Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector

Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector is a turn-based tactics game set in Games Workshop’s science fiction universe. Instead of controlling individual fighters, you assemble formations of infantry, heavy units and heroes and move them across a battlefield divided into hexes. Black Lab Games developed the game, and Slitherine published it.

The single-player campaign centres on the Blood Angels, who fight the Tyranids after the Devastation of Baal. Additional factions and game modes complement the original campaign.

Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector was released for Windows PC on Jul 22, 2021. The PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions followed on Dec 2, 2021. Both console versions can also be played on the respective successor consoles.

Since launch, the strategy game has grown with new factions, standalone battle systems and additional campaign content.

Battlesector is available for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. On PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, the respective console versions can be played via backward compatibility. The Xbox version has a user interface adapted to the controller.

From Oct 29, 2026, Slitherine introduces Xbox Play Anywhere for the Xbox and Microsoft Store version. Purchases, new save games and achievements will then be shared between Xbox and PC within the Microsoft ecosystem. The existing Steam version remains a separate distribution channel.

Every turn calls for decisions about movement, positioning and attacks. Troops have different ranges, weapons and abilities. Cover, overwatch fire, melee attacks and control of key field positions affect the outcome more than quick reactions do.

The momentum system rewards successful actions. A unit built up accordingly can perform a particularly strong turn or boost its abilities. Command points also enable air support strikes.

Warhammer 40,000: Battlesector has been expanded several times with larger faction packs. These include Necrons, Sisters of Battle, Orks, T’au, Astra Militarum, Black Legion and Ultramarines. Smaller packs such as Blood Angels Elites and Tyranid Elites add individual unit types.

Deeds of the Fallen, a new campaign with twelve missions and additional units for the Sisters of Battle, was released on May 22, 2025. Black Legion followed on Feb 24, 2026, and Ultramarines on May 21, 2026.

The PC version of Battlesector requires Windows 10 64-bit, an Intel Core i5-4460 or similar processor, 4 GB RAM, a GeForce GTX 750 with 2 GB graphics memory and about 25 GB of free storage. The game requires DirectX 11.

Recommended: an Intel Core i5-6400 or similar model, 8 GB RAM and a GeForce GTX 950 with 2 GB graphics memory.

The original campaign comprises 20 missions on Baal Secundus. Sergeant Carleon leads the Blood Angels against the surviving Tyranids after the Devastation of Baal.

The missions combine battles with ongoing army development. Heroes and troops can be prepared for upcoming challenges through abilities and available equipment.

Before a skirmish, the makeup of your army decides how an attack is carried out. Fast units secure positions, armoured formations withstand fire and specialists handle targeted tasks. The game offers a range of weapon options, heroes and faction-specific reinforcements.

Blood Angels rely on units such as the Sanguinary Priest and Librarian Dreadnought, among others. The Tyranids field creatures such as the Hive Tyrant. Each faction has its own mechanics and its own momentum system.

In Skirmish mode, you set up the armies and victory conditions yourself. Planetary Supremacy expands the tactical battles with capturing territory, controlling resources and building up your own forces.

Daemonic Incursion is a survival challenge against successive waves of daemons. The Crusade mode, added later, links several battles with longer-term decisions about your army.

Battlesector supports battles against other players. On PC, live matches, asynchronous turns and hotseat are among the multiplayer modes offered. Available features vary by platform and store version.

With Xbox Play Anywhere, real-time matches between Xbox consoles and the Xbox app on Windows PCs are set to be possible from Oct 29, 2026. The new Microsoft version cannot play against Steam players on the existing Slitherine servers.

Blood Angels and Tyranids form the core of the original campaign. Paid faction expansions add Necrons, Sisters of Battle, Orks, T’au, Astra Militarum, Black Legion and Ultramarines, among others.

The factions differ in more than just looks. They get their own units, weapons, heroes and abilities, so their armies play differently in how they are built and deployed.

The PC version includes a map editor for creating your own battlefields. The maps you make expand the options for free battles.

With Xbox Play Anywhere, the editor is set to stay available on PC in the future. Access to self-created content is not the same as fully transferring old save games from the previous Microsoft Store version.

On October 29, 2026, Battlesector is set to move to a shared Xbox and Windows version. Anyone who owns the game on Xbox can then also install it on PC via the Xbox app, including any extra content they have bought. New save games and achievements will sync between devices.

Owners of the old standalone Windows Store version face one restriction: their game and DLC entitlements will be transferred, but not their previous save games and achievements. The previous Windows Store version is being removed from sale and will receive no further updates.