Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2’s Siege Update Unleashes Thunder Hammer for Bulwark Class

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has rolled out its highly anticipated Siege Update (Patch 8), bringing a slew of exciting changes to the battlefield. Among the most notable is the decision by developers Saber Interactive to equip the Bulwark class with the formidable Thunder Hammer-a move driven not by balance considerations, but by sheer coolness.

Bulwark Wields the Thunder Hammer

Traditionally, the Thunder Hammer was exclusive to the Assault class, given its two-handed nature conflicting with the Bulwark’s iconic Storm Shield. However, the developers have now allowed Bulwarks to wield this mighty weapon, provided they forego their shield. This trade-off offers players a new dimension of gameplay, sacrificing defense for devastating melee power.

“We are adding this option only because we think it will be very cool and it’s a shame that only one class can use the Thunder Hammer,” explained Saber Interactive. “We are not done with Bulwark; more interesting gameplay things are to come.”

Introducing Siege Mode

Patch 8 also unveils Siege Mode, a challenging PvE experience where up to three players defend an Imperial fortress on Kadaku against relentless waves of Tyranid and Chaos forces. The mode features:

• Three Rotating Sectors: Defensive Positions, the Arsenal, and the Control Room, each with five waves of enemies.
• Side Objectives: Dynamic tasks like capturing points or retrieving data-slates for strategic advantages.
• Resource Management: Earn and spend resources on ammunition, medicae stimms, equipment, and reinforcements, including AI-controlled Space Marines and the formidable Dreadnought.
• Boss Encounters: Every fifth wave introduces powerful bosses, escalating the challenge.
• Infinite Waves: Survive beyond fifteen waves to enter an endless mode with increasing difficulty.

Customization Enhancements

Responding to community feedback, the update brings significant improvements to customization:

• Chapter Champion Armor: Players can now reuse chapter champion armor parts across different classes, respecting lore accuracy and technical constraints.
• New Cosmetic Packs: Introduction of the White Scars Chapter Champion, White Scars Chapter Weapon Skin Pack, White Scars Chapter Customization Pack, and Blood Angels Customization Pack.

Gameplay and Balance Adjustments

Patch 8 introduces several balance changes and quality-of-life improvements:

• Absolute Difficulty: Adjustments to make the mode more challenging, including tougher Terminus enemies and increased enemy packs.
• Prestige Perks Updates: Revisions across various classes to enhance gameplay dynamics.
• Combat Quality of Life: Improved weapon balance, responsiveness, and reduced stun-lock scenarios.

With these updates, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 continues to evolve, offering players fresh challenges and deeper customization options. The Siege Update is available now on the Public Test Realm (PTS) for PC players and will fully launch on June 26.