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Warhammer 40.000: Dawn Of War IV has finished its run of faction showcases with the popular Space Marines, confirming we're getting two armies. The new trailer splits the Adeptus Astartes into the Blood Ravens and the Dark Angels, two chapters fighting on the same side on Kronus but with very different approaches to winning a battle.
Space Marines are built around steady expansion and powerful shock assaults. They’re elite but outnumbered by the xenos hordes, so positioning and tactical flexibility matter more than raw numbers.
The Blood Ravens, on the other hand, lean into reconnaissance, infiltration and precision strikes, working behind enemy lines to gather intelligence and exploit weak points. The Dark Angels go the other way, fielding heavily armoured formations that grind down resistance through sheer firepower.
Space Marine units in Dawn of War IV
According to the devs, Intercessor squads are the backbone of the army, advancing under disciplined bolt rifle fire. Assault Intercessors handle close-quarters fighting with chainswords, and can be upgraded with jump packs to hit an enemy’s weakest flank.
Players who prefer a quieter approach can send Infiltrator and Eliminator squads ahead of the main force to scout and pick off key targets. Outrider squads carry out fast raids, while Bladeguard Veterans hold the line behind storm shields. Against tougher targets, Eradicators use melta rifles to melt vehicles, fortifications and elite infantry, and Terminator squads push through enemy fire in Tactical Dreadnought armour.
Vehicles round out the roster. Invictor Tactical Warsuits lead assaults into hostile territory, Redemptor Dreadnoughts deal with infantry and armour alike, and Gladiator tanks and Repulsor Executioners provide the heaviest firepower for breaking fortified positions.
Drop Pods, Thunderhawks and Orbital Bombardments
True to form, the Space Marines arrive from above. Drop Pods bring reserve forces straight into contested territory, and Thunderhawks deliver reinforcements into the middle of a fight, letting commanders shore up key positions quickly.
Commanders also have access to stratagems: Thunderhawk strafing runs and Orbital Bombardments that rain down from orbit.
Captain Cyrus and Company Master Astoran
The Blood Ravens are led by Captain Cyrus, a veteran who specialises in stealth, marksmanship and a well-timed air strike. He’s joined by Jonah Orion, the chapter’s Chief Librarian, a psyker who breaks up enemy formations with psychic attacks while shielding nearby allies.
The Dark Angels are led by Astoran, Master of the Third Company. His Terminator armour makes him slow but near-unstoppable, and he can fight with either an assault cannon or a thunder hammer and storm shield. He’s backed up by Ezreal, an Interrogator-Chaplain who rides into battle on a Raider-pattern bike, buffing allies with litanies while hunting down priority targets.
Release date
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV launches on 3 December 2026 for PC. Commander Edition owners get a three-day early unlock from 30 November, and both editions are currently available to pre-order at a 10% discount.
