Question regarding the game and DLC for previous titles

[Draconic Creature]

So, Looking at the DLC list and just generally kinda trying to get a feel for what I might want to do for getting a good bit of choice, one thing that confused me a bit is that the DLC for 1 and 2 are both listed under this game too.

Simply my question is, can I just buy the DLC separately and basically get all the carry-over content from previous games without also needing to buy those previous games as well? Mainly asking just so I know how this even works, and it's also a complex enough question that trying to search up a discussion thread about it is not something I can figure out how to do in a way that gets me good results.

[Draconic Creature]

Nevermind, think I worked it out, it being that I'd still need the previous games to get ALL their content, rather than just their DLCs, which is a bit of a shame imo since that is a pretty hefty barrier considering those games are so highly priced still.

[Teh_Diplomat]

Originally posted by Draconic Creature:

Simply my question is, can I just buy the DLC separately and basically get all the carry-over content from previous games without also needing to buy those previous games as well?

Correct with regards to the last part.

Essentially any DLC you now purchase (from any TW Warhammer) now unlocks those factions for the player to use in campaign and multiplayer (if it's your cup o tea) without the need to purchase Warhammer 1 or 2 directly.

Previously, you had to own 1 and 2 in order to unlock the massive, Immortal Empires campaign in Warhammer 3.

That changed some months back, and now the DLC from WH1 and WH2 will unlock the factions in that DLC.

Here's an example to hopefully explains it:

If you bought the Prophet and the Warlock that would unlock
the Cult of Sotek (Lizardmen)
and;
Clan Skyre (Skaven)

without the need to buy WH2 which would give you the other faction options for Skaven and lizardmen (along with Dark and High Elves)

However, If you bought Warhammer 2 you'll unlock 4 factions and quite a few factions within them.

[Draconic Creature]

Originally posted by Teh_Diplomat:

Originally posted by Draconic Creature:

Simply my question is, can I just buy the DLC separately and basically get all the carry-over content from previous games without also needing to buy those previous games as well?

Correct with regards to the last part.

Essentially any DLC you now purchase (from any TW Warhammer) now unlocks those factions for the player to use in campaign and multiplayer (if it's your cup o tea) without the need to purchase Warhammer 1 or 2 directly.

Previously, you had to own 1 and 2 in order to unlock the massive, Immortal Empires campaign in Warhammer 3.

That changed some months back, and now the DLC from WH1 and WH2 will unlock the factions in that DLC.

Here's an example to hopefully explains it:

If you bought the Prophet and the Warlock that would unlock
the Cult of Sotek (Lizardmen)
and;
Clan Skyre (Skaven)

without the need to buy WH2 which would give you the other faction options for Skaven and lizardmen (along with Dark and High Elves)

However, If you bought Warhammer 2 you'll unlock 4 factions and quite a few factions within them.

In short, the lords that come with the DLC, but not the ones that are the initial lords for the faction, no? Like Skaven and... Queek Headtaker, I think his name was.

[Teh_Diplomat]

Originally posted by Draconic Creature:

In short, the lords that come with the DLC, but not the ones that are the initial lords for the faction, no? Like Skaven and... Queek Headtaker, I think his name was.

Yeah if you buy a DLC pack it comes with those specific lords from the faction.

This holds true for Warhammer 1 - which unlocks:

Empire
Bretonnia
Dwarfs
Greenskins

But any DLC pack with those faction still allow the specific lord & faction to be used on the campaign map.



The most formative change was making it so that you don't need WH1 or WH2 to unlock the massive campaign map (referred to as Immortal Empires); the campaign specific to Warhammer 3 (Realms of Chaos) sucks lol. so it's nice to have the global map campaign even without WH1/2.

[newjeans PR manager]

You'll need to buy the games to get the content they released with. Like in your example, that means if you want to play Queek you'll need to buy WH2. You can still buy DLC's and get access to races from previous games (including the whole base roster of units and whatever the DLC includes) so if you bought the DLC including Ikit Claw, you'd get access to Ikit Claw, base skaven units, and the unique units from Ikit Claw's DLC.

If you're interested in playing specific races more so than specific lords, this is a great way to get access to a whole bunch of content. For what it's worth, in this specific case Ikit Claw's faction adds so much to the whole Skaven fiesta that it'd feel incomplete without him. ratling guns >>>>

[abyssalfury]

Ultimately, I'd say WH2 is relatively poor value. WH1 is probably a must buy for those factions. Though even with WH2 it's worth remembering that your're getting 8 LLs for the price....assuming you play them. Still, thoughts, assuming you're comparing a full game vs DLC options:

WH2 gives you DE, HE, Skaven and Lizardmen.

