Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 gave players an early Christmas present this year with their newest content update, adding in a new difficulty level and operations mission for players to challenge themselves with. While some players have raised criticism over the various nerfs that came with the update, there's still plenty of fun to be had with its content additions. The most exciting inclusion in this first major update was the humongous Tyrandid Hierophant Bio-Titan, opening the doors for players to speculate on what enemies might get added in future updates.

[Warning: This article contains spoilers for enemies encountered in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2]

While many players dreamed the likes of a monolithic enemy like the Hierophant would get added to Space Marine 2, its sheer scale made it seem like an impossibility. So far, the developers of Space Marine 2 have only confirmed new Thousand Son and Tyranid enemies will be added in future updates, but there are still plenty of Tryanid and Chaos threats across the galaxy that would offer deadly and unique encounters for fans.

10 Pink Horror Daemons Are Strange But Terrifying

The Multiplying Menace Would Be Great In DLC

Out of all the daemon forces of the Chaos God Tzeentch, the pink horrors are some of the strangest looking of the bunch, given bright colors and numerous arrangements of limbs ready to strike at unsuspecting foes. Despite their off-putting appearance, these colorful Horror Daemons are an incredibly lethal threat to even a Space Marine, thanks to their ability to split themselves into two smaller versions when defeated. These lesser Daemons are quickly able to surround and overwhelm unsuspecting soldiers of the Imperium, being as unrelenting as they are vicious in their service to the Changer of Ways.

he Pink Horor Daemons could offer an incredibly unique fighting experience, forcing players to think ahead of their engagements.

From a gameplay standpoint, the Pink Horor Daemons could offer an incredibly unique fighting experience, forcing players to think ahead of their engagements. If players waste their precious grenades or rush in without thinking, they'll be quickly overwhelmed by the newly spawned Blue Horrors, immediately ready to attack after being summoned. Out of all the enemies that could come to Space Marine 2, there's bound to be some form of Daemon inclusion, whether it's in the form of these colorful foes or a fire-spewing Flamer Daemon.

9 A Tyranid Mawloc Are A Bit Like Raveners

The Tunneling Terror Of The Galaxy

The Tryanid Mawloc has many similarities to the pre-existing Raveners in Space Marine 2, but are nearly twice as tall as a Hulking Carnifex. What makes the Mawloc such a terrifying enemy is how easily it's able to by any defense, tunneling its way right into the heart of a battle force. Relying on surprise tactics, these large behemoths are capable of swallowing a Space Marine whole or dealing massive damage with their huge talons and extendable jaw.

The tunnels dug by a Mawloc could create openings for swarms of the Tyranid, bringing new reinforcements into the battle.

In combat, a Mawloc would likely fight with similar tactics to the Raveners, tunneling underground to jump at unsuspecting players, but as a much deadlier boss encounter. Whether as a part of an operations set piece or a full-on boss battle, the Mawloc would make for an incredibly dangerous foe, forcing players to stay on their feet and watch their backs for ambushes. Given the Mawloc's blindness and reliance on vibrations, Space Marine 2 could employ mechanics that target whichever players move while it tunnels through the ground, or decimates terrain to change the flow of battle.

8 The Genestealer Tyranids Are A Huge Threat

Somehow More Disgusting Than The Average Tyranid

While they might not be as imposing as the largest Tyranid subspecies, the Genestealers are still considered one of the greatest threats to the Imperium of Man's survival. Being one of the most intelligent forms of Tyranid, this subspecies uses their innate psychic abilities and gene virus to infiltrate human settlements, spreading their influence to create the mutated Genestealer Cults. Most often seen in the stages before a full-scale Tyranid invasion, their primary goal is to prepare planets for attack by weakening them from within.

The Genestealers come in many different forms or evolutions, like the larger Genestaler Patriarch, all identifiable through their bulbous head shape.

