Total War: Warhammer

[asf]

commie lizards

[WaterMage]

I think that the most "lefiitst" faction in WH could be Lizardman. Sure, they have a rigid caste system (Slann mages, Saurus warriors, Skinks, etc.). Their society is highly organized and collectivist in serving the Great Plan, which could loosely resemble a centrally planned, communal system. I'm not saying that they are lefities, only that they are the closest to what we define as lefitism IRL.

► Show Spoiler

Great—let’s take a deep dive into the Lizardmen of Warhammer Fantasy from the lens of leftist political theory, bearing in mind the disclaimers:

This is a speculative, analytical exercise. The Lizardmen are an alien, theocratic, magically-guided caste society built around obedience to an ancient divine plan, not a human civilization or ideological faction.
They are not "leftist" in the historical, activist, or revolutionary sense.
But they do exhibit traits that align with certain leftist principles, especially in philosophical and structural terms—if viewed abstractly.

TL;DR Summary:

While not leftist by intent, the Lizardmen’s society reflects certain structural aspects of collectivism, ecological harmony, and post-scarcity communitarianism. However, their theocratic caste rigidity and complete lack of individual autonomy make them post-political—they bypass human ideologies in favor of a divine master plan. This makes them a non-human mirror to some leftist values, but also a cautionary tale of technocratic determinism.

Leftist Tendencies in Lizardmen Society

1. Post-Scarcity Resource Model (Quasi-Communism)

The Lizardmen have no concept of money, trade, or private ownership. All labor, construction, and magic are for the maintenance of the Great Plan.

Basic needs are provided communally; there’s no internal economic exploitation.

There's no elite class that extracts surplus labor for personal gain. Even the Slann do not hoard resources—they meditate, guide, and defend.

→ Parallel to Marxist vision of post-scarcity communism: production without exploitation, consumption according to need.

2. Egalitarianism Within Caste Roles

Each caste (Skinks, Saurus, Kroxigor, Slann) serves a clear function with dignity.

There is no competition for advancement, no "meritocratic" hierarchy driven by wealth or birthright.

Labor is shared and honored; every role is meaningful in the cosmic order.

→ Similar to left-communist ideals of de-alienated labor and communal purpose.

Caveat: This "egalitarianism" is locked into biologically determined roles—deeply un-leftist from a human-rights perspective.

3. Ecological Harmony and Anti-Imperialism

Lizardmen are stewards of the natural world, maintaining balance rather than exploiting it.

Their wars are defensive or preservationist, aimed at halting the corrupting influences of Chaos, Skaven, and colonial human expansion.

They reclaim, rather than conquer, lands tied to the Old Ones’ designs.

→ In line with eco-socialist, anti-colonial thought—resistance to destructive extractive systems.

4. Collective Identity and Absence of Ego

No Lizardman acts for personal gain. There are no politicians, warlords, or celebrities. Even their most powerful beings (Slann) operate in near-perfect altruism and detachment.

They are one people acting as limbs of a larger will—the Great Plan.

→ Echoes anarcho-collectivist ideals where self-interest dissolves into collective wellbeing.

Caveat: In practice, this resembles more of a cybernetic machine or a hive than a free society. There's no space for dissent or creativity as understood by human leftism.

Contradictions and Anti-Leftist Traits

1. Theocratic Determinism

The society is ruled by a mystical elite (Slann Mage-Priests), whose authority derives from the unknowable Great Plan of the Old Ones.

There's no democracy, no autonomy, and no concept of self-determination.

➤ This resembles technocratic authoritarianism more than democratic socialism.

2. Rigid Biological Caste System

Roles are biologically predetermined at spawning: Skinks are administrators and priests, Saurus are warriors, Kroxigor are laborers, Slann are divine leaders.

No mobility, no choice, no freedom.

➤ Contrary to all socialist-humanist principles of equality and liberation.

3. Zero Class Struggle

Class struggle is foundational to leftist theory. In Lizardmen society, there is no internal contradiction between classes because they're bred to obey.

The absence of exploitation is not because of revolution—it’s because of bio-magical determinism.

➤ This is post-political obedience, not class liberation.

