Creative Assembly adds Tiger Warriors to Total War: Warhammer III as part of the game’s first character pack
To mark a decade of Total War: Warhammer, Creative Assembly is rolling out a surprise character pack for Total War: Warhammer III—headlined by Bhashiva, the Desert Tigress, and her fearsome Tiger Warriors.
A new face prowls Cathay
Before this summer’s larger “Lords of the End Times” expansion, Total War: Warhammer III will receive its first-ever character-focused add-on. Developed in collaboration with Games Workshop, the pack introduces Bhashiva—also known as the White Tiger of Shang Yang—alongside her retinue of Tiger Warriors. True to the name, these are not themed regiments but tiger-folk: warriors marked by stripes, claws, and unmistakable feline ferocity.
What you get and what it costs
The character pack is priced at £3.99 / $4.99 / €4.99. It brings Bhashiva as a playable addition plus a small selection of themed units to field alongside her. While the full roster reveal is still to come, Creative Assembly is positioning this as a compact, focused drop that widens tactical options without the sprawl of a full Lord pack.
Where the Tiger Warriors fit
The newcomers slot into Grand Cathay, expanding a faction traditionally defined by disciplined ranks, harmonious formations, and layered artillery. According to the lore, the Tiger Warriors hail from the distant lands of Ind. Seeking refuge, they ultimately found purpose under the Iron Dragon, Zhao Ming, and pledged themselves to Cathay’s cause.
There’s also a deep-cut nod for lore devotees: stories place these tiger-folk among those who resisted the corrupting tides of Chaos in the long shadow left when the Old Ones departed the Warhammer world. It’s a flavorful thread that ties Cathay’s burgeoning bestiary to ancient cataclysms—and hints at why these warriors are so fiercely resilient.
New claws for Cathay’s toolkit
Creative Assembly teases that this pack will introduce a battlefield role Cathay hasn’t had before, suggesting a unit archetype that breaks from the faction’s usual symmetry and ranged supremacy. Whether that translates to pouncing shock troops, agile skirmishers, or hard-hitting hybrid infantry remains to be seen, but the implication is clear: expect new silhouettes and play patterns to complement—and occasionally disrupt—Cathay’s familiar formations.
Release window
The studio is targeting a late spring launch for the character pack, giving players a taste of something wild before the larger summer expansion lands. With the anniversary celebrations underway, the timing reads like a one-two punch: a nimble, affordable injection of flavor now, followed by a broader upheaval with “Lords of the End Times.”
Why this matters
- Fresh fantasy: Anthropomorphic tiger units add a striking visual and thematic counterpoint to Cathay’s ordered ranks.
- New tactics: A unit type “entirely different” for Cathay could reshape army builds and campaign approaches.
- Low barrier to entry: At under five of your local currency units, it’s a modest add-on with potentially big tactical impact.
- Lore momentum: The Ind connection and links to ancient struggles against Chaos deepen Warhammer III’s Old World tapestry.
Between Bhashiva’s debut and the impending summer expansion, Total War: Warhammer III is entering its anniversary year with teeth bared. If Creative Assembly delivers on the promise of a genuinely new combat role for Cathay, the Desert Tigress and her pride could be one of the game’s most distinctive additions yet.
