The developers of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 have essentially said "it’s what the Emperor would have wanted" and made a big weapon change in the game not for balance reasons, but because it’s just really, really cool.
Saber Interactive released patch notes for the Siege Update (Patch 8), which is available now on the Public Test Realm (PTS) for PC players, and in those confirmed it had extended the weapon arsenal in PvE to add the Thunder Hammer for the Bulwark class.
Thunder Hammers are perfect for bonking the crap out of Tyranids and Chaos Marines with wide, swinging attacks that have great reach, but the weapon type is limited to the Assault class. The Bulwark class is also great, with its huge shield and overpowered, game-saving abilities. But up to this point the Bulwark was unable to wield a Thunder Hammer. It made sense that it couldn’t, given you need two hands to bring a Thunder Hammer to bear on a heretic’s noggin, and you can’t do that while holding a Storm Shield.
Now, a Bulkwark can equip a Thunder Hammer, but there is an understandable catch: if the Bulwark uses a Thunder Hammer, it can’t also use a Storm Shield. This significantly changes what the Bulwark is all about, which is being a Space Marine who hunkers down for proper last stand stuff. The class has various abilities tied to using the Storm Shield, such as Shield Bash, which when using a Thunder Hammer are no longer available.
What I love is the patch notes explanation from Saber Interactive justifying this change. It basically amounts to an admission that it doesn’t make a great deal of sense lore wise, but they’re doing it anyway for FUN.
“We are adding this option only because we think it will be very cool and it's a shame that only one class can use the Thunder Hammer,” Saber explained. “We are not done with Bulwark, more interesting gameplay things are to come.”
As a result, the Bulwark’s perks have been updated, which you can find detailed in the patch notes below.
Elsewhere, there is a hugely exciting tease for expanded customization options coming to Space Marine 2, one that’s already got fans hyped for what’s to come in future patches.
We are preparing a very big update for customisation, players will be able to reuse chapter champion armour parts on other classes (with lore accuracy, clipping and technical restrictions). While it's not going to be in this patch, we wanted to mention this in this patch notes to assure you that we are going to continue expanding our customization system.
The patch notes do not reveal any new weapons or Operations mode maps, so it seems the focus here is squarely on Siege, which arrives in fully fleshed out form as part of Patch 8 on June 26. But Saber has confirmed new content is set to hit the game, including a new class. Season 4 also includes a new game mode for PvP and a new Chaos enemy. Check out IGN’s exclusive interview with Saber on Space Marine 2’s Siege mode for more information.
There’s a lot happening in the world of Space Marine 2, despite the surprise announcement that development of Space Marine 3 development had begun. Space Marine 2’s year one roadmap remains in place, and a Master Crafted Edition of Space Marine 1 is about to launch.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Patch 8 Siege Update PTS patch notes:
New Features
- New PvE Mode — Siege
Siege Mode expands on our PvE operations, emphasizing endless enemy waves that challenge even the strongest teams. When overwhelmed, players may call reinforcements for assistance. Engage in intense battles across three distinctive sectors, each requiring strategic adaptation. Side objectives emerge during combat, providing essential resources used to summon elite Space Marines or a formidable Dreadnought, drastically shifting battlefield dynamics.
The Battlefield
The battle unfolds within a fortified Imperial stronghold on Kadaku, relentlessly attacked by endless waves of Tyranid and Thousand Sons enemies. The fortress has three rotating sectors: Defensive Positions, the Arsenal, and the Control Room. In each sector, you will face five waves of enemies before your squad advances to the next sector, ultimately cycling back to reinforce earlier positions.
Survival Against Waves
Face increasingly challenging enemy waves, with direct assaults from Tyranids and cunning sabotage by Chaos forces. Brief (1 minute) intermissions between waves offer strategic opportunities, clearly indicated through UI notifications.
Side Objectives
Dynamic tasks such as capturing strategic points or retrieving Data-slates from fallen allies deepen tactical gameplay and supply critical resources essential for continued survival.
