The grim darkness of the far future just got a little busier. At Gamescom 2025’s Opening Night Live, Deep Silver and KING Art Games officially unveiled Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV, marking the long-awaited return of the legendary RTS series. It’s been years since the last entry, but the Emperor clearly provides — we’re finally going back to war.
Kronus Burns Again
The cinematic announcement trailer sets the stage on Kronus, some 200 years after Dawn of War: Dark Crusade. Narrated by Captain Cyrus of the Blood Ravens 10th Company, the trailer teases the chaos to come: four playable factions (Space Marines, Orks, Adeptus Mechanicus, and Necrons) alongside familiar faces like Jonah and Gorgutz. Think grim, brutal war at a scale only 40K can deliver — with bolters, chainswords, and green-skinned mayhem in equal measure.
A Return to RTS Roots
Dawn of War IV is going big. We’re talking:
- Four full campaigns (one for each faction) with 70+ missions.
- Classic base-building and army management alongside resource gathering and unit commanding.
- Multiple modes, including solo campaigns, skirmish, co-op, competitive multiplayer, and the return of fan-favorite Last Stand.
- 10+ Commanders, 110+ units and buildings, plus in-game editing tools and a painter for endless customization.
And yes, melee combat is getting a modern upgrade too with the new Combat Director, designed to make battlefield clashes more cinematic and visceral than ever.
Legendary Storytelling
Co-written by Black Library author John French, Dawn of War IV weaves together faction-specific campaigns, optional missions, and over 40 minutes of CGI cutscenes. Each side of the conflict gets its own perspective on the carnage, ensuring plenty of replay value for lore-hungry fans.
Dawn of War IV promises to be the biggest, bloodiest, and most ambitious entry yet. The Emperor protects… but you’ll still need a good build order.