History Characters / DawnOfWar

* AwesomeMcCoolName: His name is awesomely evil.

For named members of the [[Literature/Blood Ravens Blood Ravens]] Space Marine Chapter throughout the series, [[Characters/BloodRavens refer to this separate character page]].

For named members of the Blood Ravens Chapter throughout the series, [[Literature/BloodRavens refer to this separate character page]].

[[foldercontrol]]
!Imperium of Man: Space Marines (Blood Ravens)

[[folder:Chapter Master Gabriel Angelos]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Gabriel_Angelos_DoW_468.png]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Gabriel_Angelos_DoW2_7002.jpg]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/gabriel_icon.png]]

-->''"In this dark place, in this dark hour, we will stand against the enemies of the Emperor. And they shall know that not even here, on this desecrated, infernal rock, will we suffer the existence of the heretic."''\\
'''Voiced By:''' Creator/PaulDobson (''Dawn of War'', ''Chaos Rising'' and ''Retribution'')[=/=]Creator/BrianDobson (''Dawn of War II'') [=/=] Alec Newman (''Dawn of War III'')

One of the major characters throughout the whole series, Gabriel Angelos is the esteemed commander of the Literature/BloodRavens 3rd Company, which played a vital role in the defense of Tartarus. With the aid of Inquisitor Mordecai Toth, he defeated the Sorceror-turned Daemon Prince Sindri. Despite his victory, Angelos inadvertently released a powerful daemon of Khorne from the Maledictum, an act which he has long sought to correct.

Like many of the Blood Ravens, Gabriel was born on the planet of Cyrene, from whence the Chapter often drew recruits. Gabriel was an accomplished leader of his peers before he even entered his teen years, and passed the Blood Trials set by the Blood Raven Chaplains through working in tandem with fellow initiate Isador Akios.

Gabriel was also responsible for calling forth an Exterminatus upon Cyrene, after he became convinced of the taint of Chaos that nestled itself amongst the population. While he has not regretted his decision to call forth the Inquisition, he has always regretted that he did not see the rot before it spread.

Gabriel is amongst the greatest heroes of the Chapter and held as the crowning example of the glory of the Blood Ravens' past. During the events of ''Chaos Rising'', he and the Force Commander uncovered the taint of evil within their own Chapter and defeated the Black Legion under Lord Eliphas the Inheritor. Gabriel was branded a renegade for the temerity of standing against the traitors. Now, he gathers his forces for the final climactic showdown with Azariah Kyras, who has thrown in his lot with the very same daemon Gabriel released decades ago
----
* AntiHero: Is quite firmly a UnscrupulousHero, like most protagonists in this universe. He called for the annihilation of his homeworld without hesitation, although he came to regret it afterwards. ValuesDissonance is a bit in play here; by and large the Imperium doesn't consider purging a "corrupted" world to be morally questionable and the Exterminatus of Cyrene could easily be construed as LawfulGood InUniverse.
* ArrestedForHeroism: Well, not arrested ''per se'', but [[spoiler:being declared as a traitor and renegade to your Chapter for disobeying orders to abandon your recruiting worlds]] is not that far off.
* TheAtoner: For the Exterminatus of Cyrene, [[spoiler:and later, the releasing of the daemon in the Maledictum]].
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: By the Golden Throne of Terra, YES.
* AwesomeMcCoolName: Go on, say his name. It'll boost your muscle mass by 40% and give you a beard even if you're a woman.
* AwesomeMomentOfCrowning: [[spoiler:In the ending of the Space Marine campaign in ''Retribution'' he becomes the new Chapter Master of the Blood Ravens.]]
* BadassBaritone: Paul- and Brian Dobson voiced this character.
* BadassBoast: At the end of his monologue in the final mission of ''Retribution'', Gabriel describes himself rather modestly;
-->'''Gabriel:''' Such is the final testimony of Gabriel Angelos. Captain of the Blood Ravens 3rd Company. Savior of Tartarus. '''Bane''' of the Black Legion. Servant of the Emperor.
* BadassCape: Has one attached at the back of his armor, as Captain of the 3rd Company. [[spoiler:He still has one attached to his Tacitus-pattern Terminator Armor as Chapter Master in ''Dawn of War III.'']]
* BadassInCharge: Of the 3rd Company [[spoiler:and later, the entire chapter as the Space Marine campaign in ''Retribution'' is canon]].
* BigGood: Served as one in ''Dawn of War II'' and ''Chaos Rising'', considering that the main focus of both games were on the playable Force Commander.
* BlingOfWar: As Space Marine Captain, he gets to wear quite a lot of bling. [[spoiler:He gets even more bling when he becomes Chapter Master. His outfit in ''Dawn of War III'' is a very bling-heavy set of Tacitus-pattern Terminator Armor.]]
%%* BloodSplatteredWarrior: In the ''Retribution'' opening cinematic.
* {{Canon}}: [[spoiler:His presence in ''Dawn of War III'' with him in Chapter Master outfit as of the last scene in ''Retribution'']], this pretty much confirms that [[spoiler:the Space Marine campaign is canon, or at least part of it]].
* TheCaptain: Of the Blood Ravens 3rd Company, [[spoiler:up until the end of ''Retribution''.]]
* ChurchMilitant: Goes with being an Imperial Soldier.
* CoolStarship: Prior to ''Dawn of War III'', he was in command of the Third Company Battle Barge, the ''Litany of Fury''. [[spoiler:With his ascension to the rank of Chapter Master, the presumption is that he is now in command of the Chapter's flagship, the ''Omnis Arcanum'' (Though this is still disputed, since ''III'' featured a different Battle Barge under his command, the ''Dauntless''.)]]
* CoolSword: Had a Power Sword before taking up his iconic hammer.
* CrutchCharacter: When you get him in [[spoiler:the final level of ''Dawn of War II's'' campaign]], he can grant invulnerability to multiple units. By this point though, you're unlikely to need it.
* {{Cyborg}}: [[spoiler:After being struck down by Kyras, should you complete the Space Marine campaign, his coronation as Chapter Master will have him almost completely rebuilt with cybernetic implants.]]
* DentedIron: ''Dawn of War III'' shows him after the brutality he endured in ''Retribution'', having had obvious [[WeCanRebuildHim extensive cybernetic reconstruction]] and missing one eye.
* TheDeterminator: Even above normal Space Marines. It takes a lot to remain pure and faithful [[spoiler:when your best friend, half of your chapter, and even your Chapter Master have turned to Chaos right in front of you.]]
* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: Did you just send a Daemon Prince screaming back to the Warp?
* DropTheHammer: Wields the Daemonhammer [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast God-Splitter]]. It was given to him by Inquisitor Toth.
* EyeScream: After [[spoiler:an ascended Kyras beat him into the ground]] he took a lot of damage from that attack; suffice to say that losing his right eye was probably the least damage he took.
* AFatherToHisMen: He seems to value his brothers' lives if his outburst towards Inquisitor Toth is any indication.
--> '''Gabriel:''' You lied to me and cost me men!\\
'''Toth:''' Better they die, their blood pure! If you feel warranted in handing out recriminations, then their deaths are on your head! I warned you to leave this world, to leave Tartarus for the warp storm.\\
'''Gabriel:''' Your words still ring untrue, Inquisitor. I know you were here before we arrived.
* TheFettered: In ''Retribution'', Gabriel cannot directly take the fight to Kyras without shedding the blood of fellow Blood Ravens (though how many of them are actually loyal and simply doing their duty is difficult to determine), which is a cardinal sin to most Space Marines. As such, he is left with no other alternative to report Kyras' actions to the Imperial Inquisition. [[spoiler:When Kyras threw his lot completely with the Daemon of the Maledictum and attempted to ascend to Daemonhood however, Gabriel immediately led the Third Company against him on Cyrene]]
* TheGoodCaptain: He's not only a great warrior, but like other 'nice' Space Marine chapters he makes the extra effort of rescuing civilians and other Imperial forces from certain death if possible.
* GoodIsNotNice: Standard for "heroes" in ''TabletopGame/Warhammer40000''. Gabriel will kill you brutally if he has a good reason for it, but that's about as good as you can get here.
* TheHero: Served as one in ''Dawn of War'', in command of the Third Company during the Battle of Tartarus. Has seceded this role in later games to Brother-Captains Thule (''Dark Crusade''), Boreale (''Soulstorm'', to disastrous results), the unnamed Force Commander (''Dawn of War II'' and the ''Chaos Rising'' expansion), and Diomedes (''Retribution''). Returns to this status in ''Dawn of War III''.
* HeroicWillpower: He can defy the whispers of daemon princes.
* HeterosexualLifePartners: With Isador Akios, [[spoiler:up until his betrayal on Tartarus.]]
* HonorBeforeReason: Angelos will settle the matter adhering to the Commandments of the God-Emperor, regardless of what happens.
* HumbleHero: According to Cyrus. After being told that the battlefield where the Tyranid Hive Fleet was defeated is being called "Gabriel's Miracle", Cyrus states that credit should go to the Emperor and that Angelos himself would be the first to agree.
* HurtingHero: Over [[spoiler:Isador's betrayal]] and the Exterminatus of Cyrene.
* IDidWhatIHadToDo: Calling down Exterminatus on Cyrene, his own homeworld.
* InSeriesNickname: Called "Gabriel of the Hidden Heart" by the Harlequins of Arcadia in the ''Dawn of War'' novels. Of course, Gabriel thinks lowly of this, as would any zealous warrior of the Emperor.
* KickTheMoralityPet: The Exterminatus of Cyrene perhaps counts. [[spoiler:If you were less than fully righteous in your triumph over the Black Legion, he sends you and your squads on a Crusade of Absolution to the Eye of Terror without support for a hundred years to get your honour back, which will likely cost you your life.]]
* KnightInSourArmor: About as close to a hero as you can get from this setting.
* KnightTemplar: Without a second thought, this man called down the complete and utter destruction of his own homeworld when he was convinced that the people had abandoned the Emperor. The only thing he regrets is that he didn't root out the cultists sooner and harder. On the other hand, he now regards it as [[MyGreatestFailure a failure on his part]], and was afraid he would bring it upon Tartarus in kind. [[spoiler:He also seems to be aware of this in ''Retribution'' and sort-of acknowledges it's a flaw]].
* LargeHam: Has his moments, especially in ''Retribution'':
-->'''Gabriel:''' SUCH ARE THE WAYS OF DAEMONS, TO LIE AND MISLEAD US! DESTROYING IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO AVOID ITS INFLUENCES!
* LightningBruiser: Wears a huge and bulky suit of Terminator Armor in ''III'', but is able to pull off impressive jumps, apparently due to the power of his Daemonhammer, Godsplitter.
* LiteraryAllusionTitle: Well, ''name'', but still. Named after [[Literature/TheBible God's Right Hand, the Archangel Gabriel.]]
* MadeOfIron: [[spoiler:Crushed by a blow from a Daemon Prince and still manages to survive.]]
* {{Mangst}}: He genuinely mourns Cyrene, his homeworld. Not that it was destroyed, but rather that he couldn't do more to stop the taint of Heresy. In true 40K fashion, however, he does not allow it to distract him from giving the God-Emperor's enemies a righteous ass-kicking.
* MeaningfulName: ''Gabriel'' '''Angelos''', The Emperor's ''Angel of Death''.
* MyGreatestFailure: Has regarded the Exterminatus of Cyrene, and Isador's fall to Chaos on Tartarus as such.
-->'''Gabriel:''' How could I have not seen this? Why is it I am blind when it matters the most?!\\
'''Isador:''' Are you referring to these traitorous guardsmen, or the destruction of your homeworld -- Cyrene?\\
'''Gabriel:''' I should have seen the rot before it spread. Instead I was blind for far too long. I put my own world to the torch, I killed with the Inquisition's eager sanction and watched too many innocents die in a holy fire storm! And yet, here I am again at yet another door step... with the executioner's blade in my very hand.
* {{Narrator}}: He's the narrator for each of the opening mission logs in ''Dawn of War'', each of the opening cutscenes in ''Dawn of War II'', and the entire Tyranid campaign in ''Retribution''. But the last one's because the Tyranids don't really have characters capable of giving exposition in the missions themselves as the other campaigns do.
* NecessarilyEvil: Standard for the Imperium, but he at least regrets the evil part.
* NiceJobBreakingItHero: Though things were already set upon a hard road thanks to Ulkair, it is reasonable to assume that road would have been easier had Gabriel heeded Macha and not destroyed the Maledictum.
* OlderThanTheyLook: Looks to be in his sixties, really in his three-hundreds.
* OldSoldier: Gabriel is a 300+-year-old Space Marine captain who has, among other things, single handedly banished a Daemon Prince back to the warp.
* OneManArmy: In the tutorial mission for ''Retribution'', he and Jonah Orion fight through dozens of Chaos Cultists and Chaos Space Marines who are defending [[spoiler:Azariah Kyras, since the tutorial is basically the final mission from Gabe's perspective.]]
* OnlyMostlyDead: [[spoiler:In the Space Marine ending of ''Retribution'', he survives the mother of all pile drivers from Kyras and is [[WeCanRebuildHim saved via bionic replacements]]. He goes on to become the new Chapter Master.]]
* TheParagon: Pure and noble even in the face of extreme heresy.
* PermaStubble: He has this as of ''Dawn of War II''.
* RatedMForManly: Come on, if you've faced a [[BigRedDevil Blood]][[DemonLordsAndArchdevils thirster]], a Squiggoth, an Avatar of Khaine, a Hive Tyrant Alpha, a kiloton or so of [[TheCorruption Chaos]], [[OurOrcsAreDifferent Orks]], [[SufficientlyAdvancedAlien Eldar]] and Traitor Guardsmen, and [[spoiler:'''2''' Daemon Princes]] and took almost all of them down, nobody will doubt the size of your balls.
* ReallySevenHundredYearsOld: Definitely over 300, judging by the number of service studs he has (each stud is awarded for one century of combat).
* RealMenLoveJesus: Like all Space Marines, Gabriel is a faithful and devoted servant of the God-Emperor of Man.
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: From ''Dawn of War II'' onwards.
* RedOniBlueOni: The Blue to Isador Akios's red. Interestingly, Akios' and Angelos' colors are actually in reverse, thanks to the former being a Librarian.
-->'''Isador:''' I do not care for all this sneaking about.\\
'''Gabriel:''' I know old friend. You've always favoured the direct approach.
* SelfMadeOrphan: According to the books his own father was one of the leaders behind the Heresy on Cyrene, although this probably isn't canon.
* ShouldersOfDoom: With giant golden eagles stuck on 'em! See BlingOfWar above.
* ShutUpHannibal: Two epic ones to [[spoiler:Isador]] and [[spoiler:Kyras]]. See LargeHam for the latter, for the former:
--> '''Gabriel:''' I betrayed '''NO ONE!''' Innocents die so that Humanity may live, I ended their suffering, as I will end yours!
* SupportingLeader: He's this from ''Dawn of War II'' onwards.
* SwordAndGun: Wields a Power Sword and Bolt Pistol in ''Dawn of War''. He throws away the Bolt Pistol after [[spoiler:Isador's execution]], and replaces the sword with "God-Splitter". The pistol later becomes a wargear drop in ''Dawn of War II'', aptly named "Left Hand of Gabriel".
* SwordOfPlotAdvancement: The Daemonhammer Mordecai Toth gifted to him at the climax of the Tartarus campaign proved to be integral in overcoming Sindri Myr, who had ascended to daemonhood through the powers of the Maledictum Daemon. Fitting, as God-Splitter was always intended by the Inquisition to destroy the Daemon of the Maledictum.
* TranquilFury: After [[spoiler:Isador's betrayal]] Gabriel keeps his cool surprisingly well... in conversation at least. His actions, however, say something different.
-->'''Toth:''' ...And the good Captain?\\
'''Sergeant:''' I would call him 'Starved for Vengeance', but my words are inadequate to encompass his fury.\\
* Both watch as Gabriel [[RoaringRampageOfRevenge annihilates a Chaos force]] [[ThereIsNoKillLikeAnOverkill with an orbital strike.]]*\\
'''Gabriel:''' Make ready. We have wasted enough time, and suffered for it.
* WarriorMonk: Comes with being a Space Marine.
* WeCanRebuildHim: After the events of ''Retribution'', he is canonically given extensive bionic augmentations to restore him to battle-readiness.
* WhereIWasBornAndRazed: His own homeworld of Cyrene, to which he ordered Exterminatus on.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Brother-Librarian Isador Akios]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Isador_7487.png]]

-->''"Through the destruction of our enemies do we earn our salvation."''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/MarkOliver

The 3rd Company Librarian in ''Dawn of War'', and Captain Angelos' friend and confidante, having gone through the Blood Trials together during induction into the Chapter.

* BadassBoast: ''[[spoiler:I am stronger than you ever imagined. I can feel the universe tremble at my approach! '''[[ChewingTheScenery Even the GODS know my name!]]''']]''
%%* BadassBookworm: Comes with being a Librarian.%%Example how?
* EvilIsNotAToy: His folly is believing that Chaos can be used to destroy the enemies of the Imperium, not realizing that Chaos would bring ruin to those that make contact with it.
-->'''Isador''': "But Gabriel, there is much to learn from here. We should not be too eager to -\\
'''Gabriel''': "Learn what? Chaos does not teach, it misleads and it betrays. There is nothing to learn here save for our next course."
* FaceHeelTurn: [[spoiler:Through Sindri's manipulation, Isador fell to Chaos]].
* KilledOffForReal: [[spoiler:After he was defeated by Gabriel, he begged for redemption in which Angelos agreed with a bolter]].
* TheLancer: Is Gabriel Angelos' closest friend and second-in-command. [[spoiler:Before the whole being turned to Chaos thing.]]
* MagicKnight: Pretty good at melee. Strong enough to annihilate an on-rushing Ork Nob without using his psyker powers and capable of standing up to Gabriel in melee.
* PsychicPowers: Well being a librarian gives you a good set of these.
* TheReasonYouSuckSpeech: [[spoiler:He tries to give one to Gabriel after turning to Chaos. [[ShutUpHannibal Gabriel has none of it.]]]]
* RedOniBlueOni: Red to Gabriel's blue. What makes this more interesting is that Isidor is a librarian, librarians almost usually color their armor blue to easier distinguish them (besides their obvious psychic hoods). So his and Angelos' colors are actually in reverse.
-->'''Isador:''' I do not care for all this sneaking about.\\
'''Gabriel:''' I know old friend. You've always favoured the direct approach.
* RedemptionEqualsDeath: [[spoiler:Redemption by Gabriel's bolter]].
* WarriorMonk: Basically.
* YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness: [[spoiler:Upon stealing the Maledictum, he was easily subdued by Sindri and took the stone for himself. He then leaves Isador at the hands of the vengeful Gabriel.]]

[[folder:Brother-Captain Davian Thule]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Davian_Thule_DC_1367.png]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Davian_Thule_DoW2_342.jpg]]

-->''"[[MyNameIsInigoMontoya I am Davian Thule.]] [[PrepareToDie And I shall be your death, alien.]]"''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/ScottMcNeil (''Dark Crusade'')[=/=]Creator/FredTatasciore (''Dawn of War II'', ''Chaos Rising'' and ''Retribution'')

Captain Davian Thule is the leader of the Blood Ravens 4th Company, from which the Force Commander and his sergeants hail from. Like Gabriel, he is notable as one of the greatest living heroes of the Blood Ravens having began his rise to glory after slaying the Chaos Witch Morgana whilst a mere initiate. He was also a famed Devastator Marine before he became a Captain.

Prior to the Kronus campaign, he was sent to the fortress world of Cadia, which had come under attack from the Iron Warriors Chaos Legion. His forces defeated the traitor marines, but the Black Legion was en route to reinforce them. Ready to oppose the traitors, he was commanded to withdraw by Chapter Master Azariah Kyras himself. At first he refused but was forced to do so on pain of excommunication. He withdrew, but the Imperial forces managed to drive back the Chaos Legions anyway, though at a terrible cost.

He then fought the Kronus campaign and clashed with the Dark Apostle Eliphas the Inheritor. After a brutal battle, Thule and his warriors defeated the Chaos Space Marines. Thule then uncovered artifacts of the Chapter which revealed a truth... one so terrible that he ordered them destroyed. Thule also fought and defeated an Imperial Guard regiment, the 1st Kronus Liberators led by Governor-General Lukas Alexander, a decision which haunted him ever since. His refusal to vilify the guardsmen eventually led to a falling out with Chapter Command and he was assigned to custodianship over the Chapter's recruiting worlds in subsector Aurelia.

During the Tyranid invasion, he was wounded and returned as a mighty Dreadnought. He also fought in the events of ''Chaos Rising''. He is slain by [[BackFromTheDead Eliphas the Inheritor]] during the Chaos campaign of ''Retribution'', however, it is not known whether this is canon.

* BackForTheDead: [[spoiler:In ''Dawn of War II'', he was taken out by a Tyranid Warrior early on. He comes back as a Dreadnought.]] Again in ''Retribution'', [[spoiler:as the first boss of the Chaos campaign, and he doesn't come back this time.]]
* BadassBaritone: [[spoiler:Especially after becoming a Dreadnought.]]
* BadassBoast: '''I FEAR NO EVIL FOR I AM FEAR INCARNATE!!'''
* BadassInCharge: Leads all the Blood Raven forces present in the Kronus campaign and the 4th Company before and afterwards. Also commands the defense of subsector Aurelia [[spoiler:until he gets mortally wounded by a Tyranid Warrior.]]
* {{BFG}}: Wields a few in ''Dawn of War II'' onwards [[spoiler:including after being interred in a Dreadnought, should you choose to equip him with one.]]
* BigGood: In ''Dawn of War II'' [[spoiler:until he is mortally wounded by a Tyranid Warrior.]] Played straight when [[spoiler:he permanently leaves your party if your squads are too corrupted]] in ''Chaos Rising''.
* BlingOfWar: Has some pretty fancy armor, as befits a Space Marine Captain, [[spoiler:until he gets interred in a Dreadnought. He gets the bling back once he's become a Venerable Dreadnought.]]
* BringIt: His reply to Gorgutz saying he'd mount his head his "pointy stick". "You'll meet my bolter first, filth." Gorgutz was amused.
* TheCaptain: He's this for the Space Marine campaign of ''Dark Crusade''. By ''Dawn of War II'', he moves in to the BigGood role for the first few missions, until he was critically wounded from a Tyranid attack.
* ContinuityNod: He got his bionic eye after he was injured fighting the Necron Lord in ''Dark Crusade''.
* CoolStarship: Operates from the Litany of Fury in ''Dark Crusade''.
* CoolSword:
** Can wield one called Alexian's Blade in ''Dark Crusade''. The same sword later shows up in ''Dawn of War II'' as a wargear drop.
** In the Dawn of War novels, it was reveald that prior to the Tyranid attacks on Subsector Aurelia, he wielded a Power Sword called "Wisdom," revered as one of the Chapter's holiest relics.
* CyberneticsEatYourSoul: [[spoiler:In ''Dawn of War II'', by way of internment into a Dreadnought. He gets better in ''Chaos Rising'', though he still speaks slowly.]]
* DropTheHammer: Can wield a Daemonhammer in ''Dark Crusade''. Doesn't keep it for ''Dawn of War II'', sadly.
* AFatherToHisMen: Davian was incredibly protective of his fellow brothers, always fighting with them on the lines and genuinely caring for their safety. Very few Blood Raven lives were ever lost under his command. However, when accused by Kais of having no regard for casualties, Thule simply responds that getting emotional over men lost is a sign of weakness.
* FoeTossingCharge: As a Dreadnought he can get this skill. If you upgrade it enough, Thule can instantly kill mooks by trampling them in his charge.
* GatlingGood: His Assault Cannon can rip almost anything to shreds, even vehicles.
* GoodThingYouCanHeal: He's very powerful as a Dreadnought, however it is rather worrisome using him as he only recovers health if someone uses a repair kit on him. Not only does a kit have only 3 uses, it also takes up valuable storage space. This becomes much less of a worry, once you get him self-repair technology. Self-repair can bring Thule back from almost dying to full health in only a few seconds and there's only a short cool-down time. More advanced self-repair ability lets Thule turn into an even more heavily armored turret cannon while he's healing.
* HandCannon: In "Dark Crusade", your final ranged upgrade is a Meltagun, what makes this much more impressive is he is using the standard Meltagun even though [[http://warhammer40k.wikia.com/wiki/Inferno_Pistol Pistol]] [[http://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Inferno_pistol Variations]] do exist. (Granted they pretty rare and mostly belong to either the Blood Angels Chapter or forces who work for The Inquisition, but knowing their reputation for "borrowing", It's surprising they don't have one.)
* TheGoodCaptain: From ''Dark Crusade'' to [[spoiler:the first quarter of ''Dawn of War II''.]]
* HumongousMecha: [[spoiler:As a 'nought]]
* IncorruptiblePurePureness: In ''Chaos Rising'', Davian Thule is the only squad member who never gains corruption.
* LargeHam: In ''Dark Crusade''. He's more restrained in ''II''.
* ManInTheMachine: [[spoiler:A very, very badass man in a Dreadnought sarcophagus.]]
* MoralityPet: In ''Chaos Rising'', if the Force Commander starts becoming corrupted than Davian Thule warns him to step back from the madness. It's up to the player whether or not the Force Commander listens.
* TheMenFirst: He adheres to this method of thinking, as shown when the Blood Ravens on Calderis face an unexpected and rather large Tyranid attack, his orders are for all Blood Ravens not under attack to withdraw.
* TheMentor: Is something akin to this towards the Force Commander in the early missions of ''Dawn of War II'', until he got ambushed and poisoned by a Tyranid Hive Tyrant.
* OldSoldier: He is at least 200 years old, as shown by his two service studs.
* OneManArmy: [[spoiler:After becoming a Dreadnought in ''II'', he's widely regarded as the most powerful character next to Cyrus. His [[GatlingGood Assault Cannon Barrage]] and [[ShockwaveStomp Mighty Strike]] can lay waste to entire armies. He can hold most bosses in melee except the absolute strongest. In ''Chaos Rising'', he can use a multi-melta, giving him a Melta Sweep attack that can bring down most bosses easily, except Ulkair.]]
* TeleportersAndTransporters: Gets a Teleport Pack in ''Dark Crusade''.
%%* WarriorMonk: His job.
* WhatTheHellHero: He calls you out in ''Chaos Rising'' should you be SlowlySlippingIntoEvil.
-->[[spoiler:'''Davian Thule:''' Commander... you must step back from madness... Do not... make yourself into... my... enemy.]]

