Sweeping, strafing and suppression: Total War: Warhammer 40,000 threatens to blow up Total War's combat fundamentals - Rock Paper Shotgun

What the report says

Rock Paper Shotgun reports that Creative Assembly used a livestreamed battle between the Imperium and the Orks to demonstrate how Total War: Warhammer 40,000 may significantly alter the series’ approach to ranged combat. The presentation focused on features such as drop pods, flamers, evasion statistics, weapon behavior and unit autonomy, suggesting a shift away from the more traditional Total War pattern of static missile troops positioned behind melee lines.

According to the report, units in the new strategy game can operate as combined-arms formations, with individual fighters and vehicles carrying multiple weapons and selecting targets based on battlefield context. Some troops can spread attacks through “sweeping fire,” while suppression can reduce enemy effectiveness. Soldiers may also use ranged weapons during close combat when appropriate, and vehicles can assign different weapons to different threats.

The article highlights a more granular simulation of individual behavior: soldiers target opposing soldiers, line of sight is calculated at the individual level, and ammunition magazines are tracked separately. Units can fire while moving, though accuracy varies by faction and situation; Space Marines are described as more suited to strafing, while Imperial Guard benefit from holding positions. A sentry-style targeting option allows players to prioritize incoming enemies before they enter range.

Rock Paper Shotgun frames the changes as potentially closer to faster, more flexible real-time strategy games such as Dawn of War, while noting that the practical impact remains uncertain until players can test it. The preview also points to the importance of cover, elevation and destructible terrain, including collapsing buildings and creating craters for protection.