Hero image: Space Marine 2 Anniversary Update II trailer. Image: Focus Entertainment
Space Marine 2 has kicked off its Year 3 content with a free update that hands you the forces of Chaos. It also adds the game’s first real endgame mode.
Anniversary Update II is out now as Patch 15. For the first time in Space Marine 2 you can play as Chaos Space Marines in PvE. In Siege mode you fight as Heretic Astartes, backed by Cultists and even a Helbrute, against both the Tyranids and the loyalists.
The new Siege map is called Hive, set in a hive city on Avarax. The Heretic Astartes are holding strategic positions there and trying to complete their rituals.
If you’ve already maxed a class, the Crucible is for you. It’s a PvE endgame mode for Level 25 classes, launched from PvE Operations. You pick Penances, which are debuffs and negative modifiers, to make a mission harder. In return you earn Crucible XP and unique cosmetics, including the Lamenters armour set. The Patch 15.0 notes say the Crucible uses its own matchmaking pool. The notes call it “our first true endgame activity”, and say its rewards will expand over time.
The Tactical class gets the biggest rework. Kraken Penetrator rounds are now part of its starting perk, and bolt weapons penetrate one extra enemy. Auspex Scan does less than it used to, so almost every primary weapon gets a base damage buff to make up for it. The Bolt Rifle is up 10% and the Auto Bolt Rifle 15%.
Melta weapons get the biggest swing. The Melta Rifle’s base damage is up 65%, but its ammo drops from 15 to 10 and its damage falls off much sooner. Get close before you pull the trigger.
There’s a new weapon too, the one-handed Thunder Hammer, available to the Tactical, Assault, Bulwark and Techmarine classes. Wargear 2.2 splits tabards and cloaks into separate slots you can paint, and Trials of Resolve #3 adds new Ordeals.
Season Pass 3 holders get the first two cosmetic DLCs, the Space Wolves Champion Pack and the Exorcists Cosmetic Pack. The full notes are also on the Focus community site.
If you’ve been waiting to jump in, the timing is good. Space Marine 2 is 75% off on the Australian Steam store in the Autumn Sale, at A$22.48 until 4am AEDT on 9 October. The rest of the sale is in our Australian deals guide.
Source: Focus Entertainment on Steam – Anniversary Update II, Saber Interactive on Steam – Patch 15.0, Focus Entertainment – Patch Notes 15.0, Steam – Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2