[[folder:Brother-Captain Indrick Boreale]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Indrick_Boreale_4807.jpg]]

-->''"WE ARE THE SPESS MEHREENS! WE ARE THE EMPRAH'S FURY!!"''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/ScottMcNeil (gameplay quotes recycled from Thule)

The commander of the five Blood Raven Companies deployed for the Kaurava campaign in ''Soulstorm'', and infamous for his accent and lines. Also the most famous (and only known) user of the [[ItsRainingMen Steel Rain]] strategy.

* AddedAlliterativeAppeal: A part of his infamous speech in the Space Marine stronghold mission in ''Soulstorm'':
-->'''Boreale:''' We have placed numerous beacons, allowing for multiple, simultaneous, and '''''devastating defensive deep''''' strikes.
* AsYouKnow: Makes a speech about the troop deployment and Codex Astartes tactics which the Space Marines should have known already.
* BaldOfAwesome: He is occasionally referred to in the fandom as "Indrick Baldreale of the Bald Ravens", though he's apparently only going bald and not completely hairless. Played straight if you choose to play as him, but averted if not.
* BlingOfWar: As expected of the Blood Raven's Captain he starts off with more bling than Davian Thule most notably.
* CarryABigStick: One of his Melee Upgrades is '''"Rogal's Fist"''', legends say that said Primarch himself made the mace himself to lay waste to the foes who stand before it. How it ended up in The Blood Raven's hands instead of the Imperial Fists is a mystery, but considering the chapter's [[KleptomaniacHero nature]] it probably didn't end up in their hands as a willing gift, and then considering he died it's unknown what happened to it.
* ChainsawGood: Carries an Eviscerator-like model Chainsword as a starting weapon.
* ClearTheirName: Had he won, Boreale's victory would have dispelled rumors of heresy that have been following the Blood Ravens since the Kronus Campaign. [[spoiler: Subverted because the Blood Raven Chapter Master actually is a Heretic and Traitor, and Boreale's victory might have wrongly drawn suspicion away from him.]]
* ColdSniper: At one point when he was a scout marine, he remained unmoving for days in sub-zero temperatures for the opportunity to successfully take out his Eldar Ranger target with a SniperRifle.
* DropTheHammer: His penultimate melee upgrade is just like his Predecessors is a Daemonhammer.
* DueToTheDead: Had he won, the Sisters of Battle he was forced to kill would have been buried in their own cemetery with a statue of the Canoness in the center; while the survivors are treated with respect, given medical assistance, and then granted safe passage back to their Convent Sanctorum on Ophelia VII where they are to be held at the mercy of the Inquisition. This is more respect than the other Imperial Factions show the dead from their rivals [[note]]the Sisters of Battle mass-execute all the surviving Space Marines and Guardsmen before unceremoniously dumping them in a pit, while the Imperial Guard just sorta forgets about the Sisters of Battle and Space Marines[[/note]].
* {{Egopolis}}: Had he triumphed in Kaurava, he would have apparently named the newly constructed Fortress Monastery there "Borealum".
* EpicFail: He had about ''five'' Chapter companies under his command at Kaurava, and '''''somehow''''' still lost with almost all of his battle brothers getting killed and himself in the process. [[spoiler:Kyras probably wanted that to happen.]]
* FamousLastWords: Considering that canon-wise the Blood Ravens lost at Kaurava, his line in his Stronghold defeat cutscene probably counts:
-->'''Boreale:''' ''[[spoiler:We have failed... The Emprah.]]''
* AFatherToHisMen: When attacking the Dark Eldar Base, Boreale openly praises his men for their resolve when the first group of Space Marine prisoners he frees is immediately ready to fight. After the mission it is stated that the Space Marines prisoners who were tortured or mutilated too much to continue fighting were received with understanding by their Battle Brothers and were immediately sent out for medical treatment.
* FightingForAHomeland: Had he won the Blood Ravens would have ceased their nomadic activities and turned Kaurava II into their homeworld (see Egopolis above). As soon as he landed on the planet, he noted that the people in the Land of Solitude were hardy and that the region would make a good source of recruits.
* FunetikAksent: It is customary to represent his bizarre accent with equally bizarre spelling.
* GeneralFailure: Despite having been quite an excellent Scout Marine, and having studied under Captain Angelos himself, Boreale's mismanagement of the Kaurava campaign resulted in the loss of a third of the entire chapter including himself, and his very name seems to have become taboo for certain Blood Ravens.
** FourStarBadass: If you play as him, he shows far more competency and badassery, although this is at least in part the player's doing.
* ItsRainingMen: Is a firm believer of the "Steel Rain" Strategy which allows him to send troops prematurely in maps alongside his Honor Guard.
--> As you know, most of our battle-brothers are stationed in spess, prepared to deep strike! [...] We will descend upon the foe, we will overwhelm them, we will leave none alive!
* KilledOffForReal: [[spoiler:Confirmed by the events of ''Dawn of War II''.]]
* LargeHam: Prone to loud yelling, to the point of ridiculousness.
* {{Metaphorgotten}}: "If we die this day, we die in glory. We die heroes' deaths... ''but we shall not die''."
* ThePeterPrinciple: Boreale's career is a stellar example of this trope in action. He showed amazing promise as a Scout, just as much promise during his time as a squad Sergeant... and then he was promoted to Force Commander, where he canonically couldn't live up to the role to disastrous results for the Blood Ravens.
* SwordAndGun: Starts off with a standard issue ChainSword and Bolt Pistol, but later on can get a mace, plasma pistol, Daemon Hammer and Melta Gun.
* TeleportersAndTransporters: It's one of the many Wargear you can equip him with in ''Soulstorm''.
* UriahGambit: It is implied in later games that his loss wasn't just a tragic accident and that [[spoiler:Kyras]] set the young captain up for failure by giving him a mission that he was too inexperienced to handle [[spoiler:thus killing loyal Marines and weakening the chapter for Kyras' eventual betrayal.]]
* WhatTheHellIsThatAccent: He sounds like a slightly more coherent Creator/TommyWiseau. ''Slightly.''

[[folder:The Force Commander]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Force_Commander_DoW2_9628.png]]

-->''Incoherent yell'' (singleplayer)/''"[[BadassBoast I am death. I am fearless. I AM INVINCIBLE!!]]"'' (multiplayer)\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/BrianDobson (multiplayer)

The main character of ''Dawn of War II'' and ''Chaos Rising''. He was never given a name in the games, though he is referred to as Aramus in the novelization. One of the youngest Force Commanders in the Chapter's history, he was promoted for a great victory in the Hadrian campaign, where he silenced enemy artillery deep within the mountains without losing a single squad member, before the events of the games. Was promoted by the Chapter Master over the protests of other high ranking Blood Ravens, despite never having met him in person. Does not speak, except in multiplayer.

* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: While certainly true in the campaign, his initial promotion to Force Commander is hinted at as [[spoiler:a plot by Kyras to put an inexperienced commander in charge of the Blood Ravens. His initial victory in the Hadrian campaign occurred ''after'' Kyras confirmed his promotion--said promotion just didn't go into effect until after the battle was won.]]
* AmbiguousSituation: It's not certain what happened to him after ''Chaos Rising''.
* AnAxeToGrind: Can wield them.
* TheAtoner: If the Force Commander has less than 12 Corruption by the end of ''Chaos Rising'', then Gabriel Angelos banishes him and his Strike Force to The Warp to fight against the forces of Chaos for 100 years. If they're still alive after that, then they'll be deemed to be absolved of their sins and permitted to rejoin the Blood Ravens.
* BadassInCharge: Commands the Blood Ravens strike force attempting to save subsector Aurelia.
* {{BFG}}: Can wield these if you invest in his Ranged discipline tree, and the [[GatlingGood Assault Cannon]] he can wield regardless of his specialization while in Terminator Armor.
* BlingOfWar: Early on, not so much. With high level armor though, he's got more bling than anyone else on the strike force.
* ChainsawGood: He can use Chainswords and they are his default melee weapon.
* CommandingCoolness: With extra Force!
* CoolStarship: He operated from two Strike Cruisers, the ''Armageddon'' in ''Dawn of War II'' and the ''Retribution'' in ''Chaos Rising''--the former having been rendered inoperable due to [[StuffBlowingUp explosion-related]] issues.
* DeathEqualsRedemption: Averted. If the Force Commander has more than 12 Corruption but less than 24 by the end of ''Chaos Rising'', Gabriel Angelos executes him with a hammer swing. The last thing Angelos tells the Force Commander is that there can be no absolution for his sins.
* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: Punching out [[spoiler:[[HumanoidAbomination Eliphas]] and [[EldritchAbomination Ulkair]]]] probably counts.
* DropTheHammer: They are his strongest melee weapons in ''Dawn of War II'' and ''Chaos Rising'', and according to ''Retribution'', he used a Thunder Hammer to banish [[spoiler:Ulkair]]. This Hammer, called Hammer of the Nameless, is available as a reward for the second to last mission in the Space Marine campaign.
%%* EverybodyCallsHimBarkeep
* FaceHeelTurn: If the Force Commander has 24 Corruption by the end of ''Chaos Rising'', he and his Strike Force flees into the Warp and joins the Black Legion.
* FoeTossingCharge: His base ability, "To Victory".
* GatlingGood: A ranged Force Commander is ludicrous with a Terminator assault cannon. With Battle Cry active, he has an ultra high chance to instantly explode any infantry class unit. This essentially gives you another Cyrus. With the right damage bonuses, he can saw buildings in half solo.
* TheHero: Since he is the PlayerCharacter.
* HeroicMime: As the loading screen for the first mission says, he is a man of few words.
* IncorruptiblePurePureness: If Martellus turns out to be the Traitor, and no squad has more than 2 Corruption, than the Force Commander is tasked with cleansing the Chapter and helps Diomedes with this task. Additionally, if The Commander and the majority of his men are pure by the end, the Commander stands side by side by Angelos as they prepare for the final battle against Kyras.
* JackOfAllTrades: It's down to the player to decide what kind of fighter he becomes. Like Tarkus, he can be built as a ranged or melee fighter, and either invest in his Stamina tree to become a tank or his Energy tree to become a better support commander. He also the broadest selection of available equipment among your playable squads, and is one of two characters capable of using Terminator armour from the start.
* JetPack: Can be equipped with Jump Packs and starts with one in ''Chaos Rising'', giving him the '[[GoombaStomp Assault Jump]]' ability.
* MadeOfIron: With the proper wargear, he can take more punishment than even the [[WalkingTank Dreadnought]], and is still a close second without them.
* MultiMeleeMaster: He can use any of the melee weapons in the game.
* NoNameGiven: He does have the name Aramus in the novels, but they had many conflicts with the games' canon and were finally relegated to CanonDiscontinuity when a piece of wargear that belonged to him showed up in ''Retribution'' referred to as "The Hammer of the Nameless".
* OneRiotOneRanger: He's the only reinforcement sent to subsector Aurelia. It's more than enough.
-->'''Narration:''' Such is your reputation, the Chapter expects that you alone will be enough to tip the balance of the fight and save Calderis.
* SwordAndGun: Starts out with a Chainsword and Bolt Pistol.
* TeleportersAndTransporters: One of his Commander Items is a Teleport Pack, and he can also get variants for Terminator Armor.
* WarriorMonk: A point which his lack of dialogue supports.

[[folder:Tactical Sergeant Tarkus]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Tarkus_6423.png]]

-->''"I stand with my brothers, Eldar witch!"''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Ian Gregory

Tarkus is the venerable sergeant of the strike force's tactical marine squad. A veteran of centuries of campaigning, Tarkus is a rock solid second-in-command. A loyal adviser, superb tactician and fearsome warrior. Tarkus served with distinction during the Kronus campaign.

When Davian Thule and his troops collapsed the Necron tombs under the Thur'Abis Plateau, he stayed back to guard the captain's retreat. While doing so, he met a Necron Tomb Spyder in single combat. He grappled with the monstrosity and shoved a krak grenade down its throat, and the resulting blast destroyed the beast, and blew off Tarkus' arm which he then replaced with a cybernetic prosthetic, as well as scarred his face.

For his valor, he was decorated with Terminator honors. During the First Aurelian Crusade he served alongside his brothers and under the Force Commander. He slew thousands of aliens, including the Eldar and their leader, Farseer Idranel, crushing her skull with his Terminator Power Fist. Tarkus' hatred of the Eldar goes back decades, wherein he was deceived by an Eldar ranger into walking into a trap which led to the deaths of his men. In his own words, he owes them 'a debt of blood and fury'.

During the events of ''Chaos Rising'', Tarkus served once more and with tremendous skill against the terrible forces of the Black Legion. He also serves Captain Diomedes as "The Ancient" during the investigation of Chapter Master Kyras, whilst under a vow of silence taken as penance for his actions during ''Chaos Rising''.

* AffablyEvil: [[spoiler:Even if he turns traitor, Tarkus still retains his sensible personality. He even advises the Blood Ravens on tactics and quotes the Codex, as he did when he was on their side. This only serves to infuriate them, though.]]
** [[spoiler:This actually makes a lot of sense considering that Tarkus's corruption ability tree is themed after Nurgle, who is also AffablyEvil.]]
* TheAtoner: For a sin he committed [[spoiler:which is apparently killing the traitor]] and he also feels responsible for the death of his past squad mates after he trusted an Eldar Ranger who then led them into a trap. Thus, Tarkus' hate for the Eldar grew to a level which only the Ordo Xenos could rival.
* BadBoss: [[spoiler: If Tarkus turns out to be the traitor, he begins the boss fight by using his possessed bolter to kill off his Chaos Marine bodyguards as a demonstration of it's power.]]
* BaldOfAwesome: He probably lost his hair a long time ago.
* BerserkButton: Eldar in general should really just frak off when they get a sighting of him. Also, the mere presence of traitors is enough for him to exhibit some TranquilFury.
* {{BFG}}: Can wield Heavy Flamers in Terminator Armor and [[spoiler:heavy weapons in ''Retribution''.]]
* BigDamnHero: After his drop pod is shot down in the first mission of ''Chaos Rising'', he rises wounded from the wreckage and delivers a righteous ass kicking to the traitor Guardsmen responsible.
* BolivianArmyEnding: [[spoiler:In the novels, he supposedly dies when he infiltrates a Tyranid hive ship to manually deliver the biotoxin. His last scene shows a Norn Queen and a horde of Tyranids bearing down on Tarkus, who is alone and equipped with naught but a combat knife and one frag grenade.]]
* BrokenPedestal: [[spoiler: If Tarkus turns out to be the Traitor then he becomes this to Thaddeus.]]
* ChainsawGood: He can wield Chainswords if you invest in his Strength discipline tree.
* CoolSword: He can also wield Power Swords in addition to Chainswords once you move further up the Strength discipline tree.
* EvilWeapon: [[spoiler:A corrupted Bolter named The Blighted Bolter used in the purge of Victory Bay. It's present in ''Dawn of War II'' as a normal Bolter which boosts melee damage, and in its corrupted form which only he can use in ''Chaos Rising'', which grants a large boost to his Strength discipline and to his melee damage. It also shoots warpfire.]]
* TheHeart: In a more gritty way than usual, considering he's the ideal [[SuperSoldier Space Marine.]] [[spoiler:If he's the traitor, pretty much everyone is shocked to learn it -- not even [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness Avitus]] can believe it]].
* JackOfAllTrades: Pretty much the most tactically versatile of all the marines under your command throughout ''Dawn of War II'' and beyond. Fitting, as he is trained for such things and is the most experienced member of the group. [[spoiler:Taken to extreme lengths in ''Retribution'', as he can fulfill the role of a Tactical Marine, Devastator Marine, Assault Marine or a combination of the three and can wield almost any weapon available.]] {{Justified}} in that space marines go through Scout, then Devastator and only then Assault duty before they (can) become Tactical Marines. In other words, he's done it all before.
* JetPack: [[spoiler:1 point in his Energy discipline tree in 'Retribution' lets him use a Jump Pack and the 'Assault Jump' skill. Can't be used at the same time with heavy weapons.]]
* KillItWithFire: He can wield Flamers normally and Heavy Flamers in Terminator Armor.
* TheLancer: He's a rock solid second in command.
* NecessarilyEvil: [[spoiler:If he's the traitor in ''Chaos Rising''. He wanted to use an EvilWeapon to save the chapter.]]
* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: When the Blood Ravens were about to plant the bomb to blow up the depths of the Thur'Abis Plateau, Tarkus throttled a Necron Tomb Spyder and shoved a krak grenade down its throat, giving his brothers enough time to arm the bomb while losing his arm in the process.
* OldSoldier: He has two service studs, which means he has served for at least 200 years. He's not as old as Gabriel, but he's probably one of the most senior members.Dude has seen some serious battles over the years, but hasn't lost his faith.
* OnlySaneMan: Along with Cyrus, he's likely the most levelheaded member of the strike force.
* PleaseDontLeaveMe: [[spoiler: If he's the traitor than his last words are "Why are you abandoning me? We could have done so much together". At first it sounds like he's saying this to his former friend Avitus, but Jonah states that he's actually saying it to his chaos bolter]].
* RatedMForManly: The character in general, his wisdom, tenacity, loyalty, honor and strength and wrath make him this. Also, his [[spoiler:speech to Diomedes after his HeroicBSOD is sheer, smoldering manliness.]]
-->'''Tarkus:''' [[spoiler:There was another like you, Diomedes, and we served together on Kronus. During the Tyranid invasion, we became fast friends. But Kyras called to him, and he went. No doubt the truths we have finally learned today were revealed to him then. It corrupted him, and he despaired, betraying us to the Black Legion. I slew him... Captain Diomedes, I look to you now and see the same signs... just like my old comrade, and Kyras and Galan before him. Will you step from the Emperor's light like they did? We are Adeptus Astartes first, and Blood Ravens second. Our mission has always been to safeguard the light of humanity and to purge heresy where it's found! Even if it is found in the heart of our own Chapter... I will not risk that! I will slay Kyras myself, and if I must, you as well. Though our past glories may be lies, Kyras has not taken our one true duty from us! No one but the Emperor may relieve us of that!]]
* RememberTheNewGuy: Canon says he's been around since ''Dark Crusade'' at least.
* TheReveal: [[spoiler:He is The Ancient of ''Retribution's'' Space Marine campaign, making him TheAtoner as well (see above).]]
--> [[spoiler:No, there is much left to say. And I will break my silence to say it.]]
* SergeantRock: Not only a survivor of FOUR Imperial Crusades, but an inspiration to the younger Blood Ravens.
* TheStoic: Not to the extent of Cyrus, as he is far more emotive, but Tarkus is more than capable of keeping his composure under any number of circumstances.
* SwordAndGun: If you invest in his Strength discipline tree. He also uses a PowerFist and [[MoreDakka Storm Bolter]] or [[KillItWithFire Heavy Flamer]] in Terminator Armor regardless of specialization.
* TragicVillain: [[spoiler:Should he become the traitor, his reasons for doing so are among the most tragic and heart rending in all of video game history. He only wishes to save the Chapter any further death and dishonor and strikes a deal with Chaos to do so, offering his own soul in exchange while completely aware of the consequences. (Most people who fall to Chaos go insane as a result of [[WhatHaveIDone what have they done]].)]]
* VengeanceFeelsEmpty: Inverted. In ''Chaos Rising'', he demands that he take part in an optional mission to fight against the Eldar. If you do the mission without him than he gains a level of corruption.
* WarriorMonk: The best example among the Commander's strike force. He should be the company Chaplain, Emperor-Damnit!
* WhyWontYouDie: His '''I Shall Not Fall''' passive makes him unkillable as long he is in Tactical Advance. This would continually drain his Energy, but there ''are'' weapons that allow him to recover the lost Energy during combat...

[[folder:Scout Sergeant Cyrus]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Cyrus_1019.png]]

-->''"[[TheFatalist Your death is not only a possibility, Thaddeus; it is a certainty.]]"''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/SteveBlum

A grim warrior and stern teacher, Cyrus is the instructor of the Chapter's initiates. Though among the most decorated of the Chapter's veterans, he voluntarily remains as a scout sergeant to train the next generations of Blood Ravens. As such, he is fiercely devoted and protective of those who trained under him.

Cyrus also had the honor of serving in the Deathwatch, the military arm of the Ordos Xenos to which he had further honed his skills as a Scout Marine. Thus, his penchance for unorthodox tactics and stealth rather than brute force has brought him into conflict with many Chapter Commanders, such as the likes of Captain Indrick Boreale during the Kaurava Campaign. Nonetheless, his combat experience against the Tyranid swarm during his Deathwatch days has served him well during the First Aurelian Crusade, where he contributed great tactical advice to the Force Commander in guiding the Blood Ravens to victory.

Cyrus endured the loss of the majority of the 10th company, many of whom he had trained, and many others who died due to Boreale's mishandling of the Kaurava campaign, which led him to label the campaign as a terrible mistake never to be spoken of again. Had he been the traitor at the end of ''Chaos Rising'', such ineptitude on the part of Chapter Command post-Kaurava would have been the triggering point for his downfall to the ruinous powers, thus betraying his brothers in the process.

Cyrus is secretly reassigned to the command of Apollo Diomedes, and is subsequently drawn into the investigation of Chapter Master Azariah Kyras. Having been one of the Heroes of Aurelia, he knew that Kyras was a heretic, and has been trying to convince Diomedes of this since his reassignment. However, like any teacher his age, he knows that it will take time for Diomedes to accept this.

* BadassBeard: Arguably one of the few named Blood Ravens characters to have confirmed full facial hair (see pic.)
* BadassCape: Dons a light brown cape as befits a Space Marine Scout.
* BadassTeacher: Was revealed to have taught a lot of initiates during his time in the Tenth Company. Considered a demanding, but patient and fair-minded scout sergeant, to which such traits inspire fanatical devotion from his Initiates.
* {{BFG}}: His SniperRifle is about as big as he is. (And remember, while his light armor makes him look smaller than his companions, even scout marines are giants; he's probably seven feet tall or so.)
* BoomHeadshot: His 'High-Powered Shot' ability. {{One Hit Kill}}s any infantry unit, aside from bosses, though it'll still do quite a bit of damage.
* ColdSniper: Rather stoic... unless you start gunning down his initiates, then he gets pissed.
* DemolitionsExpert: He's an expert with explosives, including but not limited to; Demolition Charges, Proximity Mines, and Remote Detonators.
* DifficultButAwesome: He's difficult to master, but he's absolutely essential to beating the game on [[HarderThanHard Primarch difficulty]].
* AFatherToHisMen: Don't try to harm his initiates. You won't live to regret it.
--> '''Cyrus:''' *seeing his scouts being taken to the Warp* KILL THAT CHAOS FILTH!! KILL THEM ALL!!
* GutturalGrowler: His normal voice is considerably lower in tone, compared to the BadassBaritone that most of his battle brothers possess. Considering his role as a Scout Sergeant and as a ColdSniper, it makes sense to keep him stealthy enough to operate. Having Creator/SteveBlum voice him is probably an added tidbit.
* MagikarpPower: In the early game, Cyrus is basically just a weaker version of Tarkus that can cloak. Fully leveled, especially once he can use explosives without breaking stealth, and he can solo entire missions on his own.
* OddFriendship: One of the sniper rifles that he can find was sent to him by a Space Wolf battle brother who he befriended during his time with the Deathwatch. Normally Space Wolves hold the Blood Ravens in contempt due to their heavy use of psykers and less agressive battle tactics. But this Space Wolf/Deathwatch brother is so loyal a friend that when he found out about the Blood Ravens future problems, he sends Cyrus a hand-crafted sniper rifle to help tip the balance in his favor.
* OlderThanTheyLook: Though this is normal for the super-human Astartes, Cyrus' dialogue [[spoiler:If he is the traitor in ''Chaos Rising'']] suggests that he was the instructor for several, maybe even all of the other Sergeants and the Force Commander.
%%* OneManArmy:
* RememberTheNewGuy: According to canon, he was around during the events of ''Soulstorm'', but differences between him and Boreale prompted his transfer to Captain Thule's command by ''Dawn of War II.''. [[DiscontinuityNod Understandably, he doesn't like to talk about it that much]].
* ShotgunsAreJustBetter: One of his weapons choices, and he can use [[StuffBlowingUp high explosive rounds]] with them.
* TheSmartGuy: Knows the most about Tyranids since he served in the Deathwatch.
* SniperRifle: A weapon option available for him, which later becomes his default weapon in ''Retribution''.
* SurroundedByIdiots: [[spoiler:If he becomes the traitor in ''Chaos Rising'', it's because he's had enough of the incompetence of the Blood Ravens command staff.]]
* SternTeacher: But he does care for his pupils.
* TheStoic: Never loses his cool, unless his initiates are in danger.
* WellIntentionedExtremist: [[spoiler:If he's the traitor in ''Chaos Rising''. He wanted to use the power to purge the chapter of incompetent leaders.]]

[[folder:Devastator Sergeant Avitus]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Avitus_7448.png]]

-->''"[[BringIt Come on, Aliens! Show me your fury!!]]"''\\
'''Voiced by:''' James Horan

The fearsome devastator sergeant of the Force Commander's strikeforce. Avitus' greatest weapon is his unmatched hatred for the enemies of the Emperor, which had first flared in his youth, where his village was continually exploited by a corrupt Guardsman regiment. These events had left the young Avitus with a seething hatred for the Imperial Guard, decrying them as weaklings and cowards.

He and Davian Thule first met each other when they faced the terrible Chaos Witch Morgana whilst they were mere initiates, and it was Avitus' suppressing fire that held down the heretic long enough for Thule to slay her. From that day onwards, Avitus gained a great respect for his future captain.

He would soon serve Davian Thule once more during the Kronus campaign, where he would distinguish himself once more during the assault on Victory Bay when the Blood Ravens fought the 1st Kronus Liberators led by Governor-General Lukas Alexander. Two of his close friends were killed in the assault, but Avitus' skill won the day. But his terrible rage had only grown, where once he would have barely tolerated the guardsmen, he now felt nothing but the blackest contempt for them all.

After the Kronus campaign, Avitus was assigned along with the rest of his company to defend the Chapter's recruiting worlds in subsector Aurelia. He fought during both Aurelian Crusades, unleashing his fury upon the Tyranids and the Black Legion. The events of Victory Bay had long haunted him, and it proved enough compromise to allow his heart to be darkened by those events. As such, Azariah Kyras came before him and ordered him to aid Eliphas the Inheritor in his efforts against the Blood Ravens during ''Chaos Rising''.

