The Space Marine 2 Vanguard build is based on the classic Primaris style of Astartes who have become the Emperor’s new Angels of Death, effectively replacing the Tactical Marines. Here’s how to assemble the build and use it effectively.
Those who have played the Warhammer 40K board game will know that the Vanguard Marine is the latest model of the Adeptus Astartes. After returning from ten thousand years of slumber, the Primarch of the Ultramarines, Robute Guilliman, unveiled his new and improved Space Marines, and then encouraged all Chapters to field them.
In Space Marine 2, all Marines are Primaris, but their primary combat style, the “Intecessor Primaris”, is represented by the Vanguard build. In the game’s story campaign, Titus has just been promoted to Primaris after undergoing the “Rubicon Surgery”.
Focus EntertainmentTitus is a newly created Primaris Marine.
Recommended build for Vanguard
Here are the best weapons, items, and perks for the Vanguard build:
Best Weapons Explained
Primary Weapon – Instigator Bolt Action Carbine
Focus Entertainment/Games WorkshopThe Instigator Bolt Carbine is perfect for reconnaissance missions.
While you can use more, here are the best benefits of the Instigator bolt-action rifle:
These benefits will help you do more damage to all enemies while ensuring your the armor remains filled at any time. We have also targeted benefits that help you reload faster and carry more ammo so you can stay in the fight longer.
Secondary Weapon – Bolt-Action Pistol
Focus EntertainmentA Bolt Pistol is the perfect reinforcement in Space Marine 2.
The Bolt Pistol is the ideal secondary weapon for the Vanguard build, use the following perks:
The Bolt Pistol is meant to be your backup weapon, but it has some perks that make it much more deadly. Making sure it reloads instantly, does more damage, and can carry more ammo will make the weapon feel like more than just a sidearm.
The Elite Hunter and Retaliation perks also mean that when used as part of a combo, the Bolt Pistol is a powerful tool, and not only does it buff you, but your other skills can buff it as well.
Melee Weapon – Combat Knife
Focus Entertainment/Games WorkshopThe combat knife has a short range, but is deadly up close.
The Combat Knife is the fastest and most effective melee weapon in the game, making it perfect for the Vanguard build. Here are our recommended perks:
The combat knife is ideal for kill enemies quicklybut it is limited scope doesn’t make it as effective as the Chainsword for crowd control. The purpose of this weapon is to kill a few enemies quickly and then get back to shooting.
With this in mind, we focused on advantages that make it more deadly, so you can do more damage in a shorter amount of time. However, we have also added defensive advantages and upgrades that improve your overall damage such as Chaos and Tyranid Killer BenefitsThis way you can receive the buff quickly and then apply it to your firearms.
Best Grenades for Vanguard – Frag Grenade
Frag Grenades are the most common form of explosives you’ll find in Space Marine 2 and are effective options for crowd control, as well as against Elites. They are also more common than Melt Bombs and Krak Grenades can be restocked quickly.
We recommend using these as your primary form of explosive throughout your sessions, and throwing them liberally as they are so easy to find. Slower and heavier enemies will be particularly vulnerable to their blast radius.
The best benefits for operations
Focus Entertainment/Games WorkshopVanguard Marines have perks that make them very difficult to kill.
While PvP offers a choice of grenades, Operations benefit from character perks, which can be great for creating a powerful Space Marine. Luckily, there are several of them to get your hands on, and we suggest prioritizing the following for your Vanguard build:
These perks all work passively to enhance your Vanguard skills and weapons. Used in tandem, they will also allow you to be as powerful as possible. We focused on skills that improves and helps you parry and dodge enemiesallowing you to stay mobile and do increased damage because enemies can’t hit you.
We’ve also adapted the build to help you recover quickly after being knocked back and use the Retribution perk to come back strong with a 20% damage increase. The Emperor’s Blessing perk will also keep you alive longer, allowing you to keep fighting after a killing blow. This also works in tandem with the Conviction perk, making you even harder to kill.
How to play the Vanguard
The Vanguard build is essentially the classic malicious configurationwith an emphasis on speed and maneuverability over strength and power. The combat knife in this version is intended for close-quarters combat, but it is primarily designed to keep you alive and send you right back into the firing line, reinforced and more dangerous than ever.
We therefore recommend you welcome hand to hand combat, so enjoy the buff to happily take down more Tyranids. Just know that you’re not as powerful in prolonged melee combat as you would be using other builds.
The Vanguard build is a specialist build for those who want to play as an Intercessor Marine rather than a ‘Firstborn’ Space Marine, taking advantage of all the benefits that this fighting style brings. Your mantra for this build should be move, shoot, stab, repeat.
If you’re looking to go with more specialized gear, check out our analysis of the Rampart and Assault builds.
