Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War, normally priced at $39.99, is completely free to keep on Steam until May 28 as part of the 10th annual Warhammer Skulls festival. Once claimed, it stays in your library permanently.
Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War is free to keep on Steam right now, dropping from its usual $39.99 price tag to $0.00. The offer runs until May 28, 2026 at 9:00 AM PT (16:00 UTC), and once you claim it, the game is permanently yours. This deal is part of the 10th annual Warhammer Skulls festival, an event celebrating Warhammer video games with reveals, updates, and major discounts across the entire franchise catalogue.
What Is Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War?
Gladius – Relics of War is a turn-based 4X strategy game developed by Proxy Studios and published by Slitherine Ltd. Released on July 12, 2018, it holds the distinction of being the first 4X game set in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. Gameplay takes place on a hex grid on the imperial world of Gladius Prime, where factions fight for planetary dominance with no room for diplomacy, only war.
The base game includes four playable factions: Space Marines, Orks, Necrons, and Astra Militarum. Each faction has a unique technology tree, unit roster, and storyline. The game currently holds a Very Positive rating on Steam from over 5,100 English-language reviews (81% positive), and won the eXplorminate 4X Game of the Year award in 2018. It carries a 71 Metacritic score, with IGN calling it “one of the best turn-based 40K games” and awarding it 7.9 out of 10.
How to Claim Warhammer Gladius for Free on Steam
Claiming the game takes less than a minute:
- Navigate to the Warhammer 40,000: Gladius – Relics of War store page on Steam.
- You will see the price listed as $0.00 (100% off) with a note reading “Free to keep when you get it before May 28.”
- Click “Add to Account” and the game is permanently added to your library.
This is not a free weekend or a trial. Once you add it to your account before the deadline, you own it forever with no strings attached. You do not need to install or play the game before the deadline; just adding it to your account is enough.
How Long Does It Take to Beat?
According to HowLongToBeat data, completing a single campaign run takes roughly 10 to 11 hours. Players who explore side objectives and take their time can expect around 25 hours per playthrough. Completionists aiming to experience everything the game offers across all factions will spend 50+ hours. Randomly generated maps and four distinct faction campaigns add substantial replay value even before DLC enters the picture.
What Does the Warhammer Skulls 2026 Festival Include?
The Warhammer Skulls 2026 showcase, which kicked off on May 21, is the 10th edition of the annual Warhammer video game celebration. Beyond the Gladius giveaway, the event delivered a wave of announcements and releases. Warhammer 40,000: Mechanicus II launched on the same day across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Dawn of War IV was confirmed for a September 17 release, and Space Marine 2 received a free Purgation update with a new co-op mission, weapons, and armour.
Other highlights include a Helldivers 2 x Warhammer 40,000 crossover Warbond announcement, playable demos for Boltgun 2 and Warhammer Survivors on Steam, and the release of the Tiger Warriors DLC for Total War: Warhammer III alongside a free-to-try weekend at an 85% discount. Total War: Warhammer 40,000 also teased its Armageddon setting. The week-long event features deep discounts on dozens of Warhammer titles across Steam, Xbox, PlayStation, GOG, and Epic.
DLC and Expansion Content Worth Knowing About
Since its 2018 launch, Gladius has received 21 DLC packs. The most significant additions are new playable factions: Tyranids, Chaos Space Marines, T’au, Craftworld Aeldari, Adeptus Mechanicus, Adepta Sororitas, and Drukhari. Unit packs like the Reinforcement Pack, Fortification Pack, Assault Pack, and the brand-new Eradication Pack (released alongside Skulls 2026, adding 8 new units) round out the roster.
The Complete Edition bundles all 22 items and is currently discounted during the Skulls sale. However, the base game with its four factions provides a full, satisfying experience on its own. If you enjoy it, the faction DLCs each carry Very Positive Steam ratings and meaningfully expand the strategic variety.
System Requirements
| Spec | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 10 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel Core i3 or equivalent | Intel Core i5 or equivalent |
| Memory | 4 GB RAM | 8 GB RAM |
| Graphics | Vulkan support, 3 GB VRAM | Vulkan support, 3 GB VRAM |
| Storage | 4 GB | 8 GB |
The game also runs natively on SteamOS and Linux, and is Steam Deck compatible. Its modest hardware requirements mean most mid-range or even budget PCs from the last several years can handle it comfortably.
Why Does Gladius Go Free Every Year?
This marks the third consecutive year that Gladius has been given away during Warhammer Skulls. It was free on Steam and Epic Games Store during Skulls 2024 and again during Skulls 2025. The recurring giveaway strategy is designed to grow the player base and drive DLC sales. New players who enjoy the base game often invest in faction packs, making the free base game a gateway into a much larger content ecosystem.
Things Players Usually Want to Know
Does it have multiplayer?
Yes. Gladius supports online PvP, LAN PvP, online co-op, LAN co-op, split-screen multiplayer, and cross-platform multiplayer. Steam Workshop support also allows community-created mods, maps, and balance adjustments.
Is this similar to Civilization?
Gladius shares the 4X framework (explore, expand, exploit, exterminate), but it drops diplomacy entirely. There are no trade agreements, alliances, or peace treaties. Every interaction between factions is military. Strategy Gamer gave it 4 out of 5 stars, and Quarter to Three praised it for knowing the difference between “detail” and “design.” If you want a Civ-like experience filtered through pure Warhammer 40K warfare, this is exactly that.
Will I lose the game after May 28?
No. Once you add the game to your Steam account before the deadline, it stays in your library permanently. This is a full ownership transfer, not a temporary trial or rental period.
Is the base game worth playing without DLC?
Absolutely. Four factions with distinct playstyles, individual storylines, and a well-regarded AI system provide dozens of hours of content. The AI in particular is frequently praised by players as one of the most challenging and human-like in the 4X genre, originally built from modding work on Proxy Studios’ earlier title, Pandora.
