Do You Need DLC for Total War: Warhammer? The Definitive Answer

The simple answer is: no, you do not need DLC to enjoy the Total War: Warhammer games. The base games, especially Total War: Warhammer III, offer hundreds of hours of gameplay, diverse factions, and engaging campaigns. However, the DLC drastically expands the experience, adding new factions, legendary lords, units, and campaign mechanics. Whether the DLC is necessary depends entirely on your personal preferences and how deeply you want to immerse yourself in the world of Warhammer. If you are looking for a way to improve education by using games, make sure to check the Games Learning Society website.

Base Game vs. DLC: What’s the Difference?

The core Total War: Warhammer experience revolves around grand strategy, real-time battles, and faction management. The base games provide several distinct factions, each with its own unique playstyle, lore, and campaign goals. You can spend countless hours mastering these factions and conquering the Old World, the New World, or the Realm of Chaos.

DLC, on the other hand, enhances this foundation in several ways:

• New Playable Factions: Perhaps the biggest draw of DLC is the addition of entirely new factions. These factions often have unique campaign mechanics, roster compositions, and legendary lords, offering fresh and exciting ways to play the game.

• Legendary Lords: Even within existing factions, DLC can add new Legendary Lords. These powerful characters offer unique starting positions, campaign buffs, and skill trees, effectively creating sub-factions with distinct gameplay.

• New Units: DLC often introduces new units to existing faction rosters. These can range from elite infantry and monstrous creatures to powerful artillery and magical support units, adding tactical depth to battles.

• Campaign Mechanics: Certain DLC packs introduce new campaign mechanics that affect the entire game world or specific regions. These mechanics can add layers of complexity and challenge to the strategic layer.

• Story Campaigns: Some DLC focuses on narrative-driven campaigns, offering unique stories and challenges not found in the base game’s grand campaign.

The Value Proposition: Is DLC Worth It?

The value of DLC is subjective and depends on several factors:

• Your Budget: Total War: Warhammer DLC can be expensive, especially if you want to acquire all of it. Consider your budget and prioritize the DLC that interests you most. Wait for sales to save money.

• Your Interest in Specific Factions: If you have a particular fondness for certain Warhammer factions, such as the Wood Elves, Beastmen, or Warriors of Chaos, then their respective DLC packs are likely worth the investment.

• Your Desire for Variety: If you find yourself growing tired of the base game factions, DLC can inject fresh life into the game by providing new challenges and playstyles.

• Your Dedication to Immortal Empires: If your main goal is to play the massive Immortal Empires campaign in Total War: Warhammer III, then owning DLC for previous games will unlock more factions for you to play as in that campaign.

Ultimately, deciding whether to purchase DLC is a matter of personal preference. The base games offer a substantial amount of content, but DLC can significantly enhance the experience for those who are looking for more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Total War: Warhammer DLC

1. Can I play Immortal Empires without DLC?

Yes, you can play Immortal Empires without any DLC. However, your choice of playable factions will be limited to those included in the base Total War: Warhammer III game. Owning Total War: Warhammer I and II, along with their DLCs, unlocks their respective factions in Immortal Empires.

2. Do I need to own Total War: Warhammer I and II DLC to play their factions in Total War: Warhammer III Immortal Empires?

Yes, if you want to play as factions introduced through DLC in Total War: Warhammer I and II within the Immortal Empires campaign of Total War: Warhammer III, you need to own that specific DLC on the same platform (e.g., Steam).

3. What is the best Total War: Warhammer III DLC to buy first?

This depends on your preferred playstyle. Generally, the DLC that adds entire new factions, such as “The Warden & The Paunch” (Greenskins) or “The Twisted & The Twilight” (Wood Elves), offer the most content for their price. However, if you are looking for specific legendary lords or unit types, then consider DLCs that focus on expanding existing factions. The Champions of Chaos lord pack is a great option to add 4 warriors of Chaos factions to the game.

4. Do DLC purchased for Total War: Warhammer I carry over to Total War: Warhammer II or III?

DLC purchased for Total War: Warhammer I does carry over to Total War: Warhammer II and III if you own those games on the same platform (e.g., Steam) and are playing the combined campaign (Mortal Empires in Warhammer II, Immortal Empires in Warhammer III). This unlocks those races and lords in the combined campaign.

5. Will buying DLC improve the AI factions in the game?

No, buying DLC will not directly improve the AI’s behavior. However, owning more DLC can indirectly affect the AI by introducing more diverse factions and units into the game world, potentially leading to more varied and challenging AI opponents.

6. Are there any free DLCs for Total War: Warhammer III?

Yes, Total War: Warhammer III sometimes releases free DLC, often in the form of new legendary lords or units. Keep an eye on the game’s official news and community forums for announcements about free content. “Blood for the Blood God” is technically free if you previously bought it for either of the previous games.

7. Do I need to have Total War: Warhammer I or II installed to play Mortal Empires or Immortal Empires?

No, you do not need to have Total War: Warhammer I or II installed to play Mortal Empires in Warhammer II or Immortal Empires in Warhammer III. You only need to own them on the same platform.

8. Are the older Total War: Warhammer games worth buying if I only plan to play Immortal Empires in Total War: Warhammer III?

Yes, if you enjoy the Total War: Warhammer universe and want access to more factions in Immortal Empires, then buying Total War: Warhammer I and II, as well as their DLC, is worth it.

9. Does DLC ever go on sale?

Yes, Total War: Warhammer DLC frequently goes on sale on platforms like Steam. Waiting for sales is a great way to save money and expand your game without breaking the bank.

10. Does buying DLC make the game easier?

Generally, no. While new units or factions might be powerful, the AI also benefits from these additions, ensuring that the game remains challenging. New legendary lords can provide powerful new campaign starting locations.

11. Can I play multiplayer campaigns with someone who owns different DLC than me?

This depends on the specific DLC. Generally, if you want to play as a DLC faction in a multiplayer campaign, both players need to own that DLC. However, you can usually play against DLC factions even if you don’t own the DLC yourself.

12. What are “Lord Packs” versus “Race Packs?”

Race Packs typically introduce an entirely new playable race with multiple legendary lords, unique units, and campaign mechanics. Lord Packs usually add new legendary lords, units, and campaign mechanics to existing races, further diversifying their gameplay.

13. Can I play the “main campaign” of Total War: Warhammer III without any DLC?

Yes, you can play the main campaign of Total War: Warhammer III (the Realm of Chaos campaign) without owning any DLC. The DLC primarily affects the factions available in the Immortal Empires campaign.

14. Do I need to own Blood for the Blood God I and II if I buy Blood for the Blood God III?

No. Owning any version of the Blood for the Blood God DLC unlocks the blood and gore effects for all three Total War: Warhammer games. If you own Blood For The Blood God II, you will get III for free and vice-versa.

15. Will my old save games be affected if I buy DLC mid-campaign?

Generally, adding DLC mid-campaign will not break your save games. However, you will only be able to access the new content (e.g., new units, legendary lords) in new campaigns or by recruiting them if available in your current game.

Ultimately, the decision to buy Total War: Warhammer DLC is a personal one. Consider your budget, your interest in specific factions, and your desire for variety. With or without DLC, the Total War: Warhammer games offer a rich and rewarding grand strategy experience. Games are a great way to study, so why not visit GamesLearningSociety.org.