Greetings, warriors of the Emperor! This is Librarian Husky, here to guide you through the intricate battlefield of Space Marine 2. As you gear up for your next encounter, let’s delve into the best weapons at your disposal, helping you to choose the right tool for annihilating your foes. From powerful melee options to devastating ranged firearms, this weapon tier list will ensure you are well-equipped to dominate the battlefield. Now, let’s explore what each weapon has to offer!

Power Fist

Next, we have the power fist. This is a fist weapon that offers far more reach than you might anticipate. Its perks include Swift Recovery, which grants you a staggering 100% increase in contested health recovery from your attacks. It also features Heavy Preparation, cutting down your heavy attack preparation time by 30%. This aspect is crucial since heavy attacks play a significant role in this weapon’s effectiveness. Additionally, there’s Rally, which replenishes one armor segment when your health falls below 30% after successfully executing a back fist or thrust jab. This boost to survivability is invaluable.

Focused Intention

While your health is under 30%, you receive 50% less damage during heavy attack preparations. This is a remarkable benefit for your survival. Furthermore, Concussive Impact increases the AOE radius of Backfist 2 and Thrust Jab 2 by an impressive 50%. Heavy Armament boosts your Cannon Punch damage by 50%. The power fist can feel average without its perks, but once you unlock them, it becomes a truly formidable weapon with surprising reach, quick attack speed, and great damage potential. For these reasons, I’m placing it in the A-tier.

Thunderhammer

The thunderhammer is known for its incredible damage output—this weapon is a total powerhouse. It deals substantial damage, boasts fantastic AOE, and has the ability to stun and disrupt enemies. What more could you ask for from a melee weapon? Additionally, it comes with perks like Fast Preparation, which reduces the Aftershock preparation time by 30%. Shattering Impact expands the AOE radius of ground slams by 50%. Another perk allows a fully prepared Aftershock hit to restore one armor segment, which is superb for improving survivability. Moreover, enemies struck by Comml Smash take 30% less damage for 4 seconds. This weapon looks amazing, feels incredible in your hands, delivers massive damage, enhances your survivability, and its perks amplify everything that makes it great. For all these reasons, it stands out as my favorite melee weapon, comfortably sitting in the S-tier.

Combat Knife

The combat knife is a swift melee weapon that shines in dealing single-target damage. It features impressive perks such as Kinetic Energy, which boosts heavy attack damage by 3% for each successive heavy attack, stacking up to 30%, making it particularly effective against bosses. Shadow Stab provides the ability to substitute a heavy swing with a charged attack, ramping up damage by 100% for every second it charges, allowing for some remarkable burst damage. While it excels in one-on-one confrontations, the combat knife can falter against groups of enemies, leaving you yearning for a more suitable option in those scenarios. Because of this limitation, I’m placing it in the B-tier.

Power Sword

The power sword is a distinct weapon featuring two combat stances. In its unpowered state, it delivers higher damage but has reduced cleave capability, while in its powered state, it enhances cleave at the cost of damage. It boasts excellent perks like Master of Offense, which raises melee damage by 20% for 5 seconds after switching combat styles, and Master of Defense, which decreases incoming ranged damage by 20% for 5 seconds after changing styles, significantly enhancing survivability. The Speed Restoration and Power Restoration perks amplify contested health restoration by 100%. The capacity to switch between stances for improved cleave or single-target damage makes this weapon feel satisfying and visually appealing, especially for a versatile class.

Shield

Although the shield isn’t a weapon you actively select, it remains an integral tool when playing as the Bulwark. You can use it to bash foes and block incoming projectiles. My only wish is that it had its own dedicated perk tree to allow for further customization of play style. This could introduce some intriguing passive abilities. Nevertheless, as the only shield available in the game, it undoubtedly stands out as the best, securing its place firmly in the S-tier.