In combat, a Tyranid Genestealer fights as a more elite version of the Termigaunts, quickly swarming Space Marines given their size, speed, and ferocity in combat. Aside from simple battle mechanics, the inclusion of this subspecies would allow a future operation to take place during the very first stages of a Tyranid invasion, protecting civilians from swarms of the infecting creatures while reinforcements rain from above. With a focus on ambushing and quickly overwhelming squads of enemies, these deadly Tryanids could even be added to regular missions in Space Marine 2 as part of a surprise wave between combat zones.

7 The Deceptive Changelings Of The Chaos God

Spreading Discord Among The Battlefield

Being another agent of the iconic Chaos God, Changelings has the potential to provide an incredibly unique battlefield experience for players. Changelings have been granted powers by the nigh-omnipotent Lord of Change, giving them the ability to duplicate and adapt the appearance of anyone they choose. Changelings themselves have great potential to sow seeds of doubt or completely disrupt the chain of command in future Space Marine 2 operations, similar to what nearly happened during the campaign.

During combat, Changelings can unleash powerful sorcery against players while flying out of reach, but their transformative ability is what would make them a fantastic addition to Space Marine 2. Changelings could also disguise themselves as different enemies before an encounter, surprising unsuspecting players after approaching what they thought would be an easy-to-fight grunt. If the developers wanted to go all in on the concept of deception, Changelings could have the ability to turn into friendly units or even squad , forcing players to communicate with their comrades unless they wanted to get stabbed in the back.

6 The Hulking Biovores Have Lots Of Potential

The Heavy Artillery Of The Tyranid Menace

While the mostly stationary tanks of the Biovore may not seem like the most exciting enemy to face, they still have plenty of potential for a unique fighting experience. Being the potential focus of a future operation mission, players could even be bombarded with ranged artillery leading up to the boss fight, preventing them from staying in one place too long. Integrating the boss battle throughout the mission leading up to the final fight would make defeating the hulking Tyranid by the end all the more satisfying.

Given the slight variations between the three Tryanid, the developers could create multiple versions that get randomly selected during each fight, varying from the Pyrovore's flamethrower, the exocrine's heavy gun, or the Biovore's Spore Mines.

This line of Tyranid themselves are quite bulky with six limbs, featuring an armored carapace that surrounds their devastating bioweapons. Despite their specialty of raining fire from the backline of a battle, in a fight, this heavy weapon would be devastating to any Space Marine not quick enough to get out of the way, with the Biovore constantly repositioning while lining decisive shots. Adding more interactivity to the fight, the Biovore can dispel swarms of Spore Mines, creating a living minefield that players will have to carefully navigate all while dodging blasts from the deadly bioweapon.

5 Viscious Neurolictors Would Be Great In DLC

Striking Fear Into The Bravest Of Space Marines

Rather than having a larger or deadlier version of Space Marine 2's Lictor similar to the Mawloc, the Neurolictor has a completely different playstyle in comparison to its in-game counterpart. Relying on the overwhelming psychic abilities granted by their powerful neuro organs, the Neurolictors can stun enemies or even weaken their attacks, making them vulnerable to damage from allies. Being one of the more recent Tyranids, having launched in 2023, this inclusion would be a new encounter even for players familiar with the existing Tyranids subspecies in 40K.

The Neurolictor has a completely different playstyle in comparison to its in-game counterpart.

Rather than relying on stealth and surprise attacks of the standard Lictor, this boss would work at random with other Tyranids, providing psychic from farther away. The Neurolictor's deadly claws can easily cut through the armor of a Space Marine while it unleashes waves of weakening psionic barriers, leaving players helpless to their vicious onslaught of attacks. Given the already existing debuffs provided by Tyranid attacks and sorcery, the Neurolictor could easily apply this debuff as well, making for a much more difficult encounter as players struggle to see the enemies in front of them.

4 Genestealer Cultists Make Sense Within Space Marine 2's Story

Blurring The Lines Between Humans and Tyranid

With Chaos Cultists already being a frequently encountered enemy later on in the campaign, of a Genestealer Cult would fit right in with the events of Space Marine 2. While Genestealer Cults are more often found in the early stages of a Tyranid invasion fighting on behalf of the enemy, they can also exist independently of a primary invasion force. The physical appearance of a cultist can vary greatly, with hulking multi-limbed creatures barely recognizable as humans, or slight alterations such as pale skin or a bald scalp.

