How to Install Mods in Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War

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One of the biggest improvements in Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition is switching to a 64-bit engine. This change significantly increases the game’s memory capacity, enabling it to handle thousands of units on the screen. Previously, the game struggled beyond a few hundred units, but now it runs much more smoothly and with greater stability.

This upgrade has led to a major boost in stability for popular mods, from extensive overhauls to new factions. In this guide, we’ll explain how modding works in the definitive edition and show you how to install mods using the game’s built-in mod manager.

How To Use Mods In Dawn of War

Dawn of War: Definitive Edition includes a built-in mod organizer accessible through the main menu. Any mods placed into the game’s main folder will appear in this organizer. To use a mod, just select it and launch the game from the organizer to apply the changes.

Installing Mods

The steps to install mods depend on which version of Dawn of War you are using.

For Non-Definitive Edition Users:
Most mods can be installed by copying the files into the main game directory. Afterward, start the game and select the mod from the organizer. Some mods may need to be installed separately or require a special installer—be sure to check the instructions on the mod’s page.
For Definitive Edition Users:
Navigate to the folder at %AppData%\Roaming\Relic Entertainment\Dawn of War. Inside, find or create a folder called “Mods.” Unzip your mod files into this folder. If there’s no “Mods” folder, just make one.

It’s important to note that if you previously had the non-definitive version, the definitive edition should automatically detect your existing mods, and they should appear in the game’s mod manager. If a mod doesn’t launch or isn’t visible, it might not be compatible with the definitive edition. Patches and updates are expected to improve mod compatibility soon after launch, so early on, some mods might need updates from their creators.

Mods made before the release of the definitive edition may require updates by the original creators to work with the new features. Popular mods like Ultimate Apocalypse and the Unification Mod are expected to be updated within a few weeks after the game’s launch.