Reflections on Siege Mechanics in Total War: Warhammer 40k
A few months ago, I found myself immersed in the vibrant chaos of Total War: Warhammer 3, commanding a formidable tiger horde as I engaged in battle. The thrill of overwhelming enemy forces was exhilarating until I encountered a siege battle that brought my excitement to a halt. Despite my extensive experience—over 3,000 hours in the series—I was confronted with a new gate bug that effectively immobilized my unit within a destroyed gateway, leaving me frustrated and perplexed.
Historically, sieges in Total War have been riddled with technical issues. The notorious “gate bug,” where an enemy unit opens a gate, splitting my forces in half, has haunted the series across various titles. Moreover, the pathfinding during sieges has always been less than reliable. I’ve learned to direct only one unit through a gate at a time, as the alternative often leads to inexplicable decisions, such as my troops opting to scale the walls instead.
As I ponder the upcoming Total War: Warhammer 40k, I can’t help but speculate about the nature of its siege battles. Unlike the traditional sieges we’ve come to expect, the Warhammer 40k universe presents monumental structures like massive hive gates and fortress walls. The presence of specialized Space Marine legions, such as the Imperial Fists and Iron Warriors, adds another layer of complexity to the concept of siege warfare, focusing on both defense and offense.
In a recent Alpha Strike livestream, the absence of conventional siege towers and ladders raised intriguing questions about the design of siege maps. It’s conceivable that we might see maps devoid of walls altogether, a change I would welcome. The reliance on walls has often felt like a crutch, leading to predictable and monotonous battles. The most engaging moments arise in the streets, where tactical maneuvers, chokepoints, and command points create a dynamic battlefield.
If walls do feature in Total War: Warhammer 40k, they could introduce some of the most challenging sieges yet, particularly given the emphasis on ranged units. With airstrikes and orbital lances at our disposal, breaching these defenses could be straightforward—unless, of course, they are exceptionally fortified. The majority of combat may unfold in the streets and districts beyond the walls, suggesting that Creative Assembly might opt to eliminate them entirely.
Regardless of the final design choices, it seems unlikely that the persistent siege bugs from Total War: Warhammer will carry over to the 40k iteration, especially with the introduction of the new War Core engine. While new game-breaking bugs may emerge, there’s a sense of optimism that we might finally see the end of the siege-related frustrations that have plagued players for over a decade.