Total War series veterans have long contended with the notorious bugginess of siege battles, a problem that Creative Assembly may finally address in Total War: Warhammer 40,000. The upcoming title's new engine and a setting that leans away from traditional fortifications could mean an end to issues like poor pathfinding, units getting stuck in gateways, and defenders failing to engage enemies on walls.
Siege battles have consistently been the buggiest component of Total War games. The infamous "gate bug," where an enemy unit opens a gate, trapping friendly forces, has plagued the series for years. Pathfinding in these scenarios is also notoriously unreliable, often causing units to inexplicately attempt to scale walls instead of moving through designated entry points. Players have reported units becoming permanently frozen in destroyed gateways, effectively rendering them useless.
These issues have led to significant frustration, with some players experiencing battles being lost entirely due to these glitches. The hope is that Total War: Warhammer 40,000, built on the new War Core engine, will offer an opportunity to revitalize the siege system and leave these persistent pain points behind.
One of the most anticipated changes is the potential removal of traditional gates and walls. Warhammer 40,000's setting often features massive hive cities and fortresses with colossal gates and bastions. While factions like the Imperial Fists and Iron Warriors specialize in siege warfare, the engagements often transition into street-to-street urban combat once defenses are breached. This focus on urban conflict, positioning, and chokepoints could lead to siege maps that eschew traditional walls altogether, a prospect some players welcome.
Removing walls and gates would not only circumvent the existing bugs but also potentially lead to more dynamic and engaging battles. The current reliance on walls can sometimes make sieges feel repetitive, with players often feeling obligated to defend them. The most tactically rich moments typically occur within the settlement itself, involving controlling chokepoints and cutting off enemy advances. With the prevalence of ranged combat in Warhammer 40,000, walls could become less of a tactical necessity and more of a vulnerability, especially with powerful orbital and aerial bombardment options that could easily breach them.
While new bugs are inevitable with any new game, the move away from the decade-old siege mechanics that have caused repeated issues in past titles is a significant point of excitement. The prospect of playing a Total War game without the frustration of gate bugs or units getting stuck on walls is a compelling one for long-time fans of the series.