Warlords

Lore & Background

The Warlords emerged from this chaos as a collective of fighters who rejected the softness of trade, faith, or scavenging in favor of direct, physical dominance. Their territory is marked by fortified positions and a culture that prizes combat skill above all other measure. To them, the old world's institutions are ash, and the only legitimate authority is the one that can be enforced by a raised weapon. Their philosophy is not purely nihilistic. The Warlords maintain a rough internal code: protect the weak members of their own ranks, honor a challenge once accepted, and never break a sworn word. What they lack in diplomacy or long-range planning they compensate for with sheer tactical aggression and a willingness to fight that other factions find unsettling. The Warlords' relationship with the Rangers—the player's squad—depends heavily on the choices made throughout Wasteland 3. They can be persuaded, fought, or left to their own devices, and each path reshapes the final political landscape of the city. Their warriors appear as both adversaries and potential allies, and their internal politics provide a recurring thread of conflict and negotiation across the campaign.

In Their Own Story

The dust had not yet settled from the skirmish on the overpass when the Warlord's war-painter stepped forward, chalk still smeared across her jaw. She did not speak. She did not need to. The Church's bells had been ringing for an hour. The Rats had gone quiet in their tunnels. And the Warlords, patient as rust, were finally done waiting.

Reader's Guide

They are not part of the player's Ranger squad but function as one of the key power blocs the squad must navigate, negotiate with, or oppose. Their role in the story centers on the broader power struggle for control of the city. The Warlords control fortified territory and project military force, making them a constant presence in the political landscape. Missions tied to them often involve territorial disputes, challenges to their authority, or requests for military support against rival factions. In combat, Warlord warriors are generally aggressive and well-armed, favoring direct engagement. Encounters with them tend to be more intense than skirmishes with scavenger-type enemies. The player can recruit or confront individual Warlord fighters depending on the path chosen. Branching choices tied to the Warlords affect the endgame: siding with them, opposing them, or maintaining neutrality each produce different outcomes for the city's final state. Dialogue options and quest decisions early in the campaign set the tone for later interactions. The Warlords are specific to Wasteland 3. The earlier titles, Wasteland (1988) and Wasteland 2 (2014), feature different faction structures and do not include this group by name.

Did You Know?

• The Warlords are a faction specific to Wasteland 3 and do not appear under that name in the original 1988 Wasteland or the 2014 Wasteland 2.
• Wasteland 3, in which the Warlords appear, was developed by inXile Entertainment, though the original 1988 Wasteland was created by Interplay Productions.
• The Warlords' territory and influence in Colorado Springs shift based on player choices, meaning the faction's final status is not fixed.
• The Warlords represent one of several competing power groups in Wasteland 3, reflecting the game's theme of fractured post-apocalyptic governance.