* ActuallyPrettyFunny: He was audibly amused when he found out that Administrator Derosa got sick of her bosses' stalling tactics and stormed his manor.
--> "I think she missed her calling. She should have been a Sister of Battle."
* AxCrazy:
** He has some shades of this [[spoiler:especially when under Chaos influence.]]
--->'''Avitus:''' KILL THEM ALL! LET THERE BE BLOOD!!
** However, his dialogue subverts this if [[spoiler:he is the traitor. With the loss of his faith in the chapter, Avitus is haunted by all the lives he has taken, and their screams can only be drowned out by the roar of bolterfire:]]
--->'''Avitus:''' Only the fury of battle can silence the dead!
* BadassBaritone: It is jokingly said that while those in his squad do not fear the alien, mutant, or heretic, they certainly fear Avitus.
* BadBoss: [[spoiler:If he turns traitor, the mission to take him out will have him berating and insulting the Chaos Space Marines under his command at every opportunity. This is justified in that he doesn't hate them any less than he did as a loyalist marine.]]
* TheBerserker: He tends to get quite angry in the heat of battle, VERY, VERY ANGRY.
* {{BFG}}: Pretty much every weapon he can use, even by Space Marine standards.
* TheBigGuy: Though an incredibly less jovial type.
* BlackComedy: Overlaps with DeadpanSnarker.
* BloodKnight: "The Ork is dead. Find us worthier opponents in the future."
* BrokenPedestal: [[spoiler:He's basically a glimpse into how things will be with Kyras. Avitus exclaims that virtues like 'honor, duty, brotherhood' are nothing but lies and delusions, used by weaklings to justify destruction. On his deathbed, he sums the universe of 40K rather aptly.]]
--> [[spoiler:'''Avitus:''' It matters not who lives and dies... blood is shed as it has always been... there... is nothing else... in this... forsaken.. existence...]]
* CommanderContrarian: His solution to every problem is murder, tactical sense be damned. [[spoiler:It catches up to him...]]
* ConceptsAreCheap: Avitus was revealed to believe this after his betrayal was revealed.
-->'''Avitus:''' Honor, Brotherhood, Duty--they are no more than delusions and lies. We use them to justify the death and destruction left in our wake! I cannot tolerate it any longer! I have seen the rot that runs through our chapter's honor and it justifies nothing! My memories are full of the screams of those I have killed. Where others see life, I see only death!
* TheCynic: Everything he says.
--> '''Avitus:''' You are purging yourself of a weakness, Thaddeus. But there are more to come; you cling to hope, which brings with it only despair. We are weapons. There is the Emperor and there is war. Nothing more."
* DeadpanSnarker: More often than not.
* DontYouDarePityMe: [[spoiler:He plays this on Tarkus as he dies.]]
-->'''Avitus:''' I want NONE of your pity, [[spoiler:Tarkus! But remember this day... because you are looking at your own future. One day, you will see through all the lies... and then the dead... will come for ''you'', as well...]]
* EtTuBrute: [[spoiler:If you play a game where he ''isn't'' the traitor, he takes the treachery of the guilty party '''very''' badly. It's worst if it's Tarkus, though, not the least because he keeps acting like a FriendlyEnemy the whole time.]]
* FaceHeelTurn: [[spoiler:Although player actions determine who the traitor actually is in ''Chaos Rising'', [[CuttingOffTheBranches Avitus is the canon betrayer]].]]
* FreudianExcuse: He hates the Imperial Guard because his hometown was oppressed by a corrupt regiment. This is not helped by the loss of two of his friends in the assault on Victory Bay during the ''Dark Crusade''.
* GatlingGood: He can wield an Assault Cannon while in Terminator Armor.
* GlassCannon: Can shred anything at range, but is a sitting duck if he gets caught in melee. Terminator armour remedies this to an extent.
* GoodScarsEvilScars: Has several large gashes on his face. It's amazing he still has his face.
* IDidWhatIHadToDo: [[spoiler:Defied. In his traitor scene in ''Chaos Rising'' he is the only traitor (besides Jonah, who is possessed) who is completely aware of what he's doing and unwilling to justify it in any way.]]
* ItHasBeenAnHonor: To the Imperial Guardsmen accompanying you, of all people, during the final mission of ''Dawn of War II''. He even becomes less abusive towards them in ''Chaos Rising''.
* RememberTheNewGuy?: Much like Tarkus, the canon says he's been around since ''Dark Crusade''.
* OldSoldier: Like Tarkus, he has two service studs, meaning he has served for at least 200 years.
* SuicideByCop: [[spoiler:The reason for his betrayal. In essence, he is furious and shattered that all the battles he has fought and all the lives he has shattered and all the brothers who have fallen by his side were all in service to a heretic. As such, he is incapable of justifying the death he has inflicted upon others now and is disgusted with the dishonor of the chapter. As such, he doesn't want to live any more.]]
* TragicVillain: [[spoiler:Learning that Kyras was a heretic shattered his sanity. Even as he lies dying he is unrepentant for any of the deeds he has done and is unable to justify any of them. He is ultimately a soldier broken by unending war and despair, which makes it all the more heroic that his comrades do not. This is especially notable as there are no signs he has been corrupted by chaos, unlike Tarkus, Thaddeus, and especially Jonah Orion.]]
* UnstoppableRage: His usual state when in combat, especially strong against Araghast the Pillager.

[[folder:Assault Sergeant Thaddeus]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Thaddeus_7848.jpg]]

-->''"[[DeathFromAbove FURY FROM THE SKY!]] CUT THEM DOWN!"''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Philip Anthony-Rodriguez

Thaddeus leads the Assault Squad in ''Dawn of War II'' and ''Chaos Rising''. One of the youngest Space Marine sergeants ever, he is also the first Blood Raven to come from Meridian in a long time. Brash, exuberant, and enthusiastic, he is also the idealist of the strike force. Ironically, he's a former ganger. Of course, by 'idealistic', we mean relatively. In any other setting he'd be rather grim.

* AnAxeToGrind: He can use Power Axes.
* BigDamnHeroes: How he introduces himself right after delivering the above quote.
* BizarreAlienPsychology: In one of the odd comments he makes after a mission, Thaddeus notices that after becoming a Space Marine, he's losing touch with his original hive-ganger self. Where he use to get a rush from combat, he find that his mind is instead clearing during battle and that with each battle his devotion to the Emperor is growing in an increasingly inhuman way. He feels a sense of pride but also a bit of sadness. Cyrus and Tarkus comment that this is a natural process for a Space Marine, that all of them will grow apart from humanity.
* BoisterousBruiser: Certainly more upbeat than his brothers.
* ChainsawGood: Prefers using a Chainsword in combat and it's his default weapon.
* ChuckCunninghamSyndrome: Thaddeus just seems to vanish by ''Retribution''. [[spoiler:Since Avitus was the canon betrayer, we don't know what happened to him.]]
* CoolSword: Can wield quite a few, from Chainswords to Power Swords.
* DropTheHammer: Can wield a Thunder Hammer paired with a Storm Shield when wearing Terminator Armor.
* GlassCannon: He can deal quite a lot of damage, especially with his 'Assault Jump' ability, but he won't last long in prolonged combat. Terminator armor does rectify this to an extent, but he'll still be rather fragile.
** On the other hand, he has skills that can make him invulnerable for a surprisingly long time and depending on what skills he has, he can repeat this invulnerability in succession. Combine that with his jump/teleport ability and he becomes a true LightningBruiser.
* GoodCannotComprehendEvil: More precisely good cannot understand the gritty and ruthlessly brutal nature of being a ruthless killing machine. He believes Space Marines are meant to be saviors and defenders of humanity, instead of ruthless and inhuman killing machines dedicated to simply destroying the enemies of the Imperium. Naturally he clashes with Avitus over this in complete shock of Avitus' cynical designation of Space Marines as warriors, not saviors.
* TheHeart: So much that Avitus occasionally calls him out for it.
* HorribleJudgeOfCharacter: [[spoiler:If he becomes the traitor, he did it because he ''trusted the word of a daemon''.]]
* HotBlooded: Enjoys a good fight, and as a young Space Marine is not nearly as jaded as Cyrus or Avitus.
* IDidWhatIHadToDo: [[spoiler:If he's the traitor in ''Chaos Rising'', claims he made a DealWithTheDevil (specifically Ulkair) in order to save you from the hive fleet. According to Jonah, he's been suckered.]]
* InnocentBigot: Thaddeus has no hatred for the Eldar and actually wouldn't mind becoming allies with them to save Meridian, but if you fend off an Eldar attack on a Imperial shrine, sometimes Thaddeus will wonder why the Eldar are attacking an Imperial shrine when they should instead be building temples to the Emperor so that he may forgive them of the sin of being a xeno. Cyrus then replies that being a xeno is one sin that the Emperor cannot forgive...
* JetPack: His entire shtick as an Assault Marine is using Jump Packs to get in and out of combat.
* MeaningfulName: His name means; 'courageous heart'. Fitting, considering what [[TheHeart he acts like...]]
* NaiveNewcomer: Even at the age of eighty he plays that role.
* OlderThanTheyLook: He looks like he is somewhere in his thirties, but he's actually at least 80 years old.
* PowerFist: He can wield one.
* ProHumanTranshuman: Thaddeus sees the purpose of the Space Marines as protectors of the human race, especially the downtrodden average hive-dweller. This puts him at odds with Avitus.
* SwordAndGun: Wields a melee weapon [[note]]defaults to a Chainsword[[/note]] and a pistol [[note]]defaults to a Bolt Pistol[[/note]].
* TookALevelInBadass: In ''Dawn of War II'', the Merciless Strike skill of his was a pain to use. The problem was that he'd go into a protracted wind-up animation before doing a single RazorWind, so most foes would simply wander out of the way. However, in ''Chaos Rising'', you can upgrade that skill so that instead of doing a wind-up into a shockwave, he and his fellow assault marines will charge or teleport attack into their opponent for a wide-area knockdown attack. They then immediately follow it up with RazorWind attacks by ALL the members in the party. This practically guarantees that the enemies will be hit and greatly increases the damage. In medium levels of difficulty, this will usually pulverize regular enemies in a single attack.
* TeleportersAndTransporters: '[[GoombaStomp Assault Jump]]' is replaced with 'Teleport' when he's using Terminator Armor.
* ThisCannotBe: [[spoiler:His final words in ''Chaos Rising'' should he become the traitor.]]
* WideEyedIdealist: About as idealistic as a Space Marine can be. He believes Space Marines should be saviors of mankind, fight for those the Emperor Protects and strive to protect the innocent whenever able. He even believes the Eldar of all people can be cooperated with if they dutifully repent for their sin of being xeno.
* WolverineClaws: Can wield them in ''Chaos Rising'', and they come in regular and Terminator variants.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: He is nowhere to be seen by ''Retribution'', and with [[spoiler:Avitus being the Canon betrayer there's nothing out there to say what his current status is]].

[[folder:Techmarine Martellus]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Techmarine_Martellus_7761.jpg]]

-->''"Speed the bolt that brings death to our enemies!"''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/SteveBlum

Martellus provides [[MissionControl support and intel]] in ''Dawn of War II'' and ''Chaos Rising'', and is a playable hero in ''Retribution''. The voice of reason, he remains calm and collected even in the most dire of circumstances (unless it involves damaged machinery).

* AscendedExtra: From a support character in ''Dawn of War II'', to [[spoiler:a possible traitor in ''Chaos Rising'']], and playable character in ''Retribution''.
* AnAxeToGrind: He gets an extremely good power axe called Brennan's Will to use in ''Retribution''.
* BadassBaritone: Steve Blum par excellence, yet again.
* BerserkButton: The only time he actually gets angry in the entire ''series'' is when he hears that a Land Raider has been taken by traitors, [[spoiler:aside from his non-canon fall to Chaos.]]
-->'''Martellus:''' A war machine... A sacred Land Raider... In the hands of Traitors?! By the Omnissiah, [[spoiler:Kyras]] CANNOT be allowed to hold such a sacred weapon!
* BonusBoss: In ''Chaos Rising'', your reward for accomplishing a playthrough without any Corruption (and thus none of the Strike Force falling to Chaos) is [[spoiler:facing a psychotic Heretek Martellus driving a Chaos Preadator tank. He's one of the hardest bosses in the game.]]
* {{Cyborg}}: As trained by the Adeptus Mechanicus, he has quite a few bionic implants in order to achieve the 'purity of a machine'.
* TheButlerDidIt: Non-canonically. [[spoiler:If you preserve your entire squad free of corruption throughout ''Chaos Rising'', Martellus -- a relatively minor NPC in this campaign -- turns out to be the traitor. Avitus is the [[CuttingOffTheBranches canonical traitor, though.]]]]
* CoolHelmet: One of the few hero Space Marines in ''Dawn of War'' that defies HelmetsAreHardlyHeroic.
* {{Determinator}}: When his ship crashed landed, his armor and implants were so damaged that he couldn't move. It took him months to finally enact his Rites to make him mobile again. Several months later he gets rescued after tracking down a communication array.
* TheLancer: To Captain Apollo Diomedes in ''Retribution''.
* LightningBruiser: [[spoiler:If fought in ''Chaos Rising'', he uses a powered up [[TankGoodness Chaos Predator tank]], which is fast, can take a ton of damage and packs a ton firepower and some very damaging special attacks.]]
* MachineWorship: As a Techmarine, he is part of both the Blood Ravens and the Adeptus Mechanicus.
* MissionControl: In ''Dawn of War II'' and ''Chaos Rising''. Decides to get his hands dirty in ''Retribution''.
* MrFixit: As with all Techmarines.
* NotSoStoic: In ''Chaos Rising'', Martellus panics at the end of his distress message when Chaos Marines attack the array he is defending. When your squad comes to rescue him the relief in his voice is undeniable. During the same battle, he gets struck down by a Bloodletter. He screams at the thing to get away from him as he desparately tries to fight it off. [[spoiler:If he is the traitor than he is angry at the rest of the squad for abandoning him in the jungle]]. In ''Retribution'', he becomes enraged when a sacred machine of the God-Emperor is misused.
* RealMenLoveJesus: As a Techmarine, he is a member of the Adeptus Mechanicus who worships the Machine God. [[spoiler:Unless he's the traitor.]]
* TheSmartGuy: He's a Techmarine, he knows stuff.
* TheStoic: Normally speaks in a mechanical monotone voice.
* YouShallNotPass: Between the events of ''Dawn of War II'' and ''Chaos Rising'', He managed to survive his Thunderhawk crashing into the Tyranid infested jungles of Typhon, repaired his own heavily damaged bionic implants, survived against the masses of feral Tyranid without support for a year and then holding off an army of Black Legionnaires until help arrives in order to protect an irreplaceable technological device. [[spoiler: What he suffered through during this time is what breaks him and motivates his betrayal if he turns out to be the traitor.]]

[[folder:Apothecary Gordian]]
-->"Commander, I am Apothecary Gordian, chief of geno-medicine aboard the Armageddon."\\
'''Voiced by:''' Ian Gregory

The Blood Angel Apothecary who specializes in xeno-medicine. He was in the Kronos campaign alongside Davian Thule, collecting samples of xeno bloods throughout the battle won. During the Tyranid incursion of the Aurelia sub-sector, he provides support for the Blood Raven aboard the Armageddon.
----
* EarlyBirdCameo: He was first mentioned in Dark Crusade, after the Space Marine defeated the Tau. His role was to collect the blood of the Xenos, which meant that he was tasked with dissecting the Ethereal's body. He missed that chance as O'kais took the body before leaving the planet.
* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:He stayed in the destroyed Armageddon in order to drop emergency drop-pods for your remaining squads for the final battle.]]
-->'''Davian Thule''': [[spoiler:"The Armageddon is no more. Gordian's sacrifice must not be in vain."]]
* TheMedic: As an Apothecary, [[spoiler:he stabilized the wounded Davian Thule received from the Tyranid Hive Tyrant to prevent the poison from taking effect in his surviving tissues. He also administered an antidote for Thule, before interring the latter into a Dreadnought.]]

[[folder:Librarian Jonah Orion]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Jonah_Orion_2593.jpg]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/img_1335.PNG]]

-->''"My powers are ours to share."''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Alan Shearman(''Dawn of War II'')[=/=]Babou Ceesay(''Dawn of War III'')

Jonah Orion was once a student of the late Isador Akios. Due to Isador's fall to Chaos, suspicions arose that Jonah himself was tainted. It was only due to the support of Gabriel Angelos and Azariah Kyras himself that these doubts were put to rest. During the Tyranid invasion, he was one of the psykers tasked with battling the mighty Hive Mind as Captain Angelos made for sub-sector Aurelia. Of the dozen Librarians, Navigators and Astropaths accompanying Angelos, only Jonah survived. Although still bearing the scars of his ordeal in the Warp, Jonah has served with honour, and his psychic abilities have allowed the Blood Ravens to root out several leftover pockets of Tyranid infestation.

He continued to serve with great valor during the Black Legion invasion, bringing his tremendous psychic powers to bear against the Black Legion. His extensive knowledge of the influences of the Warp also served to keep the Blood Ravens from the worst of Chaos' cunning. When the Black Legion was eventually routed, he and his brothers were branded as renegades by the traitorous Chapter Master Azariah Kyras. Jonah now serves once again in the Third Company alongside Captain Gabriel Angelos.

* BadassBeard: By ''Dawn of War III'' he has grown quite a beard, as if he wasn't badass enough...
* BadassBookworm: Par for the course for a librarian.
-->'''Jonah:''' *regarding Thaddeus* So young to bear the burdens of a Space Marine...
* BadassInCharge: [[spoiler:By the time he appears in ''Dawn of War III'' he is now the Chief Librarian of the Chapter.]]
%%* BarrierWarrior:
* BerserkButton: Do. Not. Harm. His. Battle Brothers.
* DemonicPossession: [[spoiler:If he's the traitor in ''Chaos Rising''. The daemon possessed him thanks to Kyras selling off the codes to circumvent his psychic hood, though the mental scars from his battle with the Tyranid Hive Mind left him vulnerable.]]
* FightingFromTheInside: [[spoiler:If he's possessed, he wrestles with the daemon inside him long enough to let his friends kill him.]]
* HealingHands: He functions as a medic with some of his support abilities.
* HeroicSacrifice: [[spoiler:If he's the traitor, he manages to prevent the daemon from mending him so that he can be put down. It's left ambiguous whether or not doing so costs him his soul to the Warp (the daemon claims this is the case, but Tarkus claims the Emperor will save Jonah). It seemed Kyras killed him in the last mission of ''Retribution'', but he survived and makes it to ''Dawn of War III''.]]
* ItHasBeenAnHonor: His exchange with Angelos during the final battle of ''Retribution'':
-->'''Orion:''' These many decades have been an honor, Gabriel. Commend my service to the Emperor.\\
'''Angelos:''' Emperor keep you, Librarian.
* KillItWithFire: His psychic firebolt attack is as damaging as an RPG.
* LargeHam: HE WILL DESTROY THEIR MINDS AND '''BURN''' THEIR BODIES!!
* MagicKnight: Give him a Force Sword and he'll make short work of most infantry.
* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: He endured a mental battle against the Hive Mind itself. [[spoiler:However, if he's the traitor in ''Chaos Rising'' which canonically, he isn't, the scars from that battle make it easier for the daemon to possess him after Kyras gives away his psychic hood's access rites.]]
* OldSoldier: One of the oldest members of the Force Commander's strike force. He even adopts a bit of paternal role to Thaddeus. [[spoiler:Especially if he turns traitor (non-canon)]].
* PsychicPowers: With the [[spoiler:death of Isador]], he is likely the most powerful Psyker left in the Third Company and possibly amongst the most powerful in the Chapter aside from Azariah Kyras himself.
%%* RealMenLoveJesus
* RedOniBlueOni: In ''III'' he is the Blue Oni to Diomedes' Red Oni.
* ScaryBlackMan: An angry black man with a vaguely English accent, being voiced by Alan Shearman anyway.
* ShockAndAwe: His aptly named "Smite" ability. It launches lightning bolts at the enemy.
* SixthRanger: He first appears in ''Chaos Rising''.
* SoleSurvivor: Of the Librarians who fought a mental war with the Hive Mind during the last mission of [=DoWII=].
* TeleFrag: One of his abilities is to teleport into a single enemy infantry unit, killing just about any non-boss infantry unit instantly.

[[folder:Captain Apollo Diomedes]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Diomedes_R_2448.png]][[caption-width-right:142:As Honor Guard Captain]]
[[caption-width-right:255:[[labelnote:Click here for his appearance in ''Dawn of War III'']]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dow3diomedes.png[[/labelnote]]]]

-->''"With blood and fire, we shall cleanse this black stain from the Chapter's honor."''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/KeithSzarabajka(''Dawn of War II'')[=/=]Sebastian Abinieri(''Dawn of War III'')

Perhaps the greatest warrior in Blood Raven history, Captain Apollo Diomedes is Captain of the Honor Guard and Champion of Azariah Kyras. Having previously commanded the Chapter's First Company, his rise to greater glory occurred on the ravaged penal world of Obscurus, where he handily defeated the forces of the Chaos Sorcerer Anupharis the Cruel and Warboss Manstompa Megakilla on the same day. For this victory, Diomedes rose to captaincy of the Honor Guard. For two centuries, he has led the Chapter's elite with honor and skill.

Captain Apollo Diomedes is the stern right hand of Kyras, unwaveringly devoted to the word of the Chapter Master and acting as his emissary to the most far-flung battle brothers. His loyalty, bordering on fanaticism, has led him to overlook some of the Chapter Master's darker decisions... such as his order to cease operations against the Black Legion and to brand Gabriel Angelos a renegade. Although he was exposed to evidence of Kyras' fall to Chaos, he refused to turn against his master and continued to believe in his innocence though he did not interfere further in the efforts of Gabriel Angelos and the Force Commander.

10 years then passed, and Captain Diomedes faced a crossroads... either to admit that his entire life has been a lie, in service to a heretic and take up a last stand to redeem all he loves or to continue down his path and stand idly by... If his Chapter is to survive, Diomedes must now overcome his own pride...

Diomedes returns in ''Dawn of War III'' having hung up his days as First Captain of the Blood Ravens...but only because he's [[TookALevelInBadass become the Blood Raven's Chaplain]].
-----
* AscendedExtra: Yeah, the boss you took on the third to last mission of ''Chaos Rising'' is now the hero of ''Retribution''.
* TheAtoner: [[spoiler:In the second half of the campaign, he decides to atone for the sins he committed while serving Kyras, who has now been revealed as a traitor to the Imperium.]]
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: He is the Captain of the Honor Guard, who are EliteMooks even among Space Marines. Even more so after his promotion to Chaplain in ''Dawn of War III''.
* AnAxeToGrind: Not just one-handed Power Axes, although he can use those too. Oh no, should you buy the Collector's Edition, he can utilize a '''2-handed''' Power Axe. Up until one finds a Thunder Hammer it would be wise to stick with this weapon.
* BadassBaritone: Without his helmet he has a ''very'' manly voice.
* BaldOfAwesome: By the God-Emprah, just look at that dome.
* BreakTheHaughty: By the Emperor, the first half of the Space Marine campaign is rather adamant on kicking him in the teeth and turning his entire world upside down. See Heroic BSOD below.
* ByronicHero: A ''very'' prideful and arrogant man. Which stems from [[spoiler:his fear of Kyras' heresy, for if that were true, it would basically mean that his ''entire life'' has been wasted. And he has lived a rather long time.]]
* CharacterDevelopment: Going from a pawn of [[spoiler:Kyras]], to realizing not all is as it seems, to finally seeing the monster [[spoiler:Kyras]] is and despairing, to gathering his courage to redeem himself and his chapter. He also ends up as being much less dogmatic and LawfulStupid as the campaign progresses. By ''Dawn of War III'' he has given up his position in the honor guard and has become a chaplain.
* CoolHelmet:
** A large bit of his appeal among the fanbase upon his introduction in ''Chaos Rising''. He loses it in ''Retribution'', though he can still get it back through [[DownloadableContent a Wargear DLC pack]].
** By the time of ''Dawn of War III'', he wears a helmet again, but this time with the [[SkeletonsInTheCoatCloset skull-faced visage]] of a Chaplain (in Terminator armor no less.)
* TheCorrupter: If the Force Commander kills off the Blood Ravens Honor Guard but spares [[TheMole Apothecary]] [[DemonicPossession Galan]], then said Apothecary becomes this to Diomedes.
* {{Determinator}}: It takes a lot to power through when you see your beloved Chapter Master fall to heresy and goad you about it.
* DownloadableContent: He gets upgraded to a Primaris Chaplain in ''Dawn of War III'', by way of ''[[https://www.warhammer-community.com/2017/10/19/dawn-of-war-iii-the-endless-war-update/ The Endless War]]'' update, though this is more of a cosmetic re-skin rather than an upgrade from his default Terminator armor.
* DropTheHammer: Gets several Thunder Hammers to use in ''Retribution''.
* FatalFlaw: {{Pride}}. [[spoiler:It's what blinds him to Kyras' treachery.]]
* FamedInStory: He is outright called a hero of the chapter by Angelos in ''Dawn of War III''.
* FoeTossingCharge: His base ability, 'To Victory'. Taken to ridiculous levels when upgraded.
* TheHero: Designated as one for the Space Marines campaign in ''Retribution'', as he leads the Blood Ravens in uncovering the secret behind their Chapter Master.
* HeroicBSOD: [[spoiler:Kyras' actions throughout ''Retribution'' broke his faith in the Chapter Master into atoms, and he couldn't stand the fact that he was serving a traitor all along.]] Luckily, he gets better.
* HonorBeforeReason: ''It is true that even if we defeat the traitor we face condemnation and death. But it is not for pride or favor that we serve, but for the Emperor Himself; and the purpose He has granted us. And if we shall die fulfilling that purpose then so be it. None shall find us wanting.''
* JerkWithAHeartOfGold: Generally acts like an arrogant, obstructive and downright unreasonable bastard, but underneath is an honorable and heroic soul who is torn at a crossroads.
* JetPack: Has a Jump Pack in ''Chaos Rising'' and can be equipped with one in ''Retribution''.
* KilledOffForReal: Was on Starbase Helios when it crashed in ''Dawn of War 3''. [[spoiler: And he is found alive and well, so subverted.]]
* KnightTemplar: He's absolutely devoted to the Chapter Master with the sort of fanaticism that Space Marines usually reserve only for the Emperor. Cyrus calls him out on this.
-->'''Cyrus:''' Diomedes, you have been in service to Kyras for centuries, and as such, know him better than any of us. Let me ask you this; do you maintain Kyras' innocence because you know him to a faithful and virtuous servant of the Emperor? Or is it instead that the shame of a life spent in service to a heretic is too much to bear?
* LargeHam: ''IT IS THE '''BANEBLAAAAAAADE'''!''
* LightningBruiser: While he doesn't hit as hard as say, Eliphas in ''Retribution'' (though he has more health, oddly), he's certainly much faster, especially with a Jump Pack. He hits pretty hard too.
** Later patches took this even further as his To Victory skill when fully upgraded did more damage than any other ability in the game and can wipe out entire armies. Another one of his upgrades gives him health back for each kill and hit he lands.
* MeaningfulName: Named after one of the greatest warriors of Homer's Iliad, and one who managed to wound two Olympians on the battlefield. Fitting, as Diomedes is among the greatest warriors of the Blood Ravens, if not the greatest.
* ObstructiveZealot: He starts out as one in ''Chaos Rising''. [[spoiler:He mends his ways in ''Retribution''.]]
* OldSoldier: 4 service studs means 400 years of granting The Emperor's Peace to the Imperium's enemies.
* OneManArmy: Later patches in ''Retibution'' turn him into a death machine whose abilities can wipe entire armies, can heal himself while landing hits and kills allowing him to restore health faster than enemies can damage him, and has abilities that render him immune to damage.
* RedOniBlueOni: The Red Oni to Jonah's Blue Oni in ''III''. Best examplified after Gabriel's appearant death thanks to Inquisitor Holt's incompetence, Diomedes wants to '''kill''' him.
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: [[spoiler:The second half of the campaign is him slaughtering Kyras' forces, destroying his interests and finally taking the battle to him, and gentlemen, it is glorious.]]
** He prepares to go on one against the Inquisitor in ''Dawn of War III'' when it appears his bombardment has killed Chapter Master Angelos. Jonah talks him out of it.
* SayMyName: Upon [[spoiler:finding irrefutable proof of Kyras' heresy]]. It's not the standard over-the-top scream, it's an incredibly well acted whisper of contempt.
* ShutUpHannibal: Gives 2 particularly epic ones to [[spoiler:Kyras]]. In the second, everyone joins in.
* SpiritualSuccessor: Considered one to Indrick Boreale of all people; not for his tactical aptitude but his habit of yelling out whatever he's doing and also the... [[WhatTheHellIsThatAccent "questionable" accent]].
-->'''''BRUVA, I AM PINNED HERE!'''''
%%% UnwittingPawn: In two consecutive games, even.
* WarriorMonk: A quadricentenarian veteran of countless wars. More so after he becomes a Chaplain.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Apothecary Galan]]
-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/KeithFerguson
A Blood Raven Apothecary that journeyed through the Judgement of Carrion, stalked by the demon Ulkair. It was he that discovered Azariah Kyras in the derelict ship and returned him back to sub-sector Aurelia. He has since been promoted into the Honor Guard by Kyras.