Sidearms

Now, let’s discuss sidearms. While this game thrives on linear combat mechanics, there are times when you might yearn for a vast open world to explore. That’s where New World comes into play, gearing up for its highly anticipated PC and console launch on October 15th. New World already featured excellent combat, and the latest update further enhances it by introducing target locking, aim assist, and a virtual cursor to improve navigation for controllers and accessibility features. Players can unlock mounts, gather resources, and engage in thrilling PVP battles. Console players who pre-order, along with PC players logging in before October 14th, will receive exclusive rewards like the AO Stalker Wolf Mount.

Beta Availability

The Beta is accessible on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, and PC from September 13th to 16th, featuring full crossplay support. Players can dive into the game’s revamped main quest line, progressing up to level 30. Those participating in the open Beta will earn the Eternum Trailblazer title and an Eternum outfit by achieving specific participation milestones. Don’t miss your chance to experience one of the most impressive open-world games of the decade. You can pre-download the open Beta via Steam, Xbox, or PlayStation 5, and I’ve personally enjoyed this game for hundreds of hours.

Bolt Pistol

First on the list is the bolt pistol. One of its greatest advantages is that various classes can utilize it, allowing for minimal investment to strengthen multiple classes. The bolt pistol features excellent perks, such as Retaliation, which boosts damage by 25% for 5 seconds following a perfectly executed dodge, resulting in incredibly powerful hits. Another perk, Rapid Health, restores 5% health when you’re below 30% and eliminate 10 enemies in quick succession. Additionally, headshots deal 50% more damage for 5 seconds after defeating a major or higher-tier enemy with a melee weapon, offering a substantial and easily triggered damage increase. While the bolt pistol serves as a solid sidearm, it doesn’t particularly stand out against other pistols in this list, yet its versatility across various classes is a significant strength.

Heavy Bolt Pistol

The heavy bolt pistol stands out as the most powerful bolt pistol available, featuring impressive firepower, exceptional accuracy, and decent reload speed. It inflicts tremendous damage, especially once all perks are activated. Notable perks include Death Strike, which increases damage by 25% for 5 seconds after taking down a Majoris-level or higher enemy using a melee weapon, and Perpetual Penetration, enabling each shot to pierce one additional target. Additionally, Rapid Health restores 5% health when you kill 10 enemies in quick succession while health is below 30%, and Adamant Hunter enhances headshot damage by 25% when your health is low. While exclusively usable by the Assault class, this pistol compensates for the absence of a primary weapon. Therefore, it earns its place in the S-tier.

Plasma Pistol

The plasma pistol is a highly versatile weapon that feels and looks fantastic. You can charge shots for remarkable burst damage, even using these charged shots to interrupt enemies at a distance. Its key perks include Plasma Collection, which raises your plasma weapon’s energy reserves by 20%, and Efficient Charge, which minimizes energy consumption for charged shots. These perks significantly improve an already powerful weapon. Although the plasma pistol delivers great damage, it does have a few drawbacks; however, it remains a strong sidearm overall.

Plasma Pistol: Strengths and Weaknesses

One drawback of the plasma pistol is its rapid consumption of ammo with charged shots. However, a perfectly timed dodge grants a 25% damage increase for 5 seconds. Due to the class associated with this weapon, you can easily trigger this buff, enhancing its effectiveness. The plasma pistol excels in both single-target damage and burst damage against elite enemies, achieving the impressive feat of making a sidearm feel formidable. The primary downside is its quick ammo depletion, but with unlocked perks, managing it becomes much simpler. Overall, this weapon is a pleasure to use, earning its place in the S-tier.

Auto Bolt Rifle

The auto bolt rifle is a fully automatic, close-range firearm. Its standout perks include Perpetual Penetration, allowing shots to penetrate one additional target, Rampage, which grants a 25% damage boost for 5 seconds after eliminating 10 enemies in rapid succession, and Increased Capacity, which enhances the weapon’s maximum ammo reserve by 20%. Despite these perks, the rifle feels rather unremarkable. It doesn’t excel in any particular area, making it a dependable yet somewhat lackluster option compared to more specialized weapons.

