Quick answer
Crusade mode, the fan-favourite endless mode originating from Dawn of War: Dark Crusade, returns in Dawn of War IV. Players manoeuvre Strike Forces across a turn-based world map of Kronus, spending limited Action Points to conquer territories, earn Requisition, and grow their forces. Five Commanders will have dedicated Crusades at launch, with additional Crusades coming free post-launch.
How Crusade mode works
You can think of Crusade mode as Dawn of War IV’s endless mode. You can play these extended campaigns again and again, and they’ll always play out differently. The mode uses a turn-based world map featuring numerous territories spread across Kronus.
On each turn, you spend a limited number of Action Points to manoeuvre your Strike Force of combat units into neutral and enemy territories. The key to success is optimising your turn: planning ahead and thinking about how to wring every last drop of value from your limited moves before the enemy responds.
Risk and reward
Each territory comes with its own set of rewards and challenges. For example, attacking a territory costs two Action Points, but one particular target might reward you with a pair of Action Points if you can overcome the challenge. If you’re confident you can win the fight, doing so extends your strategic reach and stretches out the potential of your current turn.
Automatic and manual battles
Sometimes the outcome of assaults is determined automatically based on the relative strengths of your Strike Forces and their targets. If you’re so powerful that a slam dunk looks assured, the encounter plays out automatically, allowing you to focus on the really meaty encounters.
Tougher encounters play out like traditional Dawn of War skirmishes, but in Crusades the status of your units persists between rounds. They continue earning XP and levelling up, retaining all skills and Wargear for the duration of the Crusade.
Requisition and meta-progression
As you conquer regions, you earn Requisition, which is essential for improving the defences and economies of captured territories and healing/improving your Strike Forces between battles. Rewards are adapted based on your performance: overcoming significant challenges yields better rewards.
Commander Crusades
Five Commanders will have their own dedicated Crusade when the game launches, with additional Crusades released free of charge after launch. Each Commander has their own goals, starting conditions, and combat advantages and disadvantages. A typical Crusade takes around eight to ten hours to complete.
FAQ
What is Crusade mode in Dawn of War IV?
Crusade mode is an endless strategic campaign mode where players manoeuvre Strike Forces across a turn-based world map of Kronus, spending Action Points to conquer territories and grow their forces.
How long does a typical Crusade take to complete?
A typical Crusade takes around eight to ten hours to complete, according to the development team.
Will more Crusades be added after launch?
Yes. Additional Crusades will be released free of charge after launch, beyond the five Commander-specific Crusades available at launch.