* TheCorrupter: If he is left alive and not killing many loyalists in the mission "Raid on Calderis," he tempts the furious Apollo Diomedes when he vow vengeance on the Blood Raven.
* DyingAsYourself: Upon being slain by the Blood Ravens, he was released of the demons within and warned the Blood Ravens that the Honor Guard are all corrupted by Chaos, except for Apollo Diomedes. This warning prompted them to spare Diomedes and warn him about corruption within the Blood Ravens.
* FaceHeelTurn: After spending a period of time in the Judgement of Carrion, he became corrupted by Chaos and served Kyras in the Honor Guard.

[[folder:Chapter Master Azariah Kyras]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Azariah_Kyras_8802.jpg]]
-->'''Voiced by:''' Peter Giles

Azariah Kyras was once the apprentice and student of the then Chapter Master Moriah. The most significant event of his life was when he and his brethren gathered on the world of Aurelia to defeat the daemon Ulkair. Moriah struck the Unclean One, wounding him viciously before succumbing to death. Kyras still stood, and shackled the vile daemon at the heart of the planet, though not before Ulkair cast Kyras to the Judgement of Carrion, where he was trapped for centuries. A 5th Company strike team under Apothecary Galan was eventually dispatched to the Space Hulk, wherein they found Kyras, holding his own against the ravenous daemons who infested the craft.

Kyras joined forces with Galan and escaped the craft by methods that were never disclosed. Though many saw his return as an omen of favor from the Emperor Himself, Gabriel Angelos was always more skeptical, fearing that there was a darker hand than the Emperor's that brought forth Kyras' return...

* ApocalypseHow: [[spoiler:He pulls off a Class 6 on Typhon, and attempts an X-2 on the rest of the sector.]]
* AttackOfTheFiftyFootWhatever: [[spoiler:His daemon prince form, it's so big you don't even see his whole body (which doesn't seem to have formed yet) and even without he makes the largest units look like toys.]]
* AxCrazy: To an amazing degree.
-->'''Kyras:''' [[spoiler:It must be... magnificent. To hear a planet writhe and scream. To feel it convulse beneath your own feet. Witness it dying with living eyes. Perhaps I may share this gift with every last living soul in the galaxy... Until then... ''*EvilLaugh*'']]
* BattleAura: Even his portrait is glowing with a scary red aura.
* BigBad: The main antagonist of ''Dawn of War II: Retribution''. His fall to Chaos plunges the Blood Ravens into a Chapter wide civil war.
* BigRedDevil: [[spoiler:He becomes a Daemon Prince.]]
* BloodKnight: [[spoiler:He worships Khorne, what do you expect?]] When you undo his invulnerability, he ''laughs'' and challenges you to come forth and face him in combat.
* BreakingSpeech: [[spoiler: Hits Diomedes with one in the ''Retribution'' Space Marine campaign, revealing that yes, he was a traitor and his service was a lie.]]
* BreathWeapon: [[spoiler:One of his attacks as a Daemon Prince is breathing fire.]]
* CombatCompliment: [[spoiler:To Eliphas, Kyras enthusiastically applauds Eliphas' vicious combat ability and the thousands he has slain to reach him. Claiming that he has ''earned'' the right to an audience with him. The only other one he offers a compliment to is Diomedes, stating that amid all the lies, the one truth he has told is that he is the greatest warrior in the history of the Blood Ravens.]]
* TheCorrupter: Kyras convinces Apothecary Galen to accept demonic posession, [[spoiler: when Thaddeus is the traitor it's because Kyras gave him permission to sell his soul to a daemon]], and [[spoiler: when Jonah Orion is the traitor it's because Kyras helped a demon take possession of his mind]].
* CreepyMonotone: Usually. [[spoiler: Then he gives his NewEraSpeech and unleashes enough crazed, Warp-infused [[LargeHam ham]] to feed a Tyranid Hive Ship.]]
* DamageSpongeBoss: [[spoiler: The boss fight with him. He doesn't move, so there isn't much strategy beyond attacking him, the towers that protect parts of his lifebar, and whatever enemies he summons. And the fight generally takes '''forever''' because he has a ship load of HP.]]
* DarkIsNotEvil: When you see him in ''Chaos Rising'', he looks like a Chaos Space Marine, even though he is allied with the Blood Ravens. His chatbox in-game is the above picture. [[spoiler:Ultimately subverted - that time he spent in the Warp ''really'' wasn't good for his sanity.]]
* TheDreaded: [[spoiler:His alliance with the Daemon from the Maledictum puts the fear of him into several characters. Even the Tyranid Hive Mind views him as a threat, to the point it sends the Swarmlord against him.]]
* DemonicPossession: [[spoiler:He was possessed by the Daemon of the Maledictum]].
* EvilLaugh: [[spoiler:Does a light cackle after leaving the player to die on Typhon. In the Ork campaign, he outright laughs hysterically at Orks being sent after him.]]
* EvilPlan: [[spoiler:The entire storyline of ''Dawn of War II'' and its expansions were orchestrated by him to bring about the Exterminatus. All in the glorification of Khorne, namely, unremitting bloodshed. Tells you enough about how brilliant this guy is, really.]]
* FaceHeelTurn: [[spoiler:Initially on the side of the Blood Ravens during his introduction, but his corruption from the Maledictum made him ''Retribution'''s BigBad.]]
* FinalBoss: Once he ascends to Daemonhood, he's the final boss the player must defeat in ''Retribution''.
* ForTheEvulz: [[spoiler:He understands that there is no greater purpose to Chaos, only it's own glory and reveling in the bloodshed ''and he could not care less''.]]
* FreudianExcuse: He was personally present for a battle that the Blood Ravens ultimately won, but which was a major PyrrhicVictory and was, ultimately, AllForNothing. And all he got for his troubles was being taken into [[HyperspaceIsAScaryPlace the Warp]], where he stayed for God only knows how long until Galen's expedition found him, and that was by pure fluke. [[spoiler:No wonder he's turned to Chaos -- the sheer amount of shit he went through in the lead-up would break almost anyone.]]
* GeniusBruiser: [[spoiler:A follower of Chaos Undivided who worships Khorne above all others. (like Eliphas)]], a berserker, bloodthirsty... and an incredibly skilled strategist and self-disciplined in the extreme.
%%* GlowingEyesOfDoom
* GreaterScopeVillain: Of ''Dark Crusade''. Avitus, the canonical traitor of ''Chaos Rising'', reveals Kyras relished in the slaughter carried out on Kronus, which paints the Blood Ravens' conflict with the Imperial Guard in a much darker light.
* {{Hellfire}}: Much like Eliphas below, after he [[spoiler:pledges himself to Khorne and becomes a Daemon Prince, many of his attacks involve warpfire. This includes meteorites, and breathing streams of flame.]]
* LargeHam: So much so, that you literally feel you have been blasted by a hurricane! [[spoiler:[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmj0Vanuw4I BLOOD FOR THE BLOOD GOD!!! SKULLS FOR THE SKULL THRONE!!! LET... THE GALAXY... BUUUUUURRRRRRNNNNN!!!]]]]
* MotiveRant: [[spoiler: Stated below under NietzscheWannabe. He states the universe is mindless savagery. And he couldn't care less]].
* MeaningfulName: He has the same first name as an important figure in the Blood Raven's history: Chapter Master and Chief Librarian Azariah Vidya, the Great Father.
* NietzscheWannabe: [[spoiler:Before his ascension to daemonhood, he makes a speech to his followers about how the universe is fundamentally meaningless and it is only through brazen savagery and violence can they be freed of insubstantial concepts such as duty or purpose or innocence, honesty or deceitfulness.]]
--> '''Kyras:''' [[spoiler:Faithful... enlightened... ambitious brethren. In but a single decade-a few mere swipes of the pendulum-we have gathered a sacrifice to Khorne that will be made legend. Though it was a simpler, weaker voice that illuminated me during my centuries upon the Judgment of Carrion, it was Khorne's messenger who showed me the true path of freedom from the pathetic corpse Emperor. And what is this path? This meaning, this purpose to which we gather the skulls of our foes? It is nothing. There is no meaning, no purpose. We murder. We kill. It is mindless savagery. This UNIVERSE is mindless. In mere hours, billions will die! Innocent! Guilty! Strong and weak! Honest and deceitful! ALL of them! They will scream, they will burn, and for no purpose but that mighty Khorne may revel in their bloodshed! And united in this void of purpose, fear, or duty, we shall at last be free! Blood for the Blood God! Skulls for the Skull Throne! Let the galaxy BURN!]]
* ObviouslyEvil: [[spoiler:Once fully corrupted by the Maledictum, and upon becoming a Daemon Prince]]
* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: He bound Ulkair, survived alone on a derelict, daemon infested Space Hulk for centuries and became Chapter Master of the Blood Ravens.
* OldSoldier: He's likely over a thousand years old.
* OmnicidalManiac: So much during the latter stages of ''Retribution'', as exemplified by his intro quote.
* OneManArmy: [[spoiler: When fought as a Daemon Prince. He's as big as an army and it takes an army to kill him.]]
* OneWingedAngel: [[spoiler:In the final mission, he transform in a Daemon Prince]].
* PowerEchoes: His voice is always with a reverb.
* PsychicPowers: Which are ''so powerful'' that he can bring Eldar Warlocks and Autarchs to sheer agony through his telepathy and nothing else. And apparently, he can guide Hive Fleets.
* PunctuatedForEmphasis: [[spoiler:''LET... THE GALAXY... BURRRRRNNNN!!!!'']]
* RedEyesTakeWarning: His natural eye colour is ''red''.
* ShouldersOfDoom: [[spoiler:They only get bigger when he ascends to daemonhood.]]
* StationaryBoss: He doesn't move. But he can still decimate your entire army handily.
%%* TrueFinalBoss
* WalkingSpoiler: He becomes [[spoiler:a Khornate Daemon Prince and the game's main villain]], making a ''lot'' of information about him spoilerrific.
* WarriorMonk: Yep. [[spoiler:He becomes an evil one later on.]]
* WeCanRuleTogether:
** He extends this to [[spoiler:Eliphas, who responds in a manner that can be politely summed up as "I am not to be bargained with"]].
** He also offers this to [[spoiler:Diomedes before Typhon got exterminated]], with Apollo's response being to thank him for [[spoiler:revealing the corruption he had been so blind to]].

!Imperium of Man: Other characters
[[folder:Inquisitor Mordecai Toth]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Inquisitor_Toth_5729.png]]

-->''"On Tartarus, there are no coincidences. There is only the storm that winnows the faithful from the heretic."''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/MichaelDobson

Inquisitor Toth is the original bearer of Captain Angelos' Daemonhammer, God-Splitter. He attempts to convince the Captain to leave Tartarus, as he suspects that Angelos is vulnerable to the taint of Chaos, due to the Exterminatus of Cyrene. When he is proven wrong, he grants his Daemonhammer to Captain Angelos, and assists the 3rd Company.

* BecauseISaidSo: He tries playing this on the Blood Ravens 3rd Company, Gabriel ignores him.
* TheCameo: His model can be seen for a few seconds in the Space Marine victory cinematic in ''Dark Crusade'', although it's not specified whether it's actually him or if they just didn't see the point of creating a new Inquisitor model for the four seconds one appears on screen.
* CoolSword: Wields a Power Sword after he gives God-Splitter to Captain Angelos.
* DemonicPossession: [[spoiler:Some fans have speculated that it's the cause of his order to destroy the Maledictum in the first game.]]
* DropTheHammer: The ''God-Splitter'', before he gave it to Angelos at the end of ''Dawn of War''.
* JerkassHasAPoint: He was right about one of the Blood Ravens being corrupted by Chaos; he just had the wrong guy -- it wasn't Gabriel being corrupted, it was [[spoiler:Isador]].
%%* KillItWithFire: He's an Ordo Malleus Inquisitor.%%And?
%%* LargeHam: Very much so.
* MisBlamed: InUniverse, he wrongfully suspected Gabriel of heresy when it was actually Isador. He grudgingly apologizes about it.
* RightForTheWrongReasons: He was right to be suspicious that someone in Gabriel's Company was corrupted of Chaos, it's just that he picked the wrong marine to scrutinize and that marine only ,when he could just take a look at the other marines as well. By the time that it's too late to stop [[spoiler:Isador]], he begrudgingly apologizes to Gabriel.
* ScaryBlackMan: Subverted in that most of the cast don't really find him scary at all. And those who do only do so due to his bureaucratic power.
* SwordAndGun: God-Splitter (later a Power Sword) and a Plasma Pistol.

[[folder:Colonel Carus Brom]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Colonel_Brom_5693.png]]

-->''"Hold the line! In the name of the Emperor you will not falter!"''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/MarkOliver

Commander of Tartarus' Imperial Guard garrison, Colonel Brom assists the Blood Raven's 3rd Company in the defense of that world. Only appears in ''Dawn of War''.

* BadassCape: As part of his character outfit.
* BadassNormal: No visible enhancements, but he fights pretty damn well.
* {{BFS}}: He owns a pretty large claymore-like Power Sword. (Seriously the damn thing looks like it should belong to a Space Marine.)
* TheCameo: His model is used for the new, unnamed Governor-General in the Eldar ending of ''Soulstorm''.
* ColonelBadass: For the Imperial Guard on Tartarus.
* FaceHeelTurn: [[spoiler:He turns to Chaos in the novel and promptly dies for it]]; this isn't necessarily canon in the games.
* HandCannon: Carries a standard-issue Bolt Pistol
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: To his men. He's no stranger to field executions, but he's smart enough to work with Angelos and is generally quite competent.
* SwordAndGun: He wields a large Power Sword and a Bolt Pistol.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse:
** In game his authority is superseded by Inquisitor Toth and he stick around for a few missions. Then he just disappears and his fate is never stated. It's very likely that he dies when the Orks over-run his forces and slaughter them.
** [[spoiler:In the books, he ends up turning to Chaos offscreen, alongside several of his men, before returning and leading a counterattack against the Blood Ravens. He ends up running into Gabriel Angelos and dies not too long afterwards.]]
* YouHaveFailedMe: A variation in which he guns down a pair of fleeing Guardsmen for cowardice. His "Rally" ability involves him shooting one of the men under his command in the back of the head. It restores the squad's morale but costs you a unit, hurting the squad as a whole.

[[folder:General Sturnn]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/General_Sturnn_3431.jpg]]

-->''"To each of us falls a task, and all [[GodEmperor the Emperor]] requires of us [[RedshirtArmy guards]][[BadassNormal men]] is that we [[HoldTheLine stand the line]] and die fighting. It is what we do best; we [[DiedStandingUp die standing.]]"''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/PaulDobson

General Sturnn leads the Cadian 412th regiment of the Imperial Guard on their latest assignment, to recover an Imperator-class Titan that fell in the defense of Lorn V, as chronicled in ''Winter Assault''. A grizzled veteran, he does not give up easily.

* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: As an ordinary human, he can tear Chaos Space Marines apart in close combat!
* BadassNormal: He doesn't have any special powers or augmentations, he's just an old man who has seen decades of the worst fighting in the galaxy, and survived. It becomes more notable considering the fact that, unlike the other two Generals, He doesn't feel the need to wear a golden breastplate, have a Plasma Pistol, super-duper Power Claws or Power Fists, optical bionics, Over-sized Pauldrons, fancy golden boots or a shiny new cape. He only wears his gritted face, cheap Power Claws, a forearm-mounted Storm Bolter and his Medal-Covered Imperial Guard uniform.
* {{Determinator}}: This man will get the job done. Sod the [[OneManArmy Khornate Space Marines]], the [[TheUsualAdversaries Ork WAAAGH!!]], the [[SufficientlyAdvancedAlien Eldar witches]] and even the [[ImplacableMan Necron Warriors]]. Another world, another glorious victory in remembrance of the Immortal God-Emperor of Man.
* EnemyMine: With the Eldar, though eventually he either turns on them or is turned on.
* AFatherToHisMen: Sturnn genuinely and dearly cares for the men under his command and avoids sending them on suicide missions if it can be helped. He also tells them that [[ItHasBeenAnHonor he is honored to have led them to battle]].
* FourStarBadass: General Sturnn kills the enemies of the Emperor with naught but his grit filled stare.
* FrontlineGeneral:He is more than willing to fight with his men with nothing other than standard-issue wargear.
* KilledOffForReal: By the Eldar after the Necrons are driven off, according to the ''Hammer of the Emperor'' sourcebook for ''TabletopGame/OnlyWar''. This contradicts a piece of wargear in the Imperial Guard campaign of ''Retribution'', which states that he succeeded in capturing the Titan.
* LargeHam: He can out ham an Eldar, which is saying something.
* RousingSpeech: He gives more than a few.
-->'''Sturnn:''' Although the Golden Throne of Terra orbits a distant star, far from here, the Emperor's Hand is on your shoulder, always. You have fought and displayed loyalty and bravery far and above your calling as Guardsmen. You have faced the full brunt of an Ork WAAAAGH! as well stared down the horrors of the Warp in the fallen Space Marines. And in that, I am ''honored'' to have led you. Our task remains, however. There is still work to be done. The Titan is ours, but its Machine Spirit is injured. The Titan Crew is in place, leaving us to defend the Titan while the crew brings its armaments online. For that, we need energy to power the weapons systems. Now, go... THE FIGHT IS FAR FROM OVER!
* WolverineClaws: His Power Claws, with a Bolter attached.

[[folder:Chaplain Varnus of the Ultramarines]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Chaplain_Varnus_4591.png]]

-->''We have weathered fiercer storms than this! {{Hold the line}}, damn you. You will not embarrass the Emperor today by dying!"''\\

A Chaplain of the Ultramarines, he was aboard the Thunderhawk that was carrying the crew for an Imperator-class Titan that fell in the defense of Lorn V. He assists General Sturnn in recovering said Titan, as chronicled in ''Winter Assault''.
-----
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: At least as far as the Ultramarines go.
* CarryABigStick: Like most Chaplains in the origenal ''Dawn of War'', his Crozius Arcanum looks more like a big mace than anything.
* EstablishingCharacterMoment: He kills a Bloodthirster by himself. An impressive feat, as they're capable of devastating star systems single-handed.
* ItHasBeenAnHonor: To Sturnn after successfully defending the Titan.
* SwordAndGun: His Crozius Arcanum and a Bolt Pistol.
%%* WarriorMonk: An excellent example of one.%%How?
* YouShallNotPass: His defense of the Titan crew while awaiting Sturnn's arrival. He and his men actually survive, unlike many examples of this trope.
* StaffOfAuthority: His Crozius Arcanum is much as a badge of as much as it can force xenos, heretics, and daemons heads in with brutal force.

[[folder:Governor-Militant Lukas Alexander]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Lukas_Alexander_2053.jpg]]

-->''"Enemies of the Imperium hear me; you have come here to die. The Immortal God-Emperor of Man is with us, and we are invincible."''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/BrianDobson

Commander of the 1st Kronus Liberators regiment, Imperial Governor of Kronus, and was embroiled in the ''Dark Crusade''. He was tasked by Segmentum Command with hunting down Farseer Taldeer of Craftworld Ulthwe for her actions on Lorn V, and securing the planet as well. Is canonically defeated by the Blood Ravens.
-----
* ArmCannon: He first starts off with a normal Wrist-Mounted Bolter, but eventually you can give him a much more powerful wrist-Mounted Plasma Pistol
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: He's governor of the parts of Kronus under Imperial command, and the leader of the Liberators. Not quite enough to save him, but give him credit for not backing down even in the face of certain death.
* BadBoss: During the attack on his Stronghold, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcEA5Hvi4RA he roasts several of his own men with his Hellstorm cannon to shoot ONE of your units]], and keeps firing it periodically until you take the power for it away from him on the off-chance he'll hit you again regardless of how many of his own men might be down there. [[LaserGuidedKarma If you build Thermo Plasma Generators in the right places, you can fire the Titan gun on his men any time they're in its firing line at your leisure]]. And since the Blood Ravens were the canon winners of ''Dark Crusade'', this really did happen.
* {{BFG}}: His stronghold includes a Hellstorm cannon, the arm weapon for an [[HumongousMecha Imperator Titan]], which his men uncovered while building their fortifications in Victory Bay. They used large generators to get it up and running, and it becomes a major obstacle during the assault on his Stronghold.
* BlingOfWar: A good amount of his Carapace Armor,and other Wargear is decked out in Gold.
* DidntThinkThisThrough: He made two fatal blunders during his final battle with the Blood Ravens.
** His Fifth Company were having [[ScrewThisImOuttaHere morale problems]], and his solution... was to force them to screen attacks directed at his central base with only token defenses and a single Regimental [[ThePoliticalOfficer Commissar]] to keep them in the fight. The Blood Ravens killed the Commissar and the entire company promptly [[TheDogBitesBack turned on him]].
--->'''Fifth Company Guardsman:''' Time for payback!
** The other was building the Thermo Plasma Generators used to power the Titan cannon in a fairly easy-to-access location that the Space Marines could get to easily once they overcame the Fifth Company's defences. He didn't defend them very well, either, with only a token defense of mine fields, turrets, some infantry and a pair of Leman Russ tanks. The result was that the Generators were all destroyed and replaced with Space Marine equivalents that allowed the Blood Ravens to take it for themselves.
* FourStarBadass: He's the general of the Liberators, it's to be expected.
* HonorBeforeReason: He'll keep fighting even when it becomes apparent he'll lose, because he figures it's better to die fighting. Even if he's fighting against the Blood Ravens, who are nominally on the same side.
* JustFollowingOrders: The reason he came into conflict with the Blood Ravens (even tho both are part of the Imperium). He had orders to liberate and defend the planet from all threats, while the Blood Ravens had orders to PURGE everyone from the planet. Both groups' higher-ups could not clear up the orders before each side came to blows. Even when fighting each other, Alexander and Captain Thule exchange words of respect for each following their orders to the letter.
* KilledOffForReal: Canonically killed by the Blood Ravens. Though an Imperial Commander with his same model is killed in Soulstorm's introduction cinematic.
* PowerFist: One of his eventual upgrades.
* RousingSpeech: Gives a good one when Victory Bay is invaded. It certainly makes one hell of an impression for him.
* RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: Even after being made Governor of Kronus (aka king of the planet), Alexander personally lead his troops into battle during every conflict of the war.
* WolverineClaws: His starting weapon, though he will eventually replace it with the Power Fist.
* WorthyOpponent: Thule saw him as such, despite having to kill him and his Guardsmen. He in turn saw Thule as this.
* VindicatedByHistory: An in-universe example, given in an item description in the ''Retribution'' IG campaign. Given the elements of treachery and heresy within the Blood Ravens as of ''Chaos Rising'' and ''Retribution'', many within the Imperium have re-evaluated his decision to oppose them, and he's seen a lot more positively now.

[[folder:Governor-General Vance Stubbs]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Vance_Stubbs_333.jpg]]

-->''"Commissar, I would like to see this city built up again. I would like to see towers and spires of gleaming white, I would like to see our men on parade routes, not tours of duty!"''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/ScottMcNeil (campaign quotes), Creator/BrianDobson (gameplay quotes recycled from Alexander)

General Stubbs is the newly appointed Governor of the Kaurava system, and commander of the 252nd Kauravan Conservator regiment. Having just taken command of the system before the Warp Storm arrived, Stubbs hopes to reconquer the Kaurava system for the Imperium.

