Creative Assembly has announced a significant shift for Total War: Warhammer 3. Starting September 24, 2026, the studio is removing the requirement to own previous games in the series to access the game’s flagship mode, Immortal Empires.
Previously, players were required to own specific installments in the trilogy to unlock the colossal campaign map. With the release of the Lords of the End Times expansion, purchasing any piece of content from that new set will grant immediate access to Immortal Empires, regardless of whether the player owns the base game or the earlier titles.
Quick Facts
- Expansion Release Date: September 24, 2026.
- New Access Rule: Buying any Lords of the End Times content unlocks Immortal Empires.
- Base Game Requirement: No longer needed for the grand campaign.
- Included Content: 14 factions, 24 legendary lords, plus all free-LC content and factions like Bretonnia.
The Lords of the End Times expansion features a variety of new content, including Nagash and his undead legions, Boris Todbringer and Middenland, the Glottkin, and Thanquol with his rat-ogre, Boneripper. By lowering the entry barrier, the studio is positioning this expansion as a primary entry point for new players. While purchasing a Lords of the End Times character will grant access to the grand campaign, it does not include the Realms of Chaos campaign found in the base version of Total War: Warhammer 3.
This change effectively replaces the need to acquire the previous trilogy entries for players primarily interested in the comprehensive Immortal Empires experience. The move makes the upcoming DLC a more cost-effective point of entry compared to purchasing older titles, with individual character packs expected to retail for approximately $9.