Welcome to Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 – Codex Astartes, where we explore the hidden and unexplained gameplay mechanics that can significantly boost your combat efficiency. This guide dives into combat nuances, PvE Operations, and class and enemy-specific mechanics that will help you purge Xenos more effectively.
Codex Astartes Guide For Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2
Whether you’re playing on Ruthless difficulty or simply trying to master the complexities of the game’s combat systems, this guide offers essential insights. If you have more suggestions, leave a comment, and I will test and add them to the guide with credit to you!
Chapter I: Combat-Specific Mechanics
Healing / Removing Mortal Wounds
In Space Marine 2, Mortal Wounds can lead to instant death if not managed correctly. Mortal Wounds appear as a red skull icon on your health bar, signifying that once your health hits zero, you’re out of the game. But did you know that Mortal Wounds can be healed?
- To remove Mortal Wounds, use a Medical Stimm when your health bar is almost full. The stim will overheal, and you’ll see the message “Mortal Wound Healed.”
- This can be done multiple times, as long as you have stims and enough health.
- Keep in mind that the stim’s effectiveness varies by difficulty level. The rule of thumb is to use it when 70% of your health is filled with True Health (red health). White health (Contested Health) won’t work.
Enemy Stagger Limit / Stagger Immunity
Enemies can only be staggered a limited number of times before they become immune for a short duration.
- The limit is usually around three consecutive staggers for regular enemies. After that, you’ll need to dodge or parry attacks rather than relying on stagger effects.
- This mechanic doesn’t apply to bosses or Extremis-level enemies like Zoanthropes or Lictors.
- The stagger limit resets after 5-10 seconds, allowing you to start staggering again.
Different Types of Parry Classes (Fencing, Balanced, Blocking) Explained
In Operations, parrying is divided into three classes: Fencing, Balanced, and Blocking. Understanding these differences can give you an edge in melee combat.
- Fencing: This class allows for Perfect Parries with a generous timing window. It’s the only reliable option for performing Consecutive Perfect Parries against multiple enemies.
- Balanced: The middle ground, offering solid parries and blocks but not excelling in either.
- Blocking: The lowest parry class, focusing mainly on blocking attacks. Perfect parries aren’t possible with most Blocking weapons.
Consecutive Perfect Parries
Perfect Parries are crucial for survival in close-quarter combat. With a Fencing weapon, you can chain Perfect Parries, staggering and even killing multiple enemies simultaneously.
- To perform Consecutive Perfect Parries, focus on timing your defensive moves just as the enemy attacks. This is especially effective against hordes of Tyranids.
- However, missing a single parry can stagger you, exposing you to multiple attacks. Avoid Gun Strikes, as they won’t provide invulnerability during the parry animation.
Neural Shock Mechanic (Tyranids Only)
Killing an Elite Tyranid causes a Neural Shock, which damages or kills nearby smaller Tyranids.
- This effect works like an area-of-effect (AoE) attack, stunning and sometimes killing nearby enemies, making it a valuable strategy when surrounded by hordes.
Chapter II: PvE Operations-Specific Mechanics
Enemy Wave Denial / “Wave Deleting”
In PvE Operations, you can bypass entire enemy waves using map transitions like elevators or gates.
- Once you transition to a new area, the previous wave can be deleted from the map if it’s trapped behind.
- This also works for bosses but consider whether you need to kill them for Armory Data rewards.
Gas Trap Mechanic on Operation: Inferno
In Operation: Inferno, you can trigger gas explosions to wipe out enemy hordes.
- Activate the gas pipes by interacting with consoles on the defense platform. Time the explosion to hit clusters of enemies for maximum effect.
Train Mechanic on Operation: Ballistic Engine
During Operation: Ballistic Engine, you can call in trains to decimate enemies on the tracks.
- Activate consoles to summon trains that instantly kill enemies in their path, helping to reduce enemy numbers when under siege.
Free Ammo Refill
Need more ammo? Simply interact with a Loadout Station and select your current loadout to restore 100% ammo.
Armory Data, Guardian Relic & Gene Seed Rules
Armory Data, Guardian Relics, and Gene Seeds spawn in fixed locations. If you don’t find any during your mission, it’s likely due to a spawn failure rather than an oversight.
- Keep in mind that failing a mission means you lose any Armory Data you’ve collected. Also, if the Gene Seed holder is knocked down, the Gene Seed is lost.
Chapter III: Class-Specific Mechanics
Bulwark Shield Charge Mechanic
The Bulwark’s shield has a finite energy charge, visualized by a blue energy aura around the shield. Blocking attacks depletes this energy.
- When the shield’s energy runs out, the Bulwark becomes vulnerable to damage, so time your blocks carefully to avoid depleting them too early.
Chapter IV: Enemy-Specific Mechanics
Tyranid “Tumor Cannon” Warrior – Removing Green Barbed Wire
The Tumor Cannon fires green barbed wire that can poison areas. You can destroy these tumors by shooting the central tumor or using AoE attacks like Thunder Hammer slams.
- Tip: The Iron Halo ability with AoE damage will also remove these tumors if you run into them.
Zoanthrope “Twins” – Removing the Shield
Zoanthropes gain a defensive shield that can be swapped between them. Though it seems indestructible, it’s just highly durable.
- Focus fire on the shield with high-damage weapons like Las Fusils or Heavy Plasma to remove it and make it vulnerable.
Chaos Sorcerer – Removing All Shields Instantly
Chaos Sorcerers spawn with several defensive shields. These shields are vulnerable to AoE attacks like grenades or Melta shots.
- A well-placed Frag Grenade can destroy all shields instantly, making the Sorcerer vulnerable without triggering corruption status effects.
Conclusion
These hidden mechanics are the key to mastering the intricate gameplay of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. By learning and applying these strategies, you’ll be better equipped to handle any situation, whether in PvE Operations or dealing with specific enemy types.
If you have additional mechanics to share or suggestions to improve the guide, leave a comment! I’ll test the mechanic and credit you if it works. Keep purging the heretics, and may the Emperor’s light guide your path!
Last Updated on September 25, 2024
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