Interpretation: The Lizardmen as a Leftist Mirror in Alien Form

The Lizardmen embody an alien version of the leftist utopia, where:

There is no poverty, greed, or inequality.

Society operates for the collective good.

Nature is respected and preserved.

Labor is meaningful and unalienated.

But: These ideals are achieved not through democratic struggle or philosophical progress, but through top-down magical programming, rigid caste logic, and divine revelation. There is no consent, no voice, and no dissent.

Thought Experiment: Lizardmen in a Marxist Lens

Marxists might view them as a classless society without alienation—but deeply flawed due to absence of agency.

Anarchists would condemn the theocracy and lack of freedom.

Eco-socialists might admire their harmony with nature.

Left-accelerationists might see them as a static dead-end—a society frozen in cosmic obedience.

Conclusion

The Lizardmen are not leftist, but they accidentally model some structural ideals of leftist theory—especially in their communalism, post-scarcity economy, and absence of exploitation.

However, their lack of autonomy, democracy, and liberation renders them more akin to a magical technocracy than any real-world leftist movement.

They are, in essence:

A grimdark parody of utopia—a society without suffering, but also without freedom.

I didn't say that they are leftists. Only that their society is the most leftist in Warhammerverse.

Sure, compared to our current-day clown world, where you can only choose between woke social democrats and even wokier social democrats, they aren't, but if we compare Lizardfolk to their world, Tilea is a libertarian region much more libertarian than what Milei could dream of. Bretonnia is more traditionalist than what the most diehard traditionalist could dream.

[Irenaeus]

I think that the most "lefiitst" faction in WH could be Lizardman. Sure, they have a rigid caste system (Slann mages, Saurus warriors, Skinks, etc.). Their society is highly organized and collectivist in serving the Great Plan, which could loosely resemble a centrally planned, communal system. I'm not saying that they are lefities, only that they are the closest to what we define as lefitism IRL.

► Show Spoiler

Great—let’s take a deep dive into the Lizardmen of Warhammer Fantasy from the lens of leftist political theory, bearing in mind the disclaimers:

This is a speculative, analytical exercise. The Lizardmen are an alien, theocratic, magically-guided caste society built around obedience to an ancient divine plan, not a human civilization or ideological faction.
They are not "leftist" in the historical, activist, or revolutionary sense.
But they do exhibit traits that align with certain leftist principles, especially in philosophical and structural terms—if viewed abstractly.

TL;DR Summary:

While not leftist by intent, the Lizardmen’s society reflects certain structural aspects of collectivism, ecological harmony, and post-scarcity communitarianism. However, their theocratic caste rigidity and complete lack of individual autonomy make them post-political—they bypass human ideologies in favor of a divine master plan. This makes them a non-human mirror to some leftist values, but also a cautionary tale of technocratic determinism.

Leftist Tendencies in Lizardmen Society

1. Post-Scarcity Resource Model (Quasi-Communism)

The Lizardmen have no concept of money, trade, or private ownership. All labor, construction, and magic are for the maintenance of the Great Plan.

Basic needs are provided communally; there’s no internal economic exploitation.

There's no elite class that extracts surplus labor for personal gain. Even the Slann do not hoard resources—they meditate, guide, and defend.

→ Parallel to Marxist vision of post-scarcity communism: production without exploitation, consumption according to need.

2. Egalitarianism Within Caste Roles

Each caste (Skinks, Saurus, Kroxigor, Slann) serves a clear function with dignity.

There is no competition for advancement, no "meritocratic" hierarchy driven by wealth or birthright.

Labor is shared and honored; every role is meaningful in the cosmic order.

→ Similar to left-communist ideals of de-alienated labor and communal purpose.

Caveat: This "egalitarianism" is locked into biologically determined roles—deeply un-leftist from a human-rights perspective.

3. Ecological Harmony and Anti-Imperialism

Lizardmen are stewards of the natural world, maintaining balance rather than exploiting it.

Their wars are defensive or preservationist, aimed at halting the corrupting influences of Chaos, Skaven, and colonial human expansion.

They reclaim, rather than conquer, lands tied to the Old Ones’ designs.

