total-war-warhammer-2-dlc-buying-guide

Total War Warhammer 2 DLC Buying Guide and Tier List (2022 Update)

Total War Warhammer 2 can be a fantastic game, but it can be intimidating to jump into it in 2022. Creative Assembly has released many DLC packs over the years. Some are better than others. This guide is not recommended unless you don’t want to spend a lot of money on DLC. This guide will help you decide which Total War Warhammer 2 DLC packs to purchase and which ones to avoid.

We’ll also include the DLC included with Total War Warhammer 2 DLC. You may not be familiar with the mechanics of these games. TW: W2 includes a map called Mortal Empires which allows you to play all the races and factions as well as the legendary lords introduced during the original game. If you want to make the game even more enjoyable, you’ll want to purchase some DLC for TW1: W1. To play Mortal Empires, you must have Warhammer 1.

Before we start, here are a few other things. There is plenty of Total War Warhammer 2 DLC available for free, but we won’t be discussing it in this section. We have compiled a visual tier listing after the main section of our guide, where you will also find the FLC. If you are only interested in the Tier list, skip it.

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Rise of the Tomb Kings

Rise of the Tomb Kings, the first Total War Warhammer 2 DLC, introduced a new race. The Tomb Kings are the title. This expansion is more traditional than most DLCs. It also includes tons of new content. There are four legendary lords and mechanics. Quests, , new items, a completely new army roster with regiments or fame, as well as a whole host of other content. Some gameplay mechanics, such as not having to maintain your army’s upkeep, may not be to everyone’s taste. Rise of the Tomb Kings is a great Total War Warhammer 2 DLC if you don’t mind that kind of thing. We think the price is quite high, but it’s definitely worth it.

Verdict: Must buy

The Queen and the Crone

This DLC is an easy choice if you are a fan High Elves. It’s also not bad for Dark Elf players. Alarielle, Shadow Warriors and the Sisters of Avalorn are added to the High Elf roster by the Queen and Crone. Dark Elves receive Crone Hellebron and Doomfire Warlocks while the Kharibdyss is added. The Sisters of Avalorn and Queen Alarielle are two of the most revered DLC legendary lords. Although the Dark Elf part of the DLC is less fun, Crone Hellebron’s faction can be quite enjoyable and well worth checking out.

Verdict: Must buy

The Prophet and the Warlock

The Prophet and Warlock introduce the powerful Ikit Claw of Clan Skrye, which is arguably the best Total War Warhammer 2 DLC. Ikit’s Forbidden workshop is a fun mechanic that allows you to use nukes and a lot more. You can play as Tehenhauin, and offer your sacrifices to your god Sotek, over on the Lizardmen side. Although the Lizardmen are denied a legendary lord, they get six new units to strengthen their forces. Although they have three units, the Skaven are given a better lord and only three more to use.

Verdict: Must buy

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Curse of the Vampire Coast

Many fantasy medieval games have an undead race. However, Total War Warhammer 2 allows you to access three types of undead, each with its own factions. Curse of the Vampire Coast was released less than a year following the release of Rise of the Tomb Kings. Both expansions have similar content in terms of quality and quantity. This expansion features skeletons and other Egyptian-themed constructs. Instead, you can play as seafaring vampirics or bloated monstrosities. Yes, there are sea shanties. A giant Kraken. The expansion’s only negative aspect is its new battle maps. These are often small islands with very little maneuverability. Curse of the Vampire Coast, however, is an excellent DLC.

Verdict: Good value

The Warden and the Paunch

The Total War Warhammer 2 DLC that includes the Warden and the Paunch is quite unusual. You can now play as a goblin, who transforms the remains of his enemies into tasty dishes. The other faction introduces a high-ranking High Elf, who interrogates and imprisons captives in an underground base that appears to be inspired by the Batcave. The DLC adds several cool new units to the mix, including Stone Trolls, Rogue Idols, and War Lions of Chrace (for the High Elves), among others. CA hasn’t shown much love to the Greenskins since The Warden and The Paunch. If you like goblins and orcs, you will want this DLC.

