Total War: Warhammer 3 has kicked off a siege rework beta that’s gonna last into August, giving players a chance to try out major changes to siege battles and share their feedback. It’s a rare peek behind the curtain where you actually get to influence how the game’s siege warfare will evolve.
Creative Assembly announced this beta on Steam, calling it the “Proving Grounds Siege Beta.” They want players to jump in, test the new features, and help prepare the future of siege combat. And yes, they’re serious about some of these changes, including the removal of the infamous “pocket ladders.” For those unfamiliar, pocket ladders allow infantry to climb walls without building proper siege equipment, a tactic that somewhat renders the whole idea of fortified walls pointless.
Removing pocket ladders aims to add a bit more realism to sieges, even if it’s a bit funny given the game’s armies sometimes include plague demons and magic dragons. Still, the point is to make walls matter again. Alongside this, the siege equipment has been rebalanced to allow for the construction of more siege towers and battering rams. Defensive towers on walls will pack more punch but with a shorter firing range, which should spice up the tactical side of sieges.
Players will also notice improved battle AI that fixes over 50 issues related to siege tactics. That’s a significant concern, as AI behavior can make or break siege battles. Additionally, some siege maps have been adjusted to hopefully make them more enjoyable and balanced. It sounds like Creative Assembly is putting real effort into refining siege gameplay, which has always been a challenging aspect of the Total War formula.
All of this siege rework is part of a broader push by Creative Assembly to update Total War: Warhammer 3 this year. They’ve already refreshed the Kislev faction and reworked the magic item system, shifting focus from adding new content to improving what’s already there. This focus on existing systems has delayed the upcoming Tides of Torment DLC, pushing it further into the year.
If you want to get in on this beta, you’ll have to activate it through Steam by right-clicking on the game, selecting “Properties,” and then opting into the beta there. The beta will be available until August 7, so you’ve got a couple of weeks to test the new siege mechanics and let Creative Assembly know what you think.
Siege Rework Beta Changes:
- Removal of “pocket ladders” to make walls more meaningful
- Siege equipment rebalanced, more siege towers and battering rams can be built
- Wall towers deal more damage but have a reduced firing range
- Battle AI improved with fixes to over 50 siege-related issues
- Adjustments to some siege maps for better gameplay experience
Curious how these changes actually play out? Check out Creative Assembly’s community stream and first look at the siege beta on YouTube:
So, what do you think? Will removing pocket ladders make siege battles more strategic or just slow things down? Is the AI finally gonna stop acting like it’s got two left feet during sieges? I’m definitely gonna give it a shot and see if the changes improve the chaos that is siege warfare. Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
