Warhammer® 40,000™: Dawn of War - Soulstorm
The new chapter will feature an entire intergalactic campaign, spanning not just a planet, but an entire star system - building on the revolutionary meta-game from Dark Crusade. Soulstorm will also introduce air units, additional units for the existing 7 races, and multiplayer achievements to boot.
RTS and Warhammer 40,000 fans are in for a treat then, as Relic, in association with Iron Lore Entertainment, continues its tradition of genre leading gameplay and strategic depth. We'll have plenty more on this soon, so stay tuned.
WARHAMMER 40,000: DAWN OF WAR - SOULSTORM DEVELOPER DIARY
Designer Ben Schneider introduces the Celestian Squad and Scourge Squad
Iron Lore Entertainment's designer and writer Ben Schneider introduces some of the new units in Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Soulstorm:
If you’re not familiar with the Warhammer 40,000 universe, let me tell you: It’s a dark and wild vision of the future, where only the most deadly and warlike races have survived. The Sisters of Battle represent the direct fighting arm of the human Ecclesiarchy, and are famed for their righteous zeal – and penchant for burning things. The Dark Eldar are the twisted kindred of the ancient Eldar race. They are a nation of deadly pirates, whose treasure is the souls of their victims, which they consume to prolong their depraved lives, and this week, we’re going to take a closer look at the Celestian Squad and the Scourge Squad.
Celestian Squad
First formed in the Age of Apostasy and redeemed by the Reformation, the Sisters of Battle have been the most incorruptible defenders of the Imperium of Man. All Battle Sisters were recruited as orphans, and have spent their whole lives knowing only harsh discipline and the teachings of the Ecclesiarchy.
A Battle Sister may be recruited to become a Celestian if she shows remarkable promise or is a proven veteran of many conflicts. But she must be more than a superior soldier; she must possess fierce, unwavering faith in the Imperium and a burning hatred of its enemies. This religious fervor makes Celestians trustworthy bodyguards and inspiring examples on the battlefield. They are one of a select number of deployable units who garner the Faith resource, which allows the Sisters of Battle to perform their miraculous Acts of Faith.
To supplement their religious ardor, Celestians are also bearers of heavy weaponry. Celestians are the only infantry provisioned with the Sisterhood’s famed Melta- and Multi-Melta guns, which burn through flesh, metal, and other substances with equal effectiveness.
It is said the appearance of Celestians in a battle is much like the rising sun. The standard ranks of Battle Sisters, wearied and injured, are granted new eyes to tell dark from light, while the shadows of evil dissolve and flee from their fiery gaze.
Scourge Squad
The heavy infantry of the Dark Eldar are nothing like the sun. They are far more likely to blot it out – flocks of them lifting off on grotesque daemon-like wings, their Splinter Cannons poised and ready to fire in a blaze of death and terror. These dark and brooding warriors rely on the range of their weapons and the gift of flight to appear where least expected and then be gone again.
Scourges may be equipped with Dark Lances, rendering them as lethal to vehicles and buildings as their Splinter Cannon are to infantry. Although they are terrifyingly adept with both weapons, Scourges take great pride in the fact that they do not dilute the purity of their purpose with melee training. As a result, they are quite vulnerable to close combat – or would be, if they could somehow be cornered and grounded. Translation: not very likely, and woe to the fool who tries it and fails.
The horrifying image of the Engine and its repenter is nothing but an inspiration to the Battle Sisters: that someone would sacrifice themselves in this way is the truest testament to their beliefs.
Towering above troops, tanks, and other walkers, the Penitent Engine dispenses with all such foes swiftly, and wreathed in glorious flame.
