Total War: WARHAMMER – Every Race You Can Play As

Dwarfs in Total War: WARHAMMER

Dwarfs rely on their ingenuity to overcome their foes in battle with a mixture of their brute force and mechanical inventions.

Starting region

• Karaz-A-Karak

Special Gameplay Mechanics

• Can only capture territory belonging to Greenskins or other Dwarf factions.
• Grudges: Enemy actions result in Grudge missions, all of which must be settled in order to achieve campaign victory.
• Use Underway: Armies can choose to use the network of underground tunnels to avoid impassable terrain and enemy armies.

Special Units

• Irondrakes: Short-ranged missile infantry.
• Slayers: Hand-to-hand combat units.
• Gyrobomber: Flyers with guns and bombs.

Playstyle

• Durable, strong leadership.
• Strong artillery have great range.
• Strong economy and trade options.
• Large technology tree with military and civic branches.
• Magic resistance.
• Expensive unit recruitment cost and upkeep.
• No calvary options.
• Small military unit sizes.
• No magic use.

The Empire in Total War: WARHAMMER

The Empire leads the human race in its robust political civilization.

Starting region

• Altdorf

Special Gameplay Mechanics

• Can only capture territory belonging to Vampire Counts, or any other Human factions except for Norsca.
• Offices: Lords may be assigned into offices, granting them a unique title and bonuses.
• Technologies: Branches are linked to various buildings.

Special Units

• Demigryph Knights: Calvary unit good for charging.
• Luminark of Hysh: Chariots that can act as support units.
• Steam Tank: Short-ranged turret with a cannon.

Playstyle

• A lot of confederation options.
• Well-balanced unit roster.
• Fractured Empire, whereby the provinces of the Empire are ruled by Elector Counts over whom the Emperor has tenuous control at least.
• Numerous enemies.

Greenskins in Total War: WARHAMMER

Greenskins are brutes with low technology but incredibly large armies to overtake their foes.

Starting region

• Black Crag

Special Gameplay Mechanics

• Can only capture territory belonging to Dwarfs or other Greenskin factions.
• Fightiness: Armies have a fightiness rating which rises when fighting and raiding, and falls when inactive and as a result of being defeated.
• Animosity: Low fightiness leads to in-fighting between troops resulting in attrition.
• Waaagh!: High fightiness will spawn an allied Waaagh! army which can be sent against the enemy.
• Use Underway: Armies can choose to use a network of underground tunnels to avoid impassable terrain and enemy armies.

Special Units

• Doom Diver Catapult: A missile launcher.
• Arachnarok Spider: Big spider that provides passage for bowmen atop it.
• Giant: A literal giant.

Playstyle

• Large unit sizes.
• Cheap unit upkeep.
• Bonuses to income derived from raiding and sacking.
• Goblin units have brittle leadership.
• Limited technology tree.
• Cannot trade.
• Limited economic buildings.

Vampire Counts in Total War: WARHAMMER

The Vampire Counts are living abominations that strike fear and destruction against their enemies.

Starting region

• Castle Drakenhof

Special Gameplay Mechanics

• Can only capture territory belonging to other Vampire Counts factions, or any Human factions except for Norsca.

Special Units

• Hexwraiths: Calvary units that are good against small targets.
• Terrorgheist: Flyers that destroy from above.
• Varghulf: Powerful melee fighters good against infantry.

Playstyle

• Strong battle magic options, including raising of new units from the dead.
• Units cause fear, impacting enemy leadership.
• Crumbling: Instead of routing, units will suffer casualties when losing in combat.
• Some battle casualties are automatically raised from the dead post-battle, even in defeat.
• No missile units.

Warriors of Chaos in Total War: WARHAMMER

Special Gameplay Mechanics

• Horde: The faction has no settlements. Infrastructure and military improvements are linked to each individual Chaos horde.
• Corruption: Chaos corruption can be spread in enemy territory, leading to public order problems and even Chaos rebellions.

Special Units

• Hellcannon: Focused artillery, strong against single targets.
• Chosen: Hand-to-hand units for the front line.
• Chaos Giant: A literal giant. Plus chaos.

Playstyle

• Strong unit roster.
• Limited missiles.
• Strong diplomatic penalties with almost all factions.
• Cannot trade.
• Economy is reliant on sacking, raiding, and loot.