New Dawn of War IV gameplay trailer puts Space Marines into battle

Deep Silvers just gave Warhammer 40,000 fans another reason to dust off their miniature armies. A week after teasing the Space Marines with a cinematic reveal, the developer uploaded a new gameplay trailer that puts the iconic faction into actual battle, showcasing its roster of infantry, vehicles, and commanders.

According to Windows Central, the trailer demonstrates how the Space Marines look and play in real engagements, moving beyond the static renders of the earlier cinematic to show units firing, charging, and maneuvering on the battlefield.

Space Marines split into two sub-factions

The most notable structural change in Dawn of War IV is that the Space Marines playable faction is no longer a single, monolithic force. In earlier Dawn of War games, the faction leaned almost entirely on the Blood Ravens, but this time it is divided into two distinct sub-factions: the Blood Ravens and the Dark Angels.

This is a meaningful departure from the series’ history. Rather than offering one unified Space Marine army, developers are giving players a choice between two of the franchise’s most beloved chapters, each with its own identity and roster of units.

The Space Marine infantry roster

The trailer shows the Space Marines fielding a broad range of squad types, covering offense, defense, and support roles so the faction can adapt to different tactical situations.

Intercessor Squads: ranged shooters that engage enemies from a distance.
Assault Intercessor Squads: charge straight into the front lines with chainswords and jetpacks.
Infiltrator Squads: slip behind enemy lines to snipe high-value targets.
Bladeguard Veterans: draw enemy fire and shield squishier allies.
Eradicator Squads: blast buildings and vehicles with heavy artillery.
Terminator Squads: take on the heaviest enemy units while clad in impenetrable armor.

Vehicles and heavy hitters

On the mobility and armor front, Space Marines have a solid selection of mechanical support at their disposal:

Outrider motorcycles: used for hit-and-run tactics.
Drop Pods: deliver reinforcements to hot spots on the battlefield.
Repulsor Executioner tanks: mow down enemy squads with plasma fire.
Redemptor Dreadnaughts: heavily armed mechanical monstrosities.

Faction-specific commanders

Each of the two sub-factions fields two unique commander units to lead the infantry into combat.

The Blood Ravens are led by Captain Cyrus, a stealthy marksman, and Jonah Orian, a Warp-conjuring Librarian. The Dark Angels answer to Astoran, a Terminator-clad master, and Ezrael, a motorcycle-riding Chaplain.

Strategems and base building

Beyond raw units, the Space Marines have strategic tools to control the map. They can build uniques on Control Points to protect their resources, summon fortified strongholds from orbit to reinforce their forces, and call Thunderhawk bombing runs on enemies through limited-use Strategems.

Overall, the trailer suggests the Space Marine faction offers a wide variety of powerful units suited to both offensive and defensive strategies, while remaining simple enough for newcomers to learn and deep enough to reward veterans.

Release date and editions

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV launches on December 3, 2026, on PC. Players who purchase the Commander Edition will gain three days of early access, starting November 30, 2026.

The game lets you take control of the Space Marines, Orks, Necrons, or Adeptus Mechanicus factions in epic single-player campaigns or chaotic multiplayer modes.

What this means for you

For everyday players, the split faction system means Dawn of War IV is aiming to lower the barrier to entry for real-time strategy fans. The Space Marines appear designed to be approachable for newcomers while still offering enough depth to keep experienced strategists engaged. If you haven’t touched an RTS in years, the Space Marines may well serve as an accessible way back into the genre when the game ships.

How to get it

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV is available to pre-order on Steam. Grab the standard edition for the December 3, 2026 launch, or pick up the Commander Edition if you want to start playing three days earlier on November 30, 2026. Watch the new Space Marines gameplay trailer above to see the faction in action before you commit.

Source: Latest from Windows Central

Over to you: Are you grabbing the Blood Ravens or the Dark Angels when Dawn of War IV launches, and which commander unit are you most excited to field?