Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Beginner's Class Guide

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2’s release is just around the corner. There are a ton of games under Warhammer 40K and that is without considering the books and tabletop games you can get yourself into. It has been a solid minute since the last Warhammer 40k game, and Space Marine 2 is looking like it is going to be a blast to play, set to be released on the 9th of September this year.

If you’re like me, you want to start the game well-prepared. This guide’s got you covered. There are 6 classes of Space Marines in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 to pick from and you can play the game alone or in Co-Op with up to 2 other friends in Operations or play the 6v6 PvP mode called Eternal War.

Tactical

Now, it may not be the flashiest option, but trust me, it’s the most versatile. If you’ve played action shooters before, you know there’s always that one class that balances everything out, and the Tactical is exactly that.

What really makes the Tactical stand out is its unique skill, Auspex Scan. This ability highlights nearby enemies and boosts the damage you and your team can deal to them. It’s a game-changer, especially when you’re working with a squad. Plus, it’s got this neat trick where it reveals cloaked enemies like the Lictor, stopping them from turning invisible.

Now, let’s talk weapons. The Tactical class has the biggest arsenal, which means you’ve got plenty of choices. For primary weapons, you’ve got the Auto Bolt Rifle—solid, with a fast fire rate, though the power is a bit low. If you want something with more kick, go for the Bolt Rifle. It’s better in most areas, and there’s even a version with a grenade launcher for when you need some serious firepower. The Heavy Bolt Rifle is great for mid-range fights, with lots of ammo. If you prefer precision, the Stalker Bolt Rifle offers incredible range and accuracy, though you’ll have to manage with less ammo. The Bolt Carbine is your go-to for close quarters, with a fast rate of fire. Then there’s the Plasma Incinerator, which you can charge up for extra damage—perfect for armored enemies. And for something really devastating, try the MELTA Rifle. It’s basically a close-range shotgun with high power and piercing, ideal for clearing out groups or staggering big enemies.

For your secondary weapon, the Bolt Pistol is a solid choice. It’s reliable, with good damage and a quick reload. And for melee, you can’t go wrong with the Chainsword—it’s a classic in the 40k universe, offering a good balance of strength and speed.

The Tactical class also has some great perks. Kraken Penetrator Rounds let your bolt weapons pierce through multiple enemies, and Emperor’s Vengeance refills your ammo after you take down a major foe. You’ll also want to check out skills like Target Lock and Precise Calibration—they ramp up the damage boost from Auspex Scan, making you even more deadly.

You can pick this Tactical if none of the other classes seem right to you. You’ll have access to the most number of weapons and you will be of help in almost any situation to your teammates.

Assault

The Assault class is one of the most dynamic options you can choose. With a jump pack, you can either boost horizontally to dodge attacks or ascend vertically to rain down fire on your enemies. You can hover in the air to shoot from above or slam into the ground with a jet-boosted attack, dealing AoE damage to everyone nearby. It’s the most mobile class in the game, offering surprising utility during operations.

When it comes to weapons, the Assault class doesn’t have a primary weapon. Instead, you’ll rely on secondary and melee weapons. For secondaries, you’ve got the Bolt Pistol, which I mentioned with the Tactical class, and the Heavy Bolt Pistol. The Heavy Bolt Pistol hits harder but has less ammo, making it lethal in the hands of accurate players.

For melee, the Assault class has access to the classic Chainsword, a reliable option across the board. You’ve also got the Power Fist, which is similar in stats but can hit a wider area, giving you more AoE utility and supercharged single-target damage. And let’s not forget the Thunder Hammer—this iconic weapon has the best melee range and deals devastating damage to anything in its path.

The Assault class perks emphasize a melee playstyle. For example, the Act of Attrition makes your melee attacks cause enemies to take 10% more damage for three seconds. Team skills like Proven Efficiency boost gun strike damage by 50% for all squad members, making you a valuable asset to your team. The Assault class also has signature perks like Ample Ammunition, which reloads your gun whenever you use your jetpack.

If you want to jump across the battlefield and smash enemies around by going up in their faces, you should go with the Assault class. You can jump in, brutalize your enemies, then jump out.