Dark Elves, I think there's value. Malekith and Morathi both offer something different over the other DE Lords.

High Elves, not as much. Tyrion and Teclis don't have unique mechanics, there's other LLs that are 'close enough' gameplay wise, and only Teclis really has an interesting start.

Skaven, Queek isn't that different from Tretch and Skrolk is mostly 'not great'. Unless you really want that Lustria start, they don't offer much over any of the Skaven DLCs.

Lizardmen, again Kroq is similar enough to Gor-Rok, and Mazda is overall pretty bad despite being the designated caster Lord. Arguably, they don't even have starting positions going for them.


WH1 is a bit different.

Empire, buying the main game is the only way to get factions that are actually in the Empire, and use the Empire mechanics. If you want to play Empire properly, you need the base game. Though, this has a high chance of changing if you're willing to wait.

Dwarfs are kind of in the same position, though I'd argue it's less of a big deal compared to the Empire. Still feels like you're missing out on 'the Dwarf experience' without the base game.

Greenskins have more 'tribal' LLs. So the decision here is really what you want to play; DLC is fine if you want to play Goblins/Night Goblins/Savage Orcs, otherwise you probably want the main game.

Vampire Counts is pretty simple. You're probably going to just play Vlad the Chad or Isabella anyway, so it just comes down to Ghorst and his Cathay start vs Manny and Kemmler.

[Defmonkey]

Probably the best way to think of Games 1 & 2 now is that they have essentially become standalone DLC's for Game 3.

Game 1 & 2 do have their own narrative campaigns though but you will probably gravitate more to the Game 3 Sandbox Campaign. (Edit: Note; If you do decide you want to play their campaigns you will have to fully download the game to play its campaign, otherwise you only need the 3rd game installed for the grand campaign and these sit in background like the rest of your DLC)

Personally, if i was in your position and making the commitment to purchase, then i would start with game 3 and pick up any of the DLC that really peaks your interest to start with.

Games 1 & 2 and some of the DLC's do get good sales pretty often so you can pick them up when its best for you.

[Elitewrecker PT]

Originally posted by Teh_Diplomat:

Originally posted by Draconic Creature:

Simply my question is, can I just buy the DLC separately and basically get all the carry-over content from previous games without also needing to buy those previous games as well?

Correct with regards to the last part.

Essentially any DLC you now purchase (from any TW Warhammer) now unlocks those factions for the player to use in campaign and multiplayer (if it's your cup o tea) without the need to purchase Warhammer 1 or 2 directly.

Previously, you had to own 1 and 2 in order to unlock the massive, Immortal Empires campaign in Warhammer 3.

That changed some months back, and now the DLC from WH1 and WH2 will unlock the factions in that DLC.

Here's an example to hopefully explains it:

If you bought the Prophet and the Warlock that would unlock
the Cult of Sotek (Lizardmen)
and;
Clan Skyre (Skaven)

without the need to buy WH2 which would give you the other faction options for Skaven and lizardmen (along with Dark and High Elves)

However, If you bought Warhammer 2 you'll unlock 4 factions and quite a few factions within them.

Note that buying a DLC will also unlock the FLC lords of that race. So Prohpet and Warlock would actually unlock Tehenhauin and Ikit, plus Gor-rok, Tik'tak'to and Tretch.

[Elitewrecker PT]

Originally posted by Draconic Creature:

Originally posted by Teh_Diplomat:

Correct with regards to the last part.

Essentially any DLC you now purchase (from any TW Warhammer) now unlocks those factions for the player to use in campaign and multiplayer (if it's your cup o tea) without the need to purchase Warhammer 1 or 2 directly.

Previously, you had to own 1 and 2 in order to unlock the massive, Immortal Empires campaign in Warhammer 3.

That changed some months back, and now the DLC from WH1 and WH2 will unlock the factions in that DLC.

Here's an example to hopefully explains it:

If you bought the Prophet and the Warlock that would unlock
the Cult of Sotek (Lizardmen)
and;
Clan Skyre (Skaven)

without the need to buy WH2 which would give you the other faction options for Skaven and lizardmen (along with Dark and High Elves)

However, If you bought Warhammer 2 you'll unlock 4 factions and quite a few factions within them.

In short, the lords that come with the DLC, but not the ones that are the initial lords for the faction, no? Like Skaven and... Queek Headtaker, I think his name was.

The INITIAL lords yes, but the free ones released later are also unlocked with a DLC for that race.

[Draconic Creature]

Originally posted by Defmonkey:

Probably the best way to think of Games 1 & 2 now is that they have essentially become standalone DLC's for Game 3.

