Space Marine 2 Devs' April Fool's Joke Wins Fans' Hearts

April 1 has come and gone, marking another year of playful pranks from the video game industry. Among the memorable April Fool's Day gags was the one from the team behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. On April 1, the game's publisher, Focus Entertainment, humorously announced a new Chaplain class as DLC, suggesting players could swap out protagonist Titus for The Chaplain in story mode.

Focus Entertainment playfully described the experience, stating, “In story mode, swap out Titus for The Chaplain and experience the game as a true Codex-compliant Ultramarine.” The mock DLC promised to add the Chaplain as a playable character, complete with an ‘Enhanced Dialogue System.’ This system would have the Chaplain remind his comrades every five minutes that “the Codex Astartes does not support this action,” and “I’m telling the Inquisition.”

The Chaplain’s special ability, dubbed Discipline, was humorously said to report any deviations from the Codex Astartes, offering a 5% discipline bonus at the cost of a 20% brotherhood penalty.

The humor stems from Chaplain Quintus' role in Space Marine 2's campaign, where he scrutinizes Titus for any signs of heresy, despite Titus' unwavering loyalty to the Imperium, the Ultramarines, and the Emperor. As Titus battles against the Tyranids and the Thousand Sons, Quintus' watchful eye and distrust make him a meme-worthy figure within the Space Marine community—a character akin to an overzealous school prefect.

The April Fool's Day gag has sparked interest among fans, some of whom expressed a genuine desire for the Chaplain to be included in the game as a warrior-priest dedicated to the veneration of the Emperor. On the Space Marine subreddit, ResidentDrama9739 commented, “This would actually go hard if this was real,” reflecting the community's enthusiasm for the idea.

While the Chaplain's inclusion seems unlikely, Space Marine 2 is set to receive a new class soon. Although the exact nature of this class remains undisclosed, speculation leans towards an Apothecary, resembling a medic, or a Librarian, known for warp-powered abilities. The Chaplain's April Fool's spotlight has not dampened hopes for his eventual inclusion.

Amidst these developments, Space Marine 2 continues to evolve. Despite the surprise announcement of Space Marine 3's development, Space Marine 2's year one roadmap persists, with Patch 7 scheduled for mid-April. Players can also look forward to new PvE operations and melee weapons in the coming months.