Total War: Warhammer III is the capstone of Creative Assembly's Warhammer trilogy, and the Immortal Empires campaign is the largest strategy map ever made — combining all three games' factions across a massive world map. With 86 playable legendary lords across 24 factions, each with unique campaign mechanics, army rosters, and quest battles, there are thousands of hours of content. The real-time battles feature armies of thousands clashing with cavalry charges, artillery barrages, monster duels, and devastating magic spells. Whether you want to play a Chaos daemon horde, an organized Empire gunline, a sneaky Skaven underempire, or elegant High Elf spearwalls, every faction plays completely differently.
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? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kislev | A | Hold the line with Kossars in melee/ranged hybrid formation, use ice magic to freeze and shatter enemy blobs, then charge War Bear Riders into the flank for devastating impact. | War Bear Riders | Yes |
| Cathay | S | Set up a defensive formation with melee infantry shielding crossbowmen and cannons. Maintain Harmony balance for passive buffs. Miao Ying flies over enemies in dragon form dealing AoE damage. | Terracotta Sentinel | Moderate |
| Khorne | A | Charge everything immediately — Khorne has no subtlety. Use Skarbrand to solo enemy lords and monsters while Bloodletters grind through infantry. Win before ranged units can whittle you down. | Bloodthirster | Yes |
| Nurgle | B | Absorb damage with regenerating Plaguebearers, spread plagues on the campaign map to weaken enemies before battle, and use Great Unclean Ones as unkillable anchor points. | Steam Tank | No |
| Empire | S | Build a balanced army with halberdiers holding the line, handgunners firing over their heads, Helstorms devastating blobs, and cavalry flanking. Karl Franz dives onto enemy lords for duels. | Celestial Dragon | Moderate |
New player? Start with Cathay — see our beginner's guide for why.
Kislev
Kislev combines hybrid infantry (Kossars are melee/ranged) with powerful bear cavalry and ice magic. Tzarina Katarin is a devastating caster lord with the Lore of Ice that freezes enemies. Kislev's economy relies on the Devotion system — keep it high for faction-wide buffs. War Bear Riders are some of the strongest cavalry in the game.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Hold the line with Kossars in melee/ranged hybrid formation, use ice magic to freeze and shatter enemy blobs, then charge War Bear Riders into the flank for devastating impact. |
| Best Equipment | War Bear Riders |
| Stat Priority | Devotion management, ice magic investment, cavalry speed |
| Core Gear | Tzarina Katarin (Ice magic), War Bear Riders, Kossars with Great Weapons, Little Grom (artillery) |
| Key Mechanic | real-time battles |
Strengths
- Highest overall performance across all content types
- Hold the line with Kossars in melee/ranged hybrid formation, use ice magic to freeze and shatter enemy blobs, then charge War Bear Riders into the flank for devastating impact.
- Pairs well with War Bear Riders
Weaknesses
- Popular choice, competition for resources
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Chaos Wastes to learn Kislev-specific mechanics
- Focus on real-time battles — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize War Bear Riders as your first major upgrade
- See our full Kislev build guide for the optimal gear progression
Cathay
Cathay's Harmony system gives bonuses when Yin and Yang units are balanced in your army. Their ranged game is exceptional — Jade Crossbowmen and Grand Cannons shred anything before it reaches your line. The Terracotta Sentinel is an invincible golem monster unit. Miao Ying (Storm Dragon) is a top-tier combat lord who transforms into a dragon.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Playstyle | Set up a defensive formation with melee infantry shielding crossbowmen and cannons. Maintain Harmony balance for passive buffs. Miao Ying flies over enemies in dragon form dealing AoE damage. |
| Best Equipment | Terracotta Sentinel |
| Stat Priority | Harmony balance (Yin/Yang), ranged damage, artillery accuracy |
| Core Gear | Miao Ying (dragon form), Jade Crossbowmen, Grand Cannons, Terracotta Sentinel |
| Key Mechanic | campaign map |
Strengths
- Most versatile — adapts to any situation
- Set up a defensive formation with melee infantry shielding crossbowmen and cannons. Maintain Harmony balance for passive buffs. Miao Ying flies over enemies in dragon form dealing AoE damage.
