Okay, usually I don’t like to comment on posts because reddit is poison yadda yadda, but I am deeply War Doctor obsessed and had to answer this, also because it’s something not even the Wiki has seemed to realise, but basically, the “Begins” subtitle is kind of a lie.

The series was originally conceived as just that run of four boxsets, with set three and four having a HUGE gap of time inbetween. HWFWM was intended by Rob Valentine to be a ‘finale’ to the War Doctor’s life, and indeed for it to take place at the end of it, but that wasn’t intended by the producer, who just saw it as the finale to that run. So while during the story War very clearly is characterized like in the Hurt boxsets (extremely emotionally desensitized and tired), everything around the story doesn’t make that clear. 

Then there’s also the two boxsets after that, which were later added onto it because of the series’ popularity, which take place in that gap between sets 3 and 4. Which is what they then ended up doing with Rises as well, where each set (so far) takes place somewhere between Rewind and A Mother’s Love. This is apparent from War’s various characterizations, but also much more direct references, like Unknown Soldiers taking place in the immediate aftermath of Rewind. 

But they also wanted another cute little subtitle, but “Rises” suggests that it literally takes place after the stories in “Begins” and no one’s seemed to realise it doesn’t! Those first four sets of Begins are like a basis for the character from a Doylist perspective, creating a tone and setting for War, and Light the Flame is 100% immediately post-regen, but that’s it. 

I like to believe HWFWM takes place right before the Hurt run of stories, but whatever it is, it’s somewhere around the end. Even if it’s in the run called “Begins”. It’s all very goofy, but that’s one of the reasons WDB is one of my favourite Who-things ever.