Total War Steam Sales: Best Deals & Games Buyer's Guide
Last Updated: October 30, 2025

Strategy enthusiasts, prepare your battle plans. For fans of Creative Assembly's legendary Total War series, the question isn't if the games will go on sale, but when. Major promotions on Steam are a regular occurrence, offering deep discounts of up to 80-90% on a wide selection of acclaimed titles. These sales, often timed with Steam's seasonal events (Summer, Autumn, Winter) or franchise-specific promotions, present a golden opportunity for both seasoned generals and aspiring commanders to expand their empires or dive into the series for the first time.
Instead of waiting for a specific announcement, the smart commander knows which titles offer the best value and which ones to add to their wishlist. This guide will help you navigate the battlefield of deals to acquire the best grand strategy games on the market at a fraction of their regular price.
The Fantasy Keystone: Total War: WARHAMMER III
For many, Total War: WARHAMMER III is the pinnacle of the series' fantasy offerings. Standing as the climactic chapter in a monumental trilogy, it plunges players into a cataclysmic conflict against the forces of Chaos, introducing beloved factions like the ice-wielding Kislev and the enigmatic Grand Cathay.
However, the game's crowning achievement is the Immortal Empires campaign. This gargantuan sandbox map combines the races, factions, and continents from all three WARHAMMER titles into one world-spanning war. To access its full roster, you must own all three base games, and a major sale is unquestionably the most cost-effective way to do this. If you've ever wanted to command legions of Lizardmen against the undead hordes of the Vampire Counts or lead High Elves against Skaven war-machines, the complete WARHAMMER trilogy, purchased during a sale, offers hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of unparalleled fantasy strategy.
The Historical Turning Point: Total War: PHARAOH
Originally launched as a premium historical title, Total War: PHARAOH transports players to the turbulent Bronze Age Collapse. As a leader from the Egyptian, Canaanite, or Hittite cultures, you must navigate political intrigue, a crumbling society, and invading sea peoples to secure your legacy.
Following a mixed reception at launch, developer Creative Assembly made significant changes that have transformed PHARAOH into a fantastic value proposition. The game’s price was officially reduced, and it was rebranded as part of the more focused "Saga" series. Crucially, the planned first DLC, featuring the Sea Peoples factions, was released as a free "High Tide" update for all owners. This means that when PHARAOH goes on sale now, you're getting a more complete, polished, and focused historical experience praised for its detailed campaign mechanics and beautiful representation of the ancient world at an exceptionally low price. It is the perfect title to grab during a promotion.
Essential Classics for Every Commander
While the latest titles grab the headlines, Steam sales are the perfect time to explore the annals of the series' storied history. These classics frequently see the steepest discounts and represent some of the highest points in strategy gaming.
- Total War: SHOGUN 2: Widely regarded as one of the most polished and atmospheric titles in the franchise, SHOGUN 2 offers a masterclass in focused design. Its Sengoku-era Japan setting, "art of war" aesthetic, and tight gameplay mechanics make it a perfect entry point and a fan favorite that is frequently available for just a few dollars.
- Total War: ROME II - Emperor Edition: For those who crave epic scale, ROME II delivers the sprawling Roman Empire in all its glory. While its launch was rocky, the now-standard Emperor Edition is a vast and stable game, packed with content and covering a massive map. It offers immense replayability and is an incredible bargain during sales.
- Total War: THREE KINGDOMS: This entry represents a bold evolution of the series' diplomacy and character mechanics. Set in the romanticized epic of 14th-century China, the game is driven by the relationships, rivalries, and personalities of its powerful warlords. If you enjoy character-driven narratives alongside epic battles, Three Kingdoms is a must-buy when discounted.
Don't Forget the DLC
A key part of the Total War experience is the extensive post-launch DLC, which adds new factions, Legendary Lords, and unit rosters. Major sales are the ideal time to complete your collection. For the WARHAMMER series, faction packs like "Tomb Kings" or "Curse of the Vampire Coast" are essentially new games in themselves. For historical titles, campaign packs can offer entirely new maps and time periods. Prioritize these larger content packs over smaller unit packs to get the most strategic value for your money.
Answer the Call to Arms
The best strategy for a prospective Total War commander is patience. Populate your Steam wishlist with the titles and DLC that catch your eye. You’ll be automatically notified when the next major sale begins, allowing you to build a world-class strategy library for a pittance. Whether you're drawn to the clash of swords in feudal Japan or the monstrous warfare of the Old World, the regular Steam sales ensure that the call to arms is always affordable.