The Bulwark in Space Marine 2 is a powerful combat unit that excels in close combat against Tyranids, other players, and enemies. However, proper building is crucial for their survival.
Despite being genetically enhanced humans wearing massive eight-foot armor, Space Marines are not invincible. This is exemplified in Space Marine 2, where failure to master the controls and create a strong character will result in defeat by the persistent Tyranids.
If the Bulwark seems like the perfect class for you, we have the optimal build you should use, including the best weapons, perks, grenades, and strategies for playing it effectively.
Recommended Build for Bulwark
| Category | Item |
|---|---|
| Weapon | – Bolt Pistol– Chainsword |
| Grenade | – Frag Grenade |
| Perks | – Conviction– Armor of Contempt– Defensive Advantage– Advanced Conditioning– Rapid Regeneration– Focused Strength– Invigorating Icon– Rejuvenating Effect– Inspiration– Emergency Countermeasure |
The Explanation of the Best Weapons
The Bolt Pistol doesn’t pack a huge punch, but it doesn’t need to with a Bulwark.
Secondary Weapon – Bolt Pistol
| Perk | Description |
|---|---|
| Great Might | Damage increases by 10% against Terminus enemies. |
| Retaliation | After a perfectly timed Dodge, you deal 25% more Damage for 5 seconds. |
| Gun Strike Reload | After a Gun Strike, the equipped Weapon instantly reloads. |
| Perpetual Precision | Maximum Spread decreases by 10%. |
| Head Hunter | Headshots deal 10% more Damage. |
| Elite Hunter | After killing a Majoris-level or higher enemy with a Melee Weapon, Headshots deal 50% more Damage for 5 seconds. |
| Extended Magazine | Magazine size increases by 15% of the maximum. |
| Divine Might | Damage increases by 10% |
As the Bulwark lacks a Primary Weapon, it is important to prioritize a strong and practical Secondary option, making the Bolt Pistol an ideal choice.
While the Bolt may not deliver the same level of damage as the Plasma Pistol, it compensates with a larger Ammo Reserve, enhanced Piercing abilities, a remarkably fast Reloading Speed, and a heightened Rate of Fire. Ultimately, the secondary weapon’s primary purpose is not to inflict damage, as the Bulwark primarily relies on its melee weapon for that.
While we do suggest obtaining Gathalamor Crusade once you have reached a sufficient level, in general, any will suffice.
Regarding the benefits, we recommend adhering to the suggested selection mentioned earlier. It would be beneficial to prioritize enhancing the strength of your weapon, as it aligns with the Bulwark’s preferred style of Melee combat. Therefore, Retaliation, Gun Strike Reload, and Elite Hunter would be ideal options. The remaining perks will provide additional damage at a distance, which can come in handy when necessary.
Melee Weapon – Chainsword
Sometimes there’s no need to stray from the classics.
| Perk | Description |
|---|---|
| Armored Strength | When you have full Armor, Melee Damage increases by 10%. |
| Crushing Heel | Enemies hit by Stomp deal 30% less Damage for 4 seconds. Cooldown is 10 Seconds. |
| Perpetual Strength | Melee Damage increases by 5%. |
| Reverberating Impact | Stomp area of effect radius increases by 50%. |
| Chaos Slayer | Melee Damage against Chaos enemies increases by 10%. |
| Hard Target | While performing a Light Combo, you take 15% less Ranged Damage. |
| Trampling Stride | After performing a Stomp, hold the attack button to perform an additional Stomp. |
| Extremis Slayer | Melee Damage against Extremis-level enemies increases by 10%. |
| Kill Streak | After killing 10 enemies in rapid succession with a Light Combo, you do not lose control upon taking Heavy Hit and you cannot be knocked back for 5 seconds. Cooldown in 10 seconds. |
As previously mentioned, the Bulwark is a sturdy Melee fighter, therefore selecting the appropriate weapon is crucial, and the Chainsword is unquestionably the best choice for the task.
The Chainsword is an ideal weapon for those who value both speed and lethality. With its impressive Strength and fantastic Cleaving Potential, it will make your character feel as deadly as a Space Marine should. For those at the Relic level, selecting the Aquilan Dedication Chainsword is highly recommended. While there may be a slight decrease in Cleaving Potential, the added benefits of Fencing Defense and increased strength make it a worthwhile choice.
