Total War: WARHAMMER II moves the trilogy south to the New World, where High Elves, Dark Elves, Lizardmen and Skaven race to seize control of the Great Vortex above Ulthuan. The Eye of the Vortex campaign is a five ritual sprint with a final defensive battle at the end, which makes it far tighter and more directed than the sandbox of WARHAMMER III's Immortal Empires. Tomb Kings and Vampire Coast arrived as paid races with their own rules, one paying no upkeep but capped by unit limits, the other chasing Infamy and a star metal harpoon to kill the merwyrm Amanar.
Boss fights are where Total War: WARHAMMER II tests everything you've learned. This guide covers strategies for bosses across all areas, organized by progression order. For general combat techniques, see our combat guide.
Boss Difficulty Overview
| Area | Difficulty | Recommended Build | Key Equipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ulthuan | Easy | Dark Elves | Witch Elves |
| Naggaroth | Moderate | Dark Elves | Witch Elves |
| Lustria | Hard | High Elves | Lothern Sea Guard |
| The Southlands | Very Hard | High Elves | Lothern Sea Guard |
| Nehekhara | Extreme | High Elves | Lothern Sea Guard |
Ulthuan Bosses
Area difficulty: Easy Recommended level: Turn 1 onward Recommended build: Dark Elves with Witch Elves
Strategy
The first bosses teach core combat mechanics. Focus on learning patterns rather than dealing damage. Each race performs five rituals to bend the Great Vortex to its will, gated behind a race specific resource. This is your primary tool here.
Key tips:
- Don't rush. Learn the attack patterns first.
- Use Eye of the Vortex ritual race to create safe windows.
- Witch Elves is enough to handle everything here.
Naggaroth Bosses
Area difficulty: Moderate Recommended level: Turn 1 onward Recommended build: Dark Elves with Witch Elves
Strategy
Early game bosses test your understanding of Rites. Players who skipped learning this mechanic will hit a wall here.
Key tips:
- Rites is critical for these fights.
- Farm Witch Elves upgrades if you're struggling.
- Consider switching to Dark Elves if your current setup isn't working.
Lustria Bosses
Area difficulty: Hard Recommended level: Turn 1 onward Recommended build: High Elves with Lothern Sea Guard
Strategy
Mid-game bosses are the major skill check. They combine multiple mechanics and punish players who rely on a single strategy.
Key tips:
- You need both Eye of the Vortex ritual race and Skaven food and under-cities mastery.
- Lothern Sea Guard makes a significant difference. Get it before attempting these.
- See our combat guide for advanced techniques.
The Southlands Bosses
Area difficulty: Very Hard Recommended level: Turn 5 onward Recommended build: High Elves with Lothern Sea Guard
Strategy
Late-game bosses are serious challenges. Build optimization matters as much as mechanical skill.
Key tips:
- Make sure your build is fully optimized.
- Lothern Sea Guard at max upgrade is recommended.
- Study each boss's attack patterns. Most have 2-3 phases.
Nehekhara Bosses
Area difficulty: Extreme Recommended level: Turn 1 onward for Tomb Kings Recommended build: High Elves with Lothern Sea Guard
Strategy
Endgame bosses are the ultimate test. They require mastery of all combat systems and an optimized build.
Key tips:
- Top-tier build with best-in-slot gear is mandatory.
- Master every mechanic. See our combat guide.
- These fights reward patience and pattern recognition above all else.
General Boss Tips
- Learn before you fight: Spend your first attempt observing attack patterns. Don't try to win on attempt one.
- Match your build: Some bosses favor certain builds over others. Don't be afraid to switch.
- Upgrade your equipment: A max-upgraded Lothern Sea Guard trivializes fights that seem impossible with weaker gear.
- Use Eye of the Vortex ritual race: The core combat mechanic is your best defensive tool in every boss fight.
- Check the walkthrough: Our walkthrough tells you when you're ready for each boss.
More Total War: WARHAMMER II Guides
- Total War: WARHAMMER II Total War: WARHAMMER II Overview
- Total War: WARHAMMER II Best Builds
- Total War: WARHAMMER II Tier List
- Total War: WARHAMMER II Walkthrough
- Total War: WARHAMMER II Beginner's Guide
- Total War: WARHAMMER II Tips & Tricks
- Total War: WARHAMMER II Weapons Guide
- Total War: WARHAMMER II Combat Guide
- Total War: WARHAMMER II Maps & Locations
- Total War: WARHAMMER II Crafting Guide
- Total War: WARHAMMER II Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Total War: WARHAMMER II, check out these related guides:
- Sid Meier's Civilization V Boss Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
- Mount & Blade II: Bannerlord Boss Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
- RimWorld Boss Guide: strategy game with similar mechanics