Genestealer cultists fight with a variety of weaponry depending on their stage of infection, with some even making use of their additional limbs to wield multiple guns at once, or carrying even larger weaponry. With how immense the Tyranid invasion is in the Recidious System, it wouldn't be surprising to find cultists living in sewers or the backstreets of each planet. Not only would these cultists provide another interesting human-sized enemy to combat, but they would also allow for an interesting story direction for Space Marine 2, playing into the themes of betrayal prevalent throughout the story of the franchise.

3 A Lord Of Change Is A Deadly Threat

The Manifestation Of The Chaos God's Will

A Lord of Change is not an enemy most would expect to defeat themselves, but as shown with the Hive Tyrant Hierophant Bio-Titan, there's always room for even deadlier threats. A Lord of Change would likely have to be weakened in some way for players to have any hope of defeating them, similar to the events of the Vox Liberatis Operation. Whether taking a beam to the shoulder or being hit by a direct blast from a Starship, a fight with a Lord of Change is bound to be an engaging battle, even if fought indirectly.

Capable of providing area-of-effect buffs to any allied forces of Chaos nearby.

A Lord of Change is capable of unleashing powerful psychic energy, casting bolts of witchfire that have devastating effects on anyone unfortunate enough to be caught in the blast. On top of their sorcery, Lords Of Change wield a massive sword and staff, allowing them to strike quickly at anyone daring to approach them while providing area-of-effect buffs to any allied forces nearby. Being one of the most powerful manifestations of the Chaos God Tzeentch, these Great Daemons would make for an incredibly climactic fight, battling tooth and nail the closer it gets to defeat.

2 Hovering Hive Crones Are imposing Enemies

Living Gunships To Terrorize The Skies

With how prevalent the oppressive gargoyles are throughout the campaign and operations of Space Marine 2, it's a surprise players never encounter the imposing shadow of a Hive Crone. Not only are these massive creatures able to completely dominate the skies thanks to their incredible speed and massive bio-canons, but they can employ a powerful EMP to completely disable or stall opposing vehicles. After clearing the skies of all forms of life, they begin to focus their rampage on the surface, performing strafing runs with their canons or gliding just close enough to slice enemies in half with their bladed spurs.

The Hive Crone has the potential to make for one of the most interesting boss battles in the game.

The Hive Crone would make for an incredibly cinematic battle in an operations' mode, requiring players to frequently dodge its ranged attacks and low glides to survive their deadly encounter. On top of its powerful weaponry and bladed limbs, many Hive Crones also have several detachable Tentaclids under each wing, acting as homing missiles that players would have to shoot out of the air before impact. With how unique and varied its arsenal is, the Hive Crone has the potential for one of the most interesting boss battles in the game, with varied attack patterns similar to an MMO.

1 The Norn Emissary Must Be In Space Marine 2 DLC

A Monster With Equal Brains And Brawn

Being even larger than a hulking Hive Tyrant, the Norn Emissary was genetically engineered to target enemy commanders and key objectives during a battle, being unnaturally stealthy for their massive size. There's no doubt that whichever form of Norn Emissary is added to Space Marine 2, players will need to use their best classes and full skillsets to survive an encounter with this overwhelming threat. The fight itself would be made up of surviving a rotating onslaught of powerful melee and psychic attacks, dealing devastating damage while dashing and leaping with lightning speed across the battlefield, requiring quickly timed dodges and focused fire on its exposed neural organs to defeat the legendary behemoth.

The Norn Emissary has the potential to upset the story of Space Marine 2 by going after vital characters.

Given its deadly role on the battlefield, the Norn Emissary has the potential to upset the story of Space Marine 2 by going after vital characters, being more than capable of killing off any sole Space Marine. Whether attempting to assassinate the lovable Captain Phobos or the valiant Lieutenant Titus, players would likely fight through cityscapes, utilizing artillery or heavy weapons to slow down and weaken the beast enough for a full-on engagement.

Sources: Warhammer Wiki, Warhammer