When considering perks, it is crucial to focus on enhancing the power of your Stomp ability. This move deals significant damage and can also push enemies away, making the Crushing Heel, Reverberating Impact, and Trampling Stride perks essential. Additionally, Armored Strength is an excellent initial choice to complement the Bulwark’s abilities.
Top Grenade Choices for Bulwark
- Frag
- Digest
Starting off, it is important to mention that this is primarily intended for the 6v6 PvP mode, as you do not have the opportunity to select your grenade in Operations.
Regardless, it is advisable to select the Frag grenade as a novice and then acquire the Melta grenade once you reach a higher level. While stun grenades have their merits, their area of effect becomes less effective if the enemy is aware of its impact and can easily evade it. Frag grenades, on the other hand, are a tried and true choice that can easily eliminate foes in the early stages. However, the Melta grenade is the ultimate upgrade and should be the ultimate objective.
Best Perks for Operations
Perks are key for a Bulwark build.
Although PvP players have the option to choose a grenade, Operations players are given character perks that are ideal for creating a skilled Space Marine. Fortunately, you can acquire multiple perks, and we recommend focusing on the following ones for the Bulwark:
| Perk | Description |
|---|---|
| Conviction | When your Armor is fully depleted you take 25% less Health Damage for 5 seconds |
| Armor of Contempt | When you Block a Ranged Attack, enemies within a 10-metre radius take the Damage instead. |
| Defensive Advantage | A perfectly timed Parry creates a Shock area for 5 seconds. Cooldown is 30 seconds. |
| Advanced Conditioning | Contested Health fades 50% more slowly for all Squad Members. |
| Rapid Regeneration | The banner restores Armor 300% faster, but its Duration is reduced to 5 seconds. |
| Focused Strength | Shield Bash knocked enemies back and makes them lose control for a longer period of time. |
| Invigorating Icon | When the banner is activated, all Squad Members regain maximum Contested Health. |
| Rejuvenating Effect | When the banner is activated, it revives Incapacitated Squad Members within its area of effect. |
| Inspiration | All Squad Members within the banner’s area of effect deal 10% more Damage. |
| Emergency Countermeasure | When your Armor is depleted, a reserve Shock Grenade automatically detonates at your position. Cooldown is 120 seconds. |
Given the numerous perks available, the decision of which ones to select ultimately lies with you. However, we recommend prioritizing perks that enhance Health and melee combat, such as Defensive Advantage, Conviction, or Invigoration Icon. In terms of team perks, the combination of Invigoration Icon and Rejuvenating Effect is a wise choice due to its ability to speed up skill recovery, making it particularly beneficial in challenging missions.
Your Banner is an essential ally when facing a swarm, making it crucial to leverage Rapid Regeneration and team perks in order to achieve success.
How to play the Bulwark
Bulwarks have a shield and heavy armor for a reason.
Now that you have the top Bulwark build in Space Marine 2, it’s time to start playing the character. However, before jumping in, it’s crucial for you to grasp the fighting style of the Bulwark.
The description states, “A Sword and Shield Bulwark Space Marine is dedicated to protecting both their Squad members and the principles of the Imperium.”
As a result, you play the role of the team’s tank. Your abilities provide extra protection and your close combat expertise allows you to deflect, crush, and incapacitate your enemies. Mastering these techniques takes time and a thorough understanding of combos, but once you do, you’ll be effortlessly defeating Tyranids.
We recommend deploying your skill as a horde is about to overrun the team, as it won’t last long once you’ve upgraded your perks. It’s important to make the most of it, but don’t worry too much as it has a rapid regeneration time, allowing you to use it in the next battle.
When facing boss fights, it’s important to be confident and take charge. While shooting from a distance may seem like a safe option, it’s not effective when considering the boss’s health. Instead, you should get in close and use your melee weapon to continuously attack and be ready to defend and dodge at any given moment. As mentioned before, the better you are at executing combos, the more lethal you will become.
Lastly, in PvP, you should approach combat with the same strategy as when facing smaller enemies. Be bold and confidently charge into the enemy’s face with your Chainsword, as most other classes are not accustomed to close-range combat. Additionally, make sure to support your team by utilizing your skills and abilities and coordinating with them. Even if it means temporarily lowering your skill level and going in alone, it will ultimately benefit the safety and success of your entire team.
Therefore, this is the recommended method for constructing the ultimate Bulwark in Space Marine 2. Of course, you can make adjustments to suit your personal style of gameplay, but this setup is the most versatile for both completing missions and participating in PvP battles.
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