Dawn of War 4 unveils a historic first for Warhammer 40K games

GAMING NEWS Fyra Frost - about 1 hour ago

PC Gaming Show: Most Wanted 2025 played host yesterday to one of the biggest surprises Warhammer fans have seen in years: a brand-new story trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 and the announcement that players will, for the first time in videogame history, command a Space Marine Primarch.

A Cinematic Look at the War for Kronus

The newly released trailer returns players to Kronus, the conflict-scarred planet featured in Dawn of War: Dark Crusade. The footage paints a bleak picture: the Blood Ravens arrive to investigate a rising threat, only to be thrown into brutal combat with marauding Orks and a newly awakened Necron menace. As the situation deteriorates, the tone of the trailer shifts dramatically with the sudden arrival of the enigmatic and feared Dark Angels. Their intervention signals that the battle for Kronus is far bigger than anyone expected.

A Playable Primarch at Last

The highlight of the reveal and the moment that sent the Warhammer community into a frenzy is the confirmation that Lion El’Jonson, Primarch of the Dark Angels, will be fully playable during the game's climactic campaign moments. This marks the first time a Primarch has ever been controllable in a Warhammer 40,000 videogame. While numerous titles have featured Space Marine heroes and legendary characters, Primarchs have always remained off-limits, reserved for lore, novels, and tabletop narrative arcs. Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 breaks that long-standing barrier.

Alongside the Primarch reveal, the trailer showcases several major gameplay features. Both the Blood Ravens and the Dark Angels will be playable in all supported modes, each bringing their own commanders, visual identity, and tactical advantages. Players will also be able to choose their path through the campaign, selecting missions from either Space Marine chapter. This structure allows for multiple perspectives on the growing conflict and promises strong replay value.

A New Chapter for a Legendary Series

The arrival of Lion El’Jonson in a playable role could signal a broader shift in how Warhammer videogames approach the vast depth of the setting’s lore. Bringing a Primarch into an RTS is not just a flashy marketing beat — it suggests larger-scale encounters, more ambitious storytelling, and a willingness to push the boundaries of the series.

Dawn of War 4 is currently targeting a 2026 release on PC, with more details expected in the coming months. So far, with its return to Kronus, dual-chapter campaign, and the unprecedented inclusion of a Primarch, it's shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Warhammer titles in years, especially after the poor results of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III which disappointed many players with its different approach at the franchise. It's expected that the new game will return to the roots that made the original Dawn of War and Dawn of War II the favourites of all the RTS fans.

Stay tuned for more news about the game and remember to visit our comparator to find the best deals for Dawn of War IV and purchase all the other games of the series at the best price if you are looking for an amazing RTS experience set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.