Shop and Reinforcements
Earn Siege Mode resources through successful combat and Side Objective completion. You can spend these resources at the fortress Shop. You can:
1) Buy ammunition, medicae stimms, equipment, armour boosts, guardian relic (these items have the same exact behaviour as in Operations Mode).
2) Summon specialized Space Marines providing targeted support and bonuses. Each player can have only one summoned Space Marine.
3) Deploy Cadian Troopers to provide additional firepower.
4) Collectively pool your resources to unleash the devastating power of a Dreadnought.
Boss Encounters
Every fifth wave introduces formidable boss battles, occasionally facing multiple elite foes simultaneously. Triumph in these encounters to progress to new fortress sectors.
Infinite Waves
If your resolve endures through fifteen brutal waves, prepare for endless combat of increasing difficulty, reduced resources, and shorter preparation times. Even the Primarch of the Ultramarines understands that ultimate victory here is unlikely — but your bravery will echo through the halls of eternity."
- Added option to disable bots spawn in Private Mode.
Perfect if you’re looking for a challenge
- RTAO experimental feature added — enables in in-game video settings
- DLSS 4 — better upscale for 50xx series cards.
- New Season Pass Content
Added White Scars Chapter Champion.
Added White Scars Chapter Weapon Skin Pack.
Added White Scars Chapter Customisation Pack.
Added Blood Angels Customisation Pack.
GAMEPLAY AND BALANCING TWEAKS
Extended Weapon arsenal in PvE
- Added Thunder Hammer for Bulwark. Picking this weapon will prevent you from using the Storm Shield.
We are adding this option only because we think it will be very cool and it's a shame that only 1 class can use the Thunder Hammer. We are not done with Bulwark, more interesting gameplay things are to come.
New Finishers for Bulwark
- Adding new finishers for Bulwark with shield — 1 for Hormagaunts and 1 for Tzaangors.
Terminus Update for Absolute Difficulty
- A second Terminus can now appear during a mission.
- The Terminus's HP has been increased by 66% and additional enemy packs will appear upon its spawn and again when its HP is reduced to 50%
- These additional packs are now slightly more challenging featuring more Extremis enemies
- Mission with final bosses can now also spawn Terminus enemies (previously, missions like “Decapitation” didn't allow any Terminus spawns)".
This change is made according to the community poll that we made a while ago. We think that Absolute difficulty wasn't that hard to begin with and now with a slight power creep of constant weapons buffs, perk buffs and prestige perks the situation is much worse.
After doing multiple test we have scrapped the idea of having 2 Terminus enemies in Operations mode at the same time (except in Siege mode), because this meant that you would have to encounter them all of the time, otherwise one run with dual terminus spawns would be much harder than a run with 2 Terminus enemies spawning one by one.
Instead we've tried to make Terminus spawns harder and more intense. We are going to continue to monitor how Absolute Difficulty is, and make necessary tweaks.
Prestige Perks Class Update
Bulwark Prestige Perks Update
- “Rally Point”: The perk has been reworked. The new perk is “Emboldened Stand”.
Old: “Chapter Banner additionally removes negative Status Effects while active.”
New: “When the Chapter Banner is active, all Squad Members do not lose control upon taking Heavy Hits and cannot be knocked back within its zone.”
Assault Prestige Perks Update
- "Boosted Recharge": The perk has been reworked. The new perk is “Unyielding Oath”.
Old: “Collecting an Armour Boost restores Ability Charge by 100%.”
New: "When charging a Ground Pound, you become Invulnerable for 3 seconds."
Sniper Prestige Perks Update
- "Boosted Recharge": The perk has been reworked. The new perk is “Materiel Upgrade”.
Old: “Collecting an Armour Boost restores Ability Charge by 100%.”
New: "Equipment Damage radius increases by 15%."
Heavy Prestige Perks Update
- “Restorative Capacity”: The perk has been reworked. The new perk is “Honed Precision”.
