The best factions in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2

In Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, we play as the mighty Adeptus Astartes, the angelic warriors of the Imperium clad in power armor and standing feet taller than any normal person. However, they are not the only faction in the Warhammer universe, and the game gives us a look at some of the others, both allies and enemies.



Some of the factions get a lot of representation in the game, with entire levels dedicated to them, while others only get a brief cameo. Regardless, the factions featured in the game were perfectly represented.


7 Vigil

The Opening Cinematic of Space Marine 2 showing the death knell of a ship.

The Deathwatch is a chapter of Astartes that includes veteran Space Marines, such as the main character of the game, Titus. In the case of Titus, he was suspected of being a heretic, and so served the rest of his days as a member of the Deathwatch, until he was acquitted of his charges at the beginning of the game.


Although we only get to see the Deathwatch in the campaign's prologue tutorial mission, they are a cool and interesting chapter of the Space Marines. The Deathwatch is the team called upon when an impossible mission must become possible.

6 Eternal War Chaos Factions

Space Marine 2 Khorne Berzerker Fighting Ultramarine in PvP promotional image.

The game's premiere PvP mode, Eternal War, is a 6v6 game mode pitting loyal Marines of the Imperium against the Heretic Marines of Chaos. You can customize both your Loyalist and Heretic load-outs, depending on which team you get during matchmaking.

While this has no story content, being PvP, the ability to play as heretic legions like the Night Lords and Iron Legion is cool. The design looks great and hits the spot for the lore, and while it would be immersion breaking, it would be a lot of fun to be able to play as these heretic factions in the PvE modes as well.


5 Tyranids

Space Marine 2 Tyranid Warrior

The Tyranids are the background to which the story starts, and without them the game wouldn't be the same. The Tyranids are a race of Xenos in the Warhammer universe, and while they may appear to be mindless beasts, they are incredibly intelligent and coordinated, spreading across the galaxy at an alarming rate.

The game does a fantastic job of representing this iconic enemy faction in the Warhammer universe. The Tyranids are an overwhelming force, and you really feel it when you play. They can easily run you over, and while you're looking in the background in some levels of the game, you can see hordes upon hordes of creatures landing on your spot. The developers of this game also made a World War Z game, and you can tell.


4 Cadians

A Guardsman using a flamer in Warhammer 40K Space Marine 2

In addition to the impressive Space Marines, the Imperium has armies of ordinary human soldiers. One of these groups is the Cadian Shock Troopers, known for their sharpshooting expertise and resilience.

The game does a great job of shining a light on these unsung heroes. While the Space Marines are genetically engineered animals that can tear Tyranids' heads off with their bare hands, these are just normal soldiers fighting unspeakable horrors. Without these brave soldiers, the Imperium would not survive.

3 Adeptus Mechanicus

An Adeptus Mechanicus Magos goes up against an Ultramarine in Warhammer 40K Space Marine 2


The Tech Priests of Mars, The Adeptus Mechanicus are like the IT people of the Imperium, if the IT people worshiped machines and AI as gods instead of restoring your router. They are important and common in Warhammer lore, and seeing them here, while not a surprise, is always welcome.

They even have quite a presence in the story, where we have to save various tech-priests from the oncoming swarm. We also get to see a group of them during one of the game's operations, when they guide us to launch a battle barge from the ground. A Warhammer game isn't the same without the Adeptus Mechanicus.

2 Thousand Sons of Tzeentch

Space Marine 2 Rubric Marines


In the first Space Marine game, the primary antagonist force was the Orks. This game took a different approach by using the Tyranids, but having the secret second faction be the Thousand Sons Chaos Marines was a stroke of genius by Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive.

Tzeentch is one of the Chaos Gods of the Warp and is one that is not seen too often in the wider range of Warhammer media. Mostly we see the Chaos Marines of Khorne, which are cool, but fighting the more magical and sorcery type of enemy heretics is a breath of fresh air, and provides a serious challenge for the late game.

1 Ultramarines

A close-up of three Ultramarines in front of a Thunderhawk in Warhammer 40K Space Marine 2


The poster boys of the entire game, what would the game be without Space Marines? Not only do we play as these massive brutes, but the game does a fantastic job of representing them, both in their abilities and how they are perceived.

From a gameplay standpoint, we as players feel the power of being a space marine, tearing apart enemies with chainswords and our bare fists, or bashing heads from afar with a bolt gun. When we interact with NPCs like Cadians or Tech Priests, we see the reverence they inspire, as Space Marines are seen as angels in the eyes of normal humans. Coupled with the customization available to your marines, this game is a Space Marine fan's dream come true.

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