Verdict: Good value

The King and the Warlord

The King and the Warlord was released in 2016 as the first DLC pack for Total War Warhammer. This DLC introduces Belegar Ironhammer, and Skarsnik to lead two new factions for the Dwarves or Greenskins. Both lords have missions related to the legendary stronghold Karak Eight Peaks. As is the norm with DLC packs, they are not compatible. Although the Dwarves are still waiting for Total War Warhammer 2 to update them, this DLC could make it a little more fun. If you enjoy the Greenskins, it’s a good recommendation.

Verdict: Good value

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Realm of the Wood Elves

This TW:W1 DLC is required to play as the Wood Elves within Total War Warhammer 2. Realm of the Wood Elves has been difficult to recommend for a long time because the race was outdated in TW2; however, things have improved in recent years. The Wood Elves are now quite fun to play, and their unique mechanics set them apart from other races in the game. Realm of the Wood Elves is a full expansion that costs twice as much as two lord pack. This expansion should only be purchased if you are a huge fan of Wood Elves.

Verdict: Worthwhile for some players

The Twisted and the Twilight

This is the only Total War Warhammer 2 DLC to show any affection for the Wood Elves. The major update to the Wood Elves was released alongside The Twisted and the Twilight, but you don’t have to purchase it to enjoy the benefits. You may still be interested in it, however, as it introduces the Sisters of Twilight, a new legend lord, and some cool units such as Zoats or Great Stag Knights. The Twisted and the Twilight introduces Throt the Unclean, a Skaven faction. You can get better DLC if your favorite character is the Ratmem, but you will probably only want this for the Wood Elves section.

Verdict: Worthwhile for some players

The Shadow and the Blade

Skaven DLC is next. Next up, we have The Shadow of the Blade. The DLC’s first legendary lord, Deathmaster Snikch has unique gameplay mechanics. These revolve around stealth, subterfugee, and his combat style. With the addition of Poisoned Win Mortars, Warp-Grinder Warfare Weapon Teams, the DLC adds firepower to Skaven’s roster. While the Skaven DLC is solid, the Dark Elf part leaves much to be desired. Although the Possession mechanic of Malus Darkblade, the new legendary lord, can be useful at times, it isn’t nearly as exciting as what Snikch brings. Unfortunately, there isn’t much here for Dark Elf players.

Verdict: Worthwhile for some players

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Norsca

Norsca is a great DLC from Total War Warhammer 1. It adds a new faction but costs half the price of regular expansions. However, Norsca has not received any updates in Total War Warhammer 2 to date. They won’t, considering that Total War Warhammer 3 will be out in a few months. While Norsca’s unique gameplay is still very strong in TW:W2, their starting position is abysmal. This handicap can be overcome by an experienced player and still produce a great game. However, it’s unlikely that this will happen for a beginner. This is a shame, as the DLC is excellent overall.

Verdict: Worthwhile for some players

The Silence and the Fury

This DLC for Total War Warhammer 2 is the most recent to be announced and it could well be the last. This is the only free DLC available. The Silence and the Fury are not yet available. However, we know that it will introduce two new legend lords to the Beastmen and the Lizardmen. We don’t have much information about the new units, and only a few details regarding the unique gameplay mechanics. A Beastmen lord appears to suggest that there will be a major update in the future. We’ll have to wait and watch when The Silence and the Fury launches July 14th.

Verdict: Worthwhile for some players

The Hunter and the Beast

It is difficult to recommend The Hunter and the Best. The new legendary lord Nakai has a horde army, but the gameplay mechanics are very underwhelming. If you are a Lizardmen player, however, it is difficult to say no the Dread Saurian units. Markus Wulfhart, the new legendary lord, is only marginally intriguing. If you’re looking to play the Empire, there are better options.

Verdict: Maybe if it’s on sale

Call of the Beastmen

The race of The Beastmen, were introduced in Total War Warhammer 2 but have been totally ignored in Total War Warhammer 2. This is likely to change, but the DLC will be difficult to sell unless CA plans on greatly improving the Beastmen. It’s still possible to access a whole new race, with two legendary lords as well as a solid unit list. However, we wouldn’t recommend purchasing the DLC at its full price.

