Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 has officially become a reality after its reveal at Opening Night Live 2025. We’ve seen the debut trailer, glimpses of gameplay, a new faction making its first appearance in the series, and an unexpected developer.
The beloved real-time strategy franchise launched in 2004 with Relic Entertainment’s Dawn of War, and many assumed that if a fourth installment ever arrived, it would come from Relic—especially since they recently revitalized the series with the Dawn of War Definitive Edition.
But Dawn of War 4 is now being developed by King Art Games, the team behind the alternate-history 1920s RTS Iron Harvest, and published by Deep Silver (known for Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 and Dead Island 2), with support from a German video game grant.
So what does Dawn of War 4 offer? It promises to bring the RTS series back to its roots, a move sure to delight fans of the original game. Expect “deeply satisfying gameplay” and a “brutal, expanded Sync Kill system.” One of the most iconic features of the Dawn of War games has always been the Sync Kills—dramatic animations triggered when specific units eliminate enemies.
At launch, four factions will be available: Space Marines; Orks; Necrons; and the Adeptus Mechanicus, making their Dawn of War debut. There are four story campaigns totaling over 70 missions, complete with “spectacular” CGI intros and fully animated cutscenes. Play solo or co-op with a friend, guided by a narrative written by Black Library author John French (of the Ahriman series).
The Blood Ravens chapter returns, along with familiar faces like Captain Cyrus, Chief Librarian Jonah Orion, and Warboss Gorgutz. The story unfolds “many years” after the events of Dawn of War: Dark Crusade, the second expansion to the original game. Notably, Dawn of War 2 and the troubled Dawn of War 3 are absent from today’s announcement—clearly, the goal is to reconnect with the enduring appeal of the classic RTS roots.
Beyond the campaign, there are Last Stand and Skirmish modes featuring over 30 missions, plus multiplayer with more than 30 maps. You’ll command over 10 unique Commanders, control over 110 units and buildings—many customizable—along with an in-game editor and a painter tool for deep unit customization.
Here’s the official description:
The series returns to its roots with classic Dawn of War gameplay and a combat system designed to bring Warhammer 40,000’s bloodthirsty battles to life like never before. Grow your force, build your operational base, specialize your squads, and experience an expanded Sync Kill system that delivers unparalleled melee combat detail.
Dive into an endlessly replayable mix of modes, including the return of the fan-favorite Last Stand! Battle highly configurable AI opponents in Skirmish, or challenge the world in 1v1, 2v2, and 3v3 multiplayer. Wherever you wage war, use the Painter tool to imprint your unique style on your armies, with the option to draw from existing factions in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.
Set many years after the events of Dawn of War: Dark Crusade, war has returned to the planet Kronus—alongside Captain Cyrus, Chief Librarian Jonah Orion, Warboss Gorgutz, and several new commanders as four factions clash for dominance. Kronus features diverse biomes including the Wasteland, Iceland, Highlands, Hive City, and Manufactorum regions.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 is set to release sometime in 2026. Here’s everything revealed at Opening Night Live 2025.
