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.
Choosing the right build shapes your entire experience. This guide breaks down every option: what they're good at, what they struggle with, and which one matches your playstyle. For optimized builds with full gear sets, see our builds guide.
Quick Comparison
| Build | Tier | Playstyle | Best Equipment | Beginner Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High Elves | A | Balanced | Lothern Sea Guard | Yes |
| Dark Elves | A | Balanced | Witch Elves | Yes |
| Lizardmen | A | Balanced | Saurus Warriors | Yes |
| Skaven | A | Balanced | Hell Pit Abomination | Yes |
| Tomb Kings | A | Balanced | Necropolis Knights | Yes |
New player? Start with Dark Elves. See our beginner's guide for why.
High Elves
High Elves is a strong option in Total War: WARHAMMER II.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Lothern Sea Guard |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Eye of the Vortex ritual race |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Lothern Sea Guard
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Ulthuan to learn High Elves-specific mechanics
- Focus on Eye of the Vortex ritual race. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Lothern Sea Guard as your first major upgrade
- See our full High Elves build guide for the optimal gear progression
Dark Elves
Dark Elves is a strong option in Total War: WARHAMMER II.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Witch Elves |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Rites |
Strengths
- Most versatile, adapts to any situation
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Witch Elves
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Ulthuan to learn Dark Elves-specific mechanics
- Focus on Rites. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Witch Elves as your first major upgrade
- See our full Dark Elves build guide for the optimal gear progression
Lizardmen
Lizardmen is a strong option in Total War: WARHAMMER II.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Saurus Warriors |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Skaven food and under-cities |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Saurus Warriors
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Ulthuan to learn Lizardmen-specific mechanics
- Focus on Skaven food and under-cities. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Saurus Warriors as your first major upgrade
- See our full Lizardmen build guide for the optimal gear progression
Skaven
Skaven is a strong option in Total War: WARHAMMER II.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Hell Pit Abomination |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Dark Elf slaves and Black Arks |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Hell Pit Abomination
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Ulthuan to learn Skaven-specific mechanics
- Focus on Dark Elf slaves and Black Arks. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Hell Pit Abomination as your first major upgrade
- See our full Skaven build guide for the optimal gear progression
Tomb Kings
Tomb Kings is a strong option in Total War: WARHAMMER II.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Balanced approach |
| Best Equipment | Necropolis Knights |
| Stat Priority | Balanced stats |
| Core Gear | Best available |
| Key Mechanic | Mortal Empires campaign |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Solid all-around choice
- Pairs well with Necropolis Knights
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Ulthuan to learn Tomb Kings-specific mechanics
- Focus on Mortal Empires campaign. It's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Necropolis Knights as your first major upgrade
- See our full Tomb Kings build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Dark Elves is the clear winner. It's forgiving, teaches core mechanics, and remains competitive into endgame. Follow our beginner's guide for the best first-session experience.
For Maximum Performance
High Elves is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with Lothern Sea Guard for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Tomb Kings offers the highest skill ceiling. It's punishing when misplayed but incredibly rewarding when mastered. Only recommended after you've completed the game with another build.
For Group Play
Skaven shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
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 Boss Guide
- Total War: WARHAMMER II Maps & Locations
- Total War: WARHAMMER II Crafting Guide
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