In Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2‘s Operations mode, selecting the right class can significantly impact your squad’s performance. Each of the six available classes offers unique abilities and perks, catering to different playstyles and combat scenarios. This guide breaks down each class, highlighting their strengths, perks, and how they function on the battlefield, ultimately helping you choose the best class for your squad.
The image shows several Tyranid enemies marked by the Tactica
Operations mode in Space Marine 2 relies on a perk system unlocked through XP earned during missions. Reaching level 25 with a specific class unlocks all its perks. These perks are categorized into Core (basic boosts), Team (squad-wide effects), Gear (ability enhancements), and Signature (major ability boosts or survivability impacts). Requisition currency is required to activate perks. Remember to consult our weapons guide, as each class has a specific loadout.
Tactical: The Versatile Support Class
The Tactical class is an excellent starting point, offering a wide array of primary weapons, from the Auto Bolt Rifle to the Plasma Incinerator. The Auspex Scan ability is invaluable for highlighting and weakening large hordes.
Special Ability: Auspex Scan – Reveals and weakens enemies in a targeted area.
Key Perks: Balanced Distribution (increased primary weapon damage), Heightened Vigor (dodge stability), Final Shot (automatic reload after finishers), Plasma Boost (increased Plasma Incinerator damage), Relentless Pursuit (increased ranged damage after Gun Strike), Steady Aim (reduced recoil), Kraken Penetrator Rounds (increased bolt weapon penetration), Versatility (increased secondary weapon damage after switching), Emperor’s Vengeance (ammo restoration upon killing major enemies).
Team Perks: Communion of Fire (reduced squad recoil), Aligned Aim (increased squad ranged damage), Transhuman Physiology (increased squad grey health restoration).
Gear Perks: Focus on enhancing Auspex Scan effectiveness and duration, increasing damage against marked targets, and offering strategic advantages.
Signature Perks: Signal Jammer (prevent reinforcements), Radiating Impact (AoE finisher damage), Marked for Death (instant kill on marked enemies with headshots).
Assault: The Melee Powerhouse
The image shows the Assault class ready to smash foes from above.
The Assault class excels in close-quarters combat, wielding Chainswords, Power Fists, or Thunder Hammers. The Jump Pack provides unparalleled mobility, allowing for quick engagements and devastating attacks.
Special Ability: Jump Pack – Enables enhanced dashes, high jumps, and ground slams.
Key Perks: Winged Fury (increased melee damage while sprinting/dashing), Auxiliary Arsenal (increased secondary weapon damage), Perseverance (stability during charge attacks), Overcharge (increased charge attack damage), Retribution (increased melee damage after being grabbed/knocked back), Knowledge of the Enemy (increased melee damage against major enemies), Armor Reinforcement (armor restoration with Gun Strikes), Consecutive Execution (equipment charge restoration after multiple kills), Act of Attrition (increased damage taken by melee-hit enemies).
Team Perks: Squad Cohesion (faster ability recharge), Strategic Strikes (increased damage against Terminus-level enemies), Proven Efficiency (increased Gun Strike damage).
Gear Perks: Enhance Jump Pack functionality and Ground Pound damage, providing offensive and defensive bonuses.
Signature Perks: Ample Ammunition (automatic reload with Jump Pack), Ascension (Jump Pack takeoff damage), Commitment (Jump Pack charge restoration with dodges).
Vanguard: The Agile Hybrid
The image shows the Vanguard class zipping through the air via the Grapnel Launcher.
The Vanguard combines mobility and melee prowess with the Grapnel Launcher, allowing for quick traversal and targeted attacks. Team perks provide melee and finisher-focused benefits.
Special Ability: Grapnel Launcher – Propel onto an enemy and perform a Diving Kick.
Key Perks: Moving Target (reduced ranged damage with melee attacks), Duelist (increased parry window), Retribution (increased melee damage after being grabbed/knocked back), Melee Mastery (increased melee damage against major enemies), Close-Combat Focus (reduced melee damage, increased ranged damage taken), Consecutive Execution (equipment charge restoration), Upper Hand (stability after parry/dodge), Conviction (reduced health damage with depleted armor), Honed Reactions (increased dodge window with low health).
Team Perks: Melee Champion (increased squad melee damage), Unmatched Zeal (health restoration for teammates with finishers), Inner Fire (ability charge restoration with finishers).
Gear Perks: Enhance Diving Kick damage and effects, improve survivability, and offer offensive bonuses.