Bulwark

The Bulwark class is one of the most unique options in Space Marine 2, and it’s all about defense and utility. Equipped with a shield permanently fixed to the left arm, you can block attacks, damage enemies, and even push them back in combat. The Bulwark’s special ability, Chapter Banner, lets you place a barrier that creates an AoE, restoring the armor of all nearby squad mates—a lifesaver in intense battles.

When it comes to weapons, the Bulwark is limited to secondaries and melee options. You’ve got the reliable Bolt Pistol, which we’ve discussed before. It’s a solid all-around choice, though not particularly special. Then there’s the Plasma Pistol, a powerful secondary weapon that’s not only accurate but can be charged for greater firepower. This weapon can stagger and severely damage elite enemies, making it a favorite if you’re a good shot.

For melee, the Bulwark has a decent selection. The Chainsword, as you know, is a great all-around option. The Power Fist is another choice, offering similar stats but with the ability to hit a wider area, giving you more AoE melee utility. But the standout is the Power Sword, my personal favorite. This weapon has two modes: one for focused melee combat and another for AoE attacks, making it incredibly versatile.

The Bulwark’s perks are designed to make you a stronger tank while adding versatility in combat. Perks like Invigorating Icon allow your Banner to restore constant health to all allies within its radius. Emergency Countermeasures deploy a shock grenade when your armor is depleted, providing utility when you’re most vulnerable. There are also excellent team perks, like Effective Formation, which reduces the damage your squad takes by 20% from terminus-level enemies.

The Bulwark is incredibly versatile. The combination of the Shield, Banner, and weapons makes this class an almost guaranteed lock-in for any squad. While the Bulwark can deal damage, its real strength lies in the utility it brings to the team. The class does fall short in mid-to-long-range combat, but the Plasma Pistol makes up for it, proving deadly in almost any scenario and difficulty. If you want a class that offers both offense and support, the Bulwark is a fantastic choice.

Vanguard

The Vanguard class is all about offense, and if you enjoy getting up close and personal, this is the class for you. The Vanguard’s unique skill, Grapnel Launcher, lets you target an enemy and zip right to them, ending with a high-damage diving kick. You can use this ability in various ways—whether it’s to burst down an elite enemy, escape a swarm by grappling to a distant foe, or quickly move around the battlefield to find the best position.

In terms of weapons, the Vanguard may have fewer options, but each one complements its aggressive playstyle. For primary weapons, you’ve got the Instigator Bolt Carbine, a mid-to-long-range rifle with a three-shot burst. It excels in accuracy, range, and rate of fire, and you can aim it in third-person or scope fully. The Oculus Bolt Carbine is your other primary option, a solid mid-range weapon with an extended magazine and reserve ammo, making it a reliable choice. The Vanguard also has access to the Melta Rifle, which, as you know, is great for dealing with armored enemies and shares progression with other classes.

For your secondary weapon, you’ve got the Bolt Pistol, another shared progression weapon. When it comes to melee, the Vanguard has the Chainsword, which pairs perfectly with this aggressive, melee-capable class. You also have the Combat Knife, a fast-attacking, high-damage weapon ideal for taking down elite enemies.

The Vanguard’s perks are all about enhancing your aggressive playstyle while ensuring you can sustain yourself in the thick of battle. For example, the Conviction perk grants you a 15% damage reduction when you lose your armor, giving you much-needed durability. Team perks like Inner Fire allow your entire squad to restore ability charges by performing finishers. And then there’s Emperor’s Blessing, which restores all your armor instead of incapacitating you—perfect for staying in the fight when things get heated.

In terms of playstyle, the Vanguard is one of the most aggressive classes available. If you like picking off enemies from a distance and then diving in for melee combat, the Vanguard is your best bet. However, be mindful of your aggression—it’s easy to overextend because of your mobility, but that can leave you vulnerable. Remember to be mindful of spots of cover or where your friends are.

Sniper

The Sniper class stands out with its unique ability, Camo Cloak, which lets you become invisible to enemies for a short time. As a Sniper, you can use this ability to disappear, drop aggro, and deliver a powerful first attack out of stealth that deals extra damage. You can even trigger and re-trigger the skill for quick, in-and-out stealth movements, making it perfect for repositioning during intense battles.