→ In line with eco-socialist, anti-colonial thought—resistance to destructive extractive systems.

4. Collective Identity and Absence of Ego

No Lizardman acts for personal gain. There are no politicians, warlords, or celebrities. Even their most powerful beings (Slann) operate in near-perfect altruism and detachment.

They are one people acting as limbs of a larger will—the Great Plan.

→ Echoes anarcho-collectivist ideals where self-interest dissolves into collective wellbeing.

Caveat: In practice, this resembles more of a cybernetic machine or a hive than a free society. There's no space for dissent or creativity as understood by human leftism.

Contradictions and Anti-Leftist Traits

1. Theocratic Determinism

The society is ruled by a mystical elite (Slann Mage-Priests), whose authority derives from the unknowable Great Plan of the Old Ones.

There's no democracy, no autonomy, and no concept of self-determination.

➤ This resembles technocratic authoritarianism more than democratic socialism.

2. Rigid Biological Caste System

Roles are biologically predetermined at spawning: Skinks are administrators and priests, Saurus are warriors, Kroxigor are laborers, Slann are divine leaders.

No mobility, no choice, no freedom.

➤ Contrary to all socialist-humanist principles of equality and liberation.

3. Zero Class Struggle

Class struggle is foundational to leftist theory. In Lizardmen society, there is no internal contradiction between classes because they're bred to obey.

The absence of exploitation is not because of revolution—it’s because of bio-magical determinism.

➤ This is post-political obedience, not class liberation.

Interpretation: The Lizardmen as a Leftist Mirror in Alien Form

The Lizardmen embody an alien version of the leftist utopia, where:

There is no poverty, greed, or inequality.

Society operates for the collective good.

Nature is respected and preserved.

Labor is meaningful and unalienated.

But: These ideals are achieved not through democratic struggle or philosophical progress, but through top-down magical programming, rigid caste logic, and divine revelation. There is no consent, no voice, and no dissent.

Thought Experiment: Lizardmen in a Marxist Lens

Marxists might view them as a classless society without alienation—but deeply flawed due to absence of agency.

Anarchists would condemn the theocracy and lack of freedom.

Eco-socialists might admire their harmony with nature.

Left-accelerationists might see them as a static dead-end—a society frozen in cosmic obedience.

Conclusion

The Lizardmen are not leftist, but they accidentally model some structural ideals of leftist theory—especially in their communalism, post-scarcity economy, and absence of exploitation.

However, their lack of autonomy, democracy, and liberation renders them more akin to a magical technocracy than any real-world leftist movement.

They are, in essence:

A grimdark parody of utopia—a society without suffering, but also without freedom.

I didn't say that they are leftists. Only that their society is the most leftist in Warhammerverse.

Sure, compared to our current-day clown world, where you can only choose between woke social democrats and even wokier social democrats, they aren't, but if we compare Lizardfolk to their world, Tilea is a libertarian region much more libertarian than what Milei could dream of. Bretonnia is more traditionalist than what the most diehard traditionalist could dream.

► Show Spoiler

Yes, I'm super bored and procrastinating. I'll stop lol

[WaterMage]

TWW3 with Zombies only.

[Manny V]

hate ghorst, cringe no-name hogging the place from cooler Vampire Count characters we could've got (and probably never will get) like Melkhior/Zacharias, Dieter Helsnicht, Walach Harkon n shiet

[Manny V]

look at this little ***** ****** lmfao

[WaterMage]

I bought him only because he is the closest thing to a celestial wizard as an playable character but I regret not buying Gelt in his place.

One question. In game, how powerful are Steam tanks buffed by Gelt?

[Manny V]

One question. In game, how powerful are Steam tanks buffed by Gelt?

idk, last Empire campaign i played was like 2 years ago, and i was Franz, only confederated Gelt near the point where i stopped cause of burnout, didnt get to see him shine

I believe he gives bonuses for artillery stuff and casters, idk about any wacky stuff for steam tanks, but i'm sure they're good with him

[WaterMage]

historian talking about armor in TWWH3

[WaterMage]

A question. Is Total War Warhammer 1 better than 3?