Signature Perks: Tactical Prowess (Grapnel Launcher charge restoration with finishers), Emperor’s Blessing (armor restoration instead of incapacitation), Adrenaline Rush (health restoration with melee kills).
Bulwark: The Defensive Anchor
The image shows the Vanguard defending a position next to a Chapter Banner.
The Bulwark excels in defense, providing crucial support with the Chapter Banner, which restores armor to nearby teammates. This makes the Bulwark invaluable for higher difficulties.
Special Ability: Chapter Banner – Restores armor to teammates within its area of effect.
Key Perks: Conviction (reduced health damage with depleted armor), Armor of Contempt (damage reflection on block), Defensive Advantage (AoE shockwave after parry), Intimidating Aura (AoE damage after parry), Shock and Awe (increased damage taken by enemies in shock area), Steel Within (reduced health damage with low health), Forward Momentum (increased melee damage after Shield Bash), Scrambled Targeting (reduced ranged damage when surrounded), Armor Reinforcement (armor restoration with Gun Strikes).
Team Perks: Unyielding Ceramite (faster armor regeneration), Advanced Conditioning (slower grey health fade), Effective Formation (reduced health damage from Terminus-level enemies).
Gear Perks: Enhance Shield Bash effectiveness, improve Chapter Banner functionality and duration, and increase survivability.
Signature Perks: Emergency Countermeasure (Shock Grenade on armor depletion), Defensive Mastery (instant incapacitation with parry), Armored Advance (stability with remaining armor).
Sniper: The Long-Range Specialist
The image shows the hazy surroundings after the Sniper class activates the Camo Cloak ability.
The Sniper utilizes the Camo Cloak for stealth and high-damage attacks. While powerful, the Sniper’s low armor makes them vulnerable. High-level weapons like the Las Fusil significantly improve their effectiveness.
Special Ability: Camo Cloak – Conceals the user for a short duration, ending upon attack.
Key Perks: Block Break (increased ranged damage against blocking enemies), High Capacity (increased ammo capacity), Iron Grip (reduced recoil for Bolt Sniper Rifles), Melee Mastery (increased melee damage against Majoris enemies), Vantage Point (increased primary weapon damage while stationary), Dexterous Hands (faster Bolt Carbine reload), Medicae Adept (faster revives), Adaptability (increased melee damage with low ammo reload), Lethal Efficiency (Las Fusil charge restoration).
Team Perks: Marksmanship (increased headshot damage), Precision Targeting (reduced weapon spread), Squad Renewal (ability charge restoration with headshots).
Gear Perks: Focus on enhancing Camo Cloak utility, increasing damage after decloaking, and providing tactical advantages.
Signature Perks: Evasion (automatic Camo Cloak activation after dodge), Emergency Override (automatic Camo Cloak and invulnerability on lethal damage), Pattern of Excellence (equipment charge restoration with consecutive headshots).
Heavy: The Fire Support Specialist
The image shows the player watching as the Heavy class defends a position with the Iron Halo active.
The Heavy class wields powerful weapons like the Multi-Melta and Heavy Plasma Incinerator, offering devastating firepower. Their lack of a melee weapon makes them reliant on teammates for close-range defense.
Special Ability: Iron Halo – Creates a barrier blocking ranged damage.
Key Perks: Restoration (armor restoration with multiple kills), Thermal Boost (increased ranged damage with overheated weapons), Overcharge (increased charged attack damage), Multi-Kill (ammo restoration with Multi-Melta), Fortitude (increased health), Overwhelming Power (increased teammate ranged damage near active Iron Halo), Auxiliary Ammunition (ammo restoration with kills while primary weapon is empty), Strategic Stand (increased grey health restoration in Heavy Stance), Versatility (increased secondary weapon damage after switching).
Team Perks: Encompassing Aegis (reduced ranged damage taken by teammates), Additional Supplies (increased teammate ammo capacity), Bonds of Brotherhood (full health restoration on revive).
Gear Perks: Focus on enhancing Iron Halo durability and effects, improving survivability, and offering offensive bonuses.
Signature Perks: Offensive Capability (Iron Halo damage to nearby enemies), Coolant Reserve (prevents primary weapon overheat), Conversion Field (increased teammate ability recharge near active Iron Halo).
This guide offers a comprehensive overview of each class in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2‘s Operations mode. Consider your preferred playstyle and squad composition when choosing a class to maximize your effectiveness on the battlefield. For further information on gameplay mechanics and challenges, consult our weapons and bosses/enemies guides.
