Aftermath

1:31 Aftermath is a paid expansion for Dawn of War 4 that deepens the campaign and adds an entirely new faction, placed at Summer 2027 on Steam's roadmap, which marks its windows as subject to change. As of Oct 31, 2026, KING Art has not named the faction. Jan Theysen confirmed in Oct 2026 that the first new faction comes with Aftermath but would not say which. Any name you see is speculation. The clip is the May 2026 version of the roadmap, which labels it a campaign expansion with a new faction.

Quick facts

Sources: Steam store page, Oct 31, 2026; KING Art, May 21, 2026.

What Aftermath adds

PLAION's press release gives the most detail: a fifth faction across all game modes, new playable Commanders and a much larger Crusade, in an expansion that continues the main story. So the new side would join the existing four, Space Marines, Orks, Necrons and Adeptus Mechanicus, in Multiplayer, Skirmish and Crusade Mode as well as the story. It is the second paid expansion of the Year One Roadmap, after Blood Ravens Story Prologue.

The new faction

KING Art's only hint is about the end of the base campaign. Once it is finished, the studio says, there will be scope for speculation on who might benefit most from "Kronus' new world order". It also points to the series' history of adding factions after launch, as Winter Assault and Dark Crusade did. That is all the makers have said, and it fits many sides.

Is it Chaos?

Nobody outside the makers can say. Chaos is not in the launch game, and asked why, Theysen told IGN in Aug 2025 that there were "'story reasons,' let's say" why "maybe Chaos would be a better fit later". He did not tie that remark to Aftermath, which had not been announced then. It is neither a confirmation nor a denial. The four launch factions are compared on Factions Compared.

How to get it

1:51 It will be sold separately and is included in the Commander Edition. See Editions and Price. The clip ends on the Commander Edition's art listing it; it shows the old Sep 17 date.

What is not known

As of Oct 31, 2026, the makers have not published the faction's name, its units or Commanders, Aftermath's price, its exact date or its mission count. Whether players without Aftermath can face the new faction online has not been stated either.

Frequently asked questions

What is Dawn of War 4 Aftermath? Aftermath is a paid Dawn of War 4 expansion that continues the campaign and adds a new faction, new Commanders and a larger Crusade, per PLAION's press release.

When does Dawn of War 4 Aftermath come out? Steam's roadmap places Dawn of War 4's Aftermath at Summer 2027. No exact date was published as of Oct 31, 2026.

What is the fifth faction in Dawn of War 4? KING Art had not named Dawn of War 4's fifth faction as of Oct 31, 2026. It arrives with Aftermath.

Is Chaos in Dawn of War 4? Chaos is not in Dawn of War 4 at launch. Jan Theysen told IGN that "story reasons" might make Chaos a better fit later, but the Aftermath faction has not been named.

Sources

• Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV, Steam (roadmap image), as of Oct 31, 2026
• Dawn of War 4 interview, ComicBook, Oct 22, 2026
• Release date, pre-order & DLC plans confirmed, KING Art Games, May 21, 2026
• The Next Chapter of Dawn of War Begins on September 17, PLAION, May 21, 2026
• The big Dawn of War 4 interview, IGN, Aug 28, 2025
• Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War IV - Release Date & Post-Launch Roadmap Reveal Trailer, Warhammer, May 21, 2026 (video)