* ArmCannon: Just like Sturn and Alexander before him, he starts off with a normal Wrist-mounted Bolter and can upgrade to [[MoreDakka the much faster]] Storm Bolter.
* BadassCape: Can be given Ibram's Vestment, a trademark cloak of the Governor-Generals.
* BlingOfWar: For the Emperor's sake, even his Bionics are gilded in gold!
* EarnYourHappyEnding: In his non-canon victory ending, Stubbs rebuilds the system and constructs several military acadamies, he and his soldiers are seen as heroes, and Kaurava produces soldiers second in quality only to Cadia's Kasrkins.
* AFatherToHisMen: A tough but fair commander who would rather his men be on parade tours than tours of duty.
* FourStarBadass: He whips into shape a historically terrible military unit and commands their respect.
* FrontlineGeneral: He fights alongside his men with the help of his Command Squadron.
* GangstaStyle: Does this when you give him the Plasma Gun... for some frakin' reason.
** Most likely because the developers didn't think of changing his firing stance when he acquires the weapon.
* GeneralFailure: The meme of him "losing 100 Baneblades" has made some people jokingly claim he was this[[note]]the "loss" of the Baneblades wasn't his fault in the slightest; they weren't destroyed or misplaced, just reassigned to a different battlezone[[/note]]. Still awesome though.
* HeroicBSOD: In his defeat scene, he gives a pretty impressive breakdown speech, despise the bad voice acting:
-->'''Stubbs:''' All I've fought for... all my work. Crushed, crushed! All the good men who gave their lives for this cursed, this blasted system...
* HollywoodCyborg: One of the Wargear upgrades you can get for him is for him to be Augmented with Bionics to increase his melee prowess.
* KnowWhenToFoldEm: He retreats from Kaurava after his defeat with the intent to fight his enemies another day.
* OnlySaneMan: One of the few leaders in Soulstorm who doesn't have his head stuck all the way up his arse.
* RoaringRampageOfRevenge: Upon seeing the ColdBloodedTorture the Dark Eldar subjected their prisoners to, General Stubbs and his men fight extra fiercely to drive the Dark Eldar from the system and to punish them.
* WeWillMeetAgain: In his defeat scene:
-->'''Stubbs:''' Though my army lies in ruins today... I have not done fighting. And I will remember who my enemies are...
* WolverineClaws: One of his default weapons, you can get progressively get better ones if you choose to do so.

[[folder:Canoness Selena Agna]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Canoness_Selena_Agna_5059.jpg]]

-->''"Then we shall purge it with fire. I have yet to find a cinder that was not faithful in its praise of the Emperor."''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/EllenKennedy

Canoness Agna leads the Order of the Sacred Rose forces that have come to Kaurava to cleanse it of heretics and xenos by [[KillItWithFire burning everything, just to be sure.]] Proud and fanatical, she is an exemplary member of the Sisters of Battle.
-----
* ActionGirl: As the leader of the AmazonBrigade faction, she's naturally one herself.
* BadassCape: She starts off with a cool-looking one, but you can upgrade her with the much better "Cloak of St. Aspira" which increases her health and increases resistance to melee attacks.
* BattleAura: Her final upgrade has her surrounded in Aura of Holy fire called "The Emperor's Blessing".
* BetterToDieThanBeKilled: When defeated, she chooses to die a martyr's death by immolating herself and her fellow Sisters, along with their enemies.
%%* ChurchMilitant
* CoolSword: She starts off with the standard-issue Chainsword, but you can upgrade to the much better Power Sword.
* TheExtremistWasRight: [[spoiler:She's techically not wrong about the Blood Raven being tainted, with Kyras being in league with Chaos before any of them knew of the truth.]]
* EvenEvilHasStandards: After capturing the Dark Eldar base, Canoness Agna is deeply disgusted and disturbed by the ColdBloodedTorture that the Dark Eldar subjected their prisoners to. It takes all her faith to avoid [[HeroicBSOD going insane]].
* ImprobableWeaponUser: Her final melee weapon upgrade, the "Brazier of Holy Fire" has her beat her foes to death with what is essentially an over-glorified torch.
* ItIsBeyondSaving: She was convinced that the Kaurava system is irredeemable and corrupted with aliens all over the system and having to battle against the system's Guards and the Blood Ravens, whom she already suspected of taint.
* KnightTemplar: Convinced that the presence of Chaos in the Kaurava system must mean that both the Imperial Guard and the Blood Ravens have also fallen to corruption and need to be purged.
* KillItWithFire: You can get her a Torch for a melee weapon, what is essentially a flamethrower pistol and set herself on holy fire. But seriously she's from the Sisters of Battle, what did you expect? This goes to the point that, during her defeat cutscene, she immolates herself along with her soldiers and any enemy soldiers nearby.
* SwordAndGun: Like many Imperial Commanders.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Confessor Treganum March]]
-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/MichaelKopsa

[[folder:Governor Gregor Vandis]]
Governor of the Hive World and sub-sector capital, Meridian, Vandis is the primary obstacle to the Blood Ravens for gaining access to Angel's Forge. He's secretly a worshipper of Chaos, and rebels against the Imperium in ''Chaos Rising''.

* AristocratsAreEvil: Vandis is part of House Vandis, one of the noble houses which rule Meridian and which Thaddeus claims is only interested in it's own self-preservation. [[spoiler:Fully becomes this when he and House Vandis ally with Chaos to reclaim control of the planet]].
* DirtyCoward: Flees the sub-sector once it becomes apparent that the Tyranids are there in force.
* FaceHeelTurn: [[spoiler:He joins the Black Legion in ''Chaos Rising'']].
* TheGhost: He is never seen or heard in either campaign, only alluded to.
* ObstructiveBureaucrat: He not only laughed off the possibility of a Tyranid invasion until it was too late, he also hoarded Blood Raven relics.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Disappears completely during ''Chaos Rising''.

[[folder:Administrator/Governor Elena Derosa]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Elena_Derosa_1454.png]]

-->''"The Blood Ravens are here! The Emperor's Angels of Death fight with us!"''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Christine Dunford

Administrator Derosa is Governor Vandis' liaison with the Blood Raven strike force. She appears obstructive, but she is merely following orders, and when the need was apparent, she took action. She is appointed Governor of Meridian in ''Chaos Rising'' to take Vandis' place after he abandoned the sub-sector.

* BadassNormal: She can tell a Space Marine to be quiet and listen, that takes ovaries of adamantium. Avitus even states that she'd make a good Sister of Battle.
* ObstructiveBureaucrat: She's just following orders though. She gets better and becomes...
* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: She takes control of Meridian once Vandis runs away, and does a much better job preparing for the Tyranids than he did. Even Avitus compliments her. She gets promoted to governor In ''Chaos Rising''.
* WhatHappenedToTheMouse: Is never even mentioned in ''Retribution''. It's very likely she was killed when the Traitor Guardsmen overran Meridian during ''Retribution'''s story. Since it was revealed the Capitol Spire's defenders had all fallen due to not expecting an attack from within and the fact she was never heard from again sometime after, it's heavily implied she was slaughtered along with the other forces defending the planet.

!Orks
[[folder:Warboss Orkamungus]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Warboss_DoW_2498.png]]

-->''"Bah! We'll keep 'em more than busy. We'll keep dem dead."''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/PaulDobson

Warboss Orkamungus led the Orks ravaging the planet Tartarus. It is eventually revealed that he had made a deal with the Alpha Legion to serve as a distraction for the Blood Ravens in exchange for weapons and the chance to fight the Imperium's finest. He is eventually killed by the Blood Ravens, ending the Ork threat on Tartarus.

* {{BFG}}: Carries a massive gun on one arm.
* EveryoneHasStandards: He refused to let Sindri boss him around, and made it clear that he was only in on their bargain because he wanted to fight the Space Marines.
* LargeAndInCharge: Standard for a warboss.
* NotWorthKilling: His opinion of the Alpha Legion, asserting that they weren't worth the hassle because if they were, they wouldn't need him and his boyz to do their fighting for them.
* PowerFist: The giant Power Klaw on his free hand.
* StarterVillain: He only appears in a single mission, his WAAAGH! is only your primary concern for four total and the Orks become a disorganised mess without him (albeit one still able to massacre the civilian populace).
* UnwittingPawn: Of Sindri, as was everyone else.
* VillainRespect: He considered the Space Marines {{Worthy Opponent}}s and struck a deal with Sindri purely for the chance to fight them.

[[folder:Warboss Gorgutz 'Ead 'Unter, Lord All Koroova]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Warboss_DoW_2498.png]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/gorgutz_profile.png]]

-->''"Da greatest war machine iz da Ork WAAAGH! We don't need no damn tinker'traption to be strong, we ''iz'' strong! Listen to 'em! Screamin' with one voice across da whole planet! WAAAAGH!"''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/BrianDrummond (''Dawn of War'') [=/=] Creator/BrianDobson (''Soulstorm'') [=/=] Nathan Constance (''Dawn of War III'')

Warboss Gorgutz is one of the most popular characters in the series, and has appeared in all the expansions for the original ''Dawn of War''. Gorgutz's first appearance has him attempting to start a WAAAGH! on Lorn V, when that fails, he flees to Kronus, and tries again. When thwarted this time, he flees once more to Kaurava, where he finally caught a break and managed to make himself warlord of the entire star system. Not content to rest on his laurels, Gorgutz now rides out from Kaurava at the head of his massive WAAAGH! on a quest to loot that pointiest of pointy sticks, the fabled Spear of Khaine.

* ArchEnemy: To Crull, in ''Winter Assault''. He ultimately kills the Chaos Lord.
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: Like any good Warboss, he's strong enough to assert his authority and keep his Boyz in line.
* AxCrazy: Although he's not ''quite'' as crazy as others, make no mistake, Gorgutz is still as savage and barbaric as any other Ork.
* BadassBoast: Just look at the quote above. Gorgutz is ''loaded'' with these.
-->'''Gorgutz:''' Listen up ya grots an' squigs! Dey'z comin' for us like we some kind a humie gitz. But we ain't. We'ze da orks and dis here is gonna be one great fight! So get your choppas and shootas ready boyz , cos dere's some killin' to do!

-->'''Gorgutz:''' Come on then, humie! Let's see what you got!\\
'''Alexander:''' What I have is your death, alien!\\
'''Gorgutz:''' Yer not the first to think dey got me, humie. Let's see if you can live up to yer yammering.

-->'''Gorgutz:''' Oi humies, yer in Ork lands now! Hope you ain't too attached to yer heads.\\
'''Thule:''' Yell and gnash all you want, alien. The Blood Ravens are here to finish your off.\\
'''Gorgutz:''' A humie with some spirit! Yer head's gonna be mine!\\
'''Thule:''' You'll meet my bolter first, filth.\\
'''Gorgutz:''' I like da way you think, humie. Dis is gonna be fun!

-->'''Aun'El:''' You are an affront to the Greater Good, Ork.\\
'''Gorgutz:''' You callin' me names, Grey Skin? Me Boyz're gonna hav' to teach you some manners.

-->'''Gorgutz:''' You didn't think you could stop Gorgutz, did ye, ye metal gitz?

--> '''Gorgutz:''' I'z still bigger den youz! Now, who else been doing the dinkin', eh? Youz think you can take me? I da biggest Ork 'ere! [[BringIt Show me what ya got!]]
* BadBoss: The first thing we see him do is kill a Meganob for suggesting they run, and he later kills a random Ork just because he's angry. The after action report for him defeating the Tau in ''Dark Crusade'' states that he killed his subordinates for failing to retrieve Au'nel's skull. In fact, this is pretty much a recurring theme with him.
* TheBadGuyWins: [[spoiler:''Dawn of War III'' confirms that Gorgutz is the canonical winner of the Kaurava conflict (''Soulstorm'').]]
* BaldOfEvil: Like most Orks, he lacks any hair.
* BattleTrophy: Skulls are his preferential trophy. What, did you think he'd be using someone's foot as a trophy?
* {{BFG}}: Any gun he uses.
* TheBerserker: Being the Warboss, he can inspire other Orks around him by initiating a WAAAGH! frenzy.
* BigBadDuumvirate: His first appearance in ''Winter Assault'' has him making a very shaky alliance with the World Eaters Chaos Lord Crull.
* BigBadEnsemble: He's one of the primary antagonists in all of the original ''Dawn of War'' expansions.
** ''Dark Crusade'': Gorgutz is one of the major antagonists, this time competing with Eliphas the Inheritor and the Necron Lord of Kronus.
** ''Soulstorm'': Gorgutz, along with the Necron Lord of All Kaurava, Firaeveus Carron, and Archon Tahril.
** ''Dawn of War III'': For most of the game, Gorgutz and Kyre are the main threats, until they're revealed to have been [[UnwittingPawn playing into the hand]] of the true BigBad, the Storm Prince.
* BloodKnight: As befitting an ork, he lives and thrives off of battle.
* TheBusCameBack: After being absent throughout ''Dawn of War II'', he returns in ''Dawn of War III''.
* CombatPragmatist: He'll happily use whatever means possible to get one over his opponent. If his base is overrun, he'll just detonate it and take as many of the enemy with him as possible... unless he's slipping out the back.
* DeadpanSnarker: He's the biggest source of ''Dawn of War''[='=]s humor.
-->'''Macabee:''' Death has come for you.\\
'''Gorgutz:''' Deff? You looks like a 'oomie dats needs some feedin', metal boy.\\
'''Macabee:''' We exterminated all life on this planet before, and we shall do so again.\\
'''Gorgutz:''' Dat woz before me WAAAGH! got 'ere. Now, ''we'' is da wuns doin' da 'sterminating!

-->'''Gorgutz:''' Metal Boyz! That'll go all nice on me pointy stik. Kill 'em, lads!\\
'''Macabee:''' We are your end, alien.\\
'''Gorgutz:''' If ya mean the end of me pointy stik, I'm right dere with ya!

-->'''O'Kais:''' Ork, you don't have a chance. Surrender for the Greater Good!\\
'''Gorgutz:''' You don't know much about Orks, do ya, Grey Skin?\\
'''O'Kais:''' I have given you your chance. The time for talk is over."\\
'''Gorgutz:''' Now yer seeing things my way, Grey Skin. Shut yer yap and get to fighting.

-->'''Gorgutz:''' Come on, Grey Skin! I need yer skull for me pointy stik.\\
'''O'Kais:''' Don't you see that your defeat is inevitable, Ork? You cannot hope to win.\\
'''Gorgutz:''' How 'bout shutting yer yap and getting over here so I can chop ya. Can I hope for dat?

-->'''Gorgutz:''' You Eldar are starting to be a real pain, you know, dat?\\
'''Taldeer:''' Our task here is too important to let one such as you derail it.\\
'''Gorgutz:''' Hmm? Did you say something, Eldar? I couldn't hear for all dat hot air you's blowing.\\
'''Taldeer:''' Your infantilism is boundless, Ork.\\
'''Gorgutz:''' And she ''still'' won't shut it.

-->'''Gorgutz:''' Do ye alwayz yap so much, humie?\\
'''Alexander:''' You've come here to die, alien!\\
'''Gorgutz:''' Guess so.

-->'''Gorgutz:''' Took ya long enuff to get to me, didn't it?\\
'''Eliphas:''' Chaos moves at its own pace, alien, not yours.\\
'''Gorgutz:''' How 'bout dyin'? Ya do dat any fasta'? I gotz to plan the rest of me day.\\
'''Eliphas:''' Ah, I shall miss this banter once you are dead, Ork.
* DemotedToDragon: After conquering the Kaurava System, Gorgutz sets out for Cyprus and pledges his allegiance to Gitstompa. [[TheStarscream For a while at least...]]
* DragonInChief: For Gitstompa. Gitstompa proves to be an inept warboss whose only tactics involved throwing more Orks at the enemy and just hoping that's enough. Gorgutz, on the other hand, does all the actual thinking and had to salvage Gitstompa's botched assaults, which he often [[UngratefulBastard fails to recognize]].
* DragonWithAnAgenda: He only pretended to be loyal to Gitstompa and fully intended on overthrowing him and taking control of his armies for himself.
* {{Deuteragonist}}: He is one of the central protagonists of ''Dawn of War III''.
* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: [[spoiler:He, Gabriel Angelos, and Farseer Macha work together to defeat the [[EldritchAbomination Daemon of Acheron]]. And they ''win''.]]
** In ''Winter Assault'', Gorgutz believes the fallen Titan is junk and intends to pound it into scrap. When the Necrons show up, Gorgutz and his Orks make no use of it. [[BewareTheSillyOnes They trash the Necrons anyway.]]
* DirtyCoward: Averted. Although running may seem cowardly for an Ork (especially a Warboss), Gorgutz only flees when he knows he's lost. Retreat is more PragmaticVillainy than an act of cowardice.
* TheDreaded: Given how he was the head of at least three WAAAGH!s, the Imperium is wary when he's at the helm of a new horde.
* EnemyMine:
** He forges an alliance with Lord Crull of the World Eaters Legion. It doesn't last long and ends with Gorgutz killing Crull.
** He forms another with [[spoiler:Gabriel Angelos and Farseer Macha]] in ''Dawn of War III'', to defeat [[spoiler:the Daemon of Acheron]]. This time he doesn't turn on either of them, and they allow one another to go their separate ways.
* FrontlineGeneral: Like all Orks, he'll happily rush in with his Boyz and get right into the thick of a fight.
* GeniusBruiser: He's pretty smart as far as Orks go. He understands that retreat is an option, prepares for that possibility every time, and that he can always find another warband to take over.
* GreenAndMean: Of course! He wouldn't be Orky if he wasn't green and mean enough to be Warboss.
* HairTriggerTemper: The guy is pretty quick to anger, especially in regards to his own boyz, given how frequently he kills them.
* HamToHamCombat: In ''Winter Assault,'' he engages in a truly epic war of ham with Lord Crull. Try not to laugh at how over the top they are.
-->'''Gorgutz:''' I am da biggest, baddest warboss dere iz!\\
'''Crull:''' Gorgutz! The Titan is mine! Do you hear?! '''MINE'''!\\
'''Gorgutz:''' You'z a gretchin' git! Da Titan is ''mine''! I get 'ere first! ''I'' control da gate!\\
'''Crull:''' Don't be a fool, Gorgutz. Even if you have the Titan, you don't know how to operate it.\\
'''Gorgutz:''' Da Titan iz worthless to me! That's why I'm gunna pound it into scrap.\\
'''Crull:''' You can't! The Titan Dominatus is one of the greatest war machines ever constructed!\\
'''Gorgutz:''' Wrong, ya git! Da greatest war machine iz da Ork WAAAGH! We don't need no damn tinker'traption to be strong, we iz strong! Listen to 'em! Screamin' with one voice across da whole planet! WAAAAGH!
* HornsOfVillainy: He has a large pair of horns protruding from his skull.
* HyperCompetentSidekick: For Gitstompa at the start of ''III''. Gorgutz has an actual grasp of strategy and tactics, while Gitstompa prefers to just AttackAttackAttack and hope there's enough Orks to overwhelm the enemy. Naturally, Gorgutz decides to take power for himself once he has the opportunity to do so.
* IHaveManyNames: With the exception of 'Ead 'Unter, Gorgutz can acquire many names over the course of ''Dark Crusade'': Rage Screamer (Tau), Blood Spilla (Blood Ravens), Death Killa (Necrons), Daemon Killa (Chaos), Gun Smasher (Imperial Guard), and Ghost Killa (Eldar).
* JokerImmunity: Survives his every appearance, mainly by sneaking out when his horde's been crushed. [[spoiler:This persists in ''Dawn of War III'', where he survives yet again. Had he successfully acquired the Spear of Khaine and tried using it, he'd have been devoured as the final sacrifice needed to free the Daemon of Acheron. Luckily for him, Kyre sprung the trap first.]]
* KarmaHoudini: He's escaped death three times over the course of the series and [[spoiler:is even the canonical conqueror of the Kaurava systems]].
* KnowWhenToFoldEm: His base is overrun, and given Orks' BloodKnight tendencies you'd expect him to keep fighting on and go down in a blaze of glory befitting of a Warboss. Sucker. He'll retreat and activate the SelfDestructMechanism rigged all over his base.
* NoHoldsBarredBeatdown: One of his killing blow animations is this, where he slams his victim to the ground before pounding them to mush and slapping them away.
* LackOfEmpathy: He feels nothing for the lives he takes and ruins. Quite the contrary, he's ecstatic and gets quite a kick out of it, like a true Ork.
* LargeAndInCharge: Even outright invokes this.
--> '''Gorgutz:''' I'z too big to be beat!
* LargeHam: Oh, '''YES'''. Just look at all of his quotes.
* LaughablyEvil: A chunk of his appeal is because of this. He's very quick on the witty repartees whenever another army is attacking his strongholds.
* LetsYouAndHimFight: [[spoiler:He lets the Eldar kill Gitstompa for him, so he can take over his warband.]]
* MadeOfIron: Is by far the most durable commander in the campaigns he appears in.
* MeaningfulName: He's known as 'Ead 'Unter because of his tendency to collect the heads of his enemies and mount them on his pointy stikk.
* NearVillainVictory: [[spoiler:Ironically, this is what saved his life in ''III''. Although he reaches the Spear of Khaine first, Kyre defeats him in a battle and attempts to kill him with the spear. However, the Spear shatters and devours Kyre as a sacrifice for the Daemon of Acheron. Had Gorgutz used it, he'd have suffered that very fate.]]
* OneManArmy: All of his upgrades and wargear give him an insane amount of DPS and health, allowing him to take on entire armies. The only commanders that can beat him are the Necron Lords in both campaigns, the Chaos Lords and Caerys due to a bug in the game letting her kill him in one shot with her gun. Then comes the ending of ''Dawn of War 3'', where he, Macha, and Gabriel slaughter their way through hundreds of enemies and a Greater Daemon on their own.
* OverarchingVillain: Notably the first in the franchise. Gorgutz appears in every expansion of the original game before sitting out the entirety of II, then resurging for another go in III.
* PoweredArmor: He's coated in cybernetics and armor that make him into a hulking tank.
* PowerFist: The Power Klaw he uses for his main weapon. In III, it is modified into a flail that he can swing to deflect projectiles as well as use as a grappling hook.
* PowerUpLetDown: The final ranged wargear upgrade he gets in ''Dark Crusade'' actually does LESS damage than the one he gets before it.
* PragmaticVillainy: If he knows he's lost, he'll pull out and fight another day. This tactic is one of the main reasons he's survived three major conflicts. If he ''wins'', he methodically rebuilds his conquests into an industrial powerhouse, giving him everything he needs to fuel an even grander campaign of conquest.
* TheRightHandOfDoom: His Klaw in ''III'' is so huge that he uses it to move.
* RocketPunch: His powa klaw in ''Dawn of War III'' can now be launched from his arm on a cable. Not only can he use this to grapple over to places, but it also rends and damages anything he manages to hit with it.
* ScreamingWarrior: He's got quite a thunderous voice when he gets going and inspires his fellow Orks.
* ScrewThisImOuttaHere:
** ''Winter Assault'': When Crull proposes he and Gorgutz charge the Imperial Guard's line together, he more of less tells the Chaos Lord to sod off as he walks away, leaving Crull to do it himself.
** ''Dark Crusade'': Upon realizing he's been beat, he bombs his base and escapes out the backdoor.
--->'''Gorgutz:''' Always 'ave yer tunnels dug an' ready!
** ''Soulstorm'': Should his stronghold be overrun, he kills the incompetent Nob in charge of the place, then leaves with whatever boyz he has left.
* SmallNameBigEgo: Not for his entire career mind you, but when he first started out in Winter Assault, one of his men bragged that he was bigger than Nazdreg and Ghazghkull, two infamous warbosses. Gorgutz castises him saying no one is bigger than Ghazghkull "at least not yet" showing his arrogance. At the time, it was unlikely he was bigger than even Nazdreg. By ''III'', he's probably reached that size. As for Ghazghkull, he's got a long way to go more than likely.
* SpinToDeflectStuff: In ''Dawn of War III'', he can spin his klaw-flail overhead. This not only shreds nearby enemies, it also deflects incoming projectiles and allows him to tank up ranged fire.
* TheStarscream:
** [[spoiler:When the campaign on Lorn V is lost, he turns on Crull and kills him.]]
** He swears his allegiance to a local Warboss named Gitstompa in ''Dawn of War III''. [[spoiler:He quickly disposes of him by pulling a LetsYouAndHimFight with the Eldar, so that he can take over his WAAAGH!.]]
* SuperStrength: And how! You've gotta be able to back up your bark with some bite. Luckily, Gorgutz bites ''hard''.
* TookALevelInBadass: [[spoiler:Canonically, he loses in both ''Winter Assault'' and ''Dark Crusade'', but ''Dawn of War III'' confirms that he conquered the Kaurava system. ''An entire freaking star system.'']]
* UnskilledButStrong: He doesn't have any particularly flashy or impressive moves when it comes to fighting, but once he gets his klaw on you, you're going to be reduced into a fine red paste.
* VillainExitStageLeft: At the end of his Stronghold in ''Dark Crusade'', and if he hadn't won in Kaurava, he would done it in ''Soulstorm'' too.
* VillainProtagonist: He's a playable villain in every game he's appeared in.
* WeAreStrugglingTogether: With Lord Crull on ''Winter Assault''. [[spoiler:Although they have an alliance, it's extremely antagonistic and neither mince words that they will kill one another as soon as the Imperials and Eldar are dealt with. This all comes to a head when Gorgutz and Crull racing for the Titan. Ultimately, Gorgutz kills Crull and takes his skull, effectively ending the alliance.]]
* WeHaveReserves: Gorgutz tends to have millions upon millions of Orks following his lead, and he'll happily throw them away if he gets a good fight out of it.
* YouveGottaBeKiddingMe: His overall reaction when he crashes near Lord Crull's base with just a few boyz by his side.
--> '''Gorgutz:''' And right near a humie base? Dis just grand!

[[folder:Stupid]]
--> Ye're gonna call'im a grot?

Gorgutz' NumberTwo, a not-overly-bright Mega-Armored Nob. The fans gave him the name due to Gorgutz naming Plan: Stupid after him.
----
* AskAStupidQuestion:
--> '''Stupid:''' Wot's so special about [Sturnn's] head?\\
'''Gorgutz:''' Dat's where 'iz skull is, stupid! An' I'd look foolish with 'is foot on me pointy stikk!
* CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass: Dim he may be, he's still a capable fighter in his own right.
* TheDitz: He's not very bright, even by Ork standards. Gorgutz even names a plan after him and he takes it as a compliment.
* TheDogBitesBack: If Crull wins the gate mission, he turns on Gorgutz for failing the WAAAGH! Of course, Gorgutz pummels him to a pulp for it.
* TheDragon: He's the closest thing Gorgutz has to a lieutenant in ''Winter Assault'' and remains hy his side for the entire campaign.
* DumbassHasAPoint: Makes a grand total of one suggestion that isn't moronic.
--> '''Gorgutz:''' Da Waaagh! is gon' good, but dere's something missin...\\
'''Stupid:''' More skullz?\\
'''Gorgutz:''' Dat's it!
* HelpingWouldBeKillStealing: Gorgutz impresses this point on him after Stupid asks to kill Sturn to prove he's a good Ork.
* IFightForTheStrongestSide: Like all Orks, he only follows leaders that prove themselves worthy of being followed by being victorious all the time.
* LameComeback: His idea of insulting a Chaos warlord is... underwhelming. [[HairTriggerTemper Although it would probably work on some of them.]]
* MadeOfIron: Always seems to recover when getting beaten up by Gorgutz or chewed up by a squiggoth.
* NoNameGiven: The closest he gets to a name is this exchange:
--> '''Gorgutz:''' We'll call dat Plan: Stupid. I named it after ya! [...] Hey! Why'z you grinnin'?\\
'''Stupid:''' Because ya named a plan after me!
* PowerFist: Has a great big Power Klaw on one hand.

