How many races are in Dawn of War III?
Dawn of War III (2017) has three playable races: the Space Marines, the Eldar and the Orks. Each faction has its own heroes ("elites"), units and super-weapon-style abilities. Relic did not add further factions before it stopped developing the game, so three is the final number.
The three factions
- Space Marines (Blood Ravens): durable, versatile infantry and vehicles, with drop-pod and orbital abilities. A good choice for learning the game.
- Eldar: fast and fragile units, shields and teleporting buildings. They reward precise control.
- Orks: numerous, aggressive units that can scavenge scrap to upgrade and rebuild. They suit players who like constant pressure.
How it compares to earlier games
Dawn of War III has fewer factions than the earlier games in the series, which is one of the common criticisms:
- Dawn of War (2004) started with four races and grew through expansions; the Soulstorm expansion brought the total to nine.
- Dawn of War II (2009) launched with Space Marines, Orks, Eldar and Tyranids. Chaos Rising added Chaos Space Marines and Retribution added the Imperial Guard, for six.
If you want the most factions in one package, the original Dawn of War with all its expansions has the largest roster.
FAQ
Which Dawn of War has the most factions?
The original Dawn of War with the Soulstorm expansion, which has nine playable races.
Are Tyranids in the first Dawn of War?
No. Tyranids first became playable in Dawn of War II.
Are Necrons in Dawn of War?
Yes, Necrons are playable in the original Dawn of War's Dark Crusade and Soulstorm expansions, but not in Dawn of War II or III.
Does Dawn of War II have multiple endings?
The Retribution campaign has different endings depending on which faction you play, while the main campaigns follow a set story.