King Art Games just dropped the Sons of Caliban trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV, revealing the Dark Angels as the second playable Space Marine chapter joining the Blood Ravens on Kronus. The 35-second teaser showcases green-armored warriors, Deathwing Terminators, and Ravenwing bikers charging into battle against xenos threats, confirming one of the most anticipated reveals for the 2026 RTS.
The Dark Angels arrive during the Blood Ravens’ darkest hour, bringing overwhelming firepower and millennia of battlefield experience to the war-torn planet. This marks the first official look at the Dark Angels in-game, complete with unique commanders and a promise that would make any Warhammer fan lose their mind: a playable Primarch.
Two Chapters, Two Playstyles
Dawn of War IV splits its Space Marine campaign between the Blood Ravens and Dark Angels, letting players choose which missions to tackle as the story unfolds. The two chapters offer dramatically different gameplay experiences despite sharing core Space Marine mechanics, weapons, and strategies.
Blood Ravens missions emphasize tactical finesse and smaller operations. Think behind-enemy-lines strikes, covert objectives, and infantry-focused combat where every unit placement matters. Captain Cyrus and Chief Librarian Jonah Orion lead these precision missions, maintaining the careful, methodical approach fans remember from earlier Dawn of War games.
Dark Angels flip that script entirely. Company Master Astoran and Chaplain Ezrael command forces built for the biggest, most brutal battles on Kronus. Their missions feature vehicle-heavy warfare, massive troop deployments, and the kind of overwhelming force that only the First Legion can muster. Where the Blood Ravens infiltrate, the Dark Angels dominate through sheer firepower.
The distinction matters beyond just campaign flavor. Developer King Art Games deliberately crafted two distinct identities within the Space Marine faction, each maintaining their Chapter’s lore and personality while offering varied strategic approaches. Players switching between chapters will face completely different tactical challenges even when fighting the same enemies.
Lion El’Jonson Makes Gaming History
The real bombshell came earlier this month when King Art confirmed that Dark Angels Primarch Lion El’Jonson will be playable during the campaign’s climactic finale. This represents the first time any Warhammer 40,000 video game has featured a playable Primarch, those genetically engineered demigod warriors created by the Emperor to lead the Space Marine Legions.
Primarchs sit at the absolute peak of the 40K power scale. They possess superhuman strength, intelligence, and combat abilities that make even veteran Space Marines look ordinary. Each embodies specific aspects of warfare, and Lion El’Jonson specializes in strategy, knightly combat, and righteous fury. His presence on Kronus signals just how dire the situation has become.
Creative Director Jan Theysen told IGN the team didn’t worry about balance when implementing The Lion. They wanted players to experience wielding unstoppable power during that unforgettable finale when the story reaches its breaking point. Seeing that green-armored figure descend onto the battlefield will be a moment 40K fans have waited decades to experience in interactive form.
Why Dark Angels Matter
The Dark Angels aren’t just another Space Marine chapter with a different paint scheme. They’re the First Legion, the oldest and one of the most secretive chapters in the Imperium. Their homeworld Caliban was destroyed 10,000 years ago during the Horus Heresy, and they’ve spent millennia hunting the Fallen, their traitorous brethren who sided with Chaos during that cataclysmic civil war.
This obsessive hunt for redemption defines Dark Angels culture. They maintain specialized companies like the Deathwing, elite Terminators clad in bone-white armor, and the Ravenwing, lightning-fast bikers who pursue targets across battlefields. Both units appear in the Sons of Caliban trailer, suggesting King Art is committed to representing the Chapter’s full tactical flexibility.
The Dark Angels also maintain closer ties to their Primarch than most chapters. With Lion El’Jonson recently awakened in current 40K lore and operating in the Imperium Nihilus (the dark half of the galaxy cut off by the Great Rift), his appearance on Kronus makes perfect narrative sense. The Blood Ravens find themselves trapped in Nihilus, struggling against overwhelming odds. The Lion answering their call demonstrates both the desperation of their situation and the scale of the threat they face.
Return to Classic RTS Roots
Dawn of War IV launches in 2026 for PC exclusively, developed by King Art Games and published by Deep Silver. This marks a significant shift from previous developer Relic Entertainment, though the game returns to the series’ classic base-building, large-scale army battles, and strategic depth that made the original beloved.
