Confused about the difference between Ultramarines and Thousand Sons? You’re not alone. Here’s a comprehensive guide to all the factions in Space Marine 2 that you should know.
Space Marine 2 takes place in the expansive Warhammer 40K universe, where numerous factions vie for control. Even within the Space Marines, there is division and conflict. Fans of Games Workshop’s renowned franchise will likely be familiar with the distinctions between the Loyalist and Chaos Space Marines, as well as the various Xenos factions including the Tyranids.
However, for those new to the world of 40K, it can be overwhelming and difficult to understand. Therefore, we have provided a comprehensive guide below to introduce you to the different factions and characters that are likely to appear in the game. This will also include a brief overview of the lore to help bring you up to speed.
Who are the Space Marines?
The Space Marines are the elite troops of the Imperium of Man.
The Space Marines, also known as the Adeptus Astartes, are elite soldiers who have been genetically modified to be superior to regular humans. Initially, there were twenty legions of Space Marines, but over time, they have been divided into numerous smaller chapters, each with their own unique customs and strategies.
The intention behind this was to ensure that no single chapter would gain too much power following the Horus Heresy, a brutal civil war in which half of the Space Marine legions rebelled against the Imperium of Man and sided with Chaos, a hostile entity from an alternate dimension called the Warp. Although the loyalists were able to defeat the Chaos Space Marines, their presence still remains in the galaxy.
Each Space Marine legion was established by a Primarch, a “son”of the Emperor of Mankind, who utilized his own genetic code and potentially even Chaos sorcery to create his demigod offspring. In the current era of 40K, following a ten-thousand-year hibernation, two loyalist Primarchs have reappeared in the story. The first was Roboute Guilliman of the Ultramarines, followed by Lion El Johnson of the Dark Angels.
As regent of the Emperor, Guilliman is now in charge of ruling the Imperium. He leads his Ultramarines in defending humanity against the Tyranids, while The Lion is engaged in a separate mission to hunt down Chaos in a distant location from Earth (or Terra). The Emperor, who was severely injured by the traitorous Primarch Horus during the Heresy, is now sustained by the Golden Throne, a massive life support system. From this throne, he uses his immense psychic abilities to protect humanity from the forces of Chaos and spreads his light across the vastness of space to aid his people.
Despite The Emperor being revered as a god by the majority of humanity, the Space Marines reject this belief and instead view him as a highly skilled psyker who derives his abilities from the Warp. This is despite the fact that the Warp has been consumed by Chaos and is under the control of its four deities.
In Space Marine 2, the campaign follows the Ultramarines as they make an appearance alongside various other chapters. In multiplayer, players have the option to play as multiple Loyalist chapters and Chaos Space Marine legions. The campaign puts players in the role of Titus, a member of the Ultramarines who was once responsible for guarding Guilliman while the Primarch was in a state of stasis. After facing Orks in the previous game, Titus must now confront the consequences of his decisions during those battles.
What are the Chaos Space Marines?
The Thousand Sons are one of the Chaos-tainted traitor legions.
The Chaos Space Marines were once loyal followers, but turned to Chaos when their Primarchs betrayed the Emperor and revolted against the Imperium. Sadly, a great number of them were deceived and controlled by the malicious deities of Chaos, who thrive on the pain and misery of humanity.
The remaining traitorous Primarchs pledged themselves to the Chaos gods and were transformed into mighty immortal beings known as daemon princes.
Despite the passage of time, there are those who remain at the forefront of their legions, waging war against the Imperium. Others have chosen to reside within the Eye of Terror, shielded from the wrath of the Imperium. On occasion, the Chaos forces band together under the leadership of Abaddon the Despoiler, a former captain of Horus who has seized control of his legion and risen to the position of Warmaster of Chaos, surpassing even the daemon Primarchs.
Despite leading thirteen Black Crusades against the Imperium, Abbadon’s strategic moves have only served to weaken the Emperor’s control and expand the reach of Chaos. However, his actions may have inadvertently caused the resurrection of loyalist Primarchs and garnered the animosity of several Xenos factions who are growing weary of Chaos, including the Eldar, Necrons, and Tau Empire.
