Total War: Warhammer 40K Hands-On: New Engine and Ranged Combat Shift the Formula

Creative Assembly's first foray into the Warhammer 40K universe uses the new WarCore engine and emphasizes ranged combat, a departure from the series' melee focus. A hands-on build included a tutorial, campaign tease with unit customization, and a large battle, all featuring Space Marines. The preview highlighted mechanics like strafe-firing, suppression, and orbital drop pods, though unit customization remains basic.

The preview build showcased three distinct segments—a tutorial, a campaign mission, and a large-scale battle—all centered on Space Marine forces. Creative Assembly's new WarCore engine powers the title, marking a significant technical shift for the franchise. The campaign slice included unit customization options, though these were described as relatively limited in their current state, suggesting deeper systems may arrive later.

Combat mechanics have been reworked to accommodate the futuristic setting, introducing strafe-firing, suppression effects, and orbital drop pod reinforcements. Notably, the game omits traditional ammo management entirely. While ranged combat takes priority, melee engagements remain intact, with the engine's capabilities showcased through detailed close-combat animations and environmental interactions during paused moments.