Dawn of War IV is a much bigger game than Warhammer fans expected

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV could have huge implications for the entire setting

I can’t deny it. I’m an RTS fan and a Warhammer 40K fan. I’m hyped for Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War IV. That said, even I didn’t expect the game to be as big as it is. Dawn of War IV’s “Story Trailer” has dropped, and it confirms that the game will include one of the franchise’s biggest characters. This makes the events of this game relevant for all Warhammer 40,000 fans, as it could have implications across the entire 40K setting.

Dawn of War 4 won’t just follow the Blood Ravens during its Space Marines campaign. The Dark Angels chapter is coming to reinforce planet Kronos, and their Primarch, Lion (The Lion) El’Jonson, will be a controllable character. Aside from the Emperor of Man himself, the Primarchs are the most powerful individuals in the Imperium of Man, and only two of them are currently active in the modern 40K setting. This is the first time a video game has had a playable Primarch. Furthermore, Deep Silver has confirmed that players will have “the chance to wield the legendary might of a Space Marine Primarch in a climactic, unforgettable finale.”

Why Lion El’Jonson is important

“The Lion” only recently returned to the Warhammer 40K setting at the end of the tabletop game’s 9th Edition. Throughout the 10th Edition, not much has happened with the character. Now, fans of the series will finally get to see some of what Lion El’Jonson has been doing. Furthermore, fans will soon be able to see what a Primarch can do firsthand. Previously, the feats of Primarchs have mostly been showcased in books. Soon, gamers will see it on their screens.

For Dawn of War IV, players will be able to play the Space Marine Campaign using the Dark Angels and Blood Ravens. Players will be able to choose which faction they play as, adding variety and replayability to the game’s campaign. Each Space Marine chapter has their own unique strategies, tactics, wargear, and abilities, allowing the Blood Ravens and Dark Angels to play very differently.

Dawn of War IV will feature four playable factions. These are Space Marines, Orks, Necrons, and the Adeptus Mechanicus. Each faction will have its own campaigns, with the game having over 70 total missions. The game’s story comes from the Black Library author John French. This further implies that the game’s story will be “canon” within the 40K universe and that it will have major implications for the setting.

With this new entry, KING Art promises to deliver “classic Dawn of War gameplay” and to return the series to its roots. Dawn of War IV will be available on PC in 2026. Right now, the game does not have a finalised release date.

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