Four main factions arrive at launch: Space Marines (Blood Ravens and Dark Angels), Orks led by returning Warboss Gorgutz, Necrons awakening from tomb worlds beneath Kronus, and the Adeptus Mechanicus making their Dawn of War debut. Each faction features its own campaign with over 70 missions total, co-written by legendary Black Library author John French.
The story takes place roughly 200 years after Dawn of War: Dark Crusade, returning players to the iconic planet Kronus where multiple factions clash for control. The campaign supports two-player co-op, and the game includes Skirmish mode, Last Stand survival challenges, and competitive multiplayer at launch.
King Art promises over 10,000 combat permutations thanks to different factions, units, abilities, and strategic options. The brutal Sync Kill system returns with expanded animations, letting players watch Space Marines rip Orks apart in cinematic glory. Over 40 minutes of cinematics bring the story to life with production values matching the franchise’s grimdark scale.
What About Gabriel Angelos?
One notable absence from Dawn of War IV is Gabriel Angelos, the Blood Ravens Chapter Master who starred in the original trilogy. King Art deliberately chose to focus on more grounded heroes like Cyrus and Jonah rather than bring back the legendary warrior who killed a daemon prince with his hammer.
Director Jan Theysen explained they wanted heroes closer in power level to regular units rather than the wildly overpowered characters from Dawn of War III. Angelos has essentially transcended into legendary status within Blood Ravens lore, and his presence would overshadow the more tactical, strategic gameplay King Art is building. Focusing on Cyrus allows for tighter narrative control and keeps the power scaling reasonable until The Lion shows up to break everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Dawn of War IV release?
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV launches sometime in 2026 exclusively on PC via Steam. King Art Games and publisher Deep Silver haven’t announced a specific release date yet, but the game is available for wishlisting on Steam now.
Who are the Dark Angels in Warhammer 40K?
The Dark Angels are the First Legion, the oldest Space Marine chapter created during the Great Crusade. They’re known for their secrecy, hunting Fallen Angels who betrayed them during the Horus Heresy, and specialized units like the bone-armored Deathwing Terminators and fast-attack Ravenwing bikers. Their Primarch is Lion El’Jonson.
Is Lion El’Jonson really playable in Dawn of War 4?
Yes, King Art Games confirmed Lion El’Jonson will be playable during the campaign’s climactic finale. This marks the first time any Warhammer 40,000 video game has featured a playable Primarch. The developers built him to feel overwhelmingly powerful without worrying about balance, creating an unforgettable finale experience.
What factions are in Dawn of War IV at launch?
Four main factions launch with the game: Space Marines with both Blood Ravens and Dark Angels chapters, Orks led by Warboss Gorgutz, Necrons rising from tomb worlds, and the Adeptus Mechanicus making their series debut. Each faction has its own campaign with multiple missions totaling over 70 across all factions.
How are the Dark Angels different from Blood Ravens in gameplay?
Blood Ravens focus on tactical infantry operations, covert missions, and precision strikes with smaller forces. Dark Angels specialize in large-scale battles with heavy vehicle support and overwhelming firepower. Both share core Space Marine mechanics but offer distinct strategic approaches and unique commanders.
Who is developing Dawn of War 4?
King Art Games, a German studio, is developing Dawn of War IV with publisher Deep Silver. This is a change from previous developer Relic Entertainment, though the game returns to the classic RTS gameplay of the original Dawn of War with base-building and large armies.
Will Dawn of War IV have multiplayer?
Yes, the game includes competitive multiplayer, two-player co-op for both campaign and Skirmish modes, Last Stand survival challenges, and standard Skirmish battles against AI. King Art promises over 10,000 combat permutations thanks to faction diversity, units, and abilities.
For the Lion and the Emperor
The Sons of Caliban trailer confirms what many fans hoped: Dawn of War IV isn’t holding back on fan service or lore depth. Bringing in the Dark Angels as a fully realized sub-faction with unique commanders, distinct playstyle, and the first-ever playable Primarch shows King Art understands what makes Warhammer 40,000 special.
The contrast between Blood Ravens precision and Dark Angels overwhelming force gives the Space Marine campaign variety that previous games lacked. Getting to command both chapters across different mission types while building toward that climactic Lion El’Jonson finale creates a narrative arc that should satisfy both RTS veterans and 40K lore enthusiasts. The wait until 2026 just got harder, but if King Art delivers on these promises, Dawn of War IV might become the definitive 40K RTS experience fans have waited years to receive.