Total War: Warhammer III Thanquol Lords of the End Times is a strategy expansion that adds Grey Seer Thanquol as a playable Legendary Lord for the Skaven faction. Players lead Clan Scruten through a campaign of schemes and warfare in the Warhammer fantasy setting, combining turn-based map movement with real-time battlefield command.
Gameplay
Thanquol directs operations from the campaign map by activating Masterplans. These involve raising hidden forces for surprise attacks, performing rituals that alter the battlefield or weaken foes, and attempting thefts of resources or artifacts. Complications arise during execution, forcing adjustments to keep the overall scheme on track toward large-scale destruction.
In battles Thanquol functions as a spellcaster drawing from the Lores of Plague and Ruin. The Dreaded Thirteenth spell becomes available after progression milestones. Once unlocked, the Grey Seer mounts Boneripper, a powerful Rat-Ogre that improves his durability while delivering heavy close-combat strikes. The lord recruits from the full Skaven roster and gains access to new additions such as multiple Stormfiend variants equipped for melee or ranged roles, Pusbags, the Warp-Doom Magma Cannon, and the Cauldron of a Thousand Poxes. Legendary hero Skreech Verminking and several Verminlord lord types expand command options. Regiments of Renown like the Scratterfire Team and Deathvermin provide specialized elite formations.
Game Modes
Immortal Empires serves as the primary large-scale campaign experience. Ownership of this Thanquol pack alone provides entry to the mode, allowing play without the base Total War: Warhammer III title. The campaign spans the combined world map with objectives centered on Thanquol's schemes and Skaven expansion.
Additional modes support both solo and group play. Single-player campaigns focus on the Masterplans system and progression through the Skaven roster. Multiplayer options include online player-versus-player matches, local area network battles, cooperative campaigns, and LAN co-op sessions where multiple commanders control Skaven forces or opposing armies.
Skaven Roster and New Units
The expansion integrates Thanquol's forces with existing Skaven units while introducing targeted additions. Stormfiends appear in melee configurations using grinderfists, doom-flayer gauntlets, or shock gauntlets, and in missile roles armed with ratling cannons, windlaunchers, or warpfire projectors. Support pieces such as the Warp-Doom Magma Cannon and Cauldron of a Thousand Poxes add artillery and plague-based options. These elements emphasize the faction's blend of swarming infantry, warpstone technology, and unpredictable magic.
Is It Worth Playing?
The expansion suits players who enjoy grand strategy campaigns built around faction-specific mechanics and large-scale real-time battles. Thanquol's Masterplans system introduces a layer of risk and adaptation that differentiates the Skaven experience from other lords. Access to Immortal Empires without prior ownership lowers the entry barrier for those interested in the full map and roster. The DLC releases on September 24, 2026, with no user reviews available prior to launch. Those drawn to Skaven themes, spell-focused lords, and scheme-driven progression will find the most direct appeal in the new content and units.
