Games Workshop confirmed Dawn of War IV at Gamescom 2025, featuring Space Marines, Orks, Necrons, and Ad Mech with 70 missions and classic RTS gameplay.
It’s official. After months of rumors, Games Workshop just confirmed at Gamescom 2025 that Dawn of War IV is happening. Twenty years after the first game shook up the RTS scene, the legendary franchise is coming back in 2026 with a vengeance (and the leaked board game will line up nicely with it).
And yes, the Blood Ravens are still holding the line, because what’s Dawn of War without everyone’s favorite Chapter of conveniently plot-friendly librarians?
Here’s the latest on the long-awaited next installment of the Dawn of War series that has awoken.
The Factions Are Locked and Loaded
The game launches with four playable factions: Space Marines, Orks, Necrons, and, for the first time in the series, the Adeptus Mechanicus. That’s right, the cogboys are stepping onto the battlefield at last. Each faction comes with its own Commanders, unique units, and signature abilities.
- Space Marines bring the classics: drop pods, tanks, and elite breachers crashing into the fray.
- Orks are ready to drown the map in green with mobs of Boyz and the usual arsenal of ramshackle dakka.
- Necrons return with all the gauss-flavored firepower you could ask for, ready to strip armor and melt anything in range.
- Adeptus Mechanicus are the wild card; expect mechanical nightmares, ancient technology, and lots of binary chanting.
This is a lineup that not only covers fan favorites but also shakes things up with a brand-new faction for RTS fans to master. If you need some terrain for your 40k tabletop games before this comes out, check out some amazing options here!
70 Missions and a Black Library Storyline
Games Workshop isn’t pulling punches here. Dawn of War IV ships with over 70 campaign missions that can be played solo or co-op. Better yet, the story is being crafted by Black Library veteran John French, so you know it’s going to feel authentically grimdark.
The campaign promises battles across war-torn worlds, weaving together the different factions in a narrative designed for replayability. With AI skirmish modes, Last Stand survival mode, and multiplayer formats ranging from 1v1 to 3v3, there’s no shortage of ways to throw down.
The Return of Classic Gameplay
We think one of the biggest takeaways is that the game is ditching the MOBA-lite experiment of Dawn of War III and returning to what made the series legendary in the first place. We’re talking fast-paced strategy, massive armies clashing on the battlefield, and the glorious brutality of expanded Sync Kills.
Fans of Dawn of War II will be happy to see Last Stand return, letting you and your friends test your mettle against endless waves of enemies. RTS purists will have plenty to chew on, too, with resource management, tactical positioning, and unit synergy all playing major roles.
In short, Dawn of War IV is designed to bring lapsed players back into the fold while giving new commanders a true taste of Warhammer 40,000 in RTS form.
King Art Games Takes Command
Development duties are in the hands of King Art Games, the studio behind Iron Harvest. Their alt-history RTS was well-received back in 2020, and it looks like they’re ready to channel that momentum into something even bigger. Between their experience and GW’s push to restore faith in the franchise, this could be the winning combo fans have been waiting for.
Why This Matters for Warhammer 40k Fans
When Dawn of War III dropped in 2017, the fanbase was split. Some liked the experiment, but many walked away disappointed by the simplified, MOBA-inspired mechanics. GW seems to have taken that criticism to heart. This time, they’re aiming squarely at the players who fell in love with the series back in 2004.
The recent success of the anniversary edition of the game on Steam, clocking over 150,000 downloads, proves the appetite is still there. By leaning into the roots of the franchise and giving us factions that feel distinct, Dawn of War IV is positioned for a massive launch.
Final Thoughts: Back to the Future of RTS
So here’s the bottom line: Dawn of War IV is shaping up to be the Warhammer RTS revival fans have been waiting two decades for. With the Blood Ravens at the helm, Orks flooding the battlefield, Necrons rising from their tombs, and the Adeptus Mechanicus making its long-awaited debut, this game is loaded with potential.
The campaign promises depth, the multiplayer is robust, and the return to classic RTS gameplay is exactly what the series needed. With King Art Games at the wheel and GW making all the right noises, 2026 is looking like a year where Dawn of War IV could reclaim its throne as the king of Warhammer strategy games.
See the Latest on the DoW Board Game Here!
