III installed. You don’t need to have the previous games physically installed on your system to access their content within Immortal Empires if you own them on your platform of choice (such as Steam).
4. What is Immortal Empires?
Immortal Empires is a grand-scale campaign mode for Total War: WARHAMMER III that combines the world maps and most factions from all three Total War: Warhammer games into a single, massive sandbox experience.
5. Do I need all DLC to play Immortal Empires?
No, you don’t need any DLC to play Immortal Empires. DLC unlocks playable races and Legendary Lords, but you can still encounter (and battle) those factions even if you don’t own the corresponding DLC.
6. Do I need to buy Warhammer 1 and 2 for Immortal Empires?
No, you are not required to purchase Warhammer 1 and 2 to play Immortal Empires. However, owning Warhammer 1 and 2 will allow access to all of the factions included in those games.
7. How to get Immortal Empires Warhammer 3 free?
If you own Total War: Warhammer 3, you automatically have access to Immortal Empires. Simply update your game, and it will appear as a campaign option.
8. What do I need to play Immortal Empires?
You need Total War: Warhammer III to be installed on your PC.
9. Is Total Warhammer 3 DLC worth it?
The value of the DLC depends on your personal preferences. The DLC adds new lords and factions and offers unique mechanics, so if you are interested in the content they add, they are generally considered worth it.
10. Do you need Warhammer 1 installed for Mortal Empires?
Note that Mortal Empires is the campaign game mode for Total War Warhammer II. Mortal Empires is the campaign game mode that is similar to Immortal Empires but for the Total War Warhammer II base game.
11. Is Total War: Warhammer 3 worth it without DLC?
Yes, the base game is great on its own. The DLCs are purely for additional content and enjoyment, but are not necessary.
12. Where do I download Immortal Empires?
Immortal Empires is not a separate download. It’s integrated into Total War: Warhammer III. Just ensure your game is updated through Steam (or your platform of choice).
13. Can you win Immortal Empires?
Yes, you can “win” Immortal Empires by achieving either the short, long, or ultimate victory conditions outlined for your chosen faction. Victory often involves conquering specific regions, defeating rival factions, and completing certain objectives.
14. Do I need DLC from 1 and 2 Warhammer 3?
Yes, purchasing DLC from older games unlocks additional playable factions within Immortal Empires.
15. Should I play total Warhammer 1 and 2 before 3?
For new players, starting with Total War: Warhammer III is generally recommended. However, if you’re a lore enthusiast, you could try Warhammer 1 and 2 for their narratives.
A Strategic Sandbox for the Ages
Immortal Empires isn’t just a map – it’s a living, breathing world teeming with possibilities. You can forge alliances, betray your friends, build mighty empires, and wage war on a scale never before seen in a Total War game. The sheer variety of factions, combined with the vastly expanded map, creates a truly dynamic and unpredictable campaign experience.
The Immortal Empires campaign also provides a rich and engaging environment for players to learn and improve their strategic and tactical skills. The game presents complex challenges and opportunities for decision-making, encouraging players to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership abilities. These skills are not only valuable in the context of the game but can also be applied to real-world situations.
The Educational Value of Strategy Games
The Total War series, and particularly Immortal Empires, can provide several educational benefits. The game requires players to manage resources, plan military campaigns, negotiate with other factions, and make strategic decisions based on incomplete information. These activities can improve cognitive skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic planning.
Further research into the educational applications of strategy games can be found at resources such as the Games Learning Society, showcasing the growing recognition of the benefits of game-based learning. See more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Embark on Your Immortal Campaign
Immortal Empires offers an unparalleled Total War experience. It’s a testament to the dedication of Creative Assembly and the passion of the Total War: Warhammer community. So, dive in, choose your faction, and prepare to carve your name into the annals of history. After all, it’s free if you own Total War: Warhammer III, what are you waiting for?