Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 | Early Game Guide & Tips

We've been playing Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 for a couple of days; thanks to Focus Entertainment for sending us a copy. With the game less than a week away from release, if I were a fan of the series, I would start gearing up for it. Take the day off from work and clear up your schedule because this game is worth it. Before you do that when the game releases on September 9, you should probably follow this guide to get started so you can lock in as soon as the game releases.

 

The Story

 

This time in Space Marine 2, you'll step into the boots of Captain Titus, a Space Marine with a complex past tasked with protecting assets tied to a secretive weapons project. But trust me, things heat up fast as you face off against the relentless alien Tyranids. You'll feel like a one-man army as a genetically enhanced super-soldier with immense strength, speed, and resilience, with heavy armor and a range of devastating weapons. Even with all that power, though, the Tyranids throw massive threats your way, so stay sharp.

 

Make Sure to Explore

 

As you progress through the campaign, you'll find that exploration pays off big time. While the main story is pretty linear, there are plenty of side paths that often lead to valuable hidden items. Health stims are a must-find, as they can be used mid-fight to recover health—crucial since they're one of the few ways to heal. While you can only carry two at a time, these are some of the most valuable items in the game. Even better are the Guardian Relics, which act like an extra life. When you run out of health, these relics let you revive yourself on the spot without having to wait for your teammates. Keep an eye out for these lifesavers during your journey.

 

Use Guardian Relics Before Reset

 

While you can save Guardian Relics for later encounters, don't hesitate to use them when needed because your inventory resets when you return to your hub area, the Battle Barge. Operations mode—another key feature in the game—rewards exploration just as much. While playing through these co-op missions, you'll want to be on the lookout for hidden resources like Armory Data, which is necessary for unlocking new weapons. You might even stumble upon items that give you extra XP if you reach the level's end while carrying them.

 

Try Co-Op in Operations Mode

 

One of the things to be most excited about in Space Marine 2 is the Operations mode. It ties in nicely with the main campaign. Featuring six unique classes, each with distinct skills, weapons, and cosmetics, Operations lets you experience missions that complement the core story. Titus often interacts with the Operations squad and sends them on missions that align with the campaign's objectives. You can focus entirely on the campaign first, but I'd suggest alternating between the two modes. Simply put, the game is more fun that way. It's satisfying to go deeper into the story and gameplay.

 

Combat Mechanics

 

Combat is at the heart of both modes, and in Space Marine 2, offense is your best defense. Your armor regenerates over time, but executing enemies is a faster way to get it back. You'll want to stagger enemies and then hit the execution move, which restores some of your armor depending on the enemy's strength. Time is right, and you can even regain health by executing enemies after you take a hit. There's also a special attack called Gun Strike, triggered when a crosshair appears over an enemy's head after a perfect parry or dodge. It's a powerful move that can also trigger a quick execution which also instantly recovers armor, kind of like DOOM. Though it's tempting to go for those flashy melee finishers, Gun Strike's speed makes it the better choice in tight spots.

 

Sidearms

Speaking of sidearms, don't underestimate them. You'll rely on your pistol more than you think, especially since you can only carry one main weapon, a melee weapon, and a sidearm at a time. My favorite is the Plasma Pistol, which can overheat but delivers devastating damage when charged. Two charged shots are enough to take down a Tyranid Warrior on normal difficulty—quicker than a standard melee combo.

 

Heavy Weapons

 

On the other end of the spectrum are the heavy weapons, a game-changer in battle. While these big guns replace your ability to use a melee weapon, they pack a serious punch. You'll find them in Operations mode, which also appears in the campaign. The best part? Picking one up doesn't take up a slot in your inventory. You can drop the heavy weapon any time and pick it back up later, so don't hesitate to use it when you find one.

 

Grenades

 

Grenades are crucial for crowd control. They're perfect for taking out waves of enemies during objectives where you're defending a position. The Tyranids will often pile up, and a well-placed grenade can take out a whole group while buying you some much-needed time. You'll also want to look for the bolter with an under-barrel grenade launcher—it's a fantastic way to deal with large swarms of enemies.

 

Try the Armouring Hall

 

If you're jumping into Operations mode and aren't sure which class suits your playstyle, you can head to the Armouring Hall in the hub to try them out. Each class has its own level that showcases their strengths. These challenges also give you rewards that help with progression, so you should check them out.

Also, check out our review of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 and other guides below.

- Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Beginner's Class Guide
- Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 | How To Level Up & Progress Classes