[ArcaneLurker]

A question. Is Total War Warhammer 1 better than 3?

It lacks certain features. No settlement battles, less options in diplomacy.
Some things are balanced better. Some people may prefer the size/ proportion of the map in 1, with the lower amount of factions & CPUs.

[Manny V]

i played game 1 when i first got into it, and it's definitely lacking in a lot of ways, from the lack of content to some of the odd jank, like heroes having to activate their regional effects manually, lords being able to be assassinated, probs some other **** idk

That and alot of the ways game 1 factions like Beastmen, Warriors of Chaos, Greenskins and Wood Elves (yukk) were implemented were kinda ****, like the animosity **** and old Greenskin WAAAGH! mechanics

That being said, the overall tone for the first game is more gritty and the aesthetics are nice, my first campaign as ya boi Mannfred conquering the Empire was pretty kino.
The Chaos invasion was also pretty sick, felt like the End Times were approaching when the Chaos doomstacks rock up burning everything down.
Also the intro cinematics for the Lords is pretty neat, gives a bit of flavour to the start of your campaigns:

[ArcaneLurker]

[WaterMage]

bought the 1. I'm liking much more than 3. IDK why, the games are very similar. But I'm trash in Total War Warhammer.

[A Chinese opium den]

Switched from 2 to 3, I like the sieges a lot more in this one. Some kino moments with the huge city maps.

[gerey]

the games are very similar

They're all one game, just with a few tweaks and upgrades along the way.

It's better to think of the sequels as glorified expansion packs that add more land, factions and mechanics, to combine into one massive monstrosity.

[WaterMage]

In total war warhammer 2, if I own 1, can I buy the 2 and play as Mannfred or Gelt? Honestly, I found the steam tanks too powerful.



But I'm honestly trash in this game.

[Oyster Sauce]

ACOD owned me in a 1v1

In total war warhammer 2, if I own 1, can I buy the 2 and play as Mannfred or Gelt? Honestly, I found the steam tanks too powerful.



But I'm honestly trash in this game.

Owning the previous games unlocks content in the newer ones, yeah.

[Havitner]

Honestly, I found the steam tanks too powerful.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/ ... 3386989556

[gerey]

In total war warhammer 2, if I own 1, can I buy the 2 and play as Mannfred or Gelt? Honestly, I found the steam tanks too powerful.

As others have said, every DLC from the previous game(s) carries over to the next one. As an example, if you bought the Norsca DLC for TW: Warhammer 1, then the same content is available for Warhammer 2 and 3.

[Havitner]

I don't know how it works in TWW2, but in TWW3 you don't have to own the base game (1 or 2) that the DLC was originally released for. You can buy the DLC separately to unlock the faction for TWW3.

[WaterMage]

To be fair, in 3, I doubt that steam tanks will be as op as in 1 as in 1, you focus mostly in a less fantastical region.

[Havitner]

To be fair, in 3, I doubt that steam tanks will be as op as in 1 as in 1, you focus mostly in a less fantastical region.

Ah, forgot you were talking about 1. Sorry.

[WaterMage]

Is worth buying Curse of the Vampire Coast?



What I don't like about normal vampires is : No ranged unities.

Lore of the Deep + ranged undead seems quite dope. What you guys think?

[rusty_shackleford]

Is worth buying Curse of the Vampire Coast?



What I don't like about normal vampires is : No ranged unities.

Lore of the Deep + ranged undead seems quite dope. What you guys think?

Use creamapi to unlock all dlc

[A Chinese opium den]

This guy is really hard to defeat.

[WaterMage]

[Manny V]

THEY FINALLY ******* DID IT WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[WaterMage]

Hot take. playing TWW1 as Gelt, on hard difficulty. I'm not good enough to play in harder difficulties. The early game is quite brutal. Your melee infantry is **** compared to orcs, beastman and other melee unities and your crossbowman can't pierce armor. However, once you get demigryph knights, steamtanks, powerful spells and a lot of WoM, the game becomes easier.

[Reichspepe]

THEY FINALLY ******* DID IT WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Forgot how good the blood wolf was