- Pairs well with Terracotta Sentinel
Weaknesses
- Lower peak damage than S-tier options
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Chaos Wastes to learn Cathay-specific mechanics
- Focus on campaign map — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Terracotta Sentinel as your first major upgrade
- See our full Cathay build guide for the optimal gear progression
Khorne
Khorne has no ranged units and no magic — pure melee aggression. Bloodletters, Bloodthirsters, and Skullcrushers charge headlong into the enemy and win through overwhelming violence. The Skull Throne mechanic rewards kills with army-wide buffs. Skarbrand is possibly the strongest melee lord in the entire game.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | A |
| Playstyle | Charge everything immediately — Khorne has no subtlety. Use Skarbrand to solo enemy lords and monsters while Bloodletters grind through infantry. Win before ranged units can whittle you down. |
| Best Equipment | Bloodthirster |
| Stat Priority | Melee attack, charge bonus, ward save |
| Core Gear | Skarbrand (melee lord), Bloodthirsters, Exalted Bloodletters, Skullcrushers |
| Key Mechanic | magic system |
Strengths
- Best survivability for learning hard content
- Charge everything immediately — Khorne has no subtlety. Use Skarbrand to solo enemy lords and monsters while Bloodletters grind through infantry. Win before ranged units can whittle you down.
- Pairs well with Bloodthirster
Weaknesses
- Slower progression speed
- Needs specific gear to reach full potential
Recommended Progression
- Start in Chaos Wastes to learn Khorne-specific mechanics
- Focus on magic system — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Bloodthirster as your first major upgrade
- See our full Khorne build guide for the optimal gear progression
Nurgle
Nurgle is a slow, tanky faction that grinds enemies down through attrition. Plaguebearers are nearly unkillable with their regeneration and physical resistance. The Plague mechanic spreads diseases across the campaign map debuffing enemies. Great Unclean One is a massive monster unit with healing abilities. Nurgle struggles against fast, kiting armies.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | B |
| Playstyle | Absorb damage with regenerating Plaguebearers, spread plagues on the campaign map to weaken enemies before battle, and use Great Unclean Ones as unkillable anchor points. |
| Best Equipment | Steam Tank |
| Stat Priority | Physical resistance, regeneration rate, plague management |
| Core Gear | Ku'gath Plaguefather, Exalted Plaguebearers, Great Unclean One, Plague Toads |
| Key Mechanic | siege rework |
Strengths
- Excellent in group and cooperative content
- Absorb damage with regenerating Plaguebearers, spread plagues on the campaign map to weaken enemies before battle, and use Great Unclean Ones as unkillable anchor points.
- Pairs well with Steam Tank
Weaknesses
- Less effective solo
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Chaos Wastes to learn Nurgle-specific mechanics
- Focus on siege rework — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Steam Tank as your first major upgrade
- See our full Nurgle build guide for the optimal gear progression
Empire
The Empire (available through Warhammer I ownership) is the most versatile faction with excellent infantry, cavalry, artillery, and magic. Karl Franz is a strong combat lord on a griffin. The Elector Counts system requires political management to unite the provinces. Empire Handgunners and Helstorm Rocket Batteries form a devastating ranged core.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Tier | S |
| Playstyle | Build a balanced army with halberdiers holding the line, handgunners firing over their heads, Helstorms devastating blobs, and cavalry flanking. Karl Franz dives onto enemy lords for duels. |
| Best Equipment | Celestial Dragon |
| Stat Priority | Elector Count authority, ranged infantry buffs, cavalry charge bonus |
| Core Gear | Karl Franz (on Deathclaw griffin), Handgunners, Helstorm Rocket Battery, Steam Tank |
| Key Mechanic | legendary lord skills |
Strengths
- Highest skill ceiling with unique mechanics
- Build a balanced army with halberdiers holding the line, handgunners firing over their heads, Helstorms devastating blobs, and cavalry flanking. Karl Franz dives onto enemy lords for duels.
- Pairs well with Celestial Dragon
Weaknesses
- Steep learning curve, punishing mistakes
- Requires deep game knowledge to use effectively
Recommended Progression
- Start in Chaos Wastes to learn Empire-specific mechanics
- Focus on legendary lord skills — it's this build's primary system
- Prioritize Celestial Dragon as your first major upgrade
- See our full Empire build guide for the optimal gear progression
Which Build Should You Pick?
For Beginners
Cathay 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
Kislev is the top pick once you understand the game's mechanics. Pair it with War Bear Riders for the strongest overall setup.
For a Challenge
Empire 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
Nurgle shines in cooperative content with utility and team support capabilities.
More Total War: Warhammer III Guides
- Total War: Warhammer III Total War: Warhammer III Overview
- Total War: Warhammer III Best Builds
- Total War: Warhammer III Tier List
- Total War: Warhammer III Walkthrough
- Total War: Warhammer III Beginner's Guide
- Total War: Warhammer III Tips & Tricks
- Total War: Warhammer III Weapons Guide
- Total War: Warhammer III Combat Guide
- Total War: Warhammer III Boss Guide
- Total War: Warhammer III Maps & Locations
- Total War: Warhammer III Crafting Guide
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