Game 1 & 2 do have their own narrative campaigns though but you will probably gravitate more to the Game 3 Sandbox Campaign. (Edit: Note; If you do decide you want to play their campaigns you will have to fully download the game to play its campaign, otherwise you only need the 3rd game installed for the grand campaign and these sit in background like the rest of your DLC)

Personally, if i was in your position and making the commitment to purchase, then i would start with game 3 and pick up any of the DLC that really peaks your interest to start with.

Games 1 & 2 and some of the DLC's do get good sales pretty often so you can pick them up when its best for you.

Yeah that's basically how I'm thinking of 1 and 2 now, as essentially really bloody expensive DLCs that I'm not likely gonna grab unless I really really want them.
Sure, a lot of content, but it's still a really steep price, and something I do hope may get solved in the future to make it less of a barrier of entry.

[Defmonkey]

Originally posted by Draconic Creature:

Originally posted by Defmonkey:

Probably the best way to think of Games 1 & 2 now is that they have essentially become standalone DLC's for Game 3.

Game 1 & 2 do have their own narrative campaigns though but you will probably gravitate more to the Game 3 Sandbox Campaign. (Edit: Note; If you do decide you want to play their campaigns you will have to fully download the game to play its campaign, otherwise you only need the 3rd game installed for the grand campaign and these sit in background like the rest of your DLC)

Personally, if i was in your position and making the commitment to purchase, then i would start with game 3 and pick up any of the DLC that really peaks your interest to start with.

Games 1 & 2 and some of the DLC's do get good sales pretty often so you can pick them up when its best for you.

Yeah that's basically how I'm thinking of 1 and 2 now, as essentially really bloody expensive DLCs that I'm not likely gonna grab unless I really really want them.
Sure, a lot of content, but it's still a really steep price, and something I do hope may get solved in the future to make it less of a barrier of entry.

Yeah i just checked sales history for WH1 and WH2.

WH2 goes on sale regularly at 66% off and WH1 at 75% off. That should give you some idea on price reductions to whatever currency / store you are on.

[Draconic Creature]

Originally posted by Defmonkey:

Originally posted by Draconic Creature:

Yeah that's basically how I'm thinking of 1 and 2 now, as essentially really bloody expensive DLCs that I'm not likely gonna grab unless I really really want them.
Sure, a lot of content, but it's still a really steep price, and something I do hope may get solved in the future to make it less of a barrier of entry.

Yeah i just checked sales history for WH1 and WH2.

WH2 goes on sale regularly at 66% off and WH1 at 75% off. That should give you some idea on price reductions to whatever currency / store you are on.

I've checked too, my only real issue frankly is that I don't know when 3 and some of its DLC will go on sale again, so I might be waiting for a while, kinda thought warhammer week or whatever the event was called again would come with some sales, but alas...

[Defmonkey]

Originally posted by Draconic Creature:

Originally posted by Defmonkey:

Yeah i just checked sales history for WH1 and WH2.

WH2 goes on sale regularly at 66% off and WH1 at 75% off. That should give you some idea on price reductions to whatever currency / store you are on.

I've checked too, my only real issue frankly is that I don't know when 3 and some of its DLC will go on sale again, so I might be waiting for a while, kinda thought warhammer week or whatever the event was called again would come with some sales, but alas...

Yeah WH3 being a newer game i think will be waiting a while, you might get 33% off for that one at some point.

You might have something come up with the Blood for Blood God thingy if it does happen, otherwise summer sale or if lucky total war franchise promotion.

[Draconic Creature]

Originally posted by Defmonkey:

Originally posted by Draconic Creature:

I've checked too, my only real issue frankly is that I don't know when 3 and some of its DLC will go on sale again, so I might be waiting for a while, kinda thought warhammer week or whatever the event was called again would come with some sales, but alas...

Yeah WH3 being a newer game i think will be waiting a while, you might get 33% off for that one at some point.

You might have something come up with the Blood for Blood God thingy if it does happen, otherwise summer sale or if lucky total war franchise promotion.

Well the main big thing that makes me concerned on if I need to wait months on end is that, going by a page showing the game's price history at least, it last had a pretty decent discount in march, which is before I started considering the game unfortunately.

[Defmonkey]

Originally posted by Draconic Creature:

Originally posted by Defmonkey:

Yeah WH3 being a newer game i think will be waiting a while, you might get 33% off for that one at some point.

You might have something come up with the Blood for Blood God thingy if it does happen, otherwise summer sale or if lucky total war franchise promotion.

Well the main big thing that makes me concerned on if I need to wait months on end is that, going by a page showing the game's price history at least, it last had a pretty decent discount in march, which is before I started considering the game unfortunately.

Yeah that's a bit unfortunate with the timing. Hopefully it at least gives you some direction and guidance on your purchasing decision either way.