Old: ”Activating Iron Halo removes negative Status Effects.”
New: "Equipped Weapon's Maximum Spread decreases by 25% when firing without aiming."
Tactical Prestige Perks Update
- "Skilled Supplier": Fixed a bug preventing the player from getting the maximum ammo.
Class Perks Updates
Bulwark Perks Update
Perks have been updated to reflect the addition of the Thunder Hammer to the Bulwark’s arsenal.
- "Forward Momentum": The perk has been updated.
Old: “After a Shield Bash, Melee Damage increases by 30% for 10 seconds.”
New: "After a Shield Bash or Thunder Hammer Pommel Smash, Melee Damage increases by 30% for 10 seconds".
- "Concussive Force": The perk has been updated.
Old: “Shield Bash deals 200% more Damage.”
New: "Shield Bash deals 200% more Damage. Thunder Hammer Pommel Smash deals 100% more Damage and deals area-of-effect Damage within a 7-metre radius. Cooldown is 5 seconds."
- "Merciless Resolve": The perk has been updated.
Old: “After a Shield Bash, Melee Damage increases by 15%, you do not lose control upon taking Heavy Hits and you cannot be knocked back for 10 seconds.”
New: "After a Shield Bash or Thunder Hammer Pommel Smash, Melee Damage increases by 15%, you do not lose control upon taking Heavy Hits, and you cannot be knocked back for 10 seconds".
- "Focused Restoration": The perk has been buffed.
“Every 40 seconds, all Squad Members automatically restore 1 Armour Segment “ -> Cooldown decreased from 40 to 30 seconds.
Tactical Perks Update
- "Final Shot": The perk has been reworked.The new perk is “Emperor’s Judgement”.
Old: “After a Finisher, the equipped Ranged Weapon reloads automatically.”
New: "After a Finisher, the equipped Ranged Weapon reloads automatically, and your Primary Weapon deals 20% more Damage for 10 seconds".
- "Communion of Fire": The perk has been reworked. The new perk is “Secure Stockpile”.
Old: “Recoil is reduced by 25% and Ranged damage against Extremis-level enemies is increased by 10% for all Squad Members.”
New: “Equipment Charge is restored by 1 for all Squad Members. Cooldown is 60 seconds.”
- "Steady Aim": The perk has been buffed.
“Weapon Spread and Recoil is reduced by 20% and Ranged Damage against Terminus-level enemies is increased by 10%” -> Ranged Damage bonus increased from 10% to 15%.
Assault Perks Update
- "Winged Fury": The perk has been buffed.
“Damage from Melee Attacks executed while sprinting or dashing increases by 40%.” -> Damage increased from 40% to 100%.
- "Hammer of Wrath": The perk has been buffed.
“After a Ground Pound, you take 15% less Ranged Damage, do not lose control upon taking Heavy Hits and you cannot be knocked back for 10 seconds” -> Damage reduction increased from 15% to 20%. Knock back immunity duration increased from 10 to 15 seconds.
Vanguard Perks Update
- "Moving Target": The perk has been buffed.
“Each Melee Attack you land reduces the Ranged Damage you take by 2% (up to 20%). If you do not land a Melee Attack for 5 seconds, the effect ends.” -> Consecutive hit multiplier increased from 2% to 5%. Max bonus increased from 20% to 30%.
- "Retribution": The perk has been buffed.
“After you are grabbed or knocked back, you deal 25% more Melee Damage for 15 seconds.” -> Bonus damage increased from 25% to 30%. Duration increased from 15 to 20 seconds.
Sniper Perks Update
- "Precision Targeting": The perk has been buffed.
“Weapon Spread is reduced by 25% and Ranged Damage against Extremis-level enemies is increased by 10% for all Squad Members.” -> Ranged Damage increased from 10 to 15%.
- "Dexterous Hands": Instigator Bolt Carbine is now also affected.
“Bolt Carbines reload 20% faster, and their Weapon Spread and Recoil are reduced by 15%.”
