The Warhammer 40,0000: Dawn of War 4 factions list currently includes four names, three of them already familiar to Dawn of War series veterans.
Developer KING Art has confirmed four distinct factions will be available in Dawn of War 4 at launch, with at least one of them getting two subfactions with special units and abilities. We won't be surprised if more arrive through DLC packs and/or full-size expansions, but for now, here's the rundown on the factions waging war on Kronus' surface once again.
Space Marines
Armoured and steadfast, the Space Marines (aka Adeptus Astartes) are easily the most iconic faction the Warhammer 40,000 universe has to offer, so it's no surprise to hear they're leading the charge in Dawn of War 4. In the campaign, we'll get to control both the Blood Ravens and Dark Angels chapters as the Imperium of Man tries to reclaim Kronus.
They field fewer but stronger units while having the option of producing troops in reserve at a higher cost, which they can then deploy anywhere within vision range. They are extremely capable in both ranged and melee combat, with mechanised support like the Dreadnoughts – combat walkers that contain the corpses of fallen brothers – and the Outrider bikes, among others, rounding out their armies.
Adeptus Mechanicus
The Adeptus Mechanicus might be on an eternal hunt for knowledge, yet they serve the Emperor just like their more armoured peers do. Making their series debut in Dawn of War 4, they bring technological might to the battlefield, reflected not just in their versatile roster, which includes Skitarii Rangers, stealth-focused Sicarian Ruststalkers, and the towering Knight Castellan, but also in building "the most advanced structures among the factions".
They excel at fortifying their position, boosting production capabilities through the Noosphere Network – which encourages players to keep structures connected thanks to the progressively higher production and damage bonuses it grants – and fielding powerful armour. Furthermore, they can track enemy concentrations through the fog of war through a heatmap-style indicator, reducing the chance of enemy surprise attacks.
Orks
Depending on who you ask, the Orks are either a horde of brainless green gitz or the perfect lifeform. These bestest boyz only care about fighting, using their numbers to overwhelm their opponents. A classic faction in the Dawn of War series, the Orks are a relentless and chaotic green menace.
This, of course, means that their expendable units are weaker in one-on-one combat, so getting as many boyz as possible out there is a key part of their playstyle. Most of their infantry units – of which there are many types – can also construct their comparatively cheaper buildings anywhere on the map, so it may seem like their bases are crawling and slowly taking over entire battlefields.
Necrons
The Necrons are the fourth faction confirmed for Dawn of War 4's launch. Deathless, calculated, and seeking to eradicate all life from the universe, these ruthless automatons haven't taken too kindly to being awoken from their 60-million-year slumber.
They compensate for their slow speed through sheer durability as well as structures that allow them to teleport units around the battlefield and passively revive fallen soldiers at no cost. They need to gather only one resource, Dominion, obtained by spreading the Power Matrix generated by their buildings. The Power Matrix also provides buffs to units fighting on it, including faster passive health regeneration.
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