[[folder:Warboss Bonesmasha]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Warboss_DoW2_2043.png]]

-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/RobinAtkinDownes

Warboss Bonesmasha is the supreme leader of the Ork WAAAGH! in subsector Aurelia, and is certainly tough enough for the job, being capable of fighting off even the elite veterans and Terminators of the Force Commander's strike force. He is one of 2 bonus bosses in ''Dawn of War II''.
----
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: This guy is easily the strongest boss in the vanilla ''Dawn of War II'' campaign besides the [[PhysicalGod Avatar]].
* BonusBoss: You don't need to kill him to complete the campaign, though you get an achievement for it. He's also far from a pushover.
* DegradedBoss: If you didn't take him down in ''Dawn of War II'', you can encounter him in ''Chaos Rising''. He's not a boss though; he's a simple enemy whom you, [[VillainForgotToLevelGrind by this point]], [[CurbStompBattle can take down in one hit]].
* GracefulLoser: He takes dying pretty well, saying "So much for me boss pole" (he stated at the start of the fight that he intended to put your helmets on it).
* LargeAndInCharge: As a Warboss, this is a given.
%%* UnwittingPawn: Of the Eldar.
* VillainForgotToLevelGrind: In the vanilla game, Bonesmasha is one of the main antagonists and a challenging BonusBoss. If he survives to ''Chaos Rising'' through your OldSaveBonus, however, then by the time he shows up he'll be completely outmatched by your marines.
[[/folder]]

!Forces of Chaos
[[folder:Lord Bale (Alpha Legion)]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Lord_Bale_2419.png]]

-->''"SIIINDRIIII!!!"''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/ScottMcNeil

Bale is the official leader of the Alpha Legion forces on Tartarus. He prefers more direct methods to Sindri's webs of deceit, but the promise of power is enough to overcome his bloodlust. Is killed in single combat with Captain Angelos. SIIINDRRRIIII!

* BadBoss: Orders a random cultist killed for delivering him bad news. Sindri explains it's because [[TooDumbToLive the cultist was dumb enough to personally deliver Bale bad news]] [[InsaneTrollLogic and they can't tolerate stupidity.]]
* BigBadWannabe: He sure thinks he's the BigBad, but Sindri soon proves him wrong.
* CutsceneBoss: Is killed fairly easily by Gabriel Angelos in a scripted fight.
* DecoyLeader: It's clear from the moment we see him that Sindri is the real brains.
* GeneralFailure: Lets Sindri do all the thinking. Being a part of the Alpha Legion, one of the most mysterious and least trustworthy of all Marines Legions, he really should have seen this coming.
* GenreBlindness: Is part of an AlwaysChaoticEvil faction where lets his HyperCompetentSidekick do all the thinking to the point he's the de facto leader of his warband, and he doesn't expect this to turn out badly for him.
* GutturalGrowler: With an emphasis on 'Guttural'. It helps that he's voiced by [[WesternAnimation/BeastWars Dinobot]].
* KilledOffForReal: Towards the end of the campaign.
* SayMyName: "Sindri! SINDRI!"
* ShootTheMessenger: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qxvw9VsOwGU&NR=1 He apparently dislikes being brought bad news.]]
* SinisterScythe: He wields a Nurglite Manreaper scythe.
* UnwittingPawn: Of Sindri, right up to his death.

[[folder:Sorcerer Sindri Myr (Alpha Legion)]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Sindri_9066.png]]
[[quoteright:190:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/sindri_myr.jpg]]

-->''"All power demands sacrifice."''\\
'''Voiced by':''' Creator/ScottMcNeil

The real leader of the Alpha Legion forces on Tartarus, Sindri is manipulative, cunning, and deceitful. He orchestrated the events of ''Dawn of War'' in order to elevate himself to Daemon Princehood. It looks like he succeeds, but is defeated by Captain Angelos. He is one of the most popular characters in the series.

* AscendedToAHigherPlaneOfExistence: Used the Maledictum to ascend to a Daemon Prince. Subverted, since the Daemon in the Maledictum essentially claimed that he simply ate Sindri's soul.
* BadassBoast: In a roundabout way.
--> '''Sindri:''' (to [[spoiler:the traitorous Isador, who wanted to take the Maledictum from him.]]) "And, had you a century to prepare, you would still be too late to stop me from achieving my glory."
* BatmanGambit: His method for dealing with Ork allies.
--> "Lord Bale, Orks are not unpredictable. Quite the contrary; you can rely on them to turn against you."
* BigBad: Of the original ''Dawn of War'' campaign. He's the true mastermind of the Alpha Legion, manipulating the Orks, Bale, Eldar and even the Blood Ravens into helping him ascend to Daemonhood.
* {{BFS}}: As Daemon Prince. The sword he caries is around as long as he is tall.
* BlackMagic: The Powers of Chaos are exceptionally corruptive.
* TheChessmaster: Best. Example. In. The. Series. All of his plans work the he intended them, except for the part where he died. [[spoiler: He knew the Maledictum was on Tartarus and had one of Khorne's Bloodthirster in it. So he used the Orks as a cover for the War Band as well as a means to give enough blood and sacrifices to Khorne and ascend to Princehood. Lord Bale was just a figurehead to keep the War Band in line.]]
* ColdHam: Most of his lines fall into this, given that he's a sneering SoftSpokenSadist.
* TheCorrupter: To Isador.
* DeadpanSnarker: His faux-subordinate attitude occasionally cracks in moments like this.
-->'''Lord Bale:''' "If you fail me in this, Sindri-"\\
'''Sindri:''' "Yes, yes, 'then my suffering will be great'. Just be ready to move when I instruct!"
* TheDragon: Acts as this to Bale, but...
* DragonInChief: He was far more dangerous an opponent than Bale.
* DragonWithAnAgenda: It's clear from the start he's just using Bale for his own ends.
%%* EvilSorceror: Naturally.
%%* EntropyAndChaosMagic: By way of being a Chaos Sorcerer.
* FauxAffablyEvil: He's chillingly polite, all while planning and carrying out monstrous sacrifices to achieve his goals.
* FinalBoss: Of the original campaign.
* KilledOffForReal: It's left ambiguous as to whether Sindri will stay dead, due to supposedly being an immortal daemon prince at the time. However, the daemon inside the Maledictum implied that instead of uplifting Sindri, it simply ate his soul and possessed his body as a daemonhost.
* LargeHam: Most of his lines as a Chaos Sorceror are ColdHam, but he has his moments.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rgazrS9N8Ro&feature=relmfu BEAR WITNESS... TO HIS AAAAAASSSSEEEENSSSCCCCIIIIOOOONNN!!!! AAAAAAAGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!]]
** Constantly hams up the scenery as a Daemon Prince.
* LastVillainStand: Not brought up as a plot point, but from a gameplay perspective, the fight with him is this, since he waits at the end of his base.
* TheManInFrontOfTheMan: He acts as Bale's servant but is clearly using him and predictably leaves Bale to his fate when he's served his purpose.
* ManipulativeBastard: To everyone, the Orks, Bale, and Isador.
* MindRape: Does this to Isador to take the Maledictum from him
* OneWingedAngel: In the finale of ''Dawn of War'', he becomes an enormous daemon prince.
* SoftspokenSadist: Creator/ScottMcNeil plays him speaking with a polite, almost whisper like voice, suggesting a certain calm composure over a barely veiled sense of arrogance.
* TheStarscream: Such a good example of it that in some fan circles this trope would be called "The Sindri", or the action it implies is described as "[[PersonAsVerb Sindri'd]]".
* VillainBall: His plan was actually perfect, except he forgot one CRUCIAL detail: Namely, how to get away from the heroes after ascending to become a Daemon Prince.
* YouHaveOutLivedYourUsefulness: Leaves Bale to be killed after he's served his purpose.

[[folder:Lord Crull (World Eaters)]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Lord_Bale_2419.png]]

-->''"Behold your new God!! Is he not terrible to behold?!"''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/MichaelDobson

Leader of the World Eater forces on Lorn V, Crull is a champion of the Blood God. Previously assigned on guard duty. Learning of the Imperator-class Titan that fell in the defense of the planet he aims to to corrupt it. He is canonically killed by Gorgutz.

* ArchEnemy: To Gorgutz, during ''Winter Assault''.
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: Like all Chaos Lords, Crull earned his title through many feats of dark bravery and sacrifices, and as such, is amongst some of the most powerful beings in the galaxy.
* AxCrazy: Nearly every line he says has to do with murder.
* BadassInCharge: Routinely leads all of his assaults. Given his allegiance to Khorne, this is expected of him.
* BadBoss: He's a Chaos Lord who worships Khorne, so it's no surprise. When one of his men is pushed over by Gorgutz walking by him, he orders the killed for "embarassing me!" When planning to get the blood to appease Khorne and summon daemons to possess the Titan he threatens to wring out what he needs from his men if they fail.
* BaldOfEvil: As a PaletteSwap of Bale.
* TheBerserker: As a World Eaters Chaos Lord? Natch.
* BigBadDuumvirate: He forms a very shaky alliance with Warboss Gorgutz in ''Winter Assault'', which falls apart as they draw closer to the Imperial Titan.
* BloodKnight: He only fought Gorgutz for sport, and won. He was about to kill him off until the Imperial Guard came along.
* CarryABigStick: He bears a Daemon Maul to battle.
* CutsceneBoss: He is anticlimactically killed by Gorgutz in the Ork ending ([[BroadStrokes which is canonical, even though the Orks didn't win the Lorn V Campaign]]). It's arguably justified, given that you have to kill a [[DamageSpongeBoss Bloodthirster]] in order to get to him, and any battle after that would be anticlimactic.
* DirtyCoward: Zig-zagged. On one hand, he's certainly a vicious fighter when he actually nuts up and charges in. On the other hand, he'd rather employ Psykers to trick Guardsmen into sacrificing themselves to Khorne than claim their skulls himself and when the Necrons show up in the Ork campaign, his first instinct is to flee. He doesn't even bother to face Gorgutz until literally his entire army is wiped out.
* '''GutturalGrowler:''' Even more than Bale. No, really.
* HamToHamCombat: His exchanges with Gorgutz are... impressive.
* HumanoidAbomination: As is standard for Chaos Marines.
* KilledOffForReal: His skull is in the possession of Gorgutz during ''Dark Crusade''. Eliphas claims it from him as a trophy, should you play through his campaign in ''Dark Crusade''.
* LargeHam: One of ''the'' hammiest characters in the series. Which is an achievement considering [[EvilIsHammy that his competition comes almost entirely from the other Chaos Lords]].
* MoreTeethThanTheOsmondFamily: Chaos has bad dental. Some think that this has effected his throat.
* SmallNameBigEgo: He gets the idea that control of the Titan will somehow make him invincible, boasting of how he will drawn the universe in blood. The idea that the machine isn't invincible seems like an alien concept to him.
* YouHaveGotToBeKiddingMe: When the [[OutsideContextProblem Necrons]] suddenly show up, just as he's about to capture the titan wreckage.
-->'''Crull:''' Necrons!? Here!? It seems the universe itself conspires to rob me of my prize!

[[folder:Lord Eliphas the Inheritor (Word Bearers->Black Legion)]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Eliphas_DC_9266.jpg]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Eliphas_R_1379.jpg]]

-->''"Come forth to bear the Word of Chaos!"''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/PaulDobson (''Dark Crusade'')[=/=]Creator/SteveBlum (''Chaos Rising'' and ''Retribution'')

Ancient and incredibly powerful, Eliphas the Inheritor is amongst the greatest enemies of the Imperium of Man. His history stretches far, far enough back to the days of the Great Crusade and the Horus Heresy. As a fledgling Chaos Champion, he led the heretical Word Bearer forces against the loyalist Ultramarines on the world of Kronus. Despite the terrible bloodshed, the Word Bearers were routed and for his failure Eliphas was damned to the Basilica of Torments; a horrific punishment for those who have failed the Dark Gods.

Eliphas suffered the daemonic torments of the Basilica for a millennium. After his atonement, he was released to the land of the living, and had grown stronger from his punishment. The Inheritor then spent his time redeeming himself in the Eyes of the Chaos Gods, ascending to the station of a mighty Chaos Lord. His growing standing among the Word Bearers also granted him the title of Dark Apostle. With his new powers, he forged a new warband to follow him in the reaving and slaughter of the Imperium and their false god.

Eventually, he returned to Kronus, having been summoned there by heretical cultists and set about slaughtering the planet in glorification of the Chaos Gods in what was his 'Dark Crusade'. He would have succeeded had it not been for the opposition of Captain Davian Thule and the Blood Ravens 4th Company. Eliphas was once again defeated at the Demos Peninsula, and was judged by a Daemon Prince of the Word Bearers to oblivion and was sacrificed.

Yet, the Chaos Lord's vengeful spirit drifted in the Warp, eventually Eliphas struck a bargain with The Great Unclean One, Ulkair, who restored his body to the living world. He then joined forces with Araghast the Pillager, a Chaos Lord of the Black Legion and became his second-in-command. Eliphas and Araghast then attacked the Blood Ravens recruiting worlds in subsector Aurelia. They were eventually beaten back once more by the Chapter's finest, though at a great cost.

However, Eliphas had made another bargain, this one with Abaddon the Despoiler himself, who restored his tremendous power and gifted him with an ancient suit of Chaos Terminator Armor. Eliphas was now granted his newest mission: the destruction of Azariah Kyras.

* ArchEnemy: For Davian Thule, and the Blood Ravens in general.
* AscendedToAHigherPlaneOfExistence: Becoming a Daemon Prince in the non-canonical ''Dark Crusade'' [[spoiler:and in the ending of ''Retribution'''s Chaos Campaign]] is a twisted example of this.
* AwesomeMcCoolName: His name is awesomely evil.
* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: As both a Chaos Lord and Dark Apostle, Eliphas earned his title through many feats of dark bravery and heroism as well as thousands of sacrifices and as such, is amongst the most powerful beings in the galaxy.
** AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: The absolute best melee hero of ''Retribution'' in terms of raw damage and tanking potential.
* AxCrazy: Like all Chaos Marines, really starts showing it in ''Retribution''.
-->*on Orks* Their pitiful souls will do little to sate the Chaos Gods. But oh, how they ''bleed''.
* BackFromTheDead: In ''Chaos Rising'', much to the shock of Davian Thule. Cyrus postulates that Eliphas' death was a deception, Davian is quick to shoot that theory down, he saw Eliphas torn to ribbons by a Daemon Prince, after all. Jonah finishes the conversation by saying that his ability to escape the clutches of daemons and the Warp speaks of Eliphas' tremendous power.
* BadassBaritone: When voiced by Paul Dobson and Steve Blum.
* BadassCape: Made of ''human skin''.
* BadassInCharge: There's a reason why [[spoiler:Abaddon]] resurrected him to lead the Black Legion in Aurelia.
* BadBoss: He never misses an opportunity to tell Neroth and Kain how pathetic they are.
* BaldOfEvil: Covered up by a helmet for most of ''Dark Crusade'', but on full display afterwords.
* TheBerserker: Has a skill in ''Retribution'' called [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin Berzerk]]. Also his fighting style in general, he tends to forgo all manner of subtlety in favor of making massive, frenzied, devastating strikes while hamming it up as much as possible.
** The developers themselves remarked that there isn't much subtle about Eliphas when he gets into combat, except perhaps the biting jibes he uses against loyalists.
* {{BFS}}: The Daemon Sword, his most powerful weapon, is about as long as he is tall, and he's 10ft tall while in Terminator Armor.
* BigBadEnsemble: One of main candidates for ''Dark Crusade'', the others being the Necron Lord of Kronus and Gorgutz 'Ead 'Unter. In fact, the name of the expansion comes from the name of his campaign to take back Kronus.
* BigBadWannabe: In the Space Marine campaign of ''Retribution''. He shows up as the boss of the opening level and is killed off to clear the stage for [[spoiler: Kyras]].
* BigRedDevil: His final upgrade in the Chaos campaign in ''Dark Crusade'' turns him into a Daemon Prince. [[spoiler:It's also what he ends up as in the Chaos ending of ''Retribution'', after Khorne elevates him to daemonhood.]]
* BloodLust: Given that he worships and highly honours Khorne, Eliphas exhibits a fixation on bleeding his enemies out in ''Retribution''.
* BlackKnight: From ''Chaos Rising'' onwards, he wears the colors of the Black Legion. All he's missing is a black daemon steed.
* BloodKnight: '''OH KHORNE YES'''. He becomes this in ''Retribution'', having fully turned to worship of Khorne, the God of Blood Knights. Note, he always had these tendencies and did seem to invoke Khorne often, but ''Retribution'' turns it up to eleven. He tends to have a great deal of fun in battle now, often screams the infamous Khornate battlecry and decries his opponents as weaklings for not coming in close.
-->'''Davian Thule:''' We don't fear you, heretic.\\
'''Eliphas the Inheritor:''' I should hope not, Captain. Fearless foes are much more satisfying.
* BloodSplatteredWarrior: Lord Eliphas' Terminator armour is covered from head to toe in the blood of his enemies.
* BreakoutCharacter: Eliphas was one of the most popular characters in ''Dark Crusade'', with his dark charisma, an excellent voice, and having some of the best writing of the game including some of the best one-liners. He was brought back by popular demand in time for the expansions of the second game. While there was a mixed reaction to his changed voice actor, most fans eventually warmed up to it and he still retains the other qualities that made him popular.
* CarryABigStick: '''Daemon Mauls'''. He can demolish almost anything with them, though his Cool Swords are nicer. [[NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast The Skull Breaker]], the weapon you get from the Chaos Collector's Edition, is also the best weapon out of all the collector's edition weapons and is very nice to use until you get something better.
* ClippedWingAngel: Turning him into a daemon prince in "Dark Crusade", which gives him the same stats as a multiplayer daemon prince and causes him to lose all his wargear upgrades. He gets more health and does deal more damage against vehicles, but much lower damage against everything else, lowers his health regeneration and takes away his really useful banner of chaos ability. Just to note how much weaker he is, if they both have all their wargear and are fully upgraded, Eliphas is the only of two commander in "Dark Crusade" that can take Gorgutz, the other being the Necron Lord (assuming he has his lightning field upgrade), but Gorgutz will beat him if he's a daemon prince.
* CoolHelmet: He had one in ''Dark Crusade'' (which actually serves a weapon in melee), love and respect for it was so great that there exist multiple mods to give him a helmet in ''Retribution''. And it makes him look even more awesome.
* CoolSword: He can equip the best weapon in the expansion, known as the Daemon Sword. It deals the highest damage out of all the melee weapons in the game and grants vampiric regeneration.
* CoveredWithScars: His face is, anyway. We can only wonder what the rest of his body looks like ever since the Basilica of Torments.
* DarkIsEvil: First he was a [[ReligionOfEvil Dark Apostle]] of the Word Bearers, then he became a [[EvilOverlord Chaos Lord]] of the Black Legion.
* DeadpanSnarker: A true master, probably the most shining example in ''Dark Crusade''. [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2vXHE7ZDVY Best shown when he attacks the Blood Ravens stronghold in ''Dark Crusade'' where he verbally roasts Davian Thule at every turn.]]
-->'''Eliphas the Inheritor''': Such inspiring courage! Perhaps we'll mount your corpse on a golden chair and make an idol out of you as well.
* DeathGlare: His standard expression, just look at that picture.
* DegradedBoss: In ''Retribution'', he's fought at the end of the first level of the Blood Ravens' campaign and he's nowhere nearly as strong as he was in ''Chaos Rising'', despite now wearing a suit of terminator armor.
* {{Determinator}}
* DemonLordsAndArchdevils: As an Exalted Chaos Lord, he's sorta the human looking version of one of these. [[spoiler:He ends up as one proper in the Chaos Endings for ''Dark Crusade'' and ''Retribution''.]]
* DemotedToDragon: Was TheDragon to Araghast and is now this to [[spoiler:Abaddon]], at least where the Blood Ravens were concerned.
** DragonWithAnAgenda: [[spoiler:Was this to Araghast.]]
** DragonAscendant: In a sense, while he does [[spoiler:take Araghast's place and his forces]], carrying out his agenda isn't quite his main objective. That said, he is still utterly committed to slaughtering everything in Aurelia.
** DragonInChief: He's a far more powerful warrior than Araghast, despite being weakened as he is. And he is the one who seems to handle the Black Legion's operations against the Aurelian sector during ''Chaos Rising''.
* TheDreaded: Amongst the Blood Ravens, he is feared for his cunning and power. All the other commanders in ''Dark Crusade'' other than the Necron Lord of Kronus were also somewhat scared of him, even the normally haughty and arrogant Farseer Taldeer of the Eldar.
* EldritchAbomination: He was summoned to Kronus after 8 sworn cultists of Chaos ritualistically murdered each other in such horrific manners that the temple in which they did so was described as an 'abattoir of blood'. Eliphas emerged from a warp portal shortly after with his daemonic army at his back, signaling the beginning of the Ninth Inheritance.
* EmpathicWeapon: The Daemon Sword he gains in ''Retribution'' has a daemon within it that hungers after blood and killing almost as much as he does. Hm, must be a daemon of Khorne.
* EvilIsHammy: Was relatively subdued compared to the other Chaos Lords but was capable of being hammy when called to do so. In ''Retribution'', he growls and roars out every word.
* EvilLaugh: He likes doing these occasionally. None more glorious than in the Chaos ending of ''Retribution''.
* EstablishingCharacterMoment: In ''Chaos Rising'', that would be appearing behind an Imperial Guardsman line from a warp rift and killing them all with a single sweep of his Power Sword.
* EvilOverlord: In ''Dark Crusade'', ''Chaos Rising'' and ''Retribution''.
* EvilWeapon: Every weapon he can equip is this in spades.
* EvilerThanThou: To Kyras, which doesn't stop the latter from getting the upper hand on him.
* FaceDeathWithDignity: When killed in the Blood Raven's campaign ''Retribution'', he mocks Apollo for still being blind to the truth about [[spoiler:Kyras]].
* FacialHorror: In ''Dawn of War II''.
* FashionableAsymmetry: He loves this trope, as do most Chaos Marines. Bloodthirster faces carved on one shoulderplate, another daemon's head on one greave, he wears this trope very well.
* FauxAffablyEvil: To his loyalist 'brothers' anyway. To everyone else he's a terrifying, bloodthirsty psychopath.
** Exemplified by the new voice acting by Steve Blum. Where Eliphas can almost seamlessly go from genteel and aristocratic to raging and bloodthirsty. Oftentimes in the same sentence.
* FlamingSword: The second most powerful weapon he can equip, the Bloodletter Hellblade.
* {{Flanderization}}: There were always some hints of him leaning toward Khorne more than the other gods, but his Khorne worship has been increasingly centralised with each subsequent appearance, such that by ''Retribution'' he's yelling "Blood for the Blood God!" this and "Skulls for the Skull Throne!" that, even showing disdain for Traitor Guardsman who worship Nurgle.
* FoeTossingCharge: He can get one of these as an ability. Fittingly enough, it's called 'Out of My Way!'. It even tosses his own men around if they're in his path.
* GeniusBruiser: He's a worshipper of Chaos Undivided who worships Khorne above all the other Gods, so he's a nigh unstoppable warrior and a hurricane of bloodthirsty rage. He is also a master manipulator and tactical genius, all of which he uses only to help him kill.
* GoodScarsEvilScars: His face is positively ''mutilated!'', likely as a result of the 1000 years of torture he suffered in the Basilica of Torments. Who knows what the rest of him looks like. See Nightmare Face belows.
* GutturalGrowler: As voiced by Steve Blum.
* {{Hellfire}}: His Khornate abilities invoke this trope. ''Let the Galaxy Burn'', indeed.
* HeroicWillpower: Eliphas has this in spades, certainly more so than most Chaos Lords, since he endured a thousand years of torment and emerged more powerful for it, and then rose in the esteem of beings as terrible, demanding and capricious as the Chaos Gods.
* HeroKiller: [[spoiler:In the first mission of the ''Retribution'' Chaos Campaign, where he kills Davian Thule]]. In gameplay, he's also very good at eliminating powerful individual units due to his ridiculously high melee damage and attack rate.
* HumanoidAbomination: As all Chaos Marines.
* IncendiaryExponent: Fully upgrading Eliphas down the Khorne track during his appearance in ''Retribution'' will surround him with a perpetual nimbus of {{Hellfire}}, that all who see him may know the wrath he will bring.
* InfinityPlusOneSword: '''The Daemon Sword'''. It's pretty much the best melee weapon in the game.
* InfinityMinusOneSword: The Bloodletter Hellblade.
* KilledOffForReal: Given that the Space Marine campaign in ''Retribution'' appears to be the canon one it's implied that Eliphas was killed off for good in the opening level.
* LargeAndInCharge: While clad in Chaos Terminator armor. Outside of it, he's the same size other space marines.
* LargeHam: Verging on ColdHam during ''Chaos Rising'', but he really hams it up in ''Retribution''.
* LightningBruiser: Of the large, fast, hard hitting variety. While not particularly "lightning" due to the Terminator armour, he still hits extremely fast and extremely hard. He can also move about the battlefield quickly when he receives his charge ability. It also helps that his charges also deal a ton of damage to whatever is unfortunate enough to get in his way. Spending points in Kain's energy tree until you get warp tainted allows turns him, and the entire Chaos army, into lightning bruisers. Combine this with Khornate Chaos Worship and Eliphas (and his army) with move like lightning and hit even more ridiculously hard.
* MadeOfIron: In ''Retribution'', he can easily take more punishment than any other playable character due to his suppression immunity, high armor rating and health draining abilities. It compliments his staggering damage dealing capacity well.
* TheMagnificent: The Inheritor.
* MeaningfulName:
** Named after a notable French occultist known as Eliphas Levi, or possibly Eliphas Dow, the first man to be executed for murder in the state of New Hampshire. Fitting in both cases, Eliphas originally came from a Legion of proficient daemon summoners and worships Khorne, the God of Murder (among other violent things).
** The short story ''Inheritor'' revealed the reason of his title. He slew the previous leader the Ark of Testimony chapter, but Lorgar never actually elevated him into command. Thus Eliphas simply ''inherited'' the position, and everyone won't let him forget about it.
* MonochromaticEyes: His ingame model and 'talking head portrait'. His portrait shows him with GlowingEyesOfDoom, though.
* MultiMeleeMaster: Eliphas can wield Daemon Swords, Power Swords, Daemon Mauls, and Lightning Claws. And he is ''incredibly'' proficient with each one of them.
* MarkOfTheBeast: He can equip the Mark of [[WarGod Khorne]], which allows his cultists' worship to massively increase his damage and speed. The Mark of [[PlagueMaster Nurgle]] which allows for healing. The Mark of [[TheChessmaster Tzeentch]] which allows for stealth. And also the Mark of Chaos Favour (if you have the DLC), which gives him the full favour of all the Gods and all the advantages that implies. Hilariously, it also means he almost as favoured by Chaos as Abaddon is.
* NamedAfterSomebodyFamous: Two people, technically -- one a French occultist, the other an infamous murderer. Both are appropriate. His Sorcerer CoDragons in ''Dark Crusade'', Amphion and Zathus, are named after legendary twins from Greek mythology.
* NeverMyFault:
** He blames his troops for his defeat on Kronus. The Daemon Prince [[YouHaveFailedMe doesn't believe a word of it.]]
--->'''Eliphas''': They reject the word of Chaos, my lord. The faithful here are not strong enough...\\
'''Daemon Prince''': It is a poor shepherd who blames his flock, Apostle. This failure is yours and ''yours alone!''
** Later, after [[spoiler:the Exterminatus of Typhon]], he points the finger at Neroth for Kyras outwitting them, even though [[spoiler:killing all the Eldar was his idea]].
%%* NightmareFace: [[http://dow.wikia.com/wiki/File:Cr_csm_eliphas_talkinghead.png Behold.]]%%Web links aren't examples.
* NonEntityGeneral: "Stay my hand again, and you may lose yours." Eliphas will not take shit from you, even if you are the player.
* OhCrap: When you beat him during Chaos Stronghold assault, he's NOT happy at the prospect of going to [[IDontLikeTheSoundOfThatPlace The Basilica of Torments]] again. Thankfully, his superior [[FalseReassurance assured him]] that he won't... [[YouHaveFailedMe Because the Basilica is reserved for those who may redeem themselves.]] He also messes his drawers when [[spoiler:Abbadon the Despoiler]] calls him up halfway through ''Retribution.''
* OldSoldier: He's been around since before the Horus Heresy. Which makes him at least 10,000 years old. Arguably, he's the oldest member of the regular cast.
* OmnicidalManiac: One of the things on his agenda is just killing everything he sees. [[spoiler:He does so by the end of the Chaos campaign in ''Retribution''.]]
* OutsideContextProblem: In ''Retribution''; the intro basically states that with Eliphas coming back from nowhere right in the midst of a Chapter-wide civil war, the loyalist Blood Ravens are pretty fucked.
* OneHitKill: Unsurprisingly, the Khornate ability aptly named ''Favor of Khorne'' gives him a chance to do this. However, by mid and late game his auto attacks are so fucking powerful he can already one shot most races heavy melee units so this seems a bit redundant. ''However'', Favor of Khorne works against bosses and buildings, so it's useful in taking out high priority enemies like the Deranged Chaos Champion who are tougher than usual. Favor of Khorne also summons forth a Bloodletter unit for a short period to fuck things up. So not only do you kill a high priority unit, but you also gain one of your races most powerful heavy infantry. Enjoy.
* OneHandedZweihander: He wields the magnificently large Daemon Sword, Bloodletter Hellblade, and Power Swords in one mighty hand while in the other he wields a very [[{{BFG}} large]] HandCannon. It is possibly unwise to engage in a arm wrestling match with a Chaos Lord.
* OneManArmy: '''BY THE SKULL THRONE OF KHORNE, YES!!!'''. Highest damage out of all the melee heroes totaling at 223 - 300? Hell yeah. Self healing that renders all damage dealt to him meaningless, YES. An Area of Effect ability that one shots an entire '''army''' around him and heals him to near full? He can one shot entire squads, even Terminators, AND can solo BOSSES and MISSIONS.
* OneWingedAngel: Twice. The first time was in ''Dark Crusade'', where turning into a Daemon Prince was the the final upgrade; though in that case, he was a humanoid warmachine with numerous, hard-earned upgrades and replaced with [=PVP=]-balanced unit [[PowerupLetdown which was a frankly inferior unit]]. The second time was when he turned into a Daemon Prince at the end of the ''Retribution'' campaign, though we sandly didn't get to play with that version of him. Unfortunately, [[CuttingOffTheBranches neither instance was canon]].
* OverShadowedByAwesome: Not Eliphas himself, but his Tzeentch tree of abilities in ''Retribution'', while not terrible, only makes him more mobile, so it's typically ignored in favor Khorne for the melee damage and Nurgle for the durability.
* PerpetualFrowner: He has two facial expressions, bloodthirsty rage or horrific sadism.
* PowerEchoes: As a 10,000 year old Chaos Lord in great favor with the Dark Gods, Eliphas' voice has an incredibly audible echo.
* PowerupLetdown: Never get the upgrade that turns him into a Daemon Prince in ''Dark Crusade'', as it makes him identical to a regular daemon prince, which decreases his overall melee damage, health regeneration, and loses of all his wargear abilities, while only giving him some extra health in return.
* PreAsskickingOneLiner: He has a lot of them. Particularly the one he gives to the Deranged Chaos Champion while [[spoiler:Typhon is getting the shit blown out of it by the Inquisition]].
-->'''Eliphas:''' '''''"THE ETERNAL WAR ENDS FOR YOU THIS DAY!!!"'''''\\
*upon seeing enemies* Ready to make offerings to Khorne.
%%* PrimalStance: He's always hunched over, as if poised to attack. Being an bloodthirsty Chaos Lord, that's probably the reason.
* PsychoForHire: [[spoiler:To Abaddon, basically.]]
* PunctuatedForEmphasis: He indulges in this from time to time.
-->'''''"I! AM! YOUR! DOOM!"'''''\\
'''''"MEET! YOUR! DEATH!"'''''
* RealMenLoveJesus: One of the most noteworthy features of Eliphas' character is his fanatical devotion to the Chaos Gods and his enormous (though dark) piety. Unsurprising considering he was a Dark Apostle; but that he retains ''all'' of it after switching legions is very telling of his faith. Which is owed to, in no small part, by the fact that he has Lorgar's geneseed. Even Ulkair, a Greater Daemon, is impressed with Eliphas' faithfulness.
-->'''Lord Eliphas:''' Your failure does not speak well of your abilities, Kain. Offer a prayer to the Ruinous Powers. Perhaps they will take pity on you.
* Really700YearsOld: Per standard for Space Marines and particularly Chaos marines. The TimeDilation of the Warp means we can't be sure how old he is from his subjective viewpoint, but from the outside universe's perspective he's a good 10,000 years old.
* ReligionOfEvil: Was a Cleric in said religion.
* ResurrectedForAJob: Why [[spoiler:Abaddon]] restores him.
* ShouldersOfDoom: Space Marines have them by default, but his stand out for being decorated with huge metal skulls and spikes. It's downplayed in ''Chaos Rising'', but in ''Retribution'' he puts on a suit of Terminator armor, which has pauldrons [[UpToEleven larger than his head]].
* SkeletonsInTheCoatCloset: Eliphas is rather fond of putting the skulls of his kills on his armor.
* SpikesOfVillainy: He ''is'' a Chaos Lord. Oddly enough, however, subverted in his highest level amour which, while ornate, lacks the many large spikes of his lower level gear.
* TheStarscream: [[spoiler:Was this to Araghast, and oh how the fanbase wishes he'd do this to [[GeneralFailure Abaddon]].]] Fitting, as he is now voiced by Steve Blum, who also does the very similar voice of [[WesternAnimation/TransformersPrime a certain Starscream]].
* StereotypeFlip: Eliphas is an anomaly among the Chaos Lords in the first ''Dawn of War''. Before ''Dawn of War II'' was released, any Chaos Lord introduced in the games were [[LargeHam screaming warriors filled with rage]] and somewhat incompetent [[note]]Bale is a GeneralFailure and Carron is a very bad Khorne worshipper. Crull can be seen as a middle ground between Eliphas on one side and Bale and Carron on the other[[/note]]. However, Eliphas from ''Dark Crusade'' is none of this. He is always calm and collected [[note]]minus his OhCrap moment above but even this was very subdued compared to the others Lords' [[VillainousBreakdown breakdowns]][[/note]], he never enters into an incoherent rage, at worst he enters into TranquilFury [[note]]see his interaction with the Rogue Sorcerer in the Eldar stronghold[[/note]], he is darkly charismatic unlike the others Lords and [[DeadpanSnarker he always has a very burning verbal comeback to his opponents]]. [[BreakoutCharacter This is the biggest reason why he is so popular.]]
* TinTyrant: He nails the aesthetic. Not quite as much in [=DoW2=], since he's helmetless, but there were mods to complete the image.
* UnstoppableRage: In combat, he shows us his Khornate virtue and gets very, very, very angry while he rampages throughout the battlefield.
-->'''Eliphas:''' '''ANOINT ME IN BLOOOOD!!!'''
* VillainousBreakdown: Visibly starts losing his cool in ''Retribution'' when he starts taking damage. Also happened in ''Dark Crusade'', when you assault the Chaos Stronghold.
-->'''Eliphas:''' [[OhCrap NO!]] I will NOT go to the Basilica of Torments again!
* VillainousValour: The two instances where the Blood Ravens have faced Eliphas have both been incredibly difficult and brutal battles. They rightfully regard him as a powerful and dangerous foe because of that. It is also helped by Eliphas being the second most difficult boss in ''Chaos Rising'' besides [[spoiler:Ulkair]], even to Terminator geared players.
** In ''Retribution'', even Kyras is impressed with Eliphas' strength.
* VillainProtagonist: Of the ''Dark Crusade'' and ''Retribution'' Chaos campaigns.
* VillainsNeverLie: Aside from the Blood Ravens claims to the contrary, Eliphas never actually says anything to them that could be construed as a falsehood. In fact, he's one of the few characters who plays this utterly straight in the series. And this is only further substantiated by Davian Thule destroying whatever records he found after pacifying Kronus; hinting at the very least that he was somewhat truthful in his hinting that the Blood Ravens had darker origins than anyone had ever realized.
* VoiceOfTheLegion: Alongside PowerEchoes, it sounds like there are a thousand mouths screaming in the background when he talks.
* WarriorMonk: A very, very, [[RuleOfThree very]] evil one.
* WhoDares: He plays this on [[spoiler:Kyras]] when he contacts him via telepathy on Typhon, shortly before it [[spoiler:blows up]].
-->'''Eliphas:'''Who is this fool '''WHO DARES INTERRUPT MY CAMPAIGN OF TERROR?!'''
* WolverineClaws: He gets to use Terminator Lightning Claws in ''Retribution''.
* WithAllDueRespect: Uses this in conversation with Abaddon, when he points out that if Kyras is turning to Chaos and sacrificing the Blood Ravens, the intelligent thing to do would be to let him do that and ''then'' kill him. Abaddon remarks that it would give Kyras too much power.
* WreathedInFlames: One of the many, many, [[RuleOfThree many]] nasty things he gets when he is fully leveled up as a Khornate Chaos Lord. It'll destroy most infantry that gathers around him without you having to lift a finger. It manifests as a battle aura, around him. This in addition to his actual battle aura, which is a dark red glow around him.

