Necrons awaken: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV gets a cinematic trailer
With less than two months until launch, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV has a new cinematic trailer that puts the Necrons front and center — and it's a good reminder that this RTS is almost here.
The trailer focuses on the awakening of the Necron legions on the planet Kronus, led by Chronomancer Totmec. After 60 million years dormant, the Necrons are rising to reclaim a galactic empire — and in-game they'll be doing exactly that, competing with three other factions for territorial control.
> Beneath the soil of Kronus, ancient tombs stir to life. Immortal legions march to war under the Chronomancer Totmec. Awakened from a 60-million-year slumber, the Necrons seek to reclaim their galactic empire and assert their dominion over the universe.
Four factions, one planet
The Necrons join three other playable sides at launch: Space Marines (the returning Blood Ravens), Orks, and Adeptus Mechanicus. Each faction is asymmetric, with distinct strengths and weaknesses — a design philosophy carried over from earlier entries in the series. Developer KING Art Games, based in Bremen, Germany, received €2.6 million in German federal funding to build the game, and publisher Deep Silver is handling distribution.
The campaign spans more than 70 missions. Player choices affect how the story develops, and optional side missions reward completion with meaningful upgrades. Alongside the solo campaign, traditional online multiplayer modes let you take the faction battles into competitive territory — a focus the studio has flagged as central to the game's long-term appeal.
What it costs and when
Dawn of War IV releases September 17, 2026 on PC via Steam store page. The Commander Edition pre-order unlocks three-day early access from September 14 and carries a 10% discount — final pricing hasn't been confirmed, but comparable RTS releases have landed in the $49.99–$59.99 range. A Year One expansion roadmap is planned, mixing free updates with paid DLC campaigns.
Steam Community feedback from beta testers has flagged some performance concerns ahead of the September deadline. The studio says it's continuing to refine the game, so the next few weeks will be telling.