Weapon Perks Update
Inferno Pistol Perk Update
- "Know no fear": The perk has been reworked.
Old: “When your Health is below 10%, Reload Speed increases by 30%.”
New: “If your Armour is fully depleted, Reload Speed increases by 20%.”
Neo-Volkite Pistol Perk Update
- "Combustive momentum": The perk has been buffed.
“After a Gun Strike, heating speed increases by 30% for 6 seconds.” -> Duration increased from 2 to 6 seconds.
Combat QoL
- If a Sniper type enemy aims at you, using Assault’s Jump Pack ability will allow you to dodge the shot. The sniper will shoot instantly, but the shot will miss.
- Fixed an issue where Neurothropes' Warp Storm afterblasts could stun-lock the player with heavy hits. Now, afterblasts will damage the player but not control them. Additionally, Neurothropes' shots now have a slightly longer delay between them.
- Fixed a lot of minor issues improving overall combat responsiveness
Firearms (PvE Only)
There are not many weapon balance tweaks in this patch because our statistics show that usage and win rate for all weapons is in a good spot right now. With the next big update we are going to focus on weapon versions balance inside each archetype, because this is where we see a big room for improvements.
Bolt Pistol
- Hip-Fire spread decreased by 50%.
- Velocity of spread increasing in minizoom state is decreased by 15%.
Inferno Pistol
- Gun Strike Damage increased by 20%.
PvP
With the next patch we are going to take a closer look at PvP weapon balance.
- Large amount of small fixes in level geometry collision.
- Lots of minor fixes for private lobbies gameplay modificators.
AI
- Spore Mines: Explosion damage is reduced by 55%.
- Neurothrope: Temporary invulnerability is replaced with high damage resistance when it flies up from the ground.
- Lots of minor animation fixes for various enemies.
Customisation
We are preparing a very big update for customisation, players will be able to reuse chapter champion armour parts on other classes (with lore accuracy, clipping and technical restrictions). While it's not going to be in this patch, we wanted to mention this in this patch notes to assure you that we are going to continue expanding our customization system.
- Added Red, White and Blue weapon skins as Siege mode rewards
- Added Prestige reward shoulder pad on left shoulder as well.
- Added left pauldron decal "Ultramarine Sergeant".
- Lots of other minor fixes for customizations of armour parts and emblems.
Levels
- Large amounts of small fixes in level geometry collision and Terminus enemies getting stuck in some areas.
General Fixes
- Fixed an issue where spore mines could spawn on top of the player.
- Fixed several cases where contested health may decrease while performing a finisher.
- Fixed: Combining Sniper's prestige perk "Emperor's Grace" with "Lingering Concealment" perk drains the ability charge while linger is active
- Fixed: Weapon perk "Reloaded Restauration" was not activated by the Sniper's perk "Efficient Readiness".
- Fixed an issue where the Bulwark perk’s “Intimidating Aura” was not triggering with a Perfect Block.
Intimidating Aura is probably the most overpowered perk right now, but we think that it should still work independently from selected weapon
- Fixed a bug with the “Final Shot” perk not increasing damage in some cases.
- Fixed a bug affecting Heavy's “Bonds of brotherhood” perk not granting full health when the player is revived by a bot.
- Fixed an issue where some pick ups were inaccessible as a consequence of the interaction button failing to appear.
- Fixed rare camera bugs after finisher.
- Lots of minor animation fixes for the player.
- Minor UI, sound and VFX fixes and improvements
Tech
- Crash fixes and general stability improvements.
- Matchmaking and network stability fixes.
- Minor memory optimization.
- Improvements to game modding capabilities.
Main Known Issues
- PvE Quick Match – Returning to the Battle Barge from a PvE mission in Quick Match makes the game switch to Offline.
- Performances: Horde Mode – FPS drops may occur.
- PvP – The players are assigned to a random server instead of the one closest to them, which may result in higher latency than usual.
- Localization is not fully integrated in other languages than English.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
