There’s lots to know about all the Space Marine 2 classes as each one lets you fulfil one of several Astartes roles with powerful weaponry and tactical wargear. From jump packs and grappling guns to heavy weapons and shields, these classes used in both Operations and PVP and are varied but also customizable. You can swap weapons to create unique loadouts, pick perks to bolster your Space Marine 2 Xenos-killing powers in PVE, and design your power armor with plenty of customization options. It’s a lot to understand, so I’ve detailed the basics of all six Space Marine 2 classes below and have ranked them all in tier lists for PVE and PVP.
Space Marine 2 class tier list for PVE
In PVE, most of the Space Marine 2 classes can be very useful to have in your squad, bringing different strengths to the team. That's why having a varied team and sticking to what your good at is more important than picking the best individual classes, but here’s how I think they stack up in Operations:
- S-tier: Bulwark, Heavy – the heavier Gravis-armored classes are durable and bring a lot of value to the team in the form of the Bulwark’s banner and the Heavy’s unmatched firepower and shield.
- A-tier: Tactical, Assault, Sniper – the Tactical’s versatility makes it a great all-rounder class, while the Sniper and Assault have solid specialized weapons and useful abilities for manoeuvring around the battlefield
- B-tier: Vanguard – A good class but the Grapnel Launcher doesn’t quite have the same oomph as the Assault’s ground slam and doesn’t benefit from the same versatility as the Tactical class.
Space Marine 2 class tier list for PVP
As for Eternal War’s PVP modes, you still want to stick what you know best, but team composition is far less important. Pick whichever suits your playstyle best to facilitate taking objectives and getting kills for victory, though if you need ideas, here’s how I rank the Space Marine 2 classes for PVP:
- S-tier: Bulwark, Heavy – Again, the most robust classes in the game are great for both holding objectives and getting kills, proving to be powerful and versatile.
- A-tier: Tactical, Vanguard – As in PVE, the Tactical’s versatility makes it a beginner class for PVP for an easy run-and gun playstyle, and Vanguard trades a little of that versatility for extra movement with the Grapnel Launcher, which is also great for stunning enemy players!
- B-tier: Assault, Sniper – Good classes that are only excellent in the right hands. Assaults have an over-reliance on melee combat, which is much trickier to pull off in PVP, while Snipers aren’t as potent as you’d hope.
All Space Marine 2 classes explained
Space Marine 2 features six varied classes which you can pick to use in PVE Operations and PVP Eternal War once you’ve unlocked Space Marine 2 multiplayer. Just remember that you can’t have more than one of the same class in Operations and no more than two of the same in PVP:
- Tactical: Generalist soldier that can wield all sorts of weapons.
- Assault: Melee-focused class with a Jump Pack for aerial manoeuvres.
- Vanguard: Close-range specialist that can grapple towards enemies.
- Bulwark: Defensive support class that carries a shield.
- Sniper: Long-range specialist that can go invisible.
- Heavy: Hulking heavy weapons specialist.
Unlike Titus’ relatively broad weapon selection in the campaign, most of these classes have a narrow selection of weapons to choose from, but also get unique class abilities to help slay all the different Space Marine 2 enemies, be they Tyranid or heretic, and support their teammates. Additionally, you can substantially customize your Space Marine 2 armor for the six classes’ armor and can create three different weapon loadouts to cover a number of combat situations.
In Space Marine 2 Operations, each class also gets their own perk tree to work through as they level up by earning XP, helping you lean into certain aspects of the class, better support your team, and further improve your abilities – though you need to unlock perks by spending Space Marine 2 Requisition Points. You’ll come across drop pods during Operations that allow you to change loadout mid-mission too. To help you learn how each class works, you can also undertake Trials in the Armouring Hall. Each class has three of these short combat challenges to complete, dishing out resources needed to unlock more customization options.
