In Dawn of War 4, players commanding the Necron faction will have access to their most formidable unit: the C'Tan Shard of the Void Dragon. This colossal entity is not merely a powerful war machine, but a bound fragment of a shattered star god, imbued with a deep-seated animosity towards both its enemies and its Necron masters.
Unlike the endgame units of other factions, which focus their destructive capabilities solely on opposing forces, the C'Tan Shard of the Void Dragon exhibits a dual nature of animosity. This resentment stems from the Necrons' history. Originally an organic civilization known as the Necrontyr, they traded their bodies for mechanical forms to achieve immortality. This transition was facilitated by the C'Tan, star gods who granted the power but effectively enslaved the Necrontyr in their wars against other cosmic entities. Following their victory, the Necrons rebelled, shattering the C'Tan and trapping their essence within machine bodies. The C'Tan Shard of the Void Dragon represents one such fragment, forced into servitude.
This complex relationship is reflected in the unit's behavior and dialogue. Senior game designer Elliott Verbiest explained that when ordered, the C'Tan Shard acts with "no real pleasure," conveying a sense of being controlled despite its immense power. This animosity is particularly evident when the unit encounters enemy Necron forces. It is the only unit capable of referring to the Necrons by their original name, the Necrontyr, highlighting a distinct and antagonistic dynamic compared to the more subservient Necron units.
The C'Tan Shard of the Void Dragon is designed to be a visually striking and devastating force on the battlefield. Its ability to fly allows it to traverse terrain unhindered and reposition rapidly. The unit can unleash its spear to obliterate large enemy units or clear out clusters of smaller troops. Furthermore, it emits cascading bolts of green lightning that damage vehicles and can regenerate its own health. As a testament to its power, players can only summon one C'Tan Shard at a time, underscoring its status as the game's preeminent unit.
While the C'Tan Shard's lore and unique animosity add a compelling layer to its gameplay, its core function remains that of a powerful melee unit in a real-time strategy setting. The narrative depth provided by its backstory and vocalizations elevates it beyond a typical large-scale unit, offering players a unique experience of commanding a disgruntled demigod. This approach aims to imbue the unit with a sense of barely contained godly power, making its appearance on the battlefield a momentous occasion.