Dawn of War 4 is coming back to Warhammer 40k with brutal RTS action; here’s the latest news, gameplay details, and release date info.
Updated on September 29th, 2025, by Rob Baer with the latest YouTube preview.
It’s official. After months of rumors, Games Workshop just confirmed at Gamescom 2025 that Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War 4 is happening. Twenty years after the first game shook up the Real Time Strategy (RTS) scene, the legendary franchise is coming back in 2026 with a vengeance (and the new board game will line up nicely with it).
And yes, the Blood Ravens are still holding the line, because what’s a Dawn of War game without everyone’s favorite Chapter of conveniently plot-friendly librarians?
The Dawn of War 4 release date is 2026 (more to come), but here’s the latest on the long-awaited next installment of the video game series that put Warhammer 40k on the map long before Titus and Space Marine.
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Warhammer Dawn of War 4 Factions
The game launches with four unique Warhammer 40,000 factions: Space Marines, Orks, Necrons, and, for the first time in the series, the Adeptus Mechanicus. Each faction comes with its own Commanders, unique units, and signature abilities.
- Factions play differently: Orks swarm the map, Marines hit hard but need careful upkeep, Necrons spread a power matrix, and the Mechanicus run on network buffs.
- Space Marines are tough but pricey, making retreat and reinforce buttons your new best friends.
- Marines also have a unique third health bar that rewards aggressive play with a momentum boost, giving squads extra punch.
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 Dawn of War 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 author 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 including Last Stand survival mode, and multiplayer formats ranging from 1v1 to 3v3, there’s no shortage of ways to throw down.
Review: 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 original Dawn of War series legendary in the first place. We’re talking fast-paced strategy, massive armies clashing on the battlefield, and the glorious brutality of an expanded Sync Kill system.
Fans of the previous Dawn of War games 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 base building, resource management, and unit synergy all playing major roles.
Dawn of War 4 Key Points:
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The demo mission drops you into the boots of the Blood Ravens, bailing out the Imperial Guard against Orks, with Cyrus leading the charge.
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Units come packed with upgrades and tricks, and Cyrus gets a mini skill tree with choices like remote bombs, sniper shots, or stealthy squad buffs.
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Resource management is straight from the DoW playbook, with requisition and power nodes replacing those old base generators.
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The combat director makes melee fights feel cinematic, though some units linger in brawls a little longer than intended.
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Map design is sharp with asymmetrical routes and the ability to drop reinforcements right into the thick of it.
Final Thoughts From Us: Warhammer 40k Dawn of War 4
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 Iron Harvest and players who fell in love with the series back in 2004.
We think Dawn of War IV is shaping up to be the Warhammer RTS revival fans have been waiting two decades for.
The campaign promises depth, the multiplayer is robust, and the return to classic RTS gameplay is exactly what the series needed. With developer King Art Games at the wheel and GW making all the right noises, 2026 is looking like a year where Dawn of War 4 could reclaim its throne as the king of Warhammer strategy games.
If you haven’t already, you can lock your copy in now over on Steam.
Dawn of War Board Game Latest!