[[folder:Lord Firaeveus Carron (Alpha Legion)]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Lord_Carron_1510.jpg]]

-->''"Look! Rhinos! RHINOS! Our enemies hide in metal boxes, THE COWARDS! THE FOOLS! WE... we should take away their metal boxes."''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/ScottMcNeil

Carron leads the Alpha Legion forces in Kaurava, hoping to conquer all 4 worlds for Chaos. Infamous for his hatred of Rhinos, a.k.a. METAL BOXES, [[{{Irony}} (which his army also fields)]].

* AnAxeToGrind: He can wield a Khornate Chainaxe.
* ArtisticLicenseReligion: InUniverse, Carron is hideously inept at worshipping Khorne. He spends his time constructing temples, while Khorne favors bloodshed and killing as forms of worship. Said temples create an aura of poison, which, on top of neither drawing blood (hemmoragic toxins nonwithstanding) or removing heads, is Nurgle's hat, which means that those sacrifices would be empowering him instead of Khorne. He also at one point refers to being a hand which will strangle the enemy, strangulation being a rather bloodless form of killing. Add on his DirtyCoward nature while Khorne is a god of battle and slaughter, and you have perhaps the worst Khornate Chaos Lord in all of 40k.
* BerserkButton: METAWL BAWKSES!
* BigBadEnsemble: With Archon Tahril, Gorgutz 'Ead 'Unter, and the Necron Lord of Kaurava.
* BigBadWannabe: Outside of gameplay, he's one of the most pathetic displays of a Chaos Lord ever. After his base is in ruins, he runs while bawling his eyes out, only to be caught by the enemy commander and slaughtered in a final duel.
* CoolHelmet: The Helm of Alpharius, said once to have been worn by said Primarch. It has the ability to reveal infiltrated enemies.
* CoolSword: Starts of with A Power Sword.
* DirtyCoward: Despite being a champion of Khorne, in the (canon) Chaos Defeat ending, he basically bursts into tears as his fortress is blown apart and flees...while the notoriously cowardly and weak cultists stay and fight to the bitter end.
* KillItWithFire: Can be "blessed" with Daemonic Warp Fire which is good against Morale & Infantry.
* LargeHam: Like the best of them, and only exaggerated by ''Soulstorm's'' notoriously hammy dialogue.
* SinisterScythe: Can wield a Nurglite Manreaper.

[[folder:Lord Araghast the Pillager (Black Legion)]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Araghast_8569.jpg]]

-->''"Blood Ravens, hear me! I am Araghast the Pillager! Master of hounds, the lash of the Black Legion!!!"''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/FredTatasciore

The mighty and terrible leader of the Black Legion warband in Aurelia; Araghast the Pillager is an exalted champion of Chaos and Lord of the Black Legion. Feared far and wide for his terrible savagery, he has conquered and slaughtered a thousand worlds in glorification of the Dark Gods, a claim which is no idle boast. He led the Black Legion warband against the Blood Ravens during the events of ''Chaos Rising'' and reveled in the ruination of their recruiting worlds.

Eventually, he challenged the Chapter's finest heroes to face him in combat. The Heroes of Typhon met him on planet Aurelia, and though he fought with great strength and skill once they caught up to him, the Chaos Lord was defeated by the Blood Ravens and [betrayed by his second, Eliphas. With his last breath he struck out against the Loyalists and fell, after which, Eliphas took command of his warband.

[[EnsembleDarkhorse He's remembered fondly amongst the fanbase and cries have risen for his return]].

* AsskickingEqualsAuthority: Thousand acts of dark bravery and he slaughtered a thousand worlds. Yup.
* AxeCrazy: Much like any Chaos Space Marine worth his salt.
* BadassBaritone: Naturally given that Fred Tatasciore voiced this character, giving him a very deep voice.
* BadassBoast:
** Araghast claims to have destroyed a thousand worlds and it's no idle boast. Let that set the tone for your interactions with him.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Khg2BAZJ10A Among the most badass ones ever given.]]
* BadassCape: Much like Eliphas', it is made of human skin.
* BadassInCharge: Araghast kicks ass and leads his warband through example, which is why the fandom loves him so much.
* {{BFS}}: His power sword.
* BlackKnight: As a member of the Black Legion, he's covered head-to-toe in black armor with gold trimming.
* BloodKnight: Standard among Khornates.
* CoolHelmet: While it may not be the most flamboyant helmet out there, it's notable for being very [[TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasyBattle Warriors-of-Chaos]]-esque.
* DeathGlare: His standard expression, just look at that picture.
* DemonLordsAndArchdevils: Powerful Chaos Lords are more or less daemons wrought in the shape of men and are on their way to true daemonhood. As such, Araghast fits this trope.....
* EvilOverlord: Of the Black Legion warband [[spoiler:up until Eliphas decides to take command]].
* TheFaceless: We never see what is under his helmet.
&&* FashionableAsymmetry
* GeniusBruiser: A bloodthirsty Chaos Lord who serves a God who personifies violence, he's destroyed a thousand worlds and can slaughter a dozen Terminators -- and yet, he knows when to stay his hand from killing his foes and fights with an eye on the long run.
* GlowingEyesOfDoom: On his unit portrait.
* HornsOfVillainy: On his helmet. A common feature on Chaos Marines.
* HumanoidAbomination: As all Chaos Space Marines.
* IShallTauntYou: Yeah, he pretty much calls the Blood Ravens ''and'' the Emperor cowards and weaklings to challenge them to a fight. He doesn't even stop doing it in the run-up to his fight with you.
-->'''Araghast:''' You Blood Ravens are clearly fearless in your hurry to leave the sector! The courage with which you show us your hindquarters does your Emperor proud!\\
'''Araghast:''' Observe, Blood Ravens! Khorne thanks you for your offerings!
* KillItWithFire: He uses a Bolter with a Flamer attached for a side arm.
* LargeAndInCharge: Terminator armour tends to make you this.
* LargeHam: /tg/ says it best: "He cannot say anything without a '''MASSIVE''' amount of ham and makes up for the lack of hammy lines in ''Dawn of War 2'' on his own."
* NamesToRunAwayFromReallyFast: Lord Araghast the Pillager, 'ghast' means 'ghastly' and 'pillager' means 'pillager' so- Wait! Where are you off to?!
* OneHandedZweihander: Wields a huge power sword in one hand.
* OneManArmy: He can put up quite a fight even against Terminator squads. Unless you have Davian Thule with you, the fight could be... difficult, to say the least.
* PragmaticVillainy: Why he lets you get away during your first encounter with him, rather than simply killing you when he has the chance. More specifically:
-->'''Eliphas:''' You allow them to escape, Lord Araghast?\\
'''Araghast:''' Because it serves me, Eliphas! If we kill them now, we waste the value of the traitor in their ranks. Your vengeance can wait.
* PowerEchoes: His voice carries with a noticeable reverb.
* ShouldersOfDoom: Terminator shoulders are significantly larger than those of regular power armor.
* SpikesOfVillainy: He's a Chaos Lord.
* TinTyrant: Wears a suit of terminator armor, making him this in an entire faction of Tin Tyrants.
* TryToFitThatOnABusinessCard: Lord Araghast, Pillager of a Thousand Worlds, Master of Hounds, Lash of the Black Legion, and Champion of the Chaos Gods.
* VillainousBreakdown: [[spoiler:After Eliphas betrays him. He recovers from it rather well, comes to terms with the fact that he's about to die, and [[VillainousValour tries to take as many of your men with him as he can]].]]
* VillainousValour: He is without doubt one of the most difficult fights in ''Chaos Rising''. After his VillainousBreakdown, Araghast gears himself and starts wiping the floor (moreso, if you aren't careful) with your squads. Bear in mind, he does this while he is at death's door. You bet this guy's a badass villain.
* VoiceOfTheLegion: Like Eliphas, it sounds like there's a thousand mouths screaming in the background when he talks.
* WolverineClaws: He gets a pair of Lightning Claws in the final part of his boss battle.
* WorthyOpponent: He sees your squads and Commander in this light during his battle with them.
-->'''Araghast:''' Very impressive. You have more steel than the rest of your mewling chapter.

-->'''Araghast:''' Marvelous! I will remember you fondly when I burn your worlds to ash!

[[folder:Ulkair]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Ulkair_8838.png]]

-->''"Death comes to all flesh, even that containing an essence as glorious as my own. Such is the way of Nurgle."''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/FredTatasciore

Ulkair is a Great Unclean One, Greater Daemon of the Chaos God Nurgle. Bound and shackled within Planet Aurelia, he is central to the plot of ''Chaos Rising'' and makes a return in ''Retribution''.

* AffablyEvil: He acts like that cool grandpa that you never get to spend much time with. Of course, you've probably seen the picture, but the thing is... ''it's not an act''. He is completely sincere in his affability. Made even more frightening in that his gifts are plague and disease and he's ever so cheerful when you receive them. Bear in mind that he's a Daemon of Nurgle, who is also like this -- Ulkair himself refers to his master as "Grandfather Nurgle".
* {{BFS}}: He carries a gigantic blade that is almost as long as he is tall.
* BigBad: [[spoiler: In ''Chaos Rising''. Eliphas' goal is to free him.]]
* BigFun: Considers himself this. He's also greatly affectionate to Eliphas, giving him the AffectionateNickname of "little Eliphas" and all despite the latter being Khornate.
* BlueAndOrangeMorality: Considers giving everyone in the sector gangrene "magnaminous". This is part of Nurgle's personality (of which he is a reflection of), he thinks horrific illnesses make neato presents.
* DamageSpongeBoss: Has over twice the health of even the closest contenders in ''Chaos Rising''.
* DegradedBoss: [[spoiler:If you release him as the Chaos Space Marines in ''Retribution'', you can use him in the later levels, but since he's controllable he's obviously nowhere nearly as strong as he was before.]]
* EldritchAbomination: He's a greater daemon of Chaos.
* FatBastard: Extremely. He is a Great Unclean One and is naturally very, very fat.
* FightingAShadow: [[spoiler:He's more than happy to point out that destroying his physical body will not actually kill him, and that he will eventually return to get revenge - and indeed, in ''Retribution'', he does return.]]
* FinalBoss: [[spoiler:Of ''Chaos Rising''.]]
* FliesEqualsEvil: Has a GoombaStomp ability that summons a cloud of flies, fitting for a Daemon of Nurgle.
* LargeHam: Laughs constantly, and his rather flowery dialogue is specked with disgusting gurgles.
* MightyGlacier: He's slow as molases, but he has more than double the HP of any boss fought before him and hits like a meteor.
%%* NightmareFace: Just look at it.

[[folder:The Maledictum Daemon]]

-->''"Yes.... flee and know I will soon come to claim you all!"''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Tim Lewinson

The Daemon bound in the Maledictum, which was what the plot of ''Dawn of War'' revolved around. He is released unintentionally by Captain Angelos. After his release, he was never seen or mentioned again until ''Retribution''.
-----
* AffablyEvil: Shades of it. He acts polite to [[spoiler:Gabriel]]; thanking him for indirectly free him. Since that's his only speaking role, we never learn if that's an act or not.
* AncientEvil: Inquisitor Toth states that the Eldar sealed it away on Tartarus thousands of years ago, in an age when many Space Marine chapters were still young.
* BigRedDevil: While we never see his physical form, his spectral avatar is red and has some large horns.
* DemonLordsAndArchDevils: Implied to be extremely powerful, though we never learn if his a greater daemon or a daemon prince.
* EldritchAbomination: A daemon of such great power that just tapping the power of his prison is enough for Sindri to become a Daemon Prince.
* EvilSoundsDeep: To the point of nearly being unintelligible.
* GenericDoomsdayVillain: It only has one speaking role, and it's more to provide exposition than establish any characterization.
* GreaterScopeVillain: [[spoiler:Pretty much THE source of troubles for Blood Ravens from the first game to ''Retribution''.]]
* ILetYouWin: [[spoiler:To Angelos. It lets him walk away for the time being.]]
* NoNameGiven: We never learn his name, [[spoiler:though Kyras calls it the 'Herald of Khorne']].
* SealedEvilInACan: Spends the entire first game trapped inside the Maledictum, [[spoiler:until Gabriel inadvertently frees it.]]
* WeWillMeetAgain: [[spoiler: As Gabriel leaves, he vows to return to destroy him in the future.]]
[[/folder]]

!Eldar
[[folder:Farseer Macha (Biel-Tan)]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Farseer_Macha_757.png]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dowmach.jpg]]

-->''"Now we play our parts and pray that we are the better actors."''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/NicoleOliver (''Dawn of War'') [=/=] Alexis Traverse Healy (''Dawn of War III'')

Macha leads the Biel-Tan forces guarding the Maledictum on Tartarus. After the Maledictum is stolen, she assists the Blood Ravens 3rd Company in stopping the Alpha Legion.
----
* TheBusCameBack: Having only made appearances in the original campaign and the novel series, Macha returns in ''Dawn of War III''.
* CassandraTruth: Had Gabriel heeded her when she pleaded with him not to destroy the Maledictum, the Blood Ravens would probably have had less trouble to deal with. In the final mission of III, Gabriel acknowledges that listening to her in the past would have saved them a lot of trouble.
%%* TheChessmaster: She's an Eldar Farseer.%%And?
* {{Deuteragonist}}: She is one of the three central protagonists of ''Dawn of War III''.
* EnemyMine: She temporarily allies with Gabriel Angelos in the final level of the first ''Dawn of War'', helping to hold back the soldiers of Chaos.
** The ending of III has her [[spoiler:fighting alongside Gabriel and Gorgutz to take down a Daemon]].
* HeroAntagonist: For certain definitions of 'hero'. She ''is'' out to stop the forces of Chaos, but ends up fighting the Blood Ravens anyway.
* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: In traditional Eldar fashion, Macha sought to use Gorgutz's lust for battle to her own advantage and distract Kyre. Not only did Gorgutz defeat the army he was set up against, his forces also infiltrated Eldar territory, resulting in the deaths of many of her kin.
* OneWomanArmy: At multiple points in ''Dawn of War III'', she cleaves through entire armies of Orks and Space Marines more or less on her own. Taken to the next level in the final mission where it's just her, Gabriel, and Gorbutz versus hundreds of Chaos-infested Space Marines, Ork Boyz, and daemons, followed by a Greater Daemon, and they come out on top without a scratch to show for it.
* PoorCommunicationKills: Angelos would have probably been more likely to listen to her if she had given more information than "no, don't do what I knew all along you were here to do!"
* PsychicPowers: Comes with being an Eldar Farseer.
* RedheadInGreen: Due to Biel-Tan's green heraldry.
* TheSmurfettePrinciple: The only major female in ''Dawn of War''. She proudly began the tradition of only having ONE major female character in the series until ''Dawn of War II'', apart from ''Soulstorm''.
%%* SwordAndGun
%%* WarriorPoet
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Farseer Taldeer (Ulthwe)]]

[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Farseer_Taldeer_9920.jpg]]

-->''"My fate is here and I shall not flee from it."''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Laura Sadiq (''Winter Assault'')/ Creator/NicoleOliver (''Dark Crusade'')/ Lizzy McInnerny (''Dawn of War III'')

