Massive 5.0 Update Launches for Space Marine 2

Key Highlights from Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Update 5.0

The latest update introduces a new Operation, an enemy type, and Season Pass content.
Enhancements to melee combat options; future updates will target firearm adjustments.

Saber Interactive has just dropped version 5.0 of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, representing a substantial update packed with exciting new features. This latest version is ready to download across various platforms, including PC, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 5.

Since its launch earlier this year, players have declared Space Marine 2 one of the best co-op games of 2024. The game effectively combines chaotic third-person shooting with engaging hack-and-slash mechanics, allowing players to battle against hordes of Tyranids in teams of three. Even those unfamiliar with the Warhammer universe find the gameplay thrilling and enjoyable.

The comprehensive patch notes detail the numerous enhancements introduced with the 5.0 update. Among the key features is a new Operation named Obelisk. Here, players will confront a formidable new foe: the Tzaangor Enlightened—an agile melee and ranged hybrid that soars on a disk. Additionally, the Dark Angels Chapter Pack is now part of the Season Pass, offering fresh character and weapon skins for players to collect. Customization just got more vibrant, thanks to the addition of 15 brand new color patterns for helmet lenses.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Screenshot

Alongside these exciting additions, the update implements extensive balancing changes. Melee damage has been augmented across all weapon types, and Blocking Weapons have undergone a significant revamp. Players can now store up to three Melee Damage buffs, which can be expended for massive area-of-effect damage. This adjustment addresses previous concerns regarding melee combat balance, as Saber Interactive had admitted their dissatisfaction with the system. While no changes to firearms have been made in this update, the team has assured that future patches (6 and 7) will include firearm adjustments.

The update also introduces a new Extermination Bonus, encouraging players to team up effectively in Operations mode. This XP bonus rewards players for achieving various thresholds of enemy kills, enhancing the multiplayer experience. Additional quality-of-life improvements have been integrated, such as spawn protection in PvP scenarios, creating a more user-friendly environment.

Detailed Patch Notes for 5.0 Update

New Features

New Operation: Obelisk

In the Obelisk Operation, players must navigate the dark tombs of Demerium to activate a replica obelisk, disrupting the energy flow that protects the Aurora device. This mission unfolds alongside the climactic moments of the main campaign.

New Enemy: Tzaangor Enlightened

Introducing a new Majoris enemy that features prominently in Operations involving the Thousand Sons.

According to our Game Director: “The Tzaangor Enlightened is an agile, disk-hovering hybrid that poses a significant threat when encountered in numbers. However, strategic maneuvers like parrying can create opportunities to strike them down.”

We highly recommend utilizing the Target Lock feature to tackle this formidable opponent!

New Season Pass Content: Dark Angels Chapter Pack

New features include:

Cosmetics for Dark Angels Successor Chapters.
Skin for Dark Angels Champion (Bulwark).
Weapon skins themed around the Dark Angels for:

Auto Bolt Rifle
Plasma Gun
Power Sword
Bulwark’s Storm Shield

Gameplay & Balancing Tweaks

Melee Enhancements

From our Game Director: “Our primary focus has been on the melee system. Previous feedback highlighted an over-reliance on the ‘Parry -> Gun Strike’ chain, leading to an unbalanced experience on higher difficulties. Our goal is to expand players’ combat choices.”

The improvements include:

Melee damage boosts across all weapon categories.
Substantial rework of Blocking Weapons mechanics. Blocking an attack now allows players to accumulate up to three damage buffs, which can be unleashed for significant area damage.

These changes will provide distinct advantages for various weapon types, enhancing the overall combat strategy.

Perfect Block Mechanic

Revisions to Block Weapons include a new Perfect Block and Adrenaline Surge mechanism.

Successfully executing a perfectly timed block can grant up to three Adrenaline Surge stacks, significantly boosting melee damage. Using these stacks unleashes powerful AoE damage and revives an Armour Segment.

Your right wrist will illuminate yellow post-parry, signaling the Adrenaline Surge’s activation. Activating it prompts a red explosion on defeated enemies, causing extensive AoE fallout.

Adjustments include:

Fencing Weapons: AoE stagger radius has been slightly reduced.

Balanced Weapons:
A significantly increased AoE stagger radius.
Master-crafted, Artificer, and Relic versions gain a 10% damage increase.

Blocking Weapons:
A 20% damage increase for Master-crafted, Artificer, and Relic versions.

Unarmed/Firearm Melee:
Chain stomps indefinitely now.

Firearms Adjustments

Our Game Director notes, “Recent adjustments ensure that most firearms are now viable even on hard difficulties. However, certain weapons still dominate performance; expect minor revisions in Patch 6.”

