Creative Assembly has outlined significant upcoming changes for Total War: Warhammer 3, centered around Update 9.0 and the "Lords of the End Times" DLC. These updates will introduce new endgame scenarios, individual victory conditions for legendary lords, and a substantial rework for the Vampire Counts faction, alongside new Nurgle-aligned champions.
The developer revealed that the previously implemented endgame crises, which largely consisted of additional armies appearing, did not meet expectations. Associate design director Sean Macdonald explained that these are being shifted to serve as midgame challenges that empower factions, while the endgame will now feature distinct "End Times" themed scenarios. Three such scenarios are in development. One is a variation of the existing Vermintide crisis, another centers on Nagash, a legendary lord included in the DLC, and the third prominently features Archaon, a champion of Chaos.
Each new endgame scenario will be introduced with a cinematic and contextual information. Archaon's scenario, for example, will present him with a powerful ward save, making him formidable until his lieutenants are defeated. During this invasion, Archaon will possess the ability to devastate provinces, rendering them difficult to rebuild until he is vanquished. Furthermore, Archaon will gain the ability to confederate with any Chaos faction, expanding beyond his previous limitations within the Warriors of Chaos. To counterbalance this threat, other factions will become more inclined to form alliances against Archaon once his invasion commences, promising a climactic confrontation.
Players will also have the option to embrace the endgame crisis themselves when playing as Archaon, gaining the power to devastate provinces and pursue a unique victory. This is part of a broader rework of victory conditions slated for Update 9.0. Each legendary lord will receive unique objectives tailored to their lore and playstyle, potentially including recruiting specific thematic units, confederating with allied factions, or constructing iconic landmarks.
The Vampire Counts faction is also set to receive a significant rework, marking the first major update for the faction in approximately ten years. The recruitment system will be altered, with the "Raise Dead" mechanic allowing players to recruit units based on the number of fallen soldiers in a battle, effectively turning casualties into potential reinforcements. Vampires will become more potent but also harder to locate, requiring players to discover their lairs within settlements and potentially using agents to secure them. Players will then be able to customize these vampires, selecting their bloodline and other attributes using in-game resources. Vlad and Isabella von Carstein will also be available as legendary lords if players begin a campaign with one as a hero.
Creative Assembly also confirmed additional legendary lords for the "Lords of the End Times" DLC. Joining Nagash and Boris Todbringer will be the Glottkin, a trio of Nurgle-blessed siblings. The largest of the three, Ghurk, will serve as a mount for his brothers Otto and Ethrac. While part of the Warriors of Chaos faction, the Glottkin will have access to Nurgle's daemons and new units such as Putrid Blightkings, Basilisk, and the Chaos Siege Giant. Another lord for the DLC is yet to be announced, with speculation pointing towards Thanquol, the Skaven Grey Seer.
Notably, the highly anticipated siege rework is not included in Update 9.0 but is planned for a subsequent patch, 9.1. Information regarding Neferata, another character being worked on, was also not disclosed during the livestream, though she is expected to be a free content addition alongside the expansion.