The wait is finally over for strategy fans as a new story trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV has dropped, revealing a campaign of bombastic scale and an unexpected, fan-favorite Space Marine Chapter entering the fray! Developed by KING Art Games and set for a 2026 PC release, the new trailer confirms the series’ triumphant return to its classic real-time strategy roots, complete with base-building and massive armies.
The conflict centers on the iconic planet Kronus, approximately 200 years after the events of Dawn of War: Dark Crusade. The core game will launch with four fully playable factions, each with its own dedicated campaign that tells a different side of the overarching story, co-written by legendary Black Library author John French:
- Space Marines (Blood Ravens): The trailer opens with Captain Cyrus and Chief Librarian Jonah Orion arriving in orbit over Kronus.
- Orks: Led by the returning Warboss Gorgutz and the new Commander Guzcutta, the Orks are as eager for a fight as ever.
- Necrons: Chronomancer Thothmek spearheads the Necron invasion, awakening dormant tombs in their relentless search for secrets.
- Adeptus Mechanicus: Making their highly-anticipated Dawn of War debut, the Technoarcheologist Potentia Delta-9 and her forces converge on the planet seeking lost knowledge.
The biggest surprise of the new trailer is the dramatic reveal of the Dark Angels! The First Legion answers the Blood Ravens’ call for aid, marking their debut as a fully playable Space Marine sub-faction in all game modes.
- Dual Space Marine Campaigns: During the campaign, players will command both the Blood Ravens and the Dark Angels, with the ability to choose between their respective non-linear missions.
- Blood Ravens focus on smaller, tactical conflicts requiring finesse and sometimes stealth.
- Dark Angels deploy their full might, favoring all-out warfare on the biggest battlefields.
- A Primarch Enters the Fray: The narrative climax promises an unforgettable moment for fans: Primarch Lion El’Jonson himself will descend onto the battlefield, becoming a playable unit for the first time ever in the series!
Dawn of War IV is especially designed to for fans of the original titles, bringing back key mechanics:
- Return to Roots: Expect classic RTS gameplay, including base-building and resource gathering.
- Expanded Sync Kill System: The visceral melee combat system is back and expanded, promising an unprecedented degree of up-close, brutal combat detail.
- Modes of War: Fan-favorite modes like Last Stand and highly-configurable Skirmish are confirmed to return alongside competitive 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3 multiplayer.
With a massive story co-written by a Black Library veteran, a return to classic gameplay, and the shock inclusion of the Dark Angels and Lion El’Jonson, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV is shaping up to be the most ambitious installment in the series.