Verdict: Maybe if it’s on sale

The Grim and the Grave

There is not much to look forward too. The Grim and the Grave, a TW-W1 DLC adds legendary lords to the Empire and Vampire Counts. Unfortunately, neither one of them is very interesting. Although the Mortis Engine, one new unit of vampires, is quite good, it’s not the only positive thing about this DLC.

Verdict: Avoid

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Chaos Warriors

Creative Assembly upset a lot when it announced the day 1 DLC for its original game. It was understandable. Chaos is a key part of Warhammer’s universe, and it should have been included in the base game. The Chaos Warriors campaigns are also terrible. Although the unit roster isn’t terrible, it rarely sees play in multiplayer matches. Total War Warhammer 3 will feature several Chaos factions, so it’s difficult to justify purchasing the DLC. Unless you are a completeist.

Verdict: Avoid

Blood for the Blood God

Blood for the Blood God, the most offensive Total War Warhammer 2 DLC is by far the most infuriating. If you are willing to pay, the DLC adds more blood and gore into the game. It’s not only insulting to have to pay extra blood for Warhammer games, but it’s also ridiculous. It is worth noting that the DLC was originally released for the original Total War Warhammer, and then re-released for the sequel (as Blood for the Blood God 2, for those who didn’t purchase it the first time). CA will no doubt try to sell it again when Total War Warhammer 3 launches. Give it plenty of time.

Verdict: Avoid

Total War Warhammer 2 DLC Tier List

Above, you can find the visual DLC tier list mentioned near the start of the article. But we do realize The visual DLC tiers list is located near the beginning of this article. We do know that icons can look very similar so it is difficult to understand what’s happening. We have also listed everything below in plain English format. This list includes all Total War Warhammer DLC and Total War Warhammer 2 DLC. If you buy all the DLC at full price, you will be looking at over 30 pieces of DLC. Although it isn’t enough to include Total War Warhammer 2 in our list of games that have outrageously expensive DLC, it’s close.

S Tier

  • Rise of the Tomb Kings (TW: W2 expansion) – $18.99
  • The Queen and the Crone (TW: W2 DLC) – $9.99
  • The Prophet and the Warlock (TW: W2 DLC) – $9.99
  • Mortal Empires (TW: W2 FLC)
  • Bretonnia (TW: W1 FLC)

A Tier

  • Curse of the Vampire Coast (TW: W2 expansion) – $18.99
  • The Warden and the Paunch (TW: W2 DLC) – $9.99
  • The King and the Warlord (TW: W1 DLC) – $8.99
  • Repanse de Lyonesse (TW: W2 FLC)
  • Gor-Rok (TW: W2 FLC)
  • Wurrzag (TW: W1 FLC)
  • Grombrindal the White Dwarf (TW: W1 FLC)
  • Isabella von Carstein (TW: W1 FLC)
  • Imrik (TW: W2 FLC)
  • Alith Anar (TW: W2 FLC)

B Tier

  • Realm of the Wood Elves (TW: W1 expansion) $18.99
  • The Twisted and the Twilight (TW: W2 DLC) – $9.99
  • The Shadow and the Blade (TW: W2 DLC) – $9.99
  • Norsca (TW: W1 expansion) – $9.99
  • Steps of Isha (TW: W2 FLC)
  • Lokhir Fellheart (TW: W2 FLC)
  • Tiktaq’to (TW: W2 FLC)
  • Tretch Craventail (TW: W2 FLC)

C Tier

  • The Hunter and the Beast (TW: W2 DLC) – $9.99
  • Call of the Beastmen (TW: W1 expansion) – $18.99
  • Grey Wizard (TW: W1 FLC)
  • Jade Wizard (TW: W1 FLC)
  • Skaven Chieftain (TW: W2 FLC)

D Tier

  • The Grim and the Grave (TW: W1 DLC) – $8.99
  • Chaos Warriors (TW: W1 expansion) – $7.99
  • Blood For the Blood God (TW: W1/2 DLC) – $2.99

If you don’t yet own Total War Warhammer 2 or some of the DLC discussed in this guide consider getting them from our Nexus.

Make sure to also check out our list of new and upcoming Warhammer games to keep an eye on in 2021 and beyond. Even more interesting lists can be found down below.

FictionTalk Team