Best Beginner Factions for Immortal Empires After Update 7.0: Your Ultimate Guide to a Smooth First Campaign (2025)
Immortal Empires has never been more welcoming — or more overwhelming.
With Update 7.0, the campaign received key balance tweaks, new monster access for several factions, smarter AI aggression, and quality-of-life improvements that make early-game decisions matter more than ever. If you’ve just unlocked Immortal Empires after owning Warhammer I/II, you’re suddenly staring at over 80 legendary lords, each promising power… and punishment.
But here’s the secret veterans already know:
Your first faction determines how steep your learning curve will be.
Pick a forgiving faction with a solid start, smooth mechanics, and a strong early roster — and Immortal Empires becomes an unforgettable sandbox.
Pick a brutal or gimmick-heavy faction — and you’ll hit restart before turn 30.
This guide cuts through the noise and delivers the top beginner-friendly factions updated for Patch 7.0, along with early-game strategies, army templates, and crucial improvements to help you survive your first conquest.
Why Faction Choice Matters Even More After Update 7.0
Update 7.0 didn’t just rebalance units — it reshaped early-game pacing:
✔ More aggressive AI behavior
Expect faster, more decisive attacks from nearby enemies.
✔ Monster access expanded to order factions
High Elves and other order-aligned lords gained access to Monstrous Arcanum units.
✔ Economy & growth tweaks
Stronger early snowball for factions with stable provinces.
✔ Battle AI improvements
Ranged factions and defensive armies feel much more rewarding.
Because of this, picking a faction with a safe start, simple mechanics, and strong early tools is more important than ever.
The following three are the safest, strongest, and most stable choices in the current meta.
Top 3 Beginner-Friendly Factions for Immortal Empires (Updated for 7.0)
1. Tyrion (High Elves) — “The Balanced Empire Builder”
Difficulty: Very Easy • Campaign Style: Secure, Diplomatic, Scalable
Tyrion remains the gold standard for new players because everything he does is stable, powerful, and predictable.
Why Tyrion is perfect for beginners
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Ulthuan is a natural fortress, forming a circular defensive region that’s easy to control.
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Elite ranged units + strong frontline = extremely forgiving battles.
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Influence mechanic is easy to use, letting you manipulate diplomacy and confederation.
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7.0 update bonus: Access to Monstrous Arcanum creatures like the Arcane Phoenix, giving you late-game punch without adding mechanical complexity.
Early-Game Strategy (Turn 1–40)
Step 1: Secure the Inner Ring of Ulthuan
Attack nearby High Elf factions, confederate weaker ones, and establish regional dominance.
Step 2: Build trade ports ASAP
Your income spikes rapidly from trade-based economies.
Step 3: Use Influence constantly
Boost relations with Order factions and bully Chaos-aligned High Elves.
Beginner Army Template (The Classic Tyrion Lineup)
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4–6 Archers
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4 Lothern Sea Guard
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2–3 Spearmen / Phoenix Guard (later)
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2 Bolt Throwers
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1–2 Cavalry (Dragon Princes mid-game)
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1 Mage (Lore of Life or Fire)
2. Miao Ying (Cathay) — “The Defensive Wall of the East”
Difficulty: Easy • Campaign Style: Defensive, Structured, Rewarding
Grand Cathay teaches battle discipline, formation play, and economic structure, making it one of the easiest factions to learn Total War’s rhythm.
Why Cathay excels for new players
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The Great Bastion funnels all attacks, letting you prepare instead of react.
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Harmony mechanic is simple and rewarding once you see Yin/Yang pairing.
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Caravan system gives free gold and magic items with almost no risk.
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Strongest defensive roster in the game, especially after 7.0’s ranged AI improvements.
Early-Game Strategy (Turn 1–40)
Step 1: Stabilize your Bastion provinces
Build defenses and clear early Chaos incursions.
Step 2: Maintain Harmony
Use the province browser to balance building bonuses.
Step 3: Send caravans immediately
Safe early gold and XP boosts your economy.
Beginner Army Template (The Celestial Wall)
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4 Jade Warriors → upgrade to Dragon Guard
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4 Crossbowmen
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2 Crane Gunners
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2–3 Artillery (Grand Cannon / Fire Rain Rockets)
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1 Alchemist or Astromancer
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Miao Ying (in dragon form for terror & control)
Tip: Keep melee (Yang) and ranged (Yin) close for Harmony Battle bonuses.
3. Karl Franz (The Empire) — “The Classic Total War Experience”
Difficulty: Medium-Easy • Campaign Style: Flexible, Diplomatic, Combined-Arms
Karl Franz gives you the full Total War toolkit: diplomacy, province management, layered armies, and slow-but-rewarding expansion.
Why Karl Franz is beginner-friendly
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Versatile roster: Guns, cavalry, artillery, magic — everything is available.
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Elector Count system guides your goals and rewards strong diplomacy.
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7.0 buffs improved artillery roles, making early armies more lethal.
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Central map position means learning to defend from multiple sides, a fundamental skill.
Early-Game Strategy (Turn 1–40)
Step 1: Reclaim Reikland
Crush secessionists and unify the home province.
Step 2: Use Imperial Authority wisely
Return provinces to their Elector owners for authority boosts and future confederation opportunities.
Step 3: Rush artillery
Your first military building upgrade should unlock mortars.
Beginner Army Template (Gunpowder Symphony)
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4 Spearmen / Halberdiers
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2 Swordsmen
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3–4 Handgunners
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2–3 Mortars → Hellstorm Rockets
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2 Cavalry (Reiksguard)
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1 Wizard (Light or Fire)
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1 Warrior Priest
Bonus Pick: Skarbrand (Khorne) — “The No-Micro, No-Diplomacy, All-Action Lord”
Difficulty: Easy • Campaign Style: Hyper-Aggressive
If you hate diplomacy, love movement speed, and want a faction that teaches combat fundamentals, Skarbrand is your best start.
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No diplomacy → no stress
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Bloodletting rewards nonstop aggression
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Blood Hosts = free temporary armies
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Simple economy (fight → money → fight)
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Strongest melee lord in the game for beginners
Just remember: Stopping is losing.
Core Lessons Every Player Must Learn in Immortal Empires
Regardless of faction, these fundamentals determine long-term success:
✔ Fully secure your starting province first
Never expand outward before stabilizing your home region.
✔ Maintain public order
Rebellions waste time and cripple early growth.
✔ One full army is better than two half armies
Quality > quantity until turn 60+.
✔ Always embed 2–3 heroes
They turn average armies into elite ones.
✔ Don’t fear losing a settlement
Comebacks are normal — and often easy — with the right momentum.
Your First Empire Awaits
Immortal Empires is huge — the largest strategy sandbox ever made — but your first campaign doesn’t have to be brutal. Whether you choose:
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Tyrion’s controlled elegance
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Miao Ying’s disciplined bastion
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Karl Franz’s combined-arms mastery
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Skarbrand’s unstoppable fury
You’re stepping into a campaign that teaches the fundamentals without overwhelming you.
Your legendary lord is waiting. Your empire won’t build itself.
March forth, claim your first victory, and let the world remember your name.
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