Total War: Warhammer – Which Game Should You Start With?

The definitive answer? Start with Total War: Warhammer III. It’s the most modern, actively supported, and ultimately the most complete experience in the trilogy. While the previous games hold their own charm and content, Warhammer III benefits from years of development, bug fixes, and gameplay refinements. It’s the entry point that will provide the best long-term value and the most comprehensive onboarding for new players.

Why Total War: Warhammer III is the Best Starting Point

While each game in the Total War: Warhammer trilogy brings something to the table, Warhammer III stands out for several key reasons:

• Ongoing Support: This is the most crucial factor. Warhammer III receives ongoing updates, bug fixes, and content releases. The developers actively listen to community feedback, and this is reflected in the game’s evolution. Warhammer I and II, while perfectly playable, are effectively feature-complete and won’t see any further official improvements or expansions.

• Refined Gameplay Mechanics: Warhammer III builds upon the foundation laid by its predecessors, incorporating numerous quality-of-life improvements. The siege battles, diplomacy system, and unit responsiveness have all been significantly enhanced. Although some may argue that Warhammer II has a better campaign for certain factions, Warhammer III provides the most polished base gameplay.

• Immortal Empires: This is the ultimate campaign, combining the maps and factions from all three games (provided you own them) into a single, massive sandbox experience. While you need Warhammer I and II to unlock all the content in Immortal Empires, starting with Warhammer III lets you gradually acquire the older titles as you become invested in the world.

• More Beginner Friendly: Warhammer III has several systems in place that make it a better starting point for new players, with an updated tutorial and refined race mechanics.

Addressing Concerns About Warhammer III

Some players argue that Warhammer II is a “better” game, citing performance issues or perceived design flaws in Warhammer III. However, these criticisms are largely outdated. Many of the initial bugs and optimization problems have been addressed through patches. While individual preferences may vary, the core gameplay loop and overall polish of Warhammer III are undeniably superior.

It’s also important to remember that opinions on game balance and faction design are subjective. What one player considers a “flaw,” another might see as a unique challenge.

The Allure of Warhammer I & II

Warhammer I and II are still excellent games. If you find them on sale at deeply discounted prices, they’re absolutely worth picking up.

• Warhammer I: Focuses on the Old World, featuring iconic factions like the Empire, Dwarfs, Greenskins, and Vampire Counts. The core gameplay is solid, but it lacks many of the refinements introduced in later installments.
• Warhammer II: Features a campaign map focused on Ulthuan, Naggaroth, Lustria, and the Southlands. It introduces factions like the High Elves, Dark Elves, Lizardmen, and Skaven. Many players consider this to be the peak of the series in terms of overall campaign design and faction diversity, especially with the Mortal Empires campaign.

Unlocking the Full Potential of Warhammer III

To truly experience everything that Warhammer III has to offer, you’ll eventually want to acquire Warhammer I and II, as this unlocks the Immortal Empires campaign. This massive campaign combines the maps and factions of all three games into a single, sprawling sandbox. It’s the definitive Total War: Warhammer experience.

Total War: Warhammer FAQs

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help you navigate the world of Total War: Warhammer:

1. Do I need to own Warhammer I and II to play Warhammer III? No, you can play Warhammer III as a standalone game. However, owning the previous games unlocks the Immortal Empires campaign, which combines the maps and factions of all three titles.

2. Is the Immortal Empires campaign worth buying Warhammer I and II? Absolutely! Immortal Empires is the ultimate Total War: Warhammer experience. The scale and scope of the campaign are unmatched, offering hundreds of hours of gameplay.

3. Which DLCs are essential for Total War: Warhammer? This depends on your favorite factions. Generally, the Lord Packs that add new Legendary Lords, units, and campaign mechanics are considered the most valuable. Some of the most popular include “The King and the Warlord” (Dwarfs vs. Greenskins) and “The Prophet and the Warlock” (Lizardmen vs. Skaven).

4. Are Warhammer I and II still worth playing if I own Warhammer III? Yes! They offer unique campaigns and faction experiences that are not replicated in Warhammer III. Plus, it allows you to experience the changes in gameplay and mechanics over time.

5. What’s the difference between Mortal Empires and Immortal Empires? Mortal Empires combines the maps and factions of Warhammer I and II, while Immortal Empires combines the maps and factions of all three games.

6. Which faction is the most beginner-friendly in Warhammer III? Cathay and Kislev are often recommended for new players due to their relatively straightforward campaign mechanics and balanced unit rosters.

7. Does Warhammer III have a good tutorial? Yes, Warhammer III features an improved tutorial system compared to its predecessors, making it easier for new players to learn the basics.

8. Is Warhammer III optimized well? Performance has improved significantly since launch, and most modern PCs should be able to run the game at reasonable settings. However, it is a demanding game, and you may need to adjust your graphics settings to achieve optimal performance.

9. Are there mods for Total War: Warhammer? Yes, the Total War: Warhammer series has a thriving modding community. Mods can add new factions, units, campaigns, and gameplay mechanics.

10. Can I transfer my progress from Warhammer I or II to Warhammer III? No, there is no way to directly transfer progress between games. However, owning the previous games unlocks their content in Immortal Empires, allowing you to play as your favorite factions from those titles.

11. How often does Total War: Warhammer go on sale? The Total War: Warhammer games frequently go on sale on platforms like Steam and Humble Bundle. Keep an eye out for seasonal sales and special promotions.

12. What PC specs are recommended for Total War: Warhammer III? Minimum requirements include an Intel i5-6600 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600X CPU, 8GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 900 series or AMD RX 400 series GPU. Recommended specs include an Intel i7-8700 or AMD Ryzen 7 2700X CPU, 16GB of RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti or AMD RX 5600-XT GPU.

13. Is Total War: Warhammer historically accurate? No, Total War: Warhammer is a fantasy game based on the Warhammer Fantasy tabletop setting. It features fictional races, characters, and events.

14. Where can I find more information about Total War: Warhammer? There are many online resources, including the Total War subreddit, the Total War forums, and various YouTube channels dedicated to the game.

15. Is Total War: Warhammer good for learning history? While the Total War: Warhammer series isn’t designed for historical accuracy, the Games Learning Society highlights how games can still be educational and promote historical knowledge. While this franchise is fantastical, other Total War titles focus on historical periods and are considered to be a good entry point for education, you can see more on the potential of gaming at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Final Verdict

While the choice is ultimately yours, Total War: Warhammer III is the most logical and future-proofed entry point for new players. It offers the best gameplay, ongoing support, and the promise of the definitive Total War: Warhammer experience through Immortal Empires. Dive in, explore the Old World, and prepare to be consumed by the endless possibilities of this incredible strategy game.