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For a first playthrough, follow release order: Dawn of War → Winter Assault → Dark Crusade → Soulstorm → Dawn of War II → Chaos Rising → Retribution → Dawn of War III. This puts each expansion after the game it expands and follows Relic Entertainment’s account of the series’ chapters; it is a practical release-order recommendation, not a verified campaign-by-campaign chronology.
Recommended Dawn of War play order
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Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War
Start with the original game. The current Definitive Edition bundles it with its expansions; see the edition notes below.
# Preview Product Price 1 
Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War Game of the Year - PC $38.99 Buy on Amazon 2 
Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War Soulstorm $74.50 Buy on Amazon 3 
Warhammer Dawn Of War Platinum - PC $35.96 Buy on Amazon 4 
Warhammer 40000: Dawn of War II: Chaos Rising - PC $9.99 Buy on Amazon 5 
Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War Winter Assault Expansion Pack - PC $5.69 Buy on Amazon -
Dawn of War: Winter Assault
Play the first expansion after the original Dawn of War.
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Dawn of War: Dark Crusade
Continue with the second expansion.
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Dawn of War: Soulstorm
Play the third expansion after Dark Crusade.
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Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II
Move on to the next main series chapter after the original game and its expansion sequence. Relic’s series history presents Dawn of War II as the next chapter.
#1 Best Overall
Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War Game of the Year - PC- Real-time strategy game based on the popular table-top war game
- Vie for the survival of mankind or its ultimate destruction
- Control 1 of 4 unique races
- Improved resource model makes it easier to focus on frontline action
- Single player campaigns; Multiplayer for up to 8 via LAN or Internet
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Dawn of War II: Chaos Rising
Play this Dawn of War II expansion after the base game.
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Dawn of War II: Retribution
Continue with the next Dawn of War II expansion, after Chaos Rising. Relic identifies both expansions in its series history.
Rank #2
Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War Soulstorm- Customize your hero’s weapons, items and abilities as they grow in power
- Personalize your army’s insignias, colors, banners and names
- Earn and unlock achievements and medals as you prove your superiority online in 29 NEW multi-player maps
- Includes all previous Dawn of War maps for a stunning 114 maps in total
- Groundbreaking Hybrid Expansion design allows Soulstorm to be played alone, or combine it with Dawn of War, Winter Assault, and Dark Crusade to create the largest RTS ever
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Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III
Finish with Dawn of War III, which Relic describes as the third chapter in the RTS series in its 20th-anniversary announcement.
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Does this order follow the story chronology?
Not necessarily. It is the clearest supported order for a first playthrough because it follows the series’ release progression and keeps expansions after their related games. The official material cited here does not provide a complete campaign-by-campaign chronology, so it does not establish a definitive in-universe timeline for rearranging the campaigns.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which editions should you get?
The original game and its expansions
Steam’s Dawn of War: Definitive Edition listing says the edition includes the original Dawn of War and all its expansions, with enhanced visuals, an improved camera, and 64-bit support. Steam lists its release date as August 14, 2025. It covers the original-game group in the order above; it does not bundle Dawn of War II, its expansions, or Dawn of War III.
Later entries
The later games are separate entries from the original-game Definitive Edition. The official listings cited here establish PC availability for that edition and a Steam listing for Dawn of War III, but do not establish a complete current storefront or compatibility list for every legacy game. Check the listing for the specific edition and your operating system before buying.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Real-time strategy game based on the popular table-top war game
- Vie for the survival of mankind or its ultimate destruction
- Control 1 of 5 unique races
- Improved resource model makes it easier to focus on frontline action
- Single player campaigns; Multiplayer for up to 8 via LAN or Internet
Rank #4
- Put new units for the Space Marines, Ork, Eldar, and Tyranid armies and two new last stand heroes to work for you on the battlefield.
- This expansion allows you to continue your fight against the enemies of the Emperor and use your squads’ wargear, abilities, and experience to battle Chaos in 15 new missions.
- New ice planet graphics set increases visual diversity and adds 7 new multiplayer maps while six-player online multiplayer and a raised level cap of 30 allows for even more glory and devastating abilities.
- New single player mechanic allows you to equip incredibly powerful equipment that corrupts your squad and will guide the story towards or away from the corrupting influence of Chaos.
- Swear loyalty to the Chaos Gods and play as the bloodthirsty Chaos Space Marines in multiplayer battles against both Chaos Rising and Dawn of War II owners.
What to know before purchasing
- Relic announced in July 2025 that the Definitive Edition would be available for PC on Steam and GOG. Its announcement also gave a USD $29.99 launch price and a 30% upgrade discount for eligible owners at that time; these were launch terms, not current prices or guaranteed discounts. Relic’s release announcement
- Confirm each game’s current store availability and system requirements for your setup; the cited listings do not provide a complete compatibility matrix for the full series.
- No physical accessory is required to follow this play order; the relevant purchase is the game itself.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
