Mission 1: Imperial Advance

Complete Mission 1: Imperial Advance in Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4. Guide your forces through early objectives with this walkthrough.

The inaugural mission of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War 4, titled "Imperial Advance," serves as your initial introduction to the game's core mechanics and the grim realities of the 41st Millennium. This mission features the stalwart Space Marines, likely the Blood Ravens given their prominence in the game's marketing, alongside elements of the Imperial Guard. Your primary objective will be to establish a foothold on a contested planet and push back the initial enemy incursions. You will begin with a small contingent of Space Marine Tactical Marines and a basic command structure. The early game will focus on resource acquisition, specifically securing nearby Requisition and Power nodes. These nodes are crucial for expanding your base, producing additional units, and researching vital upgrades.

As you advance, you will encounter the first wave of enemy units. These are likely to be relatively weak, perhaps a few squads of basic Chaos cultists or a handful of lesser daemonic entities. Your Tactical Marines, armed with their bolters, are well-suited for engaging these threats at medium range. Pay close attention to the squad cohesion mechanic; keeping your squads together will grant them combat bonuses. You will also be introduced to the concept of capturing strategic points. These points, often marked by flags or control towers, provide a steady income of Requisition and Power once secured. Prioritize capturing these points early to accelerate your resource generation. As you push further into the map, you will likely unlock the ability to produce additional unit types, such as Assault Marines for close-quarters combat or Devastator Marines for heavy fire support. The mission will guide you through constructing essential production buildings, such as the Barracks for infantry and the Machine Pit for vehicles.

A key challenge in "Imperial Advance" will be managing your limited starting resources and expanding your territory efficiently. Do not overextend your forces too early, as this can leave your base vulnerable to counter-attacks. Instead, focus on securing a defensible perimeter and gradually expanding your control. You may encounter specific enemy strongpoints, such as a fortified position held by a squad of Chaos Terminators or a cluster of enemy emplacements. These will require a coordinated assault, utilizing the strengths of your available units. For instance, using Devastator Marines to suppress enemy fire while Assault Marines close the distance for melee engagement can be an effective tactic. The mission will likely culminate in a larger engagement, perhaps involving the destruction of a key enemy structure or the elimination of a more powerful boss unit. Successfully completing "Imperial Advance" will not only grant you victory in this initial skirmish but also unlock further missions and introduce you to more complex strategic elements of Dawn of War 4.