War returns to the world of Kronus in September.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV, the latest title in the vaunted Dawn of War RTS series, has finally revealed its release date of 17 September, 2026 during this year's Warhammer Skulls showcase event. Aside from announcing the game's release date, developer King Art Games its post-launch roadmap, which will include a campaign expansion and a new faction coming in Spring 2027.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV
Release date: 17 September, 2026
Platform: PC
Developer: King Art Games
What will Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV's post-launch roadmap include?
Dawn of War IV's first post-launch update is set to arrive later this Fall and will include the addition of the ‘Crusade’ game mode and a new map pack. One of the more beloved features in past Dawn of War games, Crusade mode, will allow players to undertake a non-linear planetary conquest of the world of Kronus that utilises a turn-based strategic map.
Winter 2026 will then see three major update drops. First will be another new map pack and the first new faction leader to be added to the game in Lord Ahmnok of the Necrons, followed by the addition of a Story Prologue focusing on the Blood Ravens Chapter of Space Marines, and then the release of a Mission Editor and a third map pack.
The game's first update of 2027 will see the addition of the game's second faction leader, Guzcutta of the Orks, and a fourth map pack. Finally, the ‘Aftermath’ campaign expansion and a new faction will be released in Spring 2027.
What is Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV?
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV is the fourth installment in the classic Dawn of War series of RTS games set in the grimdark universe of Warhammer 40,000. Deep Silver (Saints Row, Dead Island) and King Art Games (Iron Harvest) have taken over development of Dawn of War IV from Relic Entertainment.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV will see the series return to its RTS roots, as base building and massive-scale battles once again take focus. The game also features an expanded ‘Sync Kill’ system, with units locked in combat having unique animations–with all the brutality one would expect from a Warhammer game–instead of just hacking and slashing at each other's direction.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV will have four factions available at launch: the stalwart Space Marines; the unending green tide of the Orks; the soulless robotic armies of the Necrons; and the cybernetic forces of the Adeptus Mechanicus, who will be making their Dawn of War debut.
Each faction will also have multiple faction leaders to choose from, with the Space Marines notably being represented by the Blood Ravens and Dark Angels Chapters.
Players will have to fight through over 70 campaign missions, either solo or with a friend, to experience a story written by Black Library author John French. For those looking to immerse themselves in Warhammer 40,000's grimdark universe of unending warfare, fan-favourite game mode Last Stand and the classic Skirmish will also make a return to offer near-endless replayabilty against AI opponents or in 1v1, 2v2 and 3v3 multiplayer.
A Painter tool will also be available to let players use existing factions from Warhammer 40,000, or take the field as their homebrew forces.
