All Available Factions in Warhammer 40K Dawn of War

By Ambar Jimenez | 2025-08-22 11:44:41
Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War is a classic real-time strategy game that has stood the test of time, and its definitive edition, which includes all expansions, brings the grand scale of the 41st millennium to life. A cornerstone of the game is its diverse roster of nine playable factions, each with a unique playstyle, units, and strategies. To truly master the game, you must understand the strengths and weaknesses of every faction you face.Here is a detailed breakdown of all nine factions in Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War, including their key units and overall playstyles.

Warhammer 40K Dawn of War: All Available Factions

1. Space Marines Faction

The Space Marines are the quintessential "jack-of-all-trades" faction and an excellent choice for new players. They are highly disciplined, durable, and have a unit for almost every situation. Their signature feature is the ability to deploy units directly onto the battlefield using drop pods.
Unit TypeUnits
Commander/HeroForce Commander, Librarian
Heavy InfantrySpace Marine Squad, Terminator Squad, Grey Knights, Venerable Dreadnought
Light InfantryAssault Marines, Scout Marines
VehiclesAttack Bike (Light), Rhino (Light), Land Speeder (Light), Land Speeder Tempest (Aircraft), Predator (Heavy), Whirlwind (Heavy), Land Raider (Heavy)
OtherChapel-Barracks Servitor (Builder), Skull Probe (Detector)

2. Chaos Faction

The Chaos faction is the corrupted counterpart to the Space Marines. They trade versatility for raw, daemonic power. Their playstyle is similar to the Space Marines but with a greater focus on aggressive tactics and powerful daemonic summons in the late game.
Unit TypeUnits
Commander/HeroChaos Lord, Chaos Sorcerer, Daemon Prince
Light InfantryChaos Cultists, Raptor Squad
Heavy InfantryChaos Space Marines, Chaos Havocs, Possessed Chaos Space Marines, Obliterators, Summoned Bloodletters, Summoned Horrors
Vehicles/WalkersChaos Rhino (Light Vehicle), Defiler (Walker), Chaos Predator (Heavy Vehicle), Hell Talon (Aircraft)
Relic/Super-HeavyBloodthirster

3. Eldar Faction

The Eldar are a highly mobile and fast-hitting faction, often described as "glass cannons." They excel at hit-and-run tactics, using their high damage and speed to strike quickly and retreat before the enemy can respond. Mastering them requires intense micromanagement.

Unit TypeUnits
Commander/HeroFarseer
Light InfantryGuardian Defenders, Banshees, Rangers
Heavy InfantryDark Reapers, Seer Council
Vehicles/WalkersVyper (Light), Wraithlord (Walker), Fire Prism (Heavy Vehicle), Grav Platform (Light Vehicle), Nightwing (Aircraft)
Relic/Super-HeavyAvatar of Khaine

4. Orks Faction

The Orks are a melee-focused horde faction that relies on overwhelming numbers and aggressive play. While their individual units may seem weak, they can quickly swarm and crush an enemy with sheer force. Their population cap is uniquely tied to Waaagh! Banners, encouraging a wide, forward-moving army.

Unit TypeUnits
Commander/HeroBig Mek, Warboss
Light InfantrySlugga Boyz, Shoota Boyz, Kommandos, Stormboyz
Heavy InfantryNob Squad, Flash Gitz, Mega Armoured Nobz
Vehicles/WalkersTrukk (Light Vehicle), Wartrak (Light Vehicle), Killa Kan (Walker), Looted Tank (Heavy Vehicle), Fighta-Bomma (Aircraft)
Relic/Super-HeavySquiggoth

5. Imperial Guard Faction

The Imperial Guard is a ranged swarm faction that focuses on overwhelming the enemy with cheap, numerous infantry supported by powerful vehicles and artillery. Their units are individually weak and have fragile morale, but with the right support, they can form an unbreakable firing line.

Unit TypeUnits
Commander/HeroCommand Squad, Techpriest Enginseer (Builder)
Light InfantryGuardsmen Squad, Scout Sentinel
Heavy InfantryKasrkin, Ogryn Squad
VehiclesChimera (Light), Hellhound (Light), Leman Russ (Heavy), Basilisk (Heavy), Marauder Bomber (Aircraft)
Relic/Super-HeavyBaneblade

6. Necrons Faction

The Necrons are an undead machine faction that starts slow but becomes nearly unstoppable in the late game. Their unique resource system and ability to resurrect units from the dead make them incredibly durable. Their units are slow but extremely powerful, demanding map control to remain competitive.

Unit TypeUnits
Commander/HeroNecron Lord
Light InfantryWraith
Heavy InfantryNecron Warriors, Flayed Ones, Pariahs, Immortals
Vehicles/RelicBuilder Scarabs (Builder), Destroyer (Heavy Vehicle), Heavy Destroyer (Heavy Vehicle), Monolith (Relic), Essence of the Deceiver (Relic), Essence of the Nightbringer (Relic)

7. Tau Faction

The Tau are a long-range DPS faction that excels at ranged combat and stealth. They have powerful weaponry and battlesuits that can eliminate enemies from a distance. Their weakness is in melee combat, so they rely on a strong frontline to protect their more fragile, long-range units.

Unit TypeUnits
Commander/HeroEthereal, Earth Caste Builder (Builder)
Light InfantryFire Warriors, Kroot Carnivores, Kroot Hounds, Pathfinders, Vespid Stingwings
Heavy InfantryBroadside Battlesuit
VehiclesHammerhead Gunship (Heavy), Skyray Missile Gunship (Heavy)
Relic/Super-HeavyGreater Knarloc

8. Dark Eldar Faction

The Dark Eldar are a glass cannon faction similar to the Eldar, but with an even greater focus on speed, high damage, and fragility. They are incredibly difficult to play but can be devastating in the hands of an experienced player. They have a unique "Soul Essence" resource that they collect by killing enemies to power their abilities.

Unit TypeUnits
Commander/HeroHaemonculus
Light InfantryHellion Squad, Mandrakes, Scourges, Wych Squad
Heavy InfantryWarriors
Vehicles/WalkersReaver Jetbike (Light Vehicle), Raider (Light Vehicle), Ravager (Heavy Vehicle), Talos (Walker)
Relic/Super-HeavyDais of Destruction

9. Sisters of Battle Faction

The Sisters of Battle are a highly zealous faction with a playstyle that blends elements of both Space Marines and the Imperial Guard. They are excellent at breaking enemy morale and have a unique "Faith" resource that they generate through combat. This Faith allows them to use powerful special abilities.

Unit TypeUnits
Commander/HeroCanoness, Confessor, Missionary (Builder)
Light InfantryBattle Sister Squad, Seraphim Squad, Missionary (Builder), Assassin
Heavy InfantryArco-Flagellants, Celestian Squad, Retributor Squad
Vehicles/WalkersImmolator (Light Vehicle), Lightning Fighter (Aircraft), Exorcist (Heavy Vehicle), Penitent Engine (Walker)
Relic/Super-HeavyAvenging Angel
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