Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has done a fantastic job of representing numerous beloved factions in the world of Warhammer, bringing them to life with incredible detail. While the widely successful Space Marine 2 has developed some of the most popular factions throughout its story and set pieces, there's still plenty of potential to include even more factions. Whether being included as allies working alongside the Imperium against a shared threat, or new hordes of enemies to defeat, the world of 40k is brimming with potential for future updates.

Despite Warhammer's existing popularity as a franchise, its mainstream appeal is likely to grow following the success of Space Marine 2, alongside television projects like Henry Cavill's 40k adaptation. With a new audience having eyes on the franchise, the developers of Space Marine 2 have the chance to lend the spotlight to some of the obscure or deserving factions from Warhammer. While there's little reason to believe an entirely new faction will be added to Space Marine 2, there's always hope for a third installment in the franchise or a spin-off expansion taking advantage of Space Marine 2's detailed assets.

10 Squashing The Fresh-Faced Tau

The Youngest Faction In The World Of Warhammer

Out of all of Warhammer 40,000's unique factions, the Tau stands out from the other factions thanks to their traditional sci-fi aesthetic and more positive outlook, likely resulting from them being one of the youngest races in the galaxy. From their limited exposure to some of the greatest threats facing the galaxy, most notably the machinations of the scheming Chaos Lords, they remain optimistic and initially friendly to any species they encounter. While this sounds great on paper, the Tau's optimistic curiosity can often do more harm than good, accidentally activating dangerous artifacts of unimaginable powers in their quest for knowledge among the stars.

In-between missions, fellow Ultramarine NPCs can be overheard talking about their experiences battling the Tau in the past.

Fans of the beloved Titanfall franchise would rejoice to see the Tau's detailed BattleMech designs updated in Space Marine 2's graphical fidelity, being loaded to the brim with advanced laser weaponry and powerful missiles. Unfortunately for Tau and Titanfall enthusiasts alike, this faction would be incredibly difficult to integrate mechanically into Space Marine 2. The Tau's focus on ranged combat and heavy vehicles goes against the fundamentals of Space Marine 2's combat system, not to mention how it would require an entirely new story direction for the franchise.

9 Bargaining With The Esteemed And Ancient Aeldari

A Longstanding Love-Hate Relationship With The Imperium

The Imperium of Man and the long-lived Aeldari have had a complicated relationship over the millennia, ranging from temporary allies to being at each other's throats. Putting their differences aside, the Aeldari and certain Space Marine chapters often have temporary alliances to share information about larger threats. While the Imperium always has extermination in the back of its mind, even the Emporer's most devoted can acknowledge how useful the Aeldari can be, at least for the time being.

The nearly extinct Aeldari travel through space on massive planet-sized vessels known as Craftworlds, which harbor unique civilizations and cultures.

While full-on combat with the Aeldari would be difficult to employ as enemies within the setting of Space Marine 2, they could still be included as interactable NPCs. Aiding the Ultramarines against even bigger threats from future DLC, the Aeldari could work together to provide vital information about larger Tyranid and Chaos Daemon invasions, or even their sworn enemies of the Drukhari.

8 Defending Against The Self-Satisfying Drukhari

Corrupted Aeldari Spreading Misfortune Wherever They Go

Unlike the more civilized Aeldari, the Drukhari subgroup would need much less build-up to be included as a future faction, being the sadistic space pirates of the Warhammer world. Often referred to as the Dark Eldar, this corrupted faction of Aeldari thrives off violence and inhumane methods of survival.

Focusing on speed in and out of combat, the Drukhari would make for tension-filled battles.

With lightning-quick raids and aggressive strikes, the Drukhari could be included in a specialized operation mode, with players defending and evacuating ships from their pirating clutches. Focusing on speed in and out of combat, the Drukhari would make for tension-filled battles, quickly overwhelming careless players. Even if the Drrukhari were included as another enemy to face rather than a primary threat like the Chaos Legion or Tyranids, it would provide more variety to the gameplay loop of Space Marine 2’s operations.

7 A First For The Resilient Leagues of Voltann

A Familiar Race With A Futuristic Twist

Out of all the varied species and factions across Warhammer 40k, the leagues of Voltann are the most recently added, being released for the first time in 2022. As such, Warhammer's take on a race of space-faring Dwarves would be a brand-new sight for many players, as the Voltann are still waiting for their inclusion in an official entry like Space Marine 2. Despite their appearance, the Voltann are a distant evolution of humans that rely on cloning to reproduce, differing enough in their makeup to be considered a Xenos species by the Imperium.

The Voltann are still waiting for their inclusion in an official entry like Space Marine 2.

Unlike the other legions of Xenos, the Imperium doesn't view the Leagues of Voltann as something to outright exterminate, but are treated with disdainful prejudice. While it's unlikely the Voltann would be included as an enemy in Space Marine 2, that doesn't mean they couldn't have potential importance in future story content. Given their powerful trading resources and mercenary jobs, there's always the possibility of them having a ing role in a future operations mission, installing or operating heavy weaponry for hire to help take down a terrifying new Space Marine 2 enemy.

6 The Loyal And Inspiring Adepta Sororitas

Providing Excellent Allies Against The Deadliest Xenos Threats

Rather than a new enemy to face or a friendly NPC, the Adepta Sororitas would provide much-needed on the battlefield, inspiring comrades with their tenacious fighting techniques. Commonly referred to as the Sisters of Battle, this faction most often fights alongside the Imperial Inquisition, being fanatical in their quest to eliminate all forms of heresy across the galaxy. With their humanoid nature, the Sisters of Battle are viewed with more warmth than the intimidating Space Marines, inspiring comrades on the battlefield while strengthening the faith of their allies.

The Adeptus Sororitas can more than match up to Space Marines on the field of battle, providing valuable during challenging encounters.

Similar to the prevalent Cadians scattered throughout Space Marine 2, the Sisters of Battle would provide background during combat but with even more firepower at their disposal. Being capable of wielding fully-sized bolt guns, the Adeptus Sororitas can more than match up to Space Marines on the field of battle, providing valuable during challenging encounters. On top of their combat abilities and dedication to the Emperor, the Sisters of Battle are an entirely female faction, offering even more diversity to the battlefields of Space Marine 2​​​​​​.

5 Fending Off The Ever Imaginative Orