Total War: Warhammer 40,000: Gamescom livestream reveals campaign structure and Dreadnought mechanics

At Gamescom, Creative Assembly revealed the campaign structure of Total War: Warhammer 40,000 for the first time during a 90-minute Alpha Strike stream – including a macabre Dreadnought feature for dying Space Marines.

Whilst everyone was bustling about at Gamescom, developer Creative Assembly squeezed in a detailed Alpha Strike livestream on Total War: Warhammer 40K – and it was a real treat. For an hour and a half, the developers discussed campaign structure, faction mechanics and loads more details for Warhammer 40K fans.

How the TW Warhammer 40K campaign works

Each solar system will form its own campaign, within which you’ll conquer several regions across different planets. Once a system is completed, you’ll return to the overarching Crusade Theatre, from where you’ll tackle the next system – taking your heroes and followers with you. Around ten systems per theatre are planned, with the campaign culminating in a final battle for Armageddon. You won’t need to complete every system in full. According to the team, the scale will surpass anything Creative Assembly has built to date, including Immortal Empires.

Dreadnoughts, Watchtowers and Diplomacy

Heroes in Total War: Warhammer 40,000 are given customisable followers for their personal guard, all weapon loadouts can be freely configured, and planetary governors must be kept happy to secure diplomatic advantages. Space Marines can also poach Imperial Guard defensive units for support, whilst the Imperial Guard can build turrets and Deathstrike rocket launchers – similar to the fortresses and watchtowers from previous Total War games.

The highlight at the 1:20:35 mark in the stream: Space Marines on the brink of death can be placed inside Dreadnoughts and continue fighting – a lovely homage to the tabletop lore, where Dreadnoughts are treated as rare, valuable units with their own character status.