Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 class tier list for PvE and PvP

There are several classes for you to play as and master in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2‘s PvE Operations mode and PvP Eternal War mode. However, some are definitely better than others, and it varies based on which game mode you play.

Based on my experience, there are quite a few variables that will change which class is best for you in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2. For example, in the campaign, you have no choice but to stick with Titus and whatever equipment he is given. In Operations mode, the PvE game mode, you can use pretty much any class and feel safe as long as you have the skill to back up the difficulty. When it comes to PvP mode, though, you need to use the right class, or you’ll end up getting repeatedly killed because they work very differently in Eternal War.

Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 class tier list for PvE Operations mode

Below, I’ve ranked every class in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 from worst at the top to best at the bottom, depending on how good they are in the PvE Operations mode. While this is mostly based on my own findings through experimentation, I’ve also taken into account how most players will feel about every class.

6. Sniper

The Sniper class is fine, but in Operations, it’s just not that fun or easy to play. Its Camo Cloak ability is great for disappearing in a pinch but doesn’t help anyone else much. The main advantage of playing as this class is adding a long-distance specialist into the mix, but there really isn’t much need for that.

If you’re the kind of player who likes to stay back, play it safe, and stay alive as long as possible, then this is a great one to play. It’s also about as close to a medic class as you’ll get because you’ll spend most of your time reviving the other players getting stuck into the combat instead of you.

5. Bulwark

The Bulwark has no primary weapon, but a great shield swapped into its place. That shield allows you to rush enemies while protected, even battering them out of the way by using it as an extra melee weapon. It’s not a class for newcomers, but with time, you can master it and become an expert who can make light work of any enemy.

The Chapter Banner ability is incredibly powerful because it grants your team a point where their armor recharges for a limited time. It’s not as impactful as some other Ultramarine abilities, but it’s great if you can place it right where enemies will swarm so you can get to work slicing them apart with your team.

4. Assault

The Assault class is slightly better in Operations than it is in Eternal War because the Jump Pack is a god-tier ability. You can soar around every mission and rain death from above, retaining most of your health in the process.

The major downside of this class is that it lacks a primary weapon. It’s designed for you to hammer damage on enemies from a high point. There’s definitely a place for this in most squads, but it’s a tricky class to get your head around unless you’re going to use it and upgrade it all the time.

3. Tactical

The Tactical class is a great option for any player because it’s pretty much what you’ll use throughout the game’s campaign. You have a decent primary, secondary, and melee weapon. You can get stuck in and know exactly what you’re working with because this class makes Operations an extension of the core story.

Once you’ve got the basics under your belt, you can upgrade this class and its ability, Auspex Scan, to highlight enemies and weaken them in a radius around you. This is how you can crush large groups of powerful enemies on higher difficulties. If you want to be playing Operations at the top level, this class is a good way to go.

2. Vanguard

The Vanguard is a great class for Operations mode because of its Grapnel Launcher. This lets you snag an enemy and rappel towards it, stunning it. After that, you can hack away or shoot it to deal a tonne of damage and surprise every foe in the game.

The class is just a slight variation of the Tactical class, meaning you can play it right after the campaign and feel like you’re only using one or two bits of new equipment. I think it’s a great starting point for understanding how each class can be different, as well as how the upgrading system works.

1. Heavy

The Heavy class is what I’ve found to be most efficient in PvE Operations because it has so much ammo that you never feel like you’re running out. Its Iron Halo protects your squad when enemies begin to pile on in intense moments, and you become the core of the entire team with enough firepower to take almost everything down and help everyone out.

The role of the Heavy is just to deal as much damage as possible. Other classes will get all the executions, but you’ll rack up kills and help everyone push through each mission. You can upgrade the class so your weapon effectively never overheats and allows you to create a steady stream of death. It’s perfect for those just getting into the mode but has enough nuance that you can refine and master the class to become unstoppable over time.

Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 class tier list for PvP Eternal War mode

In the list below, starting with the worst at the top and leading to the worst at the bottom, I’ve listed every class in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 based on how useful they are in the game’s PvP Eternal War mode. This list differs from the PvE one because it’s all about how great a class is at beating other players, not hordes of enemies.

6. Assault

The Assault class is easily the worst for PvP because it’s a melee-focused class. Yes, if you have the skill to dodge enemies, use that Jump Pack effectively and crash into foes before slicing or hammering them apart. You’ll get a decent number of kills, but you’re also just going to die a lot.

Too many teams rock a Heavy class with a shield or just lots of classes with long-ranged weapons, making sneaking up on them impossible. Players are also pretty switched on to the way Jump Packs allow you to hover and deal damage with a secondary weapon, making them all but pointless.

5. Sniper

Don’t get me wrong, I love the sniper class. Long-range weapons let you take enemies out without them ever noticing you’re there. But this class has limited ammo and is tricky to use if you’ve not gotten enough practice in Operations mode.

The key to success is lining up targets and anticipating their movements. You can gain an advantage using the Camo Cloak. This class has up its sleeves, rendering you invisible for a short time. This is great for knocking off one kill shot, but then you’re exposed, likely behind enemy lines, and without a rapid-fire weapon to protect yourself.

4. Bulwark

The Bulwark class is almost as useless as the Assault class in PvP because it also relies too heavily on melee and secondary weapons. However, the shield this class has in place of a primary weapon is fantastic for rushing enemies while being defended, allowing you to deal a nice chunk of damage when you arrive at your enemy.

The best part about this class is the Chapter Banner, which sees the Ultramarine plant a flag that recharges every ally’s armor while they stand close to it. This can make for a decent advantage for a team if they’re on a losing streak, but relies on other players knowing where they need to stand.

3. Tactical

The Tactical class is as close to your bog-standard Ultramarine as you can get. It’s got a long-range primary, a short-range secondary, and a melee weapon. Its Auspex Scan power reveals enemies in the immediate vicinity and makes them more vulnerable, which can help you take out a group of other players if you’re quick or coordinated.

This is the best class to jump into Eternal War mode with if you’re coming off the campaign. You’ll learn the basics of how this mode differs with real-life players as your targets instead of AI enemies, and it can be upgraded with perks to make it a viable option even in the highest levels of PvP encounters.

2. Vanguard

Vanguard is a close second when it comes to PvP classes in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2. Its ability, the Grapnel Launcher, is what makes it so great. Using this, you can latch onto a distant wall and drop down on enemies for an ambush. You could also latch onto a target and hit them, stunning them, before finishing them off.

All the equipment is pretty basic, but with the Grapnel Launcher, you can open up opportunities for your team to move forward or save an ally in a pinch. It’s also by far the most stylish class in the game, which is what you want when it comes to PvP.

1. Heavy

The Heavy class is my all-time favorite for PvP because it’s the class you can rely on to last the longest and get the most kills, but also as another player for protection. It has a meaty Heavy Bolter by default which gives you 450 ammunition to play with. You can upgrade the class so that overheating your weapon isn’t a problem and make a wall of bullets for your enemies to sacrifice themselves in.

The best part about this class is the Iron Halo ability. This creates a temporary shield that you can use to save fellow players or give yourself some breathing room to take out an enemy squad. The downside to this class is that it has no melee weapon and will just throw its gun around to beat enemies. You’ll be firing so many bullets I’d be surprised if you’d notice that, though.