In Eternal War, Space Marine 2’s PVP mode, the perk trees are gone and most gear is locked behind your Veterancy Level – earn XP by playing matches to up your level and therefore unlock new wargear. However, you can also choose a grenade for each of your three loadouts and the Bulwark and Heavy classes also have extra armor. You also get separate armor customization from your Operations classes and gain additional Heretic Astartes look for when you’re playing as Chaos Space Marines in matches.
Space Marine 2 Tactical class
The classic Tacticus-armored Primaris Space Marine soldier, capable of wielding a wide range of primary weapons and can highlight enemies to weaken them with an Auspex Scan.
- Primary weapons: Auto Bolt Rifle, Bolt Rifle, Heavy Bolt Rifle, Stalker Bolt Rifle, Bolt Carbine, Plasma Incinerator, Melta Rifle
- Secondary weapons: Bolt Pistol
- Melee weapons: Chainsword
- Class ability: Auspex Scan – Highlight enemies in the selected area, making them more vulnerable to damage
- Armor Class: 3 Armor bars
Space Marine 2 Assault class
Melee-focused and highly manoeuvrable, Assault Space Marines don’t get a primary weapon but do get a Jump Pack that lets them blast into the sky, slam into the ground, and dodge quickly
- Primary weapons: None
- Secondary weapons: Bolt Pistol, Heavy Bolt Pistol
- Melee weapons: Chainsword, Thunder Hammer, Power Fist
- Class ability: Jump Pack – Fly straight, fire your pistol from above, and launch into a melee weapon ground slam or use boosted dashes along the ground for added agility
- Armor Class: 3 Armor bars
Space Marine 2 Vanguard class
Midway between the Tactical and Assault classes, Phobos-armored Vanguard Space Marines can rush enemies with specialized weapons and a Grapnel Launcher to deliver a powerful kick, but have reduced armor.
- Primary weapons: Instigator Bolt Carbine, Occulus Bolt Carbine, Melta Rifle
- Secondary weapons: Bolt Pistol
- Melee weapons: Combat Knife, Chainsword
- Class ability: Grapnel Launcher – Reel yourself in towards an enemy and boot them in the face
- Armor Class: 2 Armor bars
Space Marine 2 Bulwark class
The most defensive Space Marine class, Bulwarks forgo a primary weapon, instead getting a shield for extra protection along with their Gravis armor, and can use a Chapter Banner to restore armor to all nearby squad members.
- Primary weapons: None, but carries a shield that can be used to guard against attacks and bash enemies to stagger them
- Secondary weapons: Bolt Pistol, Plasma Pistol
- Melee weapons: Chainsword, Power Fist, Power Sword
- Class ability: Chapter Banner – Place a temporary banner on the ground that restores armor to any squad members standing in its area of effect
- Armor Class: 3 Armor bars
Space Marine 2 Sniper class
These Space Marines specialize in long-range weapons, firing powerful shots from afar and can slip away to evade danger using the Camo Cloak, though Phobos armor means a reduced Armor Class.
- Primary weapons: Stalker Bolt Rifle, Bolt Sniper Rifle, Bolt Carbine, Las Fusil
- Secondary weapons: Bolt Pistol
- Melee weapons: Combat Knife
- Class ability: Camo Cloak – Go invisible and remain concealed until you attack
- Armor Class: 2 Armor bars
Space Marine 2 Heavy class
The Heavy is the only Space Marine 2 class to not get a melee weapon, but they’re also the only one that can wield heavy weapons, such as the Multi-Melta, and can protect themselves from ranged attacks using their Iron Halo.
- Primary weapons: Heavy Bolter, Heavy Plasma Incinerator, Multi-Melta
- Secondary weapons: Bolt Pistol, Plasma Pistol
- Melee weapons: None, but can beat enemies with their primary weapon
- Class ability: Iron Halo – A protective barrier that surrounds you, blocking enemy projectiles, and can be deactivated early for a shorter cooldown
- Armor Class: 3 Armor bars
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