Home Precision and Perpetual Penetration

This weapon features Home Precision, which reduces your spread by 25% when firing from the hip, and Perpetual Penetration, allowing each shot to pierce one additional target. These perks maintain the weapon’s relevance among the various bolt weapons in Space Marine 2. Once unlocked, these enhancements elevate this otherwise forgettable weapon into a solid option for close- to mid-range engagements, offering impressive accuracy both when aiming and while hip firing. Nevertheless, other weapons may still have more allure, which is why I’m placing this one in the B-tier.

Stalker Bolt Rifle: A Headshot Specialist

The Stalker Bolt Rifle is a high-powered, scoped, semi-automatic firearm that boasts exceptional accuracy and damage output. This weapon features some of the most compelling perks found in any bolt gun, enabling remarkable headshot damage. Long Shot increases damage dealt to enemies beyond 20 meters by 10%. Survival Instinct boosts your damage by 25% when your health dips below 30%. The Head Hunter perks provide a total of 20% increased headshot damage, while Agile Hunter grants a 35% headshot damage boost following perfectly timed dodges. Additionally, Adamant Grip lessens recoil by 25%, ensuring more consistent and reliable headshots.

Faster Reload with Stalker Bolt Rifle

The Stalker Bolt Rifle enhances your reload speed across all weapons by 10%, which is a great advantage, especially when paired with its unique perks. By maintaining your health below 30%, you can consistently inflict 25% more damage. With two distinct Head Hunter perks granting a total of 20% increased headshot damage, plus an extra 35% boost from successful dodges, this rifle excels in delivering precise eliminations. For these reasons, this bolt weapon comfortably earns its place in the A-tier.

Bolt Carbine: A Frontline Fighter

The Bolt Carbine serves as a mid-range carbine with rapid-fire capabilities, making it ideal for frontline combat. Its perks cater to aggressive players, with Retaliation providing a 25% damage increase for 5 seconds following a perfectly executed dodge. Elusive Precision reduces your maximum spread by 25% for 5 seconds after dodging. With two different Adamant Grip enhancements, recoil is minimized by a total of 50%. Additionally, it includes two Head Hunter perks that grant 20% more headshot damage, and Honed Precision decreases spread by 25% when firing from the hip. When health falls below 30%, you receive an extra 25% damage boost, rendering this weapon lethal in close-quarters encounters.

Bolt Carbine: Frontline Damage Dealer

The Bolt Carbine truly shines on the front lines, where you can dive headfirst into combat and deliver significant damage to foes. This weapon thrives in medium to close-range scenarios, an area where plasma weapons and other rifles sometimes falter. Its rapid-fire capability distinguishes it from alternatives like the Melta Rifle. Once its perks are fully unlocked, the damage multipliers make it a robust option. For these reasons, I categorize this weapon in the A-tier.

Plasma Incinerator: Mid-Range Powerhouse

The Plasma Incinerator is a rapid-fire plasma weapon designed for mid-range encounters. Its true potential is unleashed when charged, allowing it to inflict massive damage on elite targets. It may feel cumbersome at first, but unlocking its perks compensates for any initial awkwardness. One standout perk, Rampage, provides a 25% damage increase after rapidly eliminating 10 enemies. Other enhancements, such as Adamant Restoration, restore 25% of your energy reserves when health dips below 30%, and Adamant Velocity accelerates shot charge speed by 25% under low health conditions. Two additional charge speed perks boost projectile velocity by 50%, addressing the slow projectile speed common to plasma weapons.

Plasma Incinerator: Efficiency and Power

The Plasma Incinerator excels with perks that enhance its efficiency, ensuring you won’t frequently run out of energy. Retaliation grants a 25% damage boost after executing a perfect dodge, while Efficient Charge reduces energy consumption for charged shots. These enhancements significantly improve projectile velocity, making it easier to incapacitate multiple elite enemies simultaneously. Moreover, charged shots can interrupt enemies calling for reinforcements and inflict solid area-of-effect damage. When fully upgraded, this weapon feels outstanding. Combine it with a strong melee option to offset its close-range limitations, and you’ll enjoy a formidable combat experience. For these reasons, I rank it in the S-tier.

