# Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War IV delayed to December 2026 > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/dawn-of-war-iv-gains-trailers-and-release-date-ahead-of-september-launch > Updated: 2026-08-12T16:36:50.000Z. Sources: 87. Developments: 14. In August 2026, KING Art Games and Deep Silver announced that Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV has been delayed from its original 17 September launch to 3 December 2026 for PC via Steam. Creative Director Jan Theysen stated the delay is intended to allow the team to “further polish the game, optimize performance, fix bugs, and integrate feedback received during recent community playtests” to ensure a high-quality experience. The shift also moves the title away from a crowded September release window. As a result of the delay, the Commander Edition early-access window has been moved to begin on 30 November 2026. An updated Year One roadmap was also released, which includes the return of Crusade Mode, new maps, and a mission editor. Free post-launch content, such as Crusade Mode and various map packs, is now scheduled to begin rolling out in early 2027. Additionally, the roadmap specifies two major story expansions: a Blood Ravens prologue and an Aftermath campaign featuring a new faction. ## Claims - Jan Theysen stated the delay is intended to optimize performance, resolve bugs, and add polish. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV has been delayed from September 17, 2026, to December 3, 2026. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Commander Edition purchasers will receive early access starting November 30, 2026. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The game will feature four playable factions: Space Marines, Orks, Necrons, and Adeptus Mechanicus. (single source) - The campaign will include over 70 missions. (single source) - The updated Year 1 roadmap shows free post-launch content will begin in 2027. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-12: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV delayed to December 3 Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV is delayed from September 17 to December 3, 2026, to allow KING Art Games to optimize performance and incorporate community feedback. 32 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dawn-of-war-iv-delayed-to-december-3-2026 ### 2026-07-29: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV Necrons Trailer Unveils Faction Gameplay Deep Silver and KING Art Games unveiled the Necrons faction trailer for *Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV*, showing their expansion tactics, commanders Thothmek and Ahmnok, and confirming a 17 Sept 2026 PC‑only 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/warhammer-40000-dawn-of-war-iv-unveils-necrons-faction-trailer ### 2026-07-23: Creative Assembly streams Alpha Strike demo of Total War: Warhammer 40,000 Creative Assembly will livestream an Alpha Strike demo of Total War: Warhammer 40,000 on July 23, featuring a full battle, ranged‑combat details, and announcing the game’s first console release. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/creative-assembly-streams-alpha-strike-demo-of-total-war-warhammer-40000 ### 2026-07-20: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV Necrons Trailer Shows Return to Kronus The third CGI trailer for Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV shows the Necrons awakening on Kronus after 60 million years; the game launches 17 Sept 2026 with early‑access Commander edition and free Year‑One DLC. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/warhammer-40000-dawn-of-war-iv-unveils-new-necron-trailer ### 2026-07-08: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV multiplayer preview showcases new faction matchups KING Art Games unveiled new multiplayer videos for Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV, featuring Adeptus Mechanicus vs. Necrons and highlighting distinct faction strategies; the game launches 17 Sept 2026 with a 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/warhammer-40000-dawn-of-war-iv-preview-shows-adeptus-mechanicus-defeat-necrons ### 2026-07-07: Dawn of War 4 details factions ahead of September PC launch King Art Games and Deep Silver preview Dawn of War 4’s four factions, outlining gameplay ahead of its 17 September PC release. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dawn-of-war-4-details-factions-ahead-of-september-pc-launch ### 2026-07-03: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4 Multiplayer Gameplay Revealed Ahead of September Launch King Art Games unveiled Dawn of War 4’s multiplayer, featuring Energy‑Zones and asymmetric play between Blood Ravens and Orks, with a PC launch set for 17 September 2026. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/warhammer-40000-dawn-of-war-4-multiplayer-gameplay-revealed-ahead-of-september-launch ### 2026-06-30: Warhammer 40,000 expands: Total War game announced and imperial bureaucracy detailed Warhammer 40,000 lore reveals a massive imperial bureaucracy and planet‑sized archives, while Creative Assembly announces Total War: Warhammer 40,000 with multiple factions and a potential 2027 release. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/warhammer-40000-expands-total-war-game-announced-and-imperial-bureaucracy-detailed ### 2026-06-10: Warhammer 40,000 games unveil new Total War beta and Iron Hands screenshots Sega previewed Total War: Warhammer 40,000 with gameplay footage and a later‑year closed beta, while new Space Marine 2 screenshots showcase the Iron Hands Chapter Pack and intense combat. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/warhammer-40000-games-unveil-new-total-war-beta-and-iron-hands-screenshots ### 2026-06-07: Total War: Warhammer 40,000 closed beta announced for 2026 SEGA and Creative Assembly revealed a 2026 closed beta for Total War: Warhammer 40,000, releasing new gameplay and opening sign‑ups. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/creative-assembly-announces-closed-beta-for-total-war-warhammer-40000 ### 2026-05-29: Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 Announces 2027 New Class and Year‑3 Content Roadmap Focus Entertainment announced a 2027 new class for Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2, alongside a Year‑3 roadmap with five major patches, a Season Pass and new content after Patch 13. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/warhammer-40k-space-marine-2-announces-2027-new-class-and-year3-content-roadmap ### 2026-05-21: Warhammer 40,000: Darktide releases Adeptus Mechanicus Skitarii DLC Darktide adds an $11.99 Adeptus Mechanicus Skitarii DLC on June 23, with deep customisation, new weapons, an Atoma Prime expedition area and fresh enemies, plus promotional discounts. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/warhammer-40000-darktide-adds-adeptus-mechanicus-skitarii-class-dlc ### 2026-05-21: Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV set for September 17, 2026 release Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV releases on 17 Sept 2026 (PC), with a Commander Edition early access on 14 Sept and a year‑long post‑launch roadmap including new modes, map packs and expansions. 12 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/warhammer-dawn-of-war-iv-release-date-announced-for-september-17 ### 2026-05-07: KING Art Games releases Dawn of War IV Adeptus Mechanicus gameplay trailer KING Art Games and Deep Silver unveiled a Dawn of War IV trailer highlighting Adeptus Mechanicus units and commanders. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/king-art-games-releases-dawn-of-war-iv-adeptus-mechanicus-gameplay-trailer --- Cite as: Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War IV delayed to December 2026. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/dawn-of-war-iv-gains-trailers-and-release-date-ahead-of-september-launch