Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV Marks Brutal Return to RTS Glory, New In-Game Trailer Proves It

In the far future, there is only war—and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV is coming to throw you back into the fray. The first in-engine trailer for this long awaited real-time strategy (RTS) sequel dropped this past weekend and has set the internet ablaze, promising to go back to the series’ roots while delivering the kind of bloody spectacle only Warhammer 40,000 can.

Dawn of War IV is being developed by KING Art Games and published by Deep Silver under the PLAION name. The Dawn of War series has always tried to capture the catastrophic stakes of Games Workshop’s Warhammer 40,000 tabletop game where humanity’s Imperium of Man fights an eternal war against alien horrors and ancient demons. Dawn of War IV takes us back to the war torn planet of Kronus, which was the setting of 2006’s Dawn of War: Dark Crusade, but time has passed and the scars of previous wars have only grown deeper. The book is co-written by Black Library veteran John French and follows the Blood Ravens Space Marines and their Adeptus Mechanicus allies as they clash with marauding Ork hordes.

When Dawn of War IV drops in 2026 it will have four playable factions: Space Marines, Orks, Necrons and Adeptus Mechanicus, the first time in the series. Each side will feel unique with their own commanders, soldiers, structures and gameplay mechanics. The Space Marines are the Emperor’s finest, in power armour and using disciplined tactics. The Orks are a chaotic, ramshackle force that thrives on brute strength and numbers. The Necrons are terrifying and unyielding, with self repairing units and outdated tech making them hard to kill. For the first time in the series the Adeptus Mechanicus, who worship the Machine God, bring arcane tech and artillery to the table.


This faction diversity is the key to Dawn of War IV’s appeal. KING Art Games have said each faction will have its own campaign, a big deal considering the previous games didn’t. With over 70 missions across these storylines, playable in solo or co-op, the campaign is the biggest in the series. Expect CGI intros and animated cutscenes to break up the narrative, bringing the grimdark to life. Whether you’re purging xenos as a Space Marine captain or unleashing WAAAGH! as an Ork warboss, the game wants to make every faction’s journey feel epic and unique.


Dawn of War IV is a deliberate return to the series’ RTS roots, a response to fans who felt Dawn of War III went too MOBA. Base-building is back in full force, so you can construct sprawling bases to pump out units and defenses. The gameplay loop is familiar but refined: gather resources, expand your base, specialise your squads and crush your enemies. The trailer shows the scale of battles, with dozens of units clashing across different biomes, from deserts to cities. It’s a visual treat, with the in-engine footage showing off detailed environments and dynamic animations that make every explosion and melee feel meaty.


One of the interesting features is the updated Sync Kill system which turns melee combat into a cinematic experience. When units are in close combat expect brutal, choreographed finishes – a Space Marine Dreadnought slamming an Ork into the ground or a Necron warrior bisecting an opponent with surgical precision. These animations are more than just eye candy, they’re an integral part of the game’s identity, making Warhammer 40,000 combat feel visceral. The Combat Director system, which was teased in the trailer, seems to take this even further, making combat feel like a dark ballet of destruction.


Beyond the campaign there’s plenty to keep you busy. Last Stand mode is back, where you fight off waves of enemies in co-op survival mode. Skirmish mode lets you fight against set AI opponents, multiplayer is 1v1, 2v2 and 3v3 for competitive fun. A Painter tool lets you customise your forces with unique colour schemes or import existing Warhammer 40,000 factions from the tabletop universe. It’s a nod to the hobbyist nature of the franchise, so you can personalise your forces.



Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV is coming to PC via Steam in 2026 and is already available to wishlist. System requirements haven’t been announced yet but it will require a 64-bit processor and operating system so it can handle the scale of the battles. The mature content warning is no surprise – this is Warhammer 40,000 after all, where gore, blood and violence are as common as the Emperor’s light.