Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition contains the base game along with every expansion, providing players with nine different factions, each with very different styles of play. You can play as the Space Marines, Orks, Tau, Necrons, and many more, all of which have different strengths. This guide discusses each faction in detail to help you choose, learn, and effectively counter it on the battlefield!
Dawn of War – Definitive Edition Overview
The Definitive Edition combines the original game with expansions, giving players access to an assortment of nine different factions. Although the Tyranids are not present, you will find most of the major armies from the tabletop. There are many different styles of play, from the well-rounded might of the Space Marines, to the disorganized dwelling swarms of the Orks in addition to long-distance superiority of the Tau. For beginners, it will likely be overwhelming. For example, while most factions are completely distinct there are enough shared similarities that if you can master one faction, learning the other factions will be relatively quick. The simplest approach is to try a few, discover one that suits your style, and build from there.
Factions Breakdown
Chaos
- Style: Aggressive, versatile with high damage
- Mechanic: Access to Daemons
- Standouts: Bloodthirster, Daemon Prince, Defiler, Horrors
Chaos Marines operate a lot like loyalist Space Marines but lean harder into raw damage. Their real edge comes from summoning terrifying daemon units—like the colossal Bloodthirster—that can wreck morale and chew through armies. They’ve got a flexible mix of vehicles and infantry too, with Defilers acting as a reliable all-purpose unit.
Orks
- Style: Constant aggression and swarming melee
- Mechanic: Waaagh! banners expand army size
- Standouts: Nobz, Flash Gitz, Killa Kans, Squiggoth
Love chaos on the battlefield? Orks are all about drowning the map in bodies. Instead of a traditional population system, they expand their army size by throwing down Waaagh! banners—which also act as defense points. Their infantry becomes monstrous in the late game, with Nobz and Flash Gitz leading the charge. If you need a finishing move, unleash a Squiggoth and watch it bulldoze through anything in its path.
Space Marines
- Style: Balanced, good all-rounders
- Mechanic: Orbital Relay allows deep strikes anywhere you have vision
- Standouts: Terminators, Predator Tanks, Sniper Scouts
If you’re brand new, Space Marines are your safest bet. They don’t lean too heavily in any one direction, but they’re strong across the board. Their higher-tier units, like Terminators and Predators, pack serious punch, while Scouts with sniper rifles can quietly shred important targets. Late game, their Orbital Relay lets you drop troops straight into battle wherever the fog of war is lifted—perfect for surprise attacks or sudden reinforcements.
Eldar
- Style: Speedy glass cannons, hit-and-run
- Mechanic: Fleet of Foot (huge speed boost at cost of accuracy)
- Standouts: Warp Spiders, Fire Dragons, Brightlance Platforms
Eldar are specialists in mobility and precision. Their units hit hard but fold quickly if pinned down, so the trick is to jump in, deal heavy damage, and escape before the enemy can react. With Fleet of Foot, your squads zip around the map faster than almost anything else, making Eldar deadly in the hands of a quick player who enjoys micromanaging every move.
Tau Empire
- Style: Extreme long-range firepower, fragile frontlines
- Mechanic: Ranged superiority
- Standouts: Fire Warriors, Stealth Teams, Pathfinders, Hammerheads
Tau live and die by their range advantage. Fire Warriors and Crisis Suits outrange most units in the game, melting anything caught in their sights. Stealth Teams and Pathfinders help you scout and open up firing lanes. In Tier 3, you commit to either Kauyon (adds melee support for balance) or Mont’ka (focuses on devastating ranged units like Hammerheads). With the right setup, Tau can wipe out enemies before they even get close.
Dark Eldar
- Style: Ultra-fragile glass cannons, hyper-aggressive
- Mechanic: Soul Essence (harvested from the dead)
- Standouts: Hellions, Scourge, Talos, Ravagers
Dark Eldar are the definition of high-risk, high-reward. They’re even squishier than standard Eldar, but their damage output is brutal. Soul Essence, harvested from slain enemies, fuels devastating powers and buffs. Their units are lightning-fast, with Hellions and Scourge darting across the map, while Talos and Ravagers bring nasty harassment options. You won’t win by standing toe-to-toe, but with sharp micromanagement, they can shred almost anything.
Imperial Guard
- Style: Cheap swarm units backed by heavy vehicles
- Mechanic: Dirt-cheap troops, morale management is key
- Standouts: Baneblade, Leman Russ, Kasrkin, Basilisks
The Guard overwhelm through sheer numbers. Individual Guardsmen are weak, but fielding endless squads turns them into a wall of firepower. Commissars keep squads from breaking under pressure, while tanks like the Leman Russ and the game-ending Baneblade dominate later stages. Artillery pieces such as Basilisks make them even nastier at range.
Necrons
- Style: Slow early, snowball into unstoppable late-game monsters
- Mechanic: Units can resurrect; economy scales with map control
- Standouts: Necron Warriors, Destroyers, Pariahs, Monolith
Necrons start painfully slow, but if you can survive the opening, they snowball into near-unstoppable death machines. Their Monolith base eventually turns into a mobile fortress that rivals anything in the game. Necron Warriors and Destroyers hit incredibly hard and soak up tons of damage, while the Necron Lord is a powerhouse commander from the very start. To keep pace, you’ll need to seize map points early to speed up your production and tech.
Sisters of Battle
- Style: Ranged with strong morale-breaking tools
- Mechanic: Faith (used for abilities)
- Standouts: Canoness, Seraphim, Exorcist, Immolator
The Sisters aren’t as sturdy as Marines, but their Faith system lets them trigger holy powers that swing battles. They excel at wrecking enemy morale with flamers and artillery, while Seraphim squads add mobility for quick strikes. The Exorcist tank gives them heavy ranged support, making them dangerous if played with careful timing.
Every army here can shine in the right hands. Space Marines are a reliable first pick, Guard and Orks reward sheer numbers and aggression, Eldar and Dark Eldar demand finesse, while Necrons and Tau thrive in the late game. Sisters sit somewhere in the middle, leaning on morale damage and Faith abilities. The real trick? Experiment until you find the army that matches your playstyle—then learn the others so you know how to beat them.
