To outsiders, the forest realm of Athel Loren is a brooding and malicious place. The creak and groan of living wood echoes from its dim interior, the canopy seems to absorb all light, and half-seen spirits dart between the twilit bowers. To enter is to place your fate in their hands.
Within dwell the Asrai, the Wood Elves. Though they hail originally from Ulthuan to the west as all Elves do, they spurn the sanctimonious arrogance of the Asur, the High Elves, and the murderous decadence of the Druchii or Dark Elves. The Asrai consider themselves to be the only true Elves left in the world, as they embrace all aspects of their nature – both light and dark – and for thousands of years, they have lived in harmony with the sentient forest.
The Asrai share the wilds of Athel Loren with its spirits and protectors: the Dryads, Branchwraiths and the ancient guardian Treemen. They adopt its steeds, hawks and Great Eagles for their warhosts, and even rare Forest Dragons may deign to join them when the need is dire. Peerless archers and riders, the Wood Elves pay fealty to the demigod Orion, who dies in flame each midwinter, only to be reborn into thunderous life in spring beneath The Oak of Ages.
Wild, lithe, and utterly ruthless in defence of their land, only a fool would goad the Wood Elves and their spirited allies to conflict. For those who witness the awesome spectacle of an Asrai host marching out of the woodlands on a Wild Hunt, it is likely the last thing they will ever see.
Realm of the Wood Elves is a solid addition to Total War Warhammer and a much needed one. As the first introduction of the Elves, the DLC does a fantastic job of delivering a great roster of units with unique gameplay mechanics that allow the race to play very differently to that of any other faction.
Realm of the Wood Elves is the best DLC of Total War Warhammer indeed: this add-on introduces new races and new interesting gameplay elements.
The sheer unit variety presents some interesting new ways to take on opponents, but the Elves playstyle is both its biggest draw and possibly its biggest drawback as well.
If you want to make Total War: Warhammer harder, the Wood Elves are here to ruin your peace of mind.
Realm of the Wood Elves is a mediocre to good expansion for Total War Warhammer. New intriguing races and a different playstyle offers some more fun with the game. Although not every feature works that well.
Out on the plains and forest floors, the Wood Elf forces emphasise mobility, micro-management (which can just mean lots of using the pause button in single player), and, to perhaps a lesser extent than expected, archery prowess. They represent another smart translation from tabletop to Total War, and add further tactical challenges to Creative Assembly’s ever-evolving game through their expanded economy and unique campaign goal.
Realm of the Wood Elves brings a fairly exciting campaign to Total War: Warhammer. The amber resource and the new focuses on alliances versus war forces us to think again on how to approach potential enemies, but as you grow more powerful, the game becomes a little bit easier, and a little more boring.
October 17, 2018
Total Warhammer II unveils a new character for its new DLC, Cylostra Direfin. Watch video
October 5, 2018
Total War: Warhammer 2 announces its new expansion, that includes zombie pirates. Watch video
October 9, 2017
Total War: Warhammer 2 opens its Steam Workshop to let fans customise their experience. Read more
September 4, 2017
Total War: Warhammer 2 publishes its minimum and recommended PC specs.
August 3, 2017
Creative Assembly celebrates its 30 anniversary with a free DLC for Total War: Warhammer. Watch video
July 18, 2017
Total War: Warhammer's brutal Norscans are also a Warhammer 2 preorder bonus. Read more
March 31, 2017
Officially announced Total War: Warhammer II. Watch video
