Warhammer 40K Dawn of War IV launches September 17 with two expansions planned in year one

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV will launch on PC on September 17, 2026, giving the long running strategy series its first new main entry in years. The release date was confirmed during Warhammer Skulls 2026, where developer KING Art and publisher Deep Silver also revealed the game’s first year roadmap.

The announcement came with a new gameplay trailer and the start of preorders. The standard edition is currently listed at $53.99 with an early 10 percent discount, while the Commander Edition costs $80.99. The higher priced edition includes the base game, both planned year one expansions, and three days of early access before the official September 17 launch.

KING Art is planning free updates before the first paid expansion arrives

Dawn of War IV will not rely only on paid DLC after launch. The roadmap shows several free updates coming before the first expansion. Shortly after release, the game will receive its first map pack and the return of Crusade Mode. A second map pack and a new Crusade Mode addition will follow before the first paid expansion arrives.

The first expansion is called Blood Ravens. It is planned for winter 2026 and will serve as a story prologue. That name will likely catch the attention of longtime Dawn of War fans because the Blood Ravens have been closely tied to the series since the original game.

The second paid expansion is called Aftermath and is planned for spring 2027. It will add a campaign expansion and a new faction, making it the larger of the two announced DLC drops based on the roadmap wording. More free updates and map packs are also planned before Aftermath arrives.

This structure gives Dawn of War IV a clear first year plan. Strategy games often depend on strong post launch support, especially when players expect more factions, maps, missions, and long term replay options. By showing the roadmap now, Deep Silver and KING Art are trying to make the game feel like a supported platform rather than a one time release.

The Commander Edition may appeal to players who already know they want the expansions, but the standard edition remains the safer option for anyone who wants to play the base game first. The expansions will also be available separately after launch, so buyers are not forced to commit to the full first year plan immediately.

Dawn of War IV is also arriving during what could be a strong year for Warhammer strategy games. Total War: Warhammer 40K is also expected in 2026, which means fans of the setting may get two major strategy focused releases in the same year.

For now, the biggest news is simple: Dawn of War IV finally has a firm date. With a September 17 PC launch, early access for Commander Edition buyers, free post launch updates, and two major expansions already planned, KING Art and Deep Silver are setting clear expectations for the return of one of Warhammer 40K’s most important strategy game series.