Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV blasts back into real-time strategy supremacy through story trailer showcasing Tyranid hive fleets devouring Imperial agri-worlds. Relic Entertainment revives the legendary RTS series with 2026 launch featuring asymmetric faction warfare – Ultramarines defensive bastions, Ork scrap fortresses, Necron monoliths phasing through biomass. Cinematic campaign pits Chapter Masters against Hive Tyrants across planetary invasions blending base building, hero units, and cinematic setpieces.
19 years after Dawn of War’s 2004 debut, Relic delivers 40K’s definitive RTS. Tyranid invasions consume worlds through synapse creep, genestealer cults undermine defenses, carnifex breaches smash bastions. Space Marines deploy dreadnoughts, Ork scrapwalkers hurl boyz, Necrons resurrect endlessly. Multi-stage missions recreate iconic battles – Taros Campaign, Medusa Vex, Third War for Armageddon.
Tyranid Apocalypse Campaign
Story mode spans three Acts across Tyranid invasions. Ultramarines hold agri-world Bastion Primus against genestealer uprisings, Orks counter-invade scavenging biomass scrap, Necrons awaken purging organic infestation. Hero units drive narrative – Captain Sicarius leads drop pod assaults, Ghazghkull coordinates Waaagh!s, Imotekh destroys synapse creatures.
Base building evolves with faction asymmetry. Space Marines construct barricades, turrets, servo-arms; Orks erect squig farms, tellyportas, shokk attack guns; Necrons phase monoliths, scarab constructors, gauss flayers. Unit production demands resource prioritization amid escalating swarms.
Faction Warfare Returns
- Ultramarines – defensive bastions, dreadnoughts, drop pods
- Ork Boyz – Waaagh! momentum, squig bombs, tellyportas
- Necron Warriors – resurrection protocols, monolith phasing
- Tyranids – synapse creep, carnifex breaches, gaunts swarms
- Genestealer Cults – tunnel ambushes, hybrid uprisings
- Multi-stage cinematic missions
RTS Evolution
Dawn of War IV blends classic base building with hero-driven campaigns. Squad tactics demand cover usage, ability rotations, reinforcement timing. Asymmetric units shine – Space Marine terminators teleport-smash, Ork nobz choppa charge, Necron immortals gauss-flense. Waaagh! energy fuels Ork ability spam, Tyranid synapse buffs nearby swarms.
Multiplayer supports 1v1, 2v2, 3v3 across classic maps – Blood Gulch, Carnage Gulch, Tyranid Hive. Ranked ladders track MMR by faction mastery. Co-op campaign scales enemies for 2-4 players.
| Faction | Signature Unit | Hero Ability |
|---|---|---|
| Ultramarines | Terminators | Drop Pod Strike |
| Orks | Nobz | Waaagh! Charge |
| Necrons | Immortals | Monolith Phase |
| Tyranids | Carnifex | Synapse Aura |
Relic’s Redemption Arc
After Company of Heroes 3 stumbles, Dawn of War IV returns Relic to 40K glory. Dawn of War 1 (2004) defined RTS standards, sequels expanded formula. Modern engine delivers 4K destruction, dynamic lighting, thousands-unit battles. $59.99 premium includes multiplayer, co-op, lifetime updates.
Steam demo recreates Taros beachhead. Beta weekends test multiplayer balance. Cross-play PC/console unification. Workshop modding post-launch.
Ultimate 40K RTS Features
Dynamic campaign maps evolve with victories – agri-worlds become hive ruins, forge worlds churn titan production. Hero progression unlocks wargear – power fists, storm shields, warp blades. Skirmish AI adapts faction matchups, learns player habits. Spectate mode broadcasts tournament finals.
Trailer recreates iconic moments – Gaunt’s Ghosts tunnel fights, Space Marine dreadnought rampages, Ork stompa construction. Voice acting captures 40K grimdark – commissars execute cowards, tech-priests chant binaric.
FAQs
Factions at launch?
Ultramarines, Orks, Necrons, Tyranids, Genestealer Cults.
Demo available?
Taros beachhead mission on Steam.
Co-op multiplayer?
2-4 player campaign, skirmish supported.
Cross-play?
PC/console unified matchmaking.
Mod support planned?
Workshop integration post-launch.
Hero units focus?
Chapter Masters, Warbosses, Overlords drive narrative.
Base building depth?
Faction asymmetric construction, resource prioritization.
Conclusion
Dawn of War IV resurrects 40K RTS supremacy through Tyranid apocalypse and faction warfare. Relic recaptures Dawn 1 magic with modern destruction, asymmetric bases, cinematic heroes. Ultramarines hold, Orks Waaagh!, Necrons phase eternal – hive fleets consume worlds awaiting extermination. Orbital barrages sterilize Klendathu anew 2026. For the Emperor – Dawn of War returns.