2.9.0 Update Patch Notes

Today’s update aims to improve multiplayer balance in the latter stages of a match while continuing to refine the changes we made previously for the early and mid-game in update 2.8.0. 

As part of this, we’re moving the second global research for Requisition and Power for Eldar and Tau to Tier 3. These factions could previously research them at Tier 2.5, which allowed them to easily get further ahead in games if they were already winning. 

The team will continue to monitor the state of the multiplayer meta after this update, with a focus on additional adjustments for update 2.10.0 in the months ahead. 

Thank you to all our players for your ongoing feedback and bug reports! Your passion has been instrumental in our ongoing support of Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition. 

Automatch & Modding 

  A Fair Multiplayer Experience 

Thanks to the passion and dedication of this community, we have been able to re-invest in creating a more balanced and stable Multiplayer experience in Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition. Updates 2.8.0 and 2.9.0 both contain balance changes as well as enhanced detection and reporting on mod (and cheat) usage in Automatch. Going forward from the release of update 2.9.0, there are new policies being enforced to create a more even playing field for all players. 

Behaviors we are detecting and punishing from this day forward include but are not limited to: 

• Fog of War Removal / Map Hacks – mods that reveal units that would otherwise be obscured from the camera / on the minimap 

• Maximum Camera Distance – mods that allow for a much larger overview of the map than intended. Starting in 2.9.0, loose file mods will no longer impact the camera when playing Automatch. These mods will continue to work in all other modes. 

• Atmospheric Fog Removal – mods typically paired with camera distance mods intended to reveal more of the battlefield than intended 

The above behaviors all run counter to the intended mulitplayer experience as designed by the team at Relic (both past and present). 

Note: These policies apply to the base Automatch pool for the game – those playing Automatch with large scale multiplayer mods are placed into their own matchmaking queues that do not enforce these policies. Those playing custom games or watching replays are also not restricted. 

Those reported or detected using mods (cheats) that violate the spirit of fair competition will receive suspensions that start with 48h bans from Automatch and escalate to permanent suspension for repeat of flagrant offenders. 

Multiplayer Balance  

Chaos 

For Chaos, we’re making some minor tweaks to vehicles as well as buffing the Daemon Prince so that it can have more impact in the late game. 

The Defiler changes in update 2.8.0 were too harsh. It will get back its Area of Effect but will have reduced damage, morale damage, and knockback force. 

We’re also making the Chaos Space Marines take less time to recover from the morale break status to improve their performance in some matchups. 

Chaos Space Marines 

• Morale required to remove morale break status reduced from 150 to 100 

Chaos Vehicles 

• Now have the same bonus from heavy cover as the vehicles from all other factions 

• Ranged damage received while in heavy cover reduced from 80% to 75% 

Defiler 

• Battlecannon Area of Effect increased from 3 to 4 

• Battlecannon damage, morale damage and knockback force decreased by 25% 

Daemon Prince 

• Base regeneration rate increased from 4hp/s to 6hp/s 

• Damage against Vehicle High (Relic Vehicles and a few heavily armored vehicles like the Killa Kan, Baneblade and the Dais of Destruction) and Daemon High (Relic units other than vehicles and the Daemon Prince) increased by 50% 

• Daemon Roar ability radius increased from 10 to 15 

• Daemon Roar ability cooldown increased from 60s to 100s 

• Daemonic Strength ability cooldown reduced from 200s to 150s (This ability is the same for the Chaos Lord which is also affected) 

Sacrificial Circle 

• Symbol of chaos research time reduced from 70s to 60s 

• Daemonic Strength research time reduced from 80s to 50s 

Obliterators 

• Teleport time reduced from 5s/5s to 2.5s/2.5s to teleport/become mobile again 

Chaos Energies 

• New: Now gives +1500 health to the Daemon Prince 

• Chaos Predator health bonus from +1000 to +1300 

Possessed Space Marines 

• Reinforce cost reduced from 65/30 to 60/25 

• Squad Cost reduced from 260/120 to 240/100 

• Daemonic Fire morale dps decreased from 30 to 20 

Chaos Predator 

• Base damage of starting weapons (autocannon and heavy bolters) increased by 10% 

Dark Eldar 

Dark Eldar have been very strong since the last update and are receiving several adjustments to their early game as a result.  

We’ve also added two new T3 research items to allow for some scaling of infantry damage and health in the latter stages of the game. 

Reaver Jetbike 

• Damage decreased by 10% for all weapons 

• Armor Piercing against Commanders increased by 25% for all weapons 

• Damage against Infantry Low (all builders except Techpriest Enginseer) further decreased by 20% for all weapons 

Warrior Squad 

• Health Decreased from 300 to 275 

Hellion Squad 

• Damage against Infantry Low (all builders except Techpriest Enginseer) decreased by 30% on all weapons for both Hellions and their squad leader 

• Damage decreased by 10% on all ranged weapons for both Hellions and their squad leader 

Animus Vitae 

• Refresh Time increased from 1s to 1.5s (this affects how often the lifesteal damage triggers) 

Crucible of Malediction 

• Duration decreased from 6s to 5s 

• Cooldown increased from 120s to 150s 

Incubus 

• Reinforce rate increased from 10s to 15s 

Wych Squad 

• Ranged damage decreased by 20% 

• Wych Succubus ranged damage decreased by 20% 

• Combat Drugs ability duration decreased from 15s to 12s 

Warp Beast Pack 

• Beastmaster Tame Warp Beasts ability cooldown decreased from 180s to 120s 

• Damage against Building Low (mostly Listening Points, Generators, Turrets and Mine Fields) decreased by 30% 

Ravager 

• Horrorfex Bomb ability area of effect decreased from 10 to 6 

• Horrorfex Bomb ability duration decreased from 15s to 8s 

NEW: Improved Wraithbone Battlesuits 

• Requirements: Planetary Strike Add-on (T3 HQ), Wraithbone Woven Battlesuits (same slot in Haemonculus’ Laboratory) 

• Cost: 100/50, 30 seconds research time 

• Scourges health increased by 75 

• Wyches health increased by 150 

• Warriors health increased by 75 

NEW: Improved Soulseeker Ammunition 

• Requirements: Planetary Strike Add-on (T3 HQ), Soulseeker Ammunition (same slot in Haemonculus’ Laboratory) 

• Cost: 100/50, 40 seconds research time 

• Scourge squad Splinter Cannon damage increased by 25% 

• Warrior squad Splinter Rifle damage increased by 25%, this includes the Splinter Rifle on the Raider when Warriors are embarked on it. 

• Wyches ranged damage increased by 25% 

Eldar 

We’re continuing to adjust the early game for Eldar with some small nerfs to Rangers and Dark Reapers. We have a…