Playing through Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, it's impossible not to hear the battle cries and motivational speeches given by Cadian soldiers, piqueing new players' curiosity. Fighting tooth and nail in Space Marine 2, these soldiers prove themselves time and time again as the bravest the empire has to offer. But the Cadians are just one of the ways Space Marine 2's developers at Saber Interactive pay homage to the franchise, proving it's made by fans for fans of the iconic Warhammer 40,000 setting.

It takes a lot of courage to stand against the terrifying Tyranid in Space Marine 2, but the Cadian Guardsmen do so in stride. Without the use of eight-foot-tall, near indestructible body armor, these brave Guardsmen of the imperium fight side by side with Titus and his Ultramarines. While each soldier in the Imperium of Man has to have nerves of steel, the Cadian Guardsmen are known as some of the most disciplined in the universe, and the Cadians' purple eyes show Saber Interactive was thorough in making Space Marine 2 lore-accurate.

Who The Cadians Are According To Warhammer 40K Lore

Renowned Soldiers Throughout The Astro-Militarum

Cadian Shock Troops are soldiers of the Astro-Militarum born and raised on the planet Cadia. What makes the Cadians and their planet so significant is its proximity to the Eye of Terror, a warp gateway into the nightmare realm of Chaos. From this proximity, Cadia stood as the first line of defense against any and all invasions from the warp, being constantly bombarded with crusades of daemons and corrupted Space Marines alike.

Any Cadian who can't field-strip his own lasgun by age 10 was born on the wrong planet.

Faced with the unending hordes of nightmarish creatures, Cadians had a strong culture of military service at any age, even for young children. As an anonymous Cadian once said (per the Warhammer 40,000 Wiki), "Any Cadian who can't field-strip his own lasgun by age 10 was born on the wrong planet." Being the closest of the three military worlds defending against the warp, Cadia took the brunt of every assault, with their soldiers becoming extraordinarily battle hardened as a result.

The Fall Of Cadia And Rise Of Chaos

Even The Bravest Soldiers Couldn't Hold Out Forever

The fall of Cadia is one of the most tragic events in Warhammer 40,000 history, second only to the heartbreaking Horus Heresy. Similar to the Fall of Reach from Halo, Cadia was a significant planet for the Imperium that faced total devastation from their treacherous enemies. But the Cadians didn't go down without a fight, as the final battle for the planet spanned five years in length, being the 13th attempt by Abaddon the Despoiler and the forces of Chaos to capture it.

Cadia broke before the Guard did.

Cadia's fall was the ultimate test of resolve for its soldiers, with the battle continuing to rage even after the planet was cracked nearly in half. With no hope of victory, the Cadians continued to fight down to the last soldier, giving credit to the phrase "Cadia broke before the Guard did." The survivors of the planet's fall swore revenge on Xenos and the forces of Chaos responsible for Cadia's destruction, continuing their lineage as the finest soldiers of the Astro-Militarum.

Why Do Cadians Have Purple Eyes In Warhammer 40K?

A Mark of Valor For Battle Hardened Troopers

Cadians originally attributed the hue of their purple eyes due to the proximity they had to the Eye of Terror, developing after generations of Cadia's colonization. This radiation of the warp not only caused the unique mutation, but served as a badge of honor for the valiant Cadians. Their eye color sets them apart from other of the Guard, commanding a level of respect reserved only for veteran soldiers.

The Cadian line didn't end with the fall of their home-world, as new generations continue to prosper on battlefields across the galaxy. These new generations are just as experienced as the previous ones, having undergone brutal training, seeking the total annihilation of any Xenos they come across. Players couldn't ask for better allies on the battlefield of Space Marine 2, offering reliable background and heavy firepower when needed.

The developers of Space Marine 2 could have easily called the soldiers Cadians and simply stopped there as a surface level Easter egg for fans. Instead, Saber Interactive fleshed out the background soldiers, making them feel even more alive and gave their eyes the iconic purple hue they're known for while adding another layer of immersion for players.

The Astro-Militarum And It's Purpose In Space Marine 2

Humanity's First Line Of Defense Against Any External Threat

While deadly in their own right, the Cadians are merely one part of the universe-spanning Astro-Militarum. These Guardsmen are humanity's first line of defense against any and all Xenos threats, being on the front-lines of battle wherever necessary. Despite lacking the genetic mutation of the Space Marines and their Primarchs, they make do with the overwhelming numbers and firepower at their disposal.

Even Space Marines benefit from the use of the Guard's arsenal.

Being the first to answer the call of any invasion, Guardsmen are often thrown into battle on the front lines with little preparation, with their main tactic being brute force assaults. The greatest strength of the Astro-Militarum is their frequent use of powerful air and land vehicles to even the balance of combat. Even Space Marines benefit from the use of the Guard's arsenal, taking advantage of heavy tanks and airstrikes to successfully complete important objectives throughout each mission in Space Marine 2.

Space Marine 2's Dedication To Accuracy Of The 40K Franchise

No Detail In Space Marine 2 Has Been Overlooked

The dedication to accuracy hasn't been unappreciated by fans, with Reddit xitzdepressionx taking note of painstakingly accurate tabletop deployments. In the original Warhammer 40K tabletop game, armies are built from different units of a faction that cost a certain number of points each. While this aspect is one of the harder ones to incorporate into a story-driven experience like Space Marine 2, the developers succeeded in bringing it to life.

After adding up all the point totals for every unit, the army shown in the post has a total of roughly 2,000 points, which is just enough for a playable tabletop Strike Force. While there are some minor inaccuracies with vehicle compatibility pointed out by some s' comments, it's nonetheless an impressive feat of detail. Every asset and interactive set piece is taken straight out of the world of Warhammer 40,000, making it a great first time entryway into the franchise, even without playing the first Space Marine.

Overall, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is what many long-time fans have been wanting in a triple-A release of Warhammer for years, with dedication worthy of the franchise's popularity. Players can also customize their Space Marine armor to dress as their favorite factions, providing more options than just the standard Ultramarine appearance. No expense has been spared, with Saber Interactive seemingly fitting as many Easter eggs and details in as possible throughout the game's many environments.

Sources: Warhammer 40,000 Wiki, xitzdepressionx/Reddit