Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive have collaboratively unveiled the comprehensive patch notes for Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2's significant anniversary update. This substantial content drop introduces an array of new features to the acclaimed third-person shooter, ranging from fresh gameplay modes to additional cosmetic options. Originally launched on September 9, 2024, across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC platforms, the game continues to expand its universe for dedicated fans.

As Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 approaches its first anniversary, the development teams have provided players with a detailed roadmap of what to anticipate as this live-service title enters its second year. The commitment to ongoing content delivery remains strong, with developers confirming a steady stream of both complimentary updates and premium downloadable content that will continue to enrich the gaming experience.

The release of version 10.0 brings a wealth of new content to Space Marine 2. Players returning to the game will discover a new Operation called Vortex, which transports them back to the Astropathic Relay on Avarax. This mission requires investigating the relay's mysterious silence while eliminating hostile forces. Gamers will encounter both familiar opponents and new threats, including the formidable Mutalith Vortex Beast—a reality-bending boss creature that presents a significant challenge.

Building upon the success of Siege Mode, the anniversary update introduces two additional gameplay modes: Stratagems and Helbrute Onslaught. Stratagems delivers a distinctive PVE experience, while Helbrute Onslaught offers a PVP format where players can compete against each other. Both modes feature exclusive rewards, including specialized weapons and armor pieces that enhance customization options.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has achieved remarkable commercial success for Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive, with sales exceeding seven million units since its 2024 debut. This impressive figure is expected to grow further as developers continue enhancing the already feature-rich title. With this substantial update and more content planned for the future, the community remains optimistic about the game's ongoing evolution.

Detailed Version 10.0 Patch Notes Overview

New Operation: Vortex

In the Vortex operation, Space Marines return to the Astropathic Relay on Avarax, which has once again fallen silent. The objective involves investigating and purging heretical presence from the Relay while confronting a powerful enemy concealed within its deepest levels.

New Adversaries

The Mutalith Vortex Beast emerges as a new boss enemy in Operation Vortex. This towering, warp-twisted monstrosity drags reality into spiraling chaos, attacking with massive claws and unleashing storms of sorcerous energy against the Astartes. Additionally, Chaos Spawn variations appear as new Majoris enemies across all Operations featuring the Thousand Sons. These dark abominations function as powerful melee units infused with forbidden sorcery, presenting particularly dangerous threats when encountered in groups.

New Armaments

The Power Axe joins the arsenal as a swift, aggressive power weapon capable of delivering relentless, infinitely chaining attacks. Available to Vanguard, Assault, and Bulwark classes, this weapon offers tactical versatility—successful perfect parries put the Marine in a Power Stance, creating opportunities for either retreating to release a devastating Power Wave or advancing to continue a fearsome combo.

The Pyreblaster and Pyrecannon introduce new flame weaponry for Tactical and Heavy classes. These weapons apply burning effects on enemies, inflicting significant damage over time (scaling with difficulty) while slowing down Minoris enemies. Effective strategy involves setting multiple enemies ablaze and maintaining the burning status.

New PVE Mode: Stratagems

Stratagems introduces weekly and daily changing battlefield conditions. Completing Stratagem objectives grants a new currency called "Accolades." The reworked Data Refinement Shop (now renamed) on the Battle Barge offers additional items and redeems old Community Giveaways and Accolades items. Players can spend Accolades in the "Refinement & Redemption" shop to unlock unique items, including 6 Heroic Weapons and 6 Heroic Armour Pieces.

New PVP Mode: Helbrute Onslaught

In Helbrute Onslaught, two teams of Chaos Marines compete to control strategic areas while vying for control of the Helbrute. The first team to secure an objective gains control of the Helbrute until the opposing team defeats it. The Helbrute controller is randomly selected among players who participated in securing the control point. The Helbrute wields a Thunder Hammer in melee combat, a Plasma Cannon for ranged attacks, and can unleash a battle cry to regenerate health.

Additional Content and Customization

The update introduces a new PVP map titled "Bridge" and adds 6 Chaos Relic Armour Sets unlockable through Eternal War mode gameplay. New Ordeals have been incorporated for PVP, along with additional finishers—including a full set for Power Axe, all melee weapons against Chaos Spawn, and a new finisher against Biovore. The highly anticipated Champion Armour Pieces for customization across all classes finally arrive, allowing players to mix various armour parts, though not every component will be available for every class. New Season Pass content includes the Black Templars Champion Pack and Imperial Fists Cosmetic Pack.

Gameplay Adjustments and Balancing

Significant weapon balancing affects multiple firearms, including damage coefficient increases for Bolt Pistol headshots (from 1.15 to 1.25) and improvements to various Bolt Pistol variants. The Auto Bolt Rifle receives a 25% base damage increase but now features damage falloff beyond 20 meters. Melee weapons see adjustments too, with speed increases for Chainsword and Power Sword block versions, and Thunder Hammer improvements including slightly increased speed and a 50% larger area-of-effect radius for heavy and charged strikes.

Quality-of-life enhancements include a new charged Shield Bash attack for the Bulwark class, expanded weapon arsenal in PVP with the addition of Power Axe for multiple classes, recalculated XP requirements for faster progression, and an increased maximum level of 48. Numerous balancing changes affect abilities, including increased cooldown for Sniper's Camo Cloak Ability and adjustments to Assault's Jump Pack Ability.

Technical Improvements and Fixes

The update addresses various issues across Operations, Siege Mode, and AI behavior. Specific fixes include resolving enemy aggression levels in Reliquary tombs, ensuring consistent ammo crate spawns, correcting Carnifex ranged attack accuracy, and repairing multiple animation issues. General fixes resolve bugs affecting ability functionality, perk performance, and movement mechanics, alongside numerous minor UI, localization, and technical improvements enhancing overall stability and connectivity.