Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV finally has an exact release date, and the editions of the long-awaited RTS have now been detailed as well. King Art Games and Deep Silver will launch the game for PC on September 17, while the Commander Edition adds three-day early access, the digital soundtrack, and the major Year One expansions.

The return of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV is already big news for RTS fans, but the release date announcement also came with details on the game’s editions and its first year of extra content. The fourth entry in the strategy series launches for PC on September 17, 2026, and Steam is currently the digital storefront where pre-purchase is active. The base game already promises four Warhammer 40,000 factions, more than 70 campaign missions, Last Stand, skirmish, and multiplayer, so this return is being built as more than a simple nostalgia play.

The announcement matters because the Dawn of War name has been absent from the front line of the genre for a long time. The fourth game is being developed by King Art Games, the studio behind Iron Harvest, and it aims to return to the series’ RTS roots with base building, large faction wars, campaigns, and replayable modes. The two editions are not separated only by cosmetic extras, however, because the Commander Edition includes the game’s Year One expansion content.

The Two Dawn of War IV Editions

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV will be available in two main editions: Standard Edition and Commander Edition. During the pre-purchase period, both are discounted by 10% on Steam. The Standard Edition is listed at $53.99 instead of its $59.99 base price, while the Commander Edition is listed at $80.99 instead of $89.99. According to the Steam page, the Commander Edition also includes advanced access, meaning buyers can start playing on September 14, three days before the full launch.

• Standard Edition: includes the Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV base game.
• Standard Edition pre-order bonus: 10% pre-purchase discount.
• Commander Edition: includes the Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV base game and the Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV – Year 1 Expansion.
• Commander Edition pre-order bonus: 10% pre-purchase discount and three-day advanced access.
• Commander Edition extra content: Blood Ravens Story Prologue, AFTERMATH – Campaign Expansion + New Faction, and the digital game soundtrack.

The biggest selling point of the Commander Edition, then, is not only that it lets players start earlier, but that it includes the full Year One expansion package. Blood Ravens Story Prologue serves as a prequel campaign to the main story, sending a Blood Ravens strike force back to their ancestral homeworld of Aurelia. Led by a legendary commander, the campaign sets in motion events that will shape the fate of the Chapter.

The Aftermath campaign expansion directly continues the main Dawn of War IV campaign. It explores the consequences of victories on Kronus while introducing a new faction to the game. That addition is important beyond the campaign itself, because the new faction will be playable across all modes, while the expansion also brings new commanders and a significantly expanded Crusade mode.

Paid content will not be the only thing arriving during the first year. Free updates are also planned, including the return of the fan-favorite Crusade mode, new modes, map packs, and a Mission Editor that will allow players to create, play, and share their own battles. Last Stand will also expand with new commanders, each bringing their own abilities, loadouts, and playstyles. That suggests Dawn of War IV is not relying only on its campaign, but is being structured to keep the strategy community active over a longer period.

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV launches for PC on September 17, while Commander Edition pre-order players can begin on September 14. The Standard Edition is aimed at players who only want the base game, while the Commander Edition is clearly built for those who already plan to follow the first year of the war for Kronus. Dawn of War finally has a date, and its editions suggest Deep Silver is preparing not just a single RTS launch, but at least a full year of planned conflict.

Source: 3DJuegos, Steam, Deep Silver, TechRadar