Creative Assembly has detailed the campaign structure and new gameplay systems for Total War: Warhammer 40k during a Gamescom demonstration and Alpha Strike livestream. The PC strategy game introduces a multi-tiered campaign map across solar systems and planetary regions.

Quick Facts

  • Platform: PC
  • Campaign Scope: Each solar system contains a campaign across multiple planetary regions, feeding into a wider Crusade Theatre with roughly ten systems per theatre culminating on Armageddon.
  • Retinue Progression: Characters and retinues carry over when moving to a new system campaign within a Crusade Theatre.
  • Dreadnought Mechanic: 'Dead' Space Marine characters can be interred inside Dreadnoughts to continue serving in combat.

Crusade Theatre and Campaign Scale

The campaign structure requires players to fight through individual solar systems, battling across multiple regions on each planet. Upon completing a campaign, the view zooms out to the wider Crusade Theatre. Players can then begin a new campaign in another system, bringing their existing characters and retinues along. According to the developer, each theatre features about ten systems and culminates in a final battle on Armageddon, making it larger than any previous Creative Assembly project, including Immortal Empires.

Customization and Planetary Control

Heroes in Total War's upcoming grimdark strategy title can be equipped with 'followers' that alter the unit composition of their bodyguard retinue. Unit weapon loadouts are fully customizable. Managing diplomacy requires appeasing planetary governors to unlock specific diplomatic actions and support.

Factions also gain distinct strategic mechanics. Space Marines can co-opt Planetary Defense Armies from the Imperial Guard as backup. Meanwhile, the Imperial Guard can construct planetary structures such as artillery batteries and deathstrike missile launchers.

Dreadnoughts and Super-Heavy Units

One of the more lore-driven additions involves character permadeath. If a Space Marine hero falls in battle, players can place their character inside a Dreadnought to keep them active in the roster. Dreadnoughts and Land Raiders function more like characters, treated as rare, powerful ancient creations.