Space Marines are the undisputed poster boys of Warhammer 40,000. They’re the mightiest warriors Humanity can offer, further augmented by ancient gene-science to forge perfect soldiers clad in formidable armour. The result is the Space Marine Chapters – each an elite cadre of the toughest, fastest, and most ruthless warriors the galaxy has ever seen.
So in the first of our ongoing series of 100% definitely bias-free faction spotlights, we’re going to find out why the Adeptus Astartes are simply the best.
Overview
Space Marines have always been the toughest warriors around, and they once again live up to the legend on the tabletop. Many units – such as Terminators, Centurions, and those wearing Mk X Gravis armour – now have higher Toughness, while the game-wide reduction in Armour Penetration makes power armour feel as tough as it should be.
And while re-rolls to hit and wound are much rarer now, Space Marines have more access to reflect their elite status – chiefly through the Oath of Moment faction ability. Your warriors may be few, but they’re terrifyingly efficient Angels of Death.
Faction Rules
Space Marines are organised into self-contained Chapters, which must be highly self-sufficient in the field. The standard doctrine of the Codex Astartes emphasises flexibility – as exemplified by the Gladius Task Force Detachment. This battle-tested formation is available to every Space Marine Chapter, whether they’re slavish adherents of the Codex Astartes or slightly more eccentric.*
The Detachment rule for the Gladius Task Force is Combat Doctrines, which gives players the choice of three powerful disciplines to focus on at the start of their Command phase. These can really turn the tide at a critical moment.
Each of these Combat Doctrines only works once per battle, so choose wisely – combined with the Oath of Moment that all Space Marine armies get, you can rally and unleash a hellacious strike on dangerous foes at the critical moment. Sudden decapitating strikes are a Space Marine speciality, and they’re now so good at it that your opponent won’t even have time to ask how your Terminators got so far up in his grill.
Unit Spotlight
What can be said about the Land Raider? This venerable transport is to regular tanks what a Space Marine is to regular humans – a huge, impregnable demigod of a machine that protects its passengers just as well as it fights back, ferrying heavy weapons and heavier troops into battle.
The Assault Ramp is back, dropping cargos of Terminators, Aggressors, or whatever else you choose right into the thick of things, ready to charge.
Few units in the Space Marine roster are as big and powerful as a Land Raider, but the Primarch of the Ultramarines certainly fits in that category. Roboute Guilliman is as tough as a tank and twice as deadly, even before we factor in his superhuman spreadsheet skills.
The Lord Commander of the Imperium is a strategic genius par excellence, switching up his abilities every turn to make sure he’s always supporting his men as best as he can. Another great way to support the troops is by turning your enemies to paste, a fate Guilliman is only too happy to mete out with the Hand of Dominion and Emperor’s Sword.
Weapon Spotlight
The Adeptus Astartes are well known for their ability to face any foe that the 41st Millennium can throw at them. From their twisted brothers and armoured and alien battlesuits to hordes of muscled fungal hooligans, there’s a Codex-approved weapons solution for just about any foe imaginable.
When tides of ravenous Tyranids swarm over the horizon, Redemptor Dreadnoughts spin up the heavy onslaught cannon. These spit out an eyewatering 12 shots at Strength 6, a storm of bullets that will perforate low-Toughness targets in their droves – and can even rend through heavy armour via the Devastating Wounds ability, causing it to deal mortal wounds on Critical Wound rolls.
With vehicle Toughness going way up in the new edition, certain anti-tank weapons have become more specialised against improved armour, while others have seen a boost in strength. In the latter category is the heavy laser destroyer atop the Repulsor Executioner – a perfect expression of the Space Marines’ martial might. Or for extra fun, point one at a Termagant and watch them disappear like magic.
Stratagem Spotlight
There’s now a smaller, more focused slate of unique Stratagems for each faction. The Gladius Task Force provides six crucial options** which distil the essence of the Adeptus Astartes, like the old favourite Only In Death Does Duty End.
If fighting back through mortal injuries were an Olympic sport, the Space Marines would take gold every time. This Stratagem lets them do just that, soaking up whatever the fiercest foes can throw at them before making their killer truly regret their hubris.
The Word from the Studio
“Space Marine armies are elite and able to adapt to defeat any foe,” explains Robin from the Warhammer Design Studio. “It was this adaptability that led to the Oath of Moment ability, combining a targeted tactical choice with a devastating punch. This blend of tactics and power is further backed up by the Gladius Task Force Detachment, which grants the Adeptus Astartes unparalleled flexibility on the battlefield.
“With such a broad range of units, characters and vehicles – all of which bring a different role or utility to the Angels of Death – we are excited to see what kinds of armies Space Marine players bring to the new edition.”
Black Library
So where do you start if you want to learn more about our stalwart heroes? The obvious first step is Leviathan, the forthcoming companion novel for the new edition of Warhammer 40,000, by Darius Hinks. It tells the story of Lieutenant Castamon and the Ultramarines 1st Company as the Tyranids mount their deadliest attack on the galaxy yet.
There’s a vast collection of additional novels and short stories about the Space Marines within the halls of Black Library, and for their most recent trials and tribulations, it doesn’t get much better than the Dawn of Fire series.
The series follows Roboute Guilliman’s efforts to save the Imperium, as he gathers powerful allies about him – including the indomitable Captain Messinius – and sets off on the Indomitus Crusade. The saga begins with Avenging Son by Guy Haley, while the sixth novel – The Martyr’s Tomb, by Marc Collins – is coming later this year.
This article is only the first in a long series that will cover every faction in the game, so make sure to check our new edition hub page below to find out what tricks your favourites have up their sleeves.
* Several other famously less conventional Chapters – including the likes of the Space Wolves, Blood Angels, and Dark Angels – will get their own unique Detachment rules. You’ll be able to choose which ones to use as you compose your army list.
** Plus the 11 Core Stratagems accessible to all factions.