When it comes to primary weapons, the Sniper has an impressive array of mid-to-long-range options. The Stalker Bolt Rifle is a semi-automatic weapon that excels in accuracy and power, offering both third-person and scoped views to handle enemies from a distance. The Bolt Sniper Rifle is your go-to for single-target damage, delivering devastating headshots but at the cost of a slow rate of fire and low ammo capacity. If you prefer something more versatile, the Bolt Carbine offers a high rate of fire for mid-range engagements, while the Las Fucile, a laser version of the Bolt Sniper Rifle, provides excellent damage, range, accuracy, and piercing power, allowing you to take out multiple enemies with a single shot.

For secondary weapons, you’re limited to the Bolt Pistol, which is reliable but not particularly exciting at this point. In terms of melee, the Sniper can only equip the Combat Knife, a single-target-focused weapon that’s ideal for quick, close-quarters takedowns.

The Sniper’s perks are all about maximizing your damage while staying elusive. Perks like Lethal Efficiency turn your Las Fucile into an unstoppable force if you play to the class’s strengths. Team perks like Marksmanship make headshots deadlier for everyone, while the signature perk Emergency Override activates your Camo Cloak automatically when you’re near death, saving you without using a charge and making you invulnerable.

As for playstyle, the Sniper might feel a bit underpowered initially, but once you invest in key perks, it becomes an essential part of any squad. Unlike other games, the Sniper’s primary weapon here is a specialty tool designed to take down the game’s biggest and deadliest threats. It requires a different approach—one that demands patience and precision. If you embrace the Sniper’s unique playstyle, you’ll become a terrifying presence on the battlefield. But if you try to play it like a run-and-gun class, you’ll quickly find yourself out of ammo or, like me, standing helplessly on an ammo box.

Heavy

If you’re after a class that excels at ranged combat and offers strong protection for your team, the Heavy is an excellent choice. This class features the Iron Halo ability, which creates a protective barrier in front of the Heavy, blocking incoming ranged attacks and safeguarding your allies.

The Heavy specializes in ranged weaponry, leaving melee weapons aside. The Heavy Bolter is a standout, capable of sustained fire without overheating when shot from the hip. However, aiming down the sights significantly increases its rate of fire, though you'll need to watch out for heat buildup. It might not seem the most powerful or accurate on paper, but in practice, it's unmatched in controlling large groups of enemies. The class also wields the Plasma Pistol, a powerful weapon with decent accuracy and range, though it has a slower fire rate.

Finally, the Heavy can equip the Multi-Melta, a larger version of the Melta Rifle, known for its excellent firepower and piercing abilities, making it a perfect choice for clearing out hordes or taking down elite enemies. For secondary weapons, the Heavy can use the Bolt Pistol, which should be familiar by now, and the Plasma Pistol, also available to the Bulwark, which excels in mid-range combat against heavily armored enemies.

When it comes to perks, the Heavy shines with team-oriented abilities like Encompassing Aegis, which reduces ranged damage for the entire squad by 20%. You can also enhance the Iron Halo with perks like Wrath of the Imperium, which deals significant damage in a 5-meter radius when the Iron Halo’s energy is depleted—perfect for when you’re overwhelmed by a horde. Coolant Reserve is another critical perk, eliminating the overheat mechanic when you’re the last one standing, letting you deliver a relentless barrage of firepower.

In terms of playstyle, the Heavy is all about providing a strong anchor point for the team while maintaining distance from the enemy. Your Iron Halo is key to blocking critical shots from snipers and other ranged threats, but it won’t last forever, so timing its use is essential. Your weapons are designed to deliver sustained fire support, and you’ll want to keep enough distance to remain in a heavy stance, increasing your rate of fire and allowing you to dominate the battlefield.

That covers all of the 6 classes you can choose from in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. I think it covers all the bases in terms of offering unique playstyles. You have a balanced option with Tactical, the nimble burst damager with Assault, Vanguard has the Grapnel Hook that lets you pick off stray enemies, Bulwark lets you play as a support tank, Sniper lets you lurk and pick off the deadliest enemies, and Heavy rains on the battlefield with bullets from mid to long range. There is a lot to think about with forming a 3-person team and I can see the 6v6 PvP mode being a lot of fun with what is on offer here. Hopefully, this gives you an idea of what to expect from each class. I can’t wait to try out the full release next month.