Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 – PVE Builds for Every Class

Optimized PVE Builds Guide

Tactical

Bolt Rifle With Grenade Launcher:

Good because of the grenade launcher. It does more damage than a Melta and heals you quickly. The explosion is smaller than a Melta shot. The Bolt Rifle part is okay for damage.

Plasma Incinerator:

Good for killing tough enemies and bosses. It can heal you by shooting groups of enemies. The Damage version is best, but Venting Speed is also fine.

Melta:

Very strong weapon. It stops enemies, heals you, and destroys most enemies easily. Use the Ammo version, but Damage is also good.

Bolt Pistol:

Not very useful, but it’s an option. Can handle small enemies when you’re out of other ammo.

Chainsword:

Not very useful. Use the Fencing version for defense.

Other weapons to consider:

• Stalker Bolt Rifle: Good for killing tough enemies
• Bolt Carbine (Marksman Version): A bit better than the regular Bolt Rifle

Class Perks:

For class perks, there’s only one good setup. The first column depends on your weapon, but Balanced Distribution is usually best. In the second column, the middle option is also good. The third column depends on if you’re using a Plasma weapon or not.

Assault

Start by using your Jump Pack to attack groups of enemies. Use Gun-Strikes often.

Heavy Bolt Pistol:

• Very good for Gun-Strikes
• Effective against stronger enemies
• Choose the Damage version for even more Gun-Strike power
• For upgrades, focus on increasing damage

Chainsword:

• Use the Fencing version for blocking attacks
• Requires skill to use well in close combat
• For upgrades, choose what seems useful
• The full throttle attack can deal high damage, especially to Carniflex, but it’s risky

Thunder Hammer:

• Avoid heavy attacks as they’re too risky
• Light attacks are good for hitting multiple enemies and stunning them
• For upgrades, focus on increasing damage

Power Fist:

• Not recommended
• Low damage and slow attack speed
• The special cannon punch ability might not work correctly
• Can be used just for its blocking ability

Class Perks:

Focus on improving your Gun-Strike ability. Most other upgrade options aren’t very useful. The bottom upgrades in the 2nd, 5th, and 7th columns can be good choices.

Note: The regular Bolt Pistol is not recommended when you have access to the Heavy Bolt Pistol.

Vanguard

This class mainly uses the Melta weapon.

Melta:

• Very powerful weapon
• Stuns most non-boss enemies
• Quickly restores your health when in danger
• Effective against all types of enemies
• Choose the Ammo version, but the Damage version is also good
• For upgrades, focus on the top row to increase damage and generate ammo

Bolt Pistol:

• Not very useful, but it’s an option
• Can handle small groups of enemies or stronger enemies when out of ammo
• Mainly used to clear groups when using a Plasma as your main weapon
• Choose the Damage version for better Gun-Strike attacks
• For upgrades, focus on ammo, damage, and buffs

Chainsword:

• Limited usefulness
• Choose the Fencing version for blocking attacks
• Use to save ammo or when it’s safe to fight up close
• Upgrades don’t improve it much

Combat Knife:

• Good for blocking and rushing attacks
• Can be effective in close combat if you’re skilled
• The shoulder charge attack is its main advantage
• Avoid using heavy attack combinations
• For upgrades, focus on improving the Shoulder Bash attack and increasing damage

Class Perks:

Many of the class upgrades aren’t very useful. The first three columns provide good dodging and blocking abilities. The cooldown reduction aura is helpful. Having an Assault class teammate with a Gun-Strike aura is very beneficial. You can mostly ignore the second half of the upgrade tree.

Bulwark

This class is very durable and has a good melee weapon option.

Plasma Pistol:

• Effective against stronger enemies at a distance
• Good for Gun-Strike attacks
• Decent ammo capacity, especially with the Ammo version
• Both Ammo and Damage versions work well
• For upgrades, choose the bottom row to improve ammo and charged shot efficiency

Power Sword:

• One of the best melee weapons
• The Power Rake attack is strong and can stun enemies
• Can kill and stun distant stronger enemies
• Good for clearing groups of enemies with regular attacks
• For upgrades, always choose the bottom row

Class Perks:

Bulwark has very good upgrade options. You can build for more defense or focus on Shock Field abilities. Both are effective.

For a Shock build, choose:

• Middle upgrade in the 2nd column
• Top upgrade in the 3rd column
• Top or bottom upgrade in the last column

Using your special ability:

• Get some enemies close to being finished off
• Place your banner
• Finish off the enemies to restore full health for you and your team

The Intimidation Aura is recommended because it’s more useful than Gun-Strikes in most situations.

Note: The guide suggests avoiding missions with Chaos enemies, as they can be frustrating to play against.

Sniper

This class mainly uses the Las-Fusil weapon.

Las-Fusil:

• Very powerful against all types of enemies
• Effective against strong enemies, bosses, and groups
• For upgrades, focus on increasing ammo and area damage
• Choose the last upgrade in the top row to use it for quick healing

Bolt Pistol:

• Useful for clearing groups of enemies
• Provides an alternative to the Las-Fusil for certain situations

Combat Knife:

• Mainly used for blocking attacks
• The shoulder charge attack is its main advantage
• Can be effective in close combat if you’re skilled
• Avoid using heavy attack combinations
• For upgrades, focus on improving the Shoulder Bash attack and increasing damage

Class Perks:

There’s one main effective way to build this class. The strategy is:

• Use invisibility
• Shoot enemies in the head a few times
• Finish them with a headshot
• Repeat

This approach allows you to stay invisible about 90% of the time, making it very powerful. The Sniper class is considered one of the strongest in the game, possibly only second to the Tactical class.

Heavy

This class is powerful at long-range combat.

Heavy Bolter:

• Very high damage output
• Can heal you while attacking
• Choose the Damage version for faster enemy elimination
• For upgrades, you must use the heavy hits immunity perk

Heavy Plasma Incinerator:

• Effective against groups and stronger enemies
• Choose the fire rate version to reduce charge-up time
• For upgrades, focus on the bottom row

Multi-Melta:

• Extremely powerful weapon
• Choose the fire rate version
• For upgrades, focus on the top row

Plasma Pistol:

• Good for defeating distant stronger enemies
• Useful for Gun-Strike attacks
• Choose either Ammo or Damage version
• For upgrades, choose the bottom row to improve ammo and charged shot efficiency

Class Perks:

To improve the Multi-Melta’s effectiveness, choose the middle option in the first column of perks. If you’re using the Heavy Bolter instead, pick the bottom option in the second column. For Iron Halo perks, it’s not clear which is best. They’re not necessary, but each one offers some advantages. Choose whichever you prefer.