intimidating amount of DLC

[DoubleG]

I always loved the Total War series, but got burned with Empire being so awful that I never bothered to get the Warhammer Total Wars, despite being a fan of Games Workshop. Now I'm looking at maybe getting it but there is a intimidating amount of things you need to buy to get he full experience. Not only Warhammer 1, 2 and 3 but innumerable Race DLCs.

Do you still get to play against the races if you don't buy their various DLCs? (i.e. Chaos Dwarfs)

And what would be the minimoon needed to play a proper game of immortal empires? (Warhammer 1, 2 , 3 and which DLC is NEEDED?)

[Garatgh Deloi]

You get to play against everything no matter what (Everything will always be there as enemies).

They also recently changed it so you get the combined map from just owning game 3 (You no longer need all 3 games). So the minimum you need for immortal empires is game 3 alone.

Now you only need game 1 and/or 2 if you want to personally play the legendary lords those games add. And you only need the DLC's (for game 1, 2 and 3) if you want to play the legendary lords those add (and units + sometimes unique faction mechanics). You can even get game 1 and/or 2 DLC without owning the games now.

I advice checking out this link: https://www.totalwar.com/blog/tww3_immortalempires_240_faq/
and going down to the ownership guide to see what legendary lords you can play with what content.

As i mentioned earlier, note that DLC usually adds units as well (for example a DLC that contains a new Dwarf Legendary Lord adds a few Dwarf units useable by any Dwarf Legendary Lord) and some legendary lords have unique faction mechanics making them play differently from more standard legendary lords.

[Cenwalh]

First off - yeah, you will still face against the races you do not own, they are all in there. Owning their respective DLC only unlocks the ability to play as those factions.

As for what the minimum is to enjoy a proper IE game - it's just the base WH3 game. I recommend you start there, it has a lot of factions to play as, a lot of variety. If you haven't played any of the TWWH games, then you will have a looong time until you feel the need to add more factions.

Then, you can just buy whichever DLC you feel like playing and keep adding one by one.

[Tisiphone Edge]

Originally posted by DoubleG:

Do you still get to play against the races if you don't buy their various DLCs? (i.e. Chaos Dwarfs)

Yes. DLC only unlocks the ability to play as a faction.

Originally posted by DoubleG:

And what would be the minimoon needed to play a proper game of immortal empires? (Warhammer 1, 2 , 3 and which DLC is NEEDED?)

In theory, none. In my opinion you're best off looking at streams or youtube videos to see what factions interest you and go from there.

[Moose_knuckle]

You can play against any faction even if you don't own the dlc. You dont have to own the previous games to play immortal empires anymore and none of the dlc is absolutley required to enjoy a game.

Having said that some of the dlc is really quite good so it's worth looking into which one's you like the look of. The best dlc imo is probably tomb kings, wood elves, warriors of chaos and chaos dwarves, i'd recommend you try playing the base game first just to get a sense of how you like to play.

[DoubleG]

Originally posted by Tisiphone Edge:

In my opinion you're best off looking at streams or youtube videos to see what factions interest you and go from there.

I am a long-time player of Games Workshop games so I know what factions interest me. :P But I will be happy to try them all eventually.

Originally posted by Garatgh Deloi:

As mentioned earlier, note that DLC usually adds units as well (for example a DLC that contains a new Dwarf Legendary Lord adds a few Dwarf units useable by any Dwarf Legendary Lord).

Are these units only available to the AI if you have the DLC? So owning the DLC makes their faction harder? Or is it only specific to you, the player?

Final quick question. Do you have to pay for the blood and guts/dismemberment? A Warhammer game with no blood would be unhappily sanitised...

[Elitewrecker PT]

The Ai always has access to every unit regarldess of DLC ownership.
Gore DLC is ~3$

[Garatgh Deloi]

Originally posted by DoubleG:

Are these units only available to the AI if you have the DLC? So owning the DLC makes their faction harder? Or is it only specific to you, the player?

Final quick question. Do you have to pay for the blood and guts/dismemberment? A Warhammer game with no blood would be unhappily sanitised...

Its only for you. The AI always gets everything.

And yes you do need to buy the small Blood for the Blood God DLC for dismemberment, bloods and guts (It's been said that it isn't part of the base games to avoid getting a higher age rating, but as far as i know its not confirmed or anything).

Note that (if you do get the older games) buying the blood DLC for 1 out of the 3 games adds it to all 3.

[DoubleG]

Thanks for he answers. REally helpful. I defo need some blood and guts, but if you can buy any DLC for 1 and 2 even if you don't own them I'll have a look see if their blood and guts one is cheaper. Guessing they apply to all? Any other universal DLCs that would be cheaper from an earlier version?

[Cenwalh]

Originally posted by DoubleG:

Any other universal DLCs that would be cheaper from an earlier version?

Not really, since each DLC is tied to one of the games, so they are all "universal" in that sense. If you get the Beastmen DLC, you have it for game 3, despite it being a game 1 DLC. And so on.
The only thing I can think of is that older DLC I think goes for a higher price reduction when on sale, but I might be wrong on that.

[cb4n28]

Don't worry, everything is in the game even if you don't own the DLC. You can buy as you go. For now just focus on getting Warhammer III and if there is somebody you reaaaaally want to play their DLC

[diogoqv83]

pay $ 1000 to play a trash can pile of crap full of bugs. Go ahead.

[Googley Eye'd Bastard]

Basically Each game 1,2, and 3 have "base factions" which were released with them which come with the game (game 1 for example is empire, dwarfs, bretonnia, vampire counts, and orkz) but there is also dlc which add either whole factions or extra lords for base game factions which are purchased separately. In game you will have to fight against them no matter if you bought them or not.

My advice would be to buy and play one of the games first, get a feel for it and if looking into a faction you think is really interesting that you would like to try and have the extra money give them a try. As well remember that DLC often goes on say for a lot cheaper usually 3-4$ each.

[DrGNOLA]

I picked it all up via different sales over the years for about $200. For me it's been worth it as I have 500 or so hours between all the games--and probably another 100 or so on WH3 via Gamepass. Nice to see they've made it all so accessible for newcomers now. I'd agree that just starting with WH3 is a good choice, but if you get the bug, buying WH1 and WH2 adds the other "real" base factions; elves, dwarves, greenskins, etc and are both fantastic games in their own right. Then there are the excellent mods out there--Mixu in the house--so that overall I think I have 27 factions total. its insane; welcome aboard, friend: )

[Moose_knuckle]

Originally posted by diogoqv83:

pay $ 1000 to play a trash can pile of crap full of bugs. Go ahead.

I've played nearly 100 hours and ive not noticed any major bugs.

[Mky]

Originally posted by DoubleG:

I always loved the Total War series, but got burned with Empire being so awful that I never bothered to get the Warhammer Total Wars, despite being a fan of Games Workshop. Now I'm looking at maybe getting it but there is a intimidating amount of things you need to buy to get he full experience. Not only Warhammer 1, 2 and 3 but innumerable Race DLCs.

Do you still get to play against the races if you don't buy their various DLCs? (i.e. Chaos Dwarfs)

And what would be the minimoon needed to play a proper game of immortal empires? (Warhammer 1, 2 , 3 and which DLC is NEEDED?)

You're probably aware that steam will run multiple sales anyway, you'll be able to buy packs of DLC for a few $£€