Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War - Dark Crusade

GR: Some people just aren't keyboard shortcut types. Sure we know "cut" and "paste", but that's about it. What are the essential shortcuts to know in Dark Crusade?

Stephan:
The stance keys are the most crucial. Generally, F1 stance (by hitting the "F1" key, naturally) should be used for melee units, F2 for ranged. Sometimes with Hero units it's also good to switch between the F6 (Melee stance) and the "F7" (Ranged Stance). When using the F2 stance for ranged units, pressing Q to stop and fire is probably the most important thing to do. In DC, most ranged units do not do as much damage while on the move, and Q forces the troops to stop and fire. Knowing the shortcut keys to build units or buildings help, but is not really crucial to playing well. However, knowing the shortcut keys to the most frequently used abilities are important. The reason is that most abilities need to be used at the correct, exact times, and this is much easier to do when using shortcut keys, instead of scrolling over and clicking.

Josh: Shortcuts aren't a huge focus in Dark Crusade in comparison to many other RTS games, though. However, those I would deem more necessary than others would fall under unit control. Selecting groups of units and "grouping them" via CTRL+ "Number key" (1,2,3 etc.) allows them to be recalled when said key is pressed, allowing for fewer clicks in the heat of a battle when trying to select units.

Abilities specific to the units you are using should also be kept in mind, as throwing grenades (G for some races) and casting spells (such as the Eldar Farseers) need to be done with precise timing.

Josh: Shortcuts aren't a huge focus in Dark Crusade in comparison to many other RTS games, though. However, those I would deem more necessary than others would fall under unit control. Selecting groups of units and "grouping them" via CTRL+ "Number key" (1,2,3 etc.) allows them to be recalled when said key is pressed, allowing for fewer clicks in the heat of a battle when trying to select units.

Abilities specific to the units you are using should also be kept in mind, as throwing grenades (G for some races) and casting spells (such asthe Eldar Farseers) need to be done with precise timing.

CATEGORIES
Latest in Strategy
A big mech's lost its limbs in a screenshot from Mecharashi.
After Square Enix cancelled the first new Front Mission in years, it’s suing the developer behind it for releasing another very similar mech game
Kingmakers
Kingmakers is a strategy game about taking on medieval armies with a gun, but its devs thought the giant mech was too much
Kingmakers appearing in the Future Games Show Spring Showcase 2025
Remember that bonkers Kingmakers trailer where an attack helicopter blew up some knights? It's back with a deep dive of its simulated attackers and destructible buildings
Mount and Blade 2 appearing in the Future Games Show Spring Showcase 2025
Strategy RPG Mount and Blade 2: Bannerlord heads to the seas for a Viking-inspired expansion
Rise of Industry 2 appearing in FGS Live from GDC
Go big or go home in Rise of Industry 2 as you claw your way to the top in this complex 1980s business management sim
The Deadly Path appearing in FGS Live from GDC
Strategy roguelike game The Deadly Path poses an uncomfortable question: "Am I actually any good at strategy games?"
Latest in Features
Google Pixel 9a smartphones on a beige background
One Google Pixel 9a feature could make it a better gaming phone than most budget mainstream models
Yasuke and Naoe ready to fight on the Assassin's Creed Shadows On The Radar thumbnail
On The Radar: Assassin's Creed Shadows coverage hub
Captain Planet #1
Captain Planet is back after 33 years with a "sexy" makeover and a message that's as important as ever: "Reality has gotten a lot less subtle"
Daredevil: Born Again trailer
Daredevil: Born Again episode 5 isn't a filler episode, it brings back the magic of old-school episodic TV
Assassin's Creed 3 screenshot of Desmond hilding a circular Isu artifact
Assassin's Creed Shadows' modern storyline is kind of non-existent and I couldn't be happier about it
An Assassin's Creed Shadows On The Radar thumbnail showing Yasuke and Oda Nobunaga armored up and on horseback, ready to ride to battle
"We really wanted you to live this history": Assassin's Creed Shadows is all about "perspective", says the game's cinematic director