Other Imperial factions
The Space Marines will not be the sole combatants against the Tyranids, as the Imperium of Man is also supported by a multitude of allied forces.
The Inquisition
The Imperium’s mysterious human enforcers strike fear into the hearts of almost everyone. Divided into three branches, each dedicated to tracking down traitors, daemons, and aliens, the Inquisition operates with unwavering determination and extreme measures, often dispatching assassins or entire armies to eliminate those deemed a danger to humanity – or their own authority.
The Deathwatch
The Deathwatch is classified as a Space Marine chapter, however their operations differ from those of other chapters. They are under the jurisdiction of the Inquisition and consist of Space Marines from various chapters who have been assigned to serve penance for mistakes or for various other reasons.
The Deathwatch is primarily utilized as problem-solvers within the Inquisition and is frequently tasked with completing clandestine missions that other Space Marines would not be willing to undertake. Serving with the Deathwatch is regarded as both a prestigious honor and a source of disgrace, depending on the specific circumstances.
Titus is currently serving in the chapter at the beginning of Space Marine 2, following the events of the first game.
The Imperial Guard
The Imperial Guard, also known as the Astra Militarum or “Guard,”are ordinary human foot soldiers of the Imperium who frequently fight alongside the Space Marines. Similar to the majority of humanity, they revere the Emperor and view the Space Marines as his divine “angels.”
Even though there is a limited number of Space Marines, the galaxy is home to billions of Imperial Guardsmen and women, all of whom are tasked with protecting their designated planet or assisting the Space Marines during their battles. Additionally, they possess a strong fondness for tanks and employ them in large quantities.
The Mechanicum
In Space Marine 2, there will be a multitude of small robotic individuals dressed in red robes. They belong to the Mechanicum cult, who are known for aiding Space Marines in battle and providing assistance with their equipment. The Mechanicum originated on Mars, where they were cut off from Terra for centuries due to Warp storms. During this time, the people of Mars developed an intense fascination with technology and began worshiping it as their Machine God or Omnissiah.
In the end, they were convinced to align with the Imperium, granting the Emperor access to their advanced technology. This was achieved through his cunning manipulation, convincing them that he was a deity in human form. However, there is an element of truth to this deception. The true Machine God is believed to be a Ctan that managed to evade the Necron’s eradication and was subsequently imprisoned beneath Mars by the Emperor. Over time, its whispers influenced the planet and its inhabitants.
About Xenos
The Tyranids are a dire threat to humanity – and everyone else.
In the world of 40K, Xenos refers to any extraterrestrial species that did not originate from Terra (Earth). The Imperium holds a deep animosity towards all forms of Xenos, stemming from past traumas inflicted by these races during the collapse of the first human space empire.
Despite previous tensions, the arrival of Robute Guilliman has sparked the first signs of collaboration between humanity and certain Xenos societies. This is largely due to the recognition that the Tyranids and Chaos pose the greatest dangers to the galaxy.
The Tyranids
The Tyranids, the primary antagonists in Space Marine 2, may appear to be mindless dinosaur-like creatures, but in reality, they are a highly intelligent alien species driven by the desire to consume all biological life in the universe. They are under the control of a powerful Hive Mind from a distant galaxy, which became aware of humanity through the destruction of the Horus Heresy. The Hive Mind then commanded its bioforms to embark on a ten-thousand-year journey across the void in order to consume our galaxy.
Despite their immunity to the influence of Chaos, the Tyranids show no discrimination when it comes to their source of sustenance. To them, all biomass is fair game. The Imperium (along with other Xenos) have successfully repelled three previous attempts by the Tyranids to invade, but in Space Marine 2, the Ultramarines find themselves in the midst of the fourth Tyranic War against an onslaught known as Hive Fleet Leviathan. This latest invasion is wreaking havoc across the galaxy, devouring worlds belonging to the Imperium, Chaos, and Xenos alike.
The Eldar
The Eldar are essentially space elves in 40K.
The Eldar, also referred to as the Aeladari, are a race of ancient beings commonly likened to space elves. They once held dominion over the galaxy before the emergence of humanity. Their empire was immense, surpassing even that of humanity, but both eventually fell into decline. The Eldar grew hedonistic and content, resulting in the birth of the Chaos god, Slannesh. This deity devoured the souls of 90% of the Eldar, bringing the race to the brink of extinction.