Taldeer leads the forces of Ulthwe on both Lorn V and Kronus, to halt the awakened Necron threat. She also plays an important role in the Eldar campaign of ''Retribution''.
-----
* BackFromTheDead: [[spoiler:She returns in ''Dawn of War III'' as a Wraithknight.]]
* BelligerentSexualTension: [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPeNOEdVmbc With Eliphas, of all people.]]
* BladeOnAStick: Can wield a Singing Spear in ''Dark Crusade''.
* TheChessmaster: She stacks the odds for the Imperial Guard in ''Winter Assault'', and tricks some Orks and Chaos forces into being meatshields in ''Dark Crusade''.
* CoolSword: Wields a Witchblade in ''Winter Assault'' and the beginning of ''Dark Crusade''.
* DeadpanSnarker: Most notably in ''Dark Crusade''.
* DueToTheDead: [[spoiler:Her Soulstone is retrieved from Kyras' remains in the Eldar ending of]] ''Retribution''.
* EnemyMine: With General Sturnn.
* FaceHeelRevolvingDoor: What her actions in ''Winter Assault'' look like to the Imperials.
* FantasticRacism: Towards humans, a lot.
* LastStand: When her stronghold is destroyed in ''Dark Crusade''. It didn't end well for her. See Never Found The Soulstone below.
* HeroicBSOD: When she is defeated in ''Dark Crusade'', she renounces the title of Farseer and makes a suicidal charge to cover the escape of her remaining forces.
* NeverFoundTheBody: [[spoiler:After she's captured, interrogated, and executed by the Blood Ravens in ''Dark Crusade'', her soulstone is worn by Kyras as a trophy. [[DueToTheDead Until Ronahn retrieves it.]]]]
* OhCrap: When the Necron second wave arrives in the last mission of ''Winter Assault''.
* PetTheDog: She's oddly polite to Aun'el in comparison to her interactions with other characters, always reffering to him by his full name.
* PsychicPowers: In addtion to her combat abilities, her prophecies were powerful enough to be a major plot point in Retribution.
* TheSmurfettePrinciple: The only major female character in ''Winter Assault'' and ''Dark Crusade''.
* SurroundedByIdiots:
** In ''Winter Assault'' she loses patience with the Imperial Guard's "incompetence".
** In ''Dark Crusade'' she attacks everyone because she doesn't think the other powers on Kronus have what it takes to defeat the Necrons.
* SwordAndGun: Her starting weapon of choice in ''Dark Crusade''.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Farseer Caerys (Ulthwe)]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Farseer_Caerys_5145.jpg]]

-->''"Meanwhile, we will appear unseen from 10 directions, and from every one, strike a fatal blow."''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/CathyWeseluck

Caerys leads the Ulthwe forces in the Kaurava campaign, to stop the Necron threat from spreading further, and to prevent any from awakening them again.
-----
* BladeOnAStick: She can be equipped with a Singing Spear.
&&* TheChessmaster: Would you expect any less from an Eldar Farseer?%%How?
* GracefulLoser: Instead of [[DespairEventHorizon despairing]] like the other commanders, she essentially goes "Meh, we lost today. Someone else is going to have to deal with the Necrons now. Let's head back home."
* LighterAndSofter: In comparison to Taldeer. If Caerys wins her campaign, she allows the Imperium to reestablish control over the Kaurava system unmolested (except for the Tomb World of Kaurava III, of course).
* PsychicPowers: Standard issue.
* SmugSnake: Unfortunately for her, she's not really as good as she thinks she is.
* SwordAndGun: Starts with a Witchblade and Shuriken Pistol.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Farseer Idranel (Ulthwe)]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Farseer_DoW2_4383.png]]

-->''"It is time you learned what it is to face a Seer of Ulthwé the Damned!"''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Christine Dunford

Idranel leads the Ulthwe; forces that have infiltrated subsector Aurelia, intending to halt a Tyranid Hive Fleet from consuming Craftworld Ulthwé itself. Is killed by Tarkus at Angel Forge. The survivors of her warhost continue to play a role in ''Chaos Rising'' and ''Retribution''.
-----
* BladeOnAStick: Her Singing Spear.
%%* TheChessmaster: See MoralMyopia below.
* ComplexityAddiction: [[spoiler: Her plan to stop the Tyranids was to incinerate the worlds in the sector by blowing up Angel Forge. The Blood Ravens accomplished the same plan with a lot less hassel.]]
* DidntSeeThatComing: [[spoiler:''"I had thought surprise lost to me."'']]
* FantasticRacism: [[UpToEleven Exceptionally so, even by Eldar standards.]] She planned on blowing up the Angel Forge on planet Meridian and killing off the billions of humans on the planet and two other worlds in the sector just to protect one Craftworld from being eaten by the Tyranids.
* MoralMyopia: [[spoiler:Her myopia is why ''Dawn of War II'' happened in the first place. Fucking Eldar.]]
* NearVillainVictory: Very nearly succeeds in destroying Angel Forge and the planet as well.
* PsychicPowers: She's capable of one shotting your squad members if you're not careful.
* ShockAndAwe: Her warp powers are mostly electrical in nature.
* WellIntentionedExtremist: She's out to save her people. Unfortunately, she doesn't care how many of ''your'' people get in the way.
[[/folder]]

!Tau Empire
[[folder:Shas'O Kais]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/o_Kais_6254.jpg]]
[[quoteright:190:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/taucommander.jpg ]]

-->''"Do the deaths of your soldiers mean so little to you? Are you that mad?"''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Lee Tocker

Military leader of the Tau forces sent to secure Kronus, he is merciful, yet deadly. A student of Commander Puretide, he is an excellent commander.
-----
* AlphaStrike: With all his upgrades, he becomes a WalkingArmory. He can fire all of it at the same time... [[SpamAttack all the time]].
* {{BFG}}: Starting with a Burst Cannon, and ending with a Plasma Rifle.
* CallBack: He shares his name with the protagonist of ''VideoGame/FireWarrior''. Developer interviews heavily imply that its really the same person.
* CanonImmigrant: Mention in the 6th edition Tau codex as a classmate of Farsight and Shadowsun. And of course, see the CallBack above.
* TheComicallySerious: When assaulting Eliphas' fortress, Eliphas will use his physic powers to taunt the enemy commander. Kais, however, only hears Eliphas as "a buzzing in [his] comms" due to Tau souls having a weak resonance in the warp, and later orders his Fire Warriors to "cut out that comm-chatter".
* GatlingGood: The Burst Cannon he starts off with. Can be upgraded into a Fusion Blaster and eventually a plasma rifle.
* InvisibilityCloak: One of the few commanders that has one.
* MeaningfulName: It's Tau for skillful, which Kais certainly is if he was taught by Puretide. In a meta way, it's also the same name as [[VideoGame/FireWarrior La'Kais]].
* MiniMecha: The [=XV22=] Battlesuit he makes use of. Can be upgraded with better armor and sighting upgrades as well as enough weapons to make him a WalkingArmory.
* MoreDakka: Can have three individually-firinf weapon systems and a pair of gun drones.
* NoSell: Noted in the TheComicallySerious, Eliphas trying to taunt him mentally doesn't work.
* OneManArmy:
** While Farsight mastered [[HumongousMecha Mont'ka]] and Shadowsun excelled in [[TheBeastmaster Kau'yon]], Kais instead focused on the Monat fighting style, which emphasized a lone wolf contribution to the battle as a whole. If fully upgraded in the ''Dark Crusade'' campaign, he is essentially an invisible One-Tau weapons platform.
** In the novel ''War of Secrets'', this is taken UpToEleven. After suffering CryonicsFailure where his body was frozen but not his mind, he spent those few hundred intervening years coming up with all plans imaginable in combating Tau foes, which he puts to good use when he attacked Dark Angels fortress monastery ''by himself'' and caused heavy damages to the Marines there and even fighting the Chapter Master ''and'' the Honour Guards to a standstill, only stopped by the Chapter Master ordering an ''orbital strike'' on the monastery itself. Even then, he managed to escape, albeit without his suit.
** If one believes, as the devs have hinted, that he's [[VideoGame/{{FireWarrior}} the same Kais from Fire Warrior]], then he's this to an ''absurd'' degree as he fought through the Imperium and Chaos' forces and ''killed a Lord of Change.'' The fans have referred to him as "[[AlternateCompanyEquivalent Tau]] [[{{VideoGame/Doom}} Doomguy]]".
* OnlySaneMan: He's only commander who exhibits any form of mercy or extends any sort of dignity to his enemies, as well as the only commander who '''isn't''' LawfulStupid, a KnightTemplar, [[CardCarryingVillain murderously insane]] or [[BlueAndOrangeMorality too alien to understand others]].
* WalkingArmory: With all his wargear upgrades, he has a Plasma Rifle, a Flamer, a Missile Launcher and a Gun Drone or two, and he can fire all of them at the same time.
* WarriorPoet: Very in tune with Tau philosophy, and like any proper Tau commander, applies this to his strategy.
* WhatTheHellHero: As shown by the quote, he is horrified at Davian Thule's disregard for casualties. In response, Thule considers Kais weak for caring that much.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Aun'el Shi'ores]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Ethereal_8921.jpg]]

-->''"[[RousingSpeech Soldiers of the Fire Caste! Kroot and Vespid allies! Today, we stand as a bulwark against the selfish, the soulless, and the mad!]]"''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/BrianDrummond

The overall leader of the Tau forces on Kronus, he was sent to bring the world back into the Tau Empire's fold.
-----
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Downplayed. He's no Redshirt, but his "lieutenant" O'Kais is much stronger than he is. Fitting, as he's a civilian leader rather than a military general.
* BigGood: Seen as this by the Tau and those loyal to them on Kronus.
* FlunkyBoss: He can summon his Shas'vre bodyguards at any time.
* FrontlineGeneral: Sort of. While Ethereals aren't meant to be risking their lives on the battlefield or being in charge of the actual battle, Shi'ores is present on some stronghold levels. In his own stronghold level, he's at the very back of his base, but has greatly boosted HP.
* MissionControl: Serves as this somewhat during the Eldar and Necron Stronghold missions.
* TheParagon: Said to be among the most lauded of a new generation of Ethereals.
* WorthyOpponent: According to O'Kais, he respects the wisdom of Eldar farseers.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Shas'O Or'es'Ka]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/o_Kais_6254.jpg]]
[[quoteright:190:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/tau_commander_or__es__ka_by_robertharutos.jpg]]

-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/BrianDrummond

Military leader of the Tau forces in the Kaurava campaign, he is considered less merciful than his fellow commanders. He uses the unique strategy of ''Great Strength, Great Strike'', which involves hitting the enemy as hard as possible.
-----
* AlphaStrike: His entire strategy revolves around this.
* {{BFG}}: The Ar'ka cannon, a gun so huge it can hit a different ''planet'', is his fortress' special bonus. In-game, it softens up enemy provinces by nuking it just before you get there.
* DespairSpeech: Should he fail at defending Aun'Ro'Yr, he has a rather surprising outburst about how his forces have lost all.
* GatlingGood: His primary weapon.
* InvisibilityCloak: Or'es'Ka gets an upgrade that turns him invisible to most enemy units.
* ItsTheOnlyWayToBeSure: After destroying the Chaos stronghold, the Tau retreat so that they can pound the province repeatedly with the Ar'ka cannon. He applies a similar strategy to the Necron stronghold.
* LeaveNoSurvivors: He knew better not to try bargaining with the Forces of Chaos. Upon destroying their stronghold, he and his forces left the province so that they can shell it with their Ar'ka cannon until nothing remains.
* MagicFromTechnology: Subverted. He thinks this is in effect with the Sisters of Battle, due to their use of 'miracles'. When he defeats the Sisters' Stronghold, he is disappointed when his forces can't find the technology the Sisters used to become invulnerable. Tau don't really understand that it's the Sister's [[ClapYourHandsIfYouBelieve faith]] that made that occur.
* MiniMecha: The stealth suit he pilots isn't large, but it has a massive amount of firepower.
* MoreDakka: Undoubtedly the best commander in terms of pure ranged damage.
* NotSoDifferent: Is disturbed by how similar the Sisters' devotion to the Emperor is to the Greater Good's effect on the Tau.
* WorthyOpponent: Considers the Space Marines as such, and declares that if it weren't for the Greater Good, the Tau would have lost the Space Marine Stronghold mission.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Aun'Ro'Yr]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Ethereal_8921.jpg]]

-->'''Voiced by:''' Creator/BrianDrummond

The leader of the Tau campaign to bring the Kaurava system into the Tau Empire.
----
* FlunkyBoss: Three beacons are helping a Tau relief fleet make their way to Kaurava through the Warp storm. If left untouched, the fleet sends a long stream of Tau units at you.
* KeystoneArmy: Like all Ethereals, killing him causes a massive morale loss to the entire Tau army. So massive that they abandon their colonization efforts.
* TheUnfought: Where Shi'ores needed to be killed after fighting through an entire Tau base, here you just have to destroy the Coalition Center he's in (which is within artillery range) to kill him.
[[/folder]]

!Necrons
[[folder:Necron Lord of Kronus]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Necron_Lord_DC_2699.png]]
[[quoteright:190:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/necronlordofkronusyupimprettydead_e142c4450a80da751ce5e166f7b8ed34.jpg]]

The leader of the Necrons on Kronus. He doesn't speak at all, so he has Macabee speak for him. He was a servant of the C'tan known as the Nightbringer.
-----
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: He can take on small armies of enemy units and win with the right upgrades.
* BadassCape: A black one naturally.
* BigBadEnsemble: One of the three main antagonists in ''Dark Crusade'', the others being Eliphas and Gorgutz.
* BlingOfWar: Becomes increasingly bedecked with golden plate as he gains upgrades.
* TheDreaded: He is the only thing besides Abbadon and the Word Bearer Daemon Prince that Eliphas ever displays any fear of.
* OffscreenMomentOfAwesome: Canonically killed or badly wounded Reclusiarch Mikelus of the Blood Ravens and injured Captain Thule before going down.
* OneWingedAngel: His "Essence of the Nightbringer" ability makes him invincible and skyrockets his damage.
* OneManArmy: once he gets his wargear upgrades, combined with his in level upgrades, he's almost unstoppable.
* SimpleStaff: Not quite simple, though. Like all Necron Lords, he wields a Staff of Light, which [[BladeOnAStick has blades on the end of it]] and [[BoomStick doubles as a ranged weapon by shooting Gauss flares]] .
* TheSoulless: It scares Eliphas with that trait.
* TheVoiceless: His only line of dialogue is one unintelligible whisper.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Thomas Macabee]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Thomas_Macabee_6897.png]]

-->''"So come, poor victims of life. We shall grant you tranquility in these crypts."''\\
'''Voiced by:''' John Novak

A former archaeology professor at the Aceria Xenology Institute on Kronus, and part of the expedition that awakened the Necrons, he somehow retained his personality after his conversion into a Pariah, and acts as a spokesman for the Necron Lord of Kronus.
-----
* BlueAndOrangeMorality: He sees the Necrons' massacre as a big MercyKill to grant the living on Kronus the "tranquility of death".
* TheDragon: He acts as the Necron Lord's lieutenant for ''Dark Crusade''.
* DugTooDeep: And unleashed the Necrons upon Kronus once more. This isn't even the first time something like this has happened in this universe.
* FaceHeelTurn: He serves the Necron Lord following his capture and transformation into a Pariah.
* MachineMonotone: Slightly less pronounced than the Necron Lord of All Kaurava, probably because of his biological parts. He sounds more ominous because of that.
* MeaningfulName: It's probably no coincidence that one of the few ''40k'' characters with a Jewish name is enslaved by the Egyptian-inspired Necrons. Also doubles as an IronicName, as [[UsefulNotes/TheMaccabeanRevolt Judas Maccabee]] fought for his people's independence while Thomas Maccabee appears to be [[HappinessInSlavery pretty content with his current condition]].
* MissionControl: He speaks for his lord, as the latter is mute.
* MouthOfSauron: Since the Necron Lord cannot speak, Macabee speaks in his place.
* OhCrap: The one time he displays any emotion beyond a dread-inducing monotone is when he discovers the other factions have planted a bomb in the heart of their catacombs.
* SinisterScythe: Wields a Warscythe like the other Pariahs.
* WasOnceAMan: He was an ordinary (although likely cyborg) human before the Necrons found him and turned him into one of their own.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Necron Lord of All Kaurava]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Necron_Lord_SS_5654.jpg]]

-->''"They shall meet their ends. They shall join the army of death."''\\
'''Voiced by:''' John Novak

The leader of the Necrons in the Kaurava campaign. Unlike the Lord of Kronus, he can talk, and serves the Deceiver rather than the Nightbringer.
-----
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Like the Necron Lord of Kronus.
* BadassBookworm: He seems to be more intelligent than the Necron Lord of Kronus, if only because he talks.
* BigBadEnsemble: Alongside Firaeveus Carron, Archon Tahril, and Gorgutz 'Ead 'Unter.
* MachineMonotone: As ''Soulstorm'' predated the retcons that gave the Necrons more personality, he lacks the arrogant, aristocratic tone of voice characteristic of his race in newer adaptations. He's just a machine, and it shows.
* OneManArmy: Such that he can be upgraded to take on almost any foe.
* OneWingedAngel: His 'Essence of the [[GrimReaper Night]][[PhysicalGod bringer]]' ability. He can also turn into the Deceiver, which isn't as powerful for fighting but still can't be damaged and packs some nasty abilities.
* SimpleStaff: The Staff of Light standard among all Necron Lords.
* SuddenlyVoiced: Compared to the previous Necron Lord, who was completely mute and relied on a [[MouthOfSauron proxy]] to speak.
* UnwillingRobotization: It's implied that when he defeats an Imperial faction, he turns the survivors into Necrons.
* VaderBreath: It's not exactly clear why he pauses for breath, being a robot and all, but he does so frequently, to an ominous effect.
[[/folder]]

!Dark Eldar
[[folder:Archon Tahril (Kabal of the Black Heart)]]
[[quoteright:128:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Archon_Tahril_6080.jpg]]

-->''"I am the deadly shadow and the bird of prey. I am the poisoned dagger that brings swift death!"''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/MackenzieGray

Leader of the Dark Eldar raiders in the Kaurava campaign, he is arrogant even by Eldar standards, and considers all the other commanders in the campaign to be fools (excepting Farseer Caerys and Lord Carron).
----
* BigBadEnsemble: With Gorgutz 'Ead 'Unter, Firaeveus Carron, and the Necron Lord of Kaurava.
* TheMinionMaster: Since he's quite squishy by himself, he comes with a retinue of four Incubus bodyguards that have wargear upgrades of their own.
%%* SmugSnake: He can't help himself.
* SmallNameBigEgo: He's a Dark Eldar, but he seems to get ideas of replacing [[JokerImmunity Vect]], and thinks that his base won't be noticed. Not helped that one of the only characters he doesn't think is a fool is widely seen as an idiot.
* TheStarscream: He may aspire to be one, but nobody even considers crossing Asdrubael Vect and lives.
* WickedCultured: Genteel and aristocratic, despite being very evil.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Haemonculus Gruemenael (Kabal of the Black Heart)]]
-->''"We win, we lose, win and lose - but always richer, richer with slaves and spoils."''\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/SamuelVincent

A Dark Eldar Haemonculus.
----
* TortureTechnician: He is a Haemonculus, master torturers and flesh-sculpters.

[[/folder]]

[[folder:Asdrubael Vect (Kabal overlord)]]

-->''"BEG FOR MERCY! Not that it'll help you.''"\\
'''Voiced by:''' Creator/MichaelKopsa

The leader of the Kabal of the Black Heart and the de facto leader of the Dark Eldar as a whole. As Tahril's master, he attends the battle for the Kaurava system on his Dais of Destruction. He is a special character, being taken from [=W40K=] canon rather than being invented for the game.

This page will only document tropes he displays in the ''Dawn of War'' games. For Vect's tropes in the rest of the 40k canon, see [[Characters/Warhammer40000DarkEldar here]].
----
* AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: Averted, as he doesn't leave his Dais, likely since rules for him on foot in the tabletop didn't exist when ''Soulstorm'' was made.
* CanonImmigrant: Inverted, he was taken from the tabletop game for ''Dawn of War''.
* CoolCar: His Dais of Destruction, which doubles as the Dark Eldar's Relic Unit.
* CowardlyBoss: When assaulting the Dark Eldar's base, he'll personally attack your base before retreating for repairs after a certain amount of damage. Of course, this can work to the player's advantage.
* GlassCannon: His Dais of Destruction is pretty fragile for a Relic Unit, but it's got the best firepower.
* GreaterScopeVillain: He can be considered this due to the fact that he leads one of the factions in the game.
* JokerImmunity: Regardless of whether or not the Dark Eldar lost in Soulstorm or not, he's still alive due to being a character in the tabletop game.
[[/folder]]

* OneManArmy: Later patches in ''Retibution'' turn him into a death machine whose abilities can wipe entire armies, can heal himself while landing hits and kills, and has abilities that render him immune to damage.

** He prepares to go on one against the Inquisitor in ''Dawn of War III'' when it appears his bombardment has killed Chapter Master Angelos.

%%* BreakThemByTalking: Oh, he's a master at this.%%How?

* CombatCompliment: [[spoiler:To Eliphas, Kyras enthusiastically applauds Eliphas' vicious combat ability and the thousands he has slain to reach him. Claiming that he has ''earned'' the right to an audience with him. Eliphas is also the only person he compliments, which should really tell you something.]]

* GlowingEyesOfDoom

* MotiveRant: See [[spoiler:NietzscheWannabe]].

%%* ReasonableAuthorityFigure: She takes control of Meridian once Vandis runs away, and gets promoted to governor In ''Chaos Rising''.%%Reasonable how?

%%* {{BFG}}

%%* PowerFist

* BadBoss: The first thing we see him do is kill a Meganob for suggesting they run, and he later kills a random Ork just because he's angry. The after action report for him defeating the Tau states that he killed his subordinates for failing to retrieve Au'nel's skull. In fact, this is pretty much a recurring theme with him.

* DemotedToDragon: After conquering the Kaurava System, Gorgutz sets out for Cyprus and pledges his allegiance to Gitstompa.

%%* LargeHam: Oh, '''YES'''.

* TheRightHandOfDoom: His Klaw in III is so huge that he uses it to move.

* SmallNameBigEgo: Not for his entire career mind you, but when he first started out in Winter Assault, one of his men bragged that he was bigger than Nazdreg and Ghazghkull, two infamous warbosses. Gorgutz castises him saying no one is bigger than Ghazghkull "at least not yet" showing his arrogance. At the time, it was unlikely he was bigger than even Nazdreg. By III, he's probably reached that size. As for Ghazghkull, he's got a long way to go more than likely.

* StupidEvil: He's not very bright, even by Ork standards. Gorgutz even names a plan after him and he takes it as a compliment.
* TheDogBitesBack: If Crull wins the gate mission, he turns on Gorgutz for failing the WAAAGH! Of course, Gorgutz pummels him to a pulp for it.

%%* {{BFS}}: As Daemon Prince.

%%* TheDragon

%%* DragonWithAnAgenda: He was this to Bale.

* TheManBehindTheMan: To Bale. It's obvious from the moment we see them that Sindri is the real brains.

Leader of the World Eater forces on Lorn V, Crull is a champion of the Blood God. He is on Lorn V to find and corrupt the Imperator-class Titan that fell in the defense of the planet. He is canonically killed by Gorgutz.

** AuthorityEqualsAsskicking: The absolute best melee hero of ''Retribution'' in terms of raw damage and tanking potential. Show me something else in the game that can rip through Assault Terminators that easily.

* HeroKiller: [[spoiler:In the first mission of the ''Retribution'' Chaos Campaign, where he kills Davian Thule]]. In gameplay, he's also very good at eliminating powerful individual units due to his ridiculously high melee damage and attack rate.

* HeroicWillpower: Eliphas has this in spades, certainly more so than most Chaos Lords, since he endured a thousand years of torment and emerged more powerful for it, and then rose in the esteem of beings as terrible, demanding and capricious as the Chaos Gods.

%%* BadassBaritone: Fred Tatasciore voiced this character.%%And?

* FashionableAsymmetry

%%* BigBad: In ''Chaos Rising''.

%%* FatBastard: Extremely.

* AffablyEvil: Shades of it. It acts polite to [[spoiler:Gabriel]]; and since that's its only speaking role, we never learn if that's an act or not.
* AncientEvil: Inquisitor Toth states that the Eldar sealed it away on Tartarus thousands of years ago, in an age when many space marine chapters were still young.
* BigRedDevil: While we never see its physical form, its spectral avatar is red and has some large horns.
* DemonLordsAndArchDevils: Implied to be extremely powerful, though we never learn if its a greater daemon or a daemon prince.

%%* ILetYouWin: [[spoiler:To Angelos.]]
* NoNameGiven: We never learn its name, [[spoiler:though Kyras calls it the 'Herald of Khorne']].

* DueToTheDead: [[spoiler:Her Soulstone is retrieved from Kyras' remains in the Eldar ending of ]] ''Retribution''.

* TheChessmaster: Would you expect any less from an Eldar Farseer?

%%* NoSell: See TheComicallySerious.

* EyeScream: After [[spoiler:a ascended Kyras beats him into the ground]] he took a lot of damage from that attack, suffice to say that t losing his eye was probably the least damage he took.

* TheFettered: In ''Retribution'', Gabriel cannot directly take the fight to Kyras without shedding the blood of fellow Blood Ravens (though how many of them are actually loyal and simply doing their duty is difficult to determine), which is a cardinal sin to most Space Marines. As such, he is left with no other alternative to report Kyras' actions to the Imperial Inquisition. [[spoiler:When Kyras throws his lot completely with the Alpha Legion and ascends to Daemonhood however, Gabriel leads the Third Company against him on Cyrene]]
* TheGoodCaptain: He's not only a great warrior, but like other 'nice' Space Marine chapters he makes the extra effort of rescuing civilians from certain death if possible.

* TheHero: Served as one in ''Dawn of War'', in command of the Third Company during the Battle of Tartarus. Has seceded this role in later games to Brother-Captains Thule (''Dark Crusade''), Boreale (''Soulstorm'', to disastrous results), the unnamed Force Commander (''Dawn of War II'' and the ''Chaos Rising'' expansion), and Diomedes (''Retribution''), until ''Dawn of War III''.

* HeterosexualLifePartners: With Isador, up until [[spoiler:you know, the whole betrayal thing..]]
* HonorBeforeReason: Gabriel Angelos will settle the matter adhering to the Commandments of the God-Emperor, regardless of what happens.

* LightningBruiser: Wears a huge and bulky suit of Terminator Armor in ''III'', but is able to pull off impressive jumps, apparently due to the power of his Daemonhammer Godsplitter.

* OldSoldier: Gabriel is a 300+ years old Space Marine captain who has, among other things, single handedly banished a Daemon Prince back to the warp.

* RedOniBlueOni: The Blue to Isador's red. Interestingly, Isador and Angelos' colors are actually in reverse, thanks to the former being a Librarian.

* CoolSword: Can wield one called Alexian's Blade in ''Dark Crusade''. The same sword later shows up in ''Dawn of War II'' as a wargear drop.
* CyberneticsEatYourSoul: [[spoiler:In ''Dawn of War II''. He gets better in ''Chaos Rising'', though he still speaks slowly.]]

%%%* TheMentor: Is something akin to this for the Force Commander.