The Tiger Warriors are almost here.
Grand Cathay players are finally getting the Tiger Warriors they’ve been asking for ever since Total War: WARHAMMER III first revealed the eastern empire back in 2021. Sega and Creative Assembly have officially announced Bhashiva and the Tiger Warriors, the game’s first Character Pack, bringing the long-awaited Tigermen into battle at last.
Revealed alongside a new trailer, the pack introduces Bhashiva, the White Tiger of Shang-Yang, as a new Legendary Lord leading a fast-moving army built around ambushes, stalking, and brutal close-range attacks.
The Tigermen have been one of those obscure bits of Warhammer Fantasy lore fans kept bringing up for years. Before this pack, their presence in Total War: WARHAMMER III mostly amounted to a settlement called the “Village of the Tigermen” hidden away in the Broken Lands of Tian Li province. Creative Assembly first teased their arrival in announcement back in February 2026. Now, they’re finally becoming a proper army that players can take into battle themselves.
Who is Bhashiva in Total War: WARHAMMER III?
Known as the White Tiger of Shang-Yang, Bhashiva is described as the latest reincarnation of an ancient prophecy, reborn whenever Chaos threatens the world. She serves Zhao Ming, the Iron Dragon, as a mercenary lord protecting Grand Cathay alongside her company of elite Tiger Warriors. The Character Pack also marks Bhashiva’s videogame debut in the Warhammer universe.
Rather than immediately gaining access to Cathay’s full military roster, Bhashiva starts as more of an outsider force. Players will complete missions for Zhao Ming to earn his favour, gradually unlocking stronger Cathayan support and additional military options over the course of a campaign.
What units are included in the Tiger Warriors pack?
The Tiger Warriors completely change how Grand Cathay approaches battles. Instead of slow defensive formations and carefully held lines, this army focuses on speed, flanking attacks, and sudden ambushes.
New units included in the pack are:
- Sawai
- Clawspeaker
- Stalkers
- Tiger Warriors with Dual Axes
- Iron Claws
Players will also gain access to a spellcasting Tigerman hero unit alongside Bhashiva herself. These units are built to pressure enemies quickly, pick apart vulnerable targets, and keep moving instead of holding formation. Still, the biggest appeal is probably much simpler than all the mechanics talk: giant tiger men hitting things with axes is just pretty dang cool.
Tiger Court and campaign features explained
The Character Pack also introduces new campaign systems built specifically around Bhashiva’s faction.
The Tiger Court
The Tiger Court acts as the political centre of the Tiger Warriors faction. Here, players make decisions tied to one of three strategic Pillars, shaping the faction’s identity and long-term campaign direction.
Armies of Shang-Yang
Bhashiva earns greater access to Cathay’s military through conquest and missions completed for the Iron Dragon. As players progress, they unlock insignias that can be applied to units to change their battlefield strengths, alongside increases to overall army capacity. The system helps Bhashiva feel distinct from Cathay’s traditional rulers, with players gradually building influence and military backing instead of starting fully established from turn one.
Patch 8.0 also adds Taoyan the Merciless
The launch of Bhashiva and the Tiger Warriors also arrives alongside Patch 8.0 for Total War: WARHAMMER III. The update introduces a free new hero, Taoyan the Merciless, available to all players.
When is the Tiger Warriors Character Pack for Total War: WARHAMMER III releasing?
Both Taoyan and the Bhashiva and the Tiger Warriors Character Pack launches on 21 May across Steam, the Epic Games Store, and the Microsoft Store. The new Character Pack will cost US$5.