Today, their main objectives include defeating Chaos, surviving the Imperium’s aggression, and making amends for past mistakes. In addition, they remain vigilant against their longstanding foes, the Necrons, and are dedicated to eradicating the Tyranid threat from the galaxy. A group of Eldar known as the Ynnari has managed to unite numerous worlds under a single banner and has even reached a tentative agreement with the Imperium, as they both face common adversaries.
In addition to aiding the Imperial survivors of Abaddon’s Thirteenth Black Crusade to find refuge, the Ynnari played a crucial role in the resurrection of the Ultramarine’s Primarch Robute Guilliman. As a result, the Space Marines are indebted to them. There is also a distinct group known as the Drukhari, or Dark Eldar, who are notorious for their brutality, often outshining even the Chaos forces in terms of ferocity.
The Necrons
The Necrons yearn to return to flesh and blood.
The Necrons, an ancient race that predates even the Eldar, were once a dying species who harbored resentment towards the godlike Old Ones. These powerful beings had created the Eldar, Humanity, and the Orks, but did not aid the Necrons in overcoming their short and painful lifespans. In their weakened state, the Necrons were then manipulated by the Ctan, who shared a similar grudge against the Old Ones. The Ctan used the Necrons as soldiers in their own war against the Old Ones.
The Ctan’s ultimate goal was to consume the planets protected by the Old Ones, and they saw an opportunity to do so through the struggles of the Necrons. The Necrons were compelled to transform their once biological bodies into metallic skeletons, a form they have remained in ever since. This transformation has left them with a longing for organic life and a desire to possess its qualities.
Following their victory over the Old Ones, the Necrons betrayed their Ctan overlords and subjected them to servitude. Instead of engaging in battle against the formidable Eldar Empire, the Necrons chose to enter a state of stasis for countless millennia, with the intention of reclaiming control of the galaxy upon awakening. As they slumbered, billions of Necrons envisioned a brighter future ahead.
Despite their hopes for a peaceful existence, the Necrons awoke to a galaxy torn apart by warfare and devastation. In their current state, they strive to regain what was taken from them and yearn to revert back to their original forms of flesh and blood. Though they hold no affection for humanity or the Eldar, they reserve a specific animosity towards Chaos and the Tyranids and actively work to undermine their efforts.
The Tau Empire
The Tau are learning that there are scarier things than Space Marines.
The Tau species, known for their dedication to “The Greater Good,”has formed alliances with multiple alien races in their quest to protect their citizens and expand their territory. As a result, numerous human worlds have joined the Tau Empire in search of a better life, leading to aggressive retaliation from the Imperium.
Despite the Space Marines and the technologically superior Tau reaching a stalemate in their battle, both empires reluctantly called for a ceasefire. It was also mutually acknowledged that there were more pressing dangers to contend with. Nonetheless, the Tau’s expansion into the galaxy continues to pose issues for the Imperium as they encroach upon their borders.
The Tau have come to realize that there are more dangerous threats in the galaxy than humans, such as the Orks, Dark Eldar, Tyranids, and the chaotic gods of Chaos who have now set their sights on the growing empire. While their relationship with the Eldar remains friendly, their interactions with the Necrons are more complicated.
The Orks
The Orks were the main villains of the first Space Marine game.
Constantly in pursuit of their next battle, the Orks are a savage and aggressive species, originally engineered by the Old Ones to combat the Necrons and Ctan. However, abandoned by their creators, the Orks have regressed into their current state, consumed by their desire for perpetual warfare.
Fortunately for them, amidst the bleakness of the distant future, war remains the sole constant. Although the Orks were the primary foes in the initial Space Marine installment, their significance has dwindled in comparison to the threat posed by the Tyranids of Hive Fleet Leviathan. This could potentially lead the Space Marines to rue their decision.
While not all of the factions mentioned above are guaranteed to appear in Space Marine 2, it is beneficial to be familiar with the prominent players in the Warhammer 40K universe. Additionally, there is always the possibility of new factions being introduced through DLC.
Leave a Reply