Future plans for Patch 7 include a re-assessment of Weapon Perks, as they currently underperform compared to Class Perks.

A significant pending issue is the Grenade Launcher, with various bugs leading to unintended damage outputs. We will be careful to maintain its fun factor while ensuring balance:

A bug restores full ammo on a specific perk inappropriately.
Configuration errors make its Artificer and Relic versions deal four times more damage than intended.
Inconsistent stacking of damage from Auspex Scan Perks is causing unpredictable damage effects.

We will ensure these challenges are addressed without compromising the enjoyable experience of obliterating waves of enemies.

Neo-Volkite Pistol Updates

Our Game Director states, “We have aligned Volkite Damage sensitivity for enemies with that of Bolter Damage, providing a substantial damage increase against specific threats.”

Among the notable changes:

Sensitivity for Volkite Damage boosted from 1 to 1.5 for these enemies:

Devourer Tyranid Warrior
Barbed Strangler Tyranid Warrior
Venom Cannon Tyranid Warrior
Rubric Marine
Flamer Rubric Marine
Zoanthrope

Bolt Carbine Enhancements

Increased max ammo of all SMG-type Bolt Carbines by one magazine.

Extermination Bonus

The Extermination Bonus boosts XP for players tackling Operations modes effectively:

Rank A: +120% XP for eliminating over 85% of spawned enemies.
Rank B: +110% XP for eliminating over 60% of spawned enemies.
Rank C: +100% XP for eliminating fewer than 60% of spawned enemies.

This system rewards active engagement in battles, enhancing team play dynamics.

Quality of Life Improvements

Dodge mechanics are now client-side for enhanced responsiveness.
Players are now protected from new damage sources during knockback animations.
Introduced 10 frames of invulnerability at the start of Jump Pack launch animations (Campaign and Operations only).
Improved notification clarity for Dodge and Parry sounds.
Heavy’s Barrier can be activated in more player states, including stagger animations.
Improved responsiveness of player controls post-Vanguard’s Grapnel Launcher usage.
Spawn protection added in PvP scenarios.
Neo-Volkite Pistol introduced in PvP mode.

AI Improvements

Zoanthrope:

Reduced attack frequency for Shielded Zoanthrope.

Enemy Spawn Director:

Prevented Extremis-level enemies from appearing in the initial mission encounters.
Various animation fixes for numerous enemies.

Customization Options

New Lenses color customization options available.
Resolved shading issues with Balthasar Gold and Ushabti Bone colors.
Fixed bugs affecting the application of colors to specific armor pieces.

Operations Adjustments

Fall of Atreus:

Modified scripting for a more streamlined level experience:

The second sequence featuring the Dreadnought may now be randomized.
Final sequence requires the fusion battery to be charged only once.

Addressed multiple minor collision fixes in level geometry, also correcting issues with Terminus enemies getting stuck.

Perks Enhancements

Our Game Director assures, “We’re focused on addressing existing Perk bugs in this patch. We recognize that many Class Perks need enhancements for better viability in diverse builds.” Expect a thorough rework of lacking Perks in Patch 6.

General Fixes

Players who are kicked from sessions will continue to earn XP based on checkpoint progress.
Quicker exit from the Turret Charging Wheel during “Termination” Operation.
Improvements to enemy counts affecting the Purge Them All Achievement.
Fixed rare issues with Combat Knife heavy attacks.
Resolved heavy weapon malfunctions when joining sessions mid-game.
Corrected a rare bug causing loading screen issues for party leaders.
Addressed damage sensitivity issues for the Hierophant against various weapons.
Fixed issues with Heldrake not taking damage under specific circumstances.
Many more minor fixes and quality enhancements throughout the patch.

Technical Enhancements

New PS5 PRO Enhancements Include:

Quality Mode:

Standard PlayStation®5	PS5 Pro
Resolution	1080p – 1440p upscaled to 4K	1080p – 2160p with PSSR
Frame Rate	30 FPS	30 FPS

Performance Mode:

Standard PlayStation®5	PS5 Pro
Resolution	720p – 1080p upscaled to 4K	1080p – 1440p upscaled to 4K
Frame Rate	60 FPS	60 FPS

Support for FSR 3 and DLSS 3: This includes the “Frame Generation”component for both DLSS and FSR. For more information, check our FAQ.

Crash fixes and overall stability enhancements.
Connectivity improvements implemented.
Performance optimizations and improved texture streaming speed.
Enhanced anti-cheat functionalities now in place.

Mod Support Notice

Please note that with the release of update 5.0, mods will no longer be supported in public lobbies. Full details can be found here.

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