Melta Rifle: The Futuristic Shotgun

The Melta Rifle functions as a close-range thermal weapon akin to a futuristic shotgun. At first glance, its range might appear limited, but once you unlock all its perks, it surprises with an effective range. This weapon staggers enemies, boasts impressive cleave capabilities, and inflicts tremendous damage. Two primary perks enhance ammunition efficiency: Extended Magazine increases the magazine size by 15%, while Magazine Restoration helps maintain your ammo supply.

Melta Rifle: The Ultimate Close-Range Weapon

The Melta Rifle reigns supreme as the go-to weapon for close and medium-range engagements, providing an exceptional gameplay experience. One perk fully restores your magazine when health falls below 30%. Another perk boosts your fire rate by 25% following a perfect dodge, while Elusive Range extends your effective range by an impressive 3 meters. Given its shotgun nature, you’ll frequently activate these perfect dodge perks, significantly enhancing your combat prowess. The weapon’s ability to stagger foes is particularly powerful; unlike the Bolt Rifle, which leaves elites unshaken, the Melta Rifle forces them to reconsider their attack strategy. It’s ideal for dispatching waves of lesser foes or taking down elite enemies, securing its place in the S-tier.

A Community Favorite

The Melta Rifle has quickly become a fan favorite for several reasons. While managing ammo can be challenging initially, this concern diminishes significantly once all perks are unlocked. Its design and effectiveness in combat make it one of the most satisfying weapons to use in the game.

Instigator Bolt Carbine: Precision at Its Best

The Instigator Bolt Carbine is a precision-focused scoped carbine that delivers remarkable damage through three-round bursts, making it exceptionally suited for medium to long-range combat scenarios. While several weapons provide zoom options, this carbine stands out with both medium and high zoom settings, offering unique advantages tailored to different distances. Its firepower, accuracy, rate of fire, and range combine to make it a formidable weapon choice.

Powerful Perks

Among its perks, Efficient Hunter significantly enhances headshot damage by 35% when reloading with low ammo, providing a considerable advantage for an already precise weapon. The Head Hunter perk adds an extra 10% to headshot damage, while Perpetual Penetration allows shots to pass through one additional target. Rampage grants a 25% damage boost for five seconds following the elimination of ten enemies in rapid succession, and Adamant Grip diminishes recoil by 25%, facilitating quick headshot accuracy.

Limitations in Close Combat

Despite its strengths in medium and long-range scenarios, the Instigator Bolt Carbine faces challenges in close-quarters encounters. While it has advantageous perks for dispatching elites and bosses from a distance, players may need to rely on melee weapons when confronted with threats in close proximity.

Oculus Bolt Carbine: A Solid Choice

The Oculus Bolt Carbine comfortably resides in the A tier. This rapid-fire carbine excels in mid-range engagements and features an extended magazine, providing excellent firepower and a swift rate of fire, even if its accuracy and range are somewhat average.

Notable Perks

Significant perks include Retaliation, which increases damage by 25% for five seconds after executing perfect dodges, and Perpetual Penetration, allowing shots to penetrate one additional target. Elusive Precision reduces maximum spread by 25% after a perfect dodge, while another perk minimizes hip fire spread by 25%. Rapid Health restores 5% health for every ten enemies defeated in quick succession while below 30% health. Additionally, Magazine Restoration replenishes an entire magazine when health drops below 30%, and Perpetual Precision further decreases spread by 10%.

Control and Performance

Although the Oculus Bolt Carbine can be tough to handle before its perks are unlocked, it evolves into a solid weapon with a larger magazine that reduces the need for constant reloading. However, it often leaves players yearning for a different weapon, which is why it finds its place in the B tier.

Bolt Sniper Rifle: High Damage and Precision

The Bolt Sniper Rifle is a scoped semi-automatic sniper rifle renowned for its remarkable headshot damage. It boasts perks such as Survival Instinct, which boosts damage by 25% when health falls below 30%. Additionally, Long Shot enhances damage by 10% against foes positioned more than 20 meters away.

Effective Headshot Perks

Featuring two Head Hunter perks, this weapon provides a total increase of 20% in headshot damage. Agile Hunter enhances headshot damage by 35% for five seconds following a perfectly timed dodge. However, activating Agile Hunter can prove difficult, as snipers usually operate from the rear lines, leading to fewer opportunities for executing perfect dodges.

Overall Performance

The Bolt Sniper Rifle’s combination of high damage, superb accuracy, and rapid fire rate makes it an enjoyable weapon to wield. With its impressive perks that boost headshot damage, landing headshots has never been more gratifying. For these reasons, this sniper rifle earns a spot in the S tier.

LZ Fusel: A Different Approach

Next is the LZ Fusel, a scoped single-fire energy rifle akin to the bolt rifle. However, it necessitates charging each shot, which can feel sluggish during intense combat. Despite this drawback, its perks help alleviate some challenges. Adamant Restoration enables you to regain 35% of your maximum ammo when your health dips below 30%, addressing the common issue of ammo scarcity with sniper rifles.

LZ Fusel: Essential Perks and Performance

When your health is below 30%, shots charge 25% faster, making this perk vital for boosting your damage output. It features three Head Hunter perks, collectively providing a total of 30% additional headshot damage, surpassing that of any other weapon.

Amplification and Damage Perks

Moreover, there are three amplification perks that expand the radius of your beam weapons by 10% each, resulting in a cumulative 30% increase. Another perk grants a 25% damage boost for five seconds after eliminating three or more enemies with a single shot, making it easy to trigger amidst battle chaos.

Health Restoration and Charge Speed

Additionally, when your health falls below 30%, dispatching three enemies with a single shot restores 5% of your health, a feat that is also easy to accomplish. Perpetual Velocity enhances your shot charging speed by 15%, while Increased Capacity expands your ammo supply for this weapon by 20%.

Overall Feel and Ranking

Initially, this rifle may seem cumbersome due to its lengthy charging time and rapid ammo depletion. However, once its perks are activated, the charging time significantly decreases, and ammo reserves increase, making it far more effective in combat. When combined with its unique semi-AOE damage capabilities, it secures a position in the S tier. Up next, we have the Heavy Bolter.

Heavy Bolter: Overview and Performance

The Heavy Bolter is a fully automatic heavy weapon characterized by a fire rate that gradually increases over time. Initially, the damage output may feel lackluster, as it takes some time for the weapon to reach its peak effectiveness. Nevertheless, its perks can dramatically enhance overall performance.

Key Perks for Improvement

Among its notable perks is Perfect Cooling, which ensures that the weapon cools down completely after executing a perfect dodge. This is a significant advantage since heavy weapons are prone to overheating. Increased Capacity grants an additional 20% ammo, a vital enhancement for any heavy weapon.

Headshot and Penetration Enhancements

This weapon also comes equipped with the Head Hunter perk, maximizing headshot damage, while Perpetual Penetration allows bullets to penetrate one extra target. The Adamant Hunter perk boosts headshot damage by 25% when your health drops below 30%, encouraging risky playstyles to keep health low.

Health Restoration and Damage Output

Furthermore, Adamant Restoration allows you to recover 25% of your ammo whenever your health goes below 30%, further motivating you to operate with low health. The two Heavy Precision perks decrease maximum spread by 10% while in heavy stance, enabling you to concentrate on headshots more effectively. Heavy M also offers a 15% damage boost while in heavy stance, allowing for a total of 30% additional damage from these enhancements.