Dawn of War IV Launches September 17 — Crusade Mode Returns, Full Year One Roadmap Revealed
CtrlQueen
DAWN OF WAR IV
Game: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV
Release Date: September 17, 2026
Early Access (Commander Edition): September 14, 2026
Developer: KING Art Games
Publisher: Deep Silver / PLAION
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV has a release date. During the Warhammer Skulls Showcase, Deep Silver and KING Art Games confirmed the RTS sequel launches September 17, 2026 — with Commander Edition owners getting three-day early access from September 14. Pre-orders for both editions are live now, with a 10% discount applied to both during the pre-order window. A full Year One post-launch roadmap was also revealed, confirming Crusade Mode’s return, free content drops, and two paid campaign expansions including a fifth faction.
This is one of the most anticipated strategy game releases of 2026. The Dawn of War series defined the grimdark real-time strategy genre for a generation of PC players, and with KING Art Games — the studio behind the Iron Harvest RTS series — at the helm, expectations are high for a proper return to Kronus.
Standard vs Commander Edition
Dawn of War IV — Pre-Order Editions
Standard Edition
$59.99 — $53.99 with 10% pre-order discount
Base game access. Launches September 17, 2026. Includes the full four-faction campaign, multiplayer, Last Stand mode, and all launch content.
Commander Edition
$89.99 — $80.99 with 10% pre-order discount
3-Day Early Unlock — play from September 14. Includes all Year One content (both paid campaign expansions), the official digital soundtrack, and everything in the Standard Edition. The complete war bundle for those who plan to stay for the full campaign.
Post-launch content spans free updates and two major paid campaign expansions across Year One. The biggest free addition is Crusade Mode — a fan favourite from the Dawn of War series — returning in Fall 2026 with strategic depth and replayability built around decision-driven campaign progression.
Dawn of War IV — Post-Launch Content
Free Deployments
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Crusade Mode — Fall 2026
The fan-favourite strategic campaign mode returns. Every decision shapes the course of war, with army building, legendary commanders, and a map to dominate.
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New Modes, Map Packs & Mission Editor
Create, play, and share custom battles. A series of free updates adds new modes and community tools throughout Year One.
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Additional Last Stand Commanders
New commanders join Last Stand mode, each with bespoke Crusades, unique abilities, loadouts, and gameplay twists.
Paid Operations — Included with Commander Edition
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The Blood Ravens Story Prologue
Before the war for Kronus, a Blood Ravens strike force returns to their ancestral homeworld of Aurelia. A prequel chapter exploring the events that set the main campaign in motion.
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The Aftermath Campaign Expansion
Command a powerful new fifth faction as the war enters its next chapter. Continues the main campaign’s story with new commanders, significantly expanded Crusade mode, and new threats. Adds the fifth faction across all game modes.
Both paid expansions are available separately after launch, but are bundled into the Commander Edition at the 10% pre-order discounted price of $80.99.
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV launches September 17, 2026. Pre-orders are live now on Steam.
