Total War: WARHAMMER III Guide | Easiest Factions & Campaigns To Play

Total War: WARHAMMER III is a game that has varying levels of being easy or hard. With around 100 Legendary Lords, there are quite a few choices that fit many different playstyles. These playstyles are complemented by campaign mechanics and the like. And as such, some campaigns are naturally harder, while some are easier.

How hard a campaign is determined by a lot of factors. Mainly, it involves your starting location, ability to expand and recruit, and the enemies around you. Easy campaigns not only have the tools for you to start off but also give you the means to easily expand and keep up your momentum. For example, many of the campaigns that are easy to start have difficulty spikes since there will be points where the mechanics restrict you or you just don't have good units for the situation.

Sometimes, it is also a matter of playstyle. Some playstyles are naturally suited for certain factions, while others hinder said faction. So you should know the faction's playstyle and play according to their strengths or focus on factions that appeal to your own playstyle. Regardless, this guide will look into some of the easiest factions to play.

Khorne

Skulltaker

DLC power creep is definitely a thing, as the Skulltaker is quite possibly the easiest faction to play right now. He has the simplest mechanics and easiest roster to play, and you also don't have to deal with a bunch of things, such as diplomacy or winds of magic. This makes for a very action-heavy campaign, and it is quite possibly the main intention of the Skulltaker.

As the Skulltaker, you get movement points replenished if you beat an enemy army. So, if you play your cards right, you can quite possibly complete a world conquest on turn 1. Yea, it's that broken. Expect a nerf in one of the next patches, but until then, he is the undisputed best.

Skarbrand

Now, this isn't the last time you'll see Khorne here since, well, it's Khorne, the God of War and all that jazz. Of course, he'll have simple and somewhat easy campaigns. Now, it won't be Khorne without his prime [former] champion, Skarbrand.

Skarbrand has some of the easiest game mechanics without the need to track things like Winds of Magic. You also have a good staging ground to learn about the 'evil' or chaos factions that are hellbent on destruction. Khorne starts in a very central location, so it might be somewhat hard to start with him. However, as it is with Khorne, there's very little strategy involved when it comes to battles, and all you really have to do is flank a lot while Skarbrand beelines for the enemy lord.

Arbaal

Another new addition, Arbaal the Undefeated, lives up to his name and remains one of the easier campaigns to play. He has some of the same reasons as Skarbrand or Skulltaker, with his unit roster, khornate mechanics, the lack of the Winds of Magic system, and simple objectives. He also enjoys a pretty decent start location.

However, there is one caveat. Again, living up to his name, you cannot be defeated like him; otherwise, you will lose the game. Now, while that is a pretty big caveat, it is a minor one, as you'll probably never lose as Arbaal.

High Elves

Tyrion

Tyrion is probably the easiest 'base faction' campaign that you can start with. High Elves, in general, are up there as some of the easier factions to play, along with the Empire. They have a very rounded roster with a tool for every situation, as well as some very beefy units if you just want to run a power block.

He employs a very stable gameplay, with natural routes for confederation, alliances, and just the right number of enemies. He's a good place to start if you want the stereotypical Total War experience of constant growth and expansion.

Alarielle

Now, if you have her DLC, Alarielle is a great option. As previously mentioned, the High Elves are already a complete faction with a unit roster that has very few holes. However, Alarielle, being a caster lord, is a bit different from what you would imagine with Tyrion or other martial Lords. With Alarielle, you also have some of the best archers in the game in the Sisters of Averlorn.

Cathay

Cathay is lumped together because both dragon siblings are essentially the same, with only Miao Ying having a tough time. Previously, it used to be Zhao Ming; however, with one of the DLCs, Balthasar Gelt finds himself in Cathay, somewhat near Zhao Ming, making for a natural ally.

Overall, Cathay shares many of the same traits as the High Elves. They are a naturally simple faction with somewhat simple mechanics. The harmony mechanics are on the same level of complexity as the High Elves' Martial Prowess but still might take some time to get used to.

Cathay also likes to make you use a combined arms approach and utilize different units, so you'll also be getting better at the game. However, Cathay right now might be a bit of a challenge as well, as there are many enemies to face. This is especially the case if you have a lot of DLCs.

Empire

Balthasar Gelt

Now, the Empire campaigns, notably the Karl Franz one, have gotten much harder lately; with new enemies, he is often surrounded, or the Elector Counts are always beset on all sides. While this is thematic, it doesn't make for an easy campaign. This is probably why Balthasar Gelt has chosen to take a vacation and go enjoy some time in Cathay. His starting position is incredibly fun as well as being easy enough. You also have an absolutely great unit roster, which is the Empire. You virtually have access to all playstyles, except maybe monsters and heavy infantry.

Except, wait, with allied recruitment, you also have access to the Cathayan unit roster. Overall, Gelt is a good start if you're looking to fight a variety of enemies while learning the different lores of magic.

Elspeth

Now, remember what was said about the Empire just a minute ago? With Elspeth von Draken, all of that changes. Even the Franz Campaign becomes easier just from her existence. Elspeth has her starting location near some friends as well as some enemies, but she will always have her powered-up magical guns to demolish almost all foes.

Some of the challenges from being an empire campaign remain, but her being a DLC LL means she gets a lot of the new and fancy toys.

Skaven

Now, again, another faction entry. The Skaven are quite literally one of the best factions with a very, very wide if a little flimsy arsenal of units to pick from. You can play every playstyle, all the while learning the general ways of the Skaven. The easiest campaign is with Ikit Claw, who has doom weapons, or Queek Headtaker, who is one of the base LLs.

Overall, the Skaven enjoys many unique and powerful lores of magic, along with special mechanics that keep the game interesting.

Also, check out the other Total War: WARHAMMER III guides below:

• Total War: WARHAMMER III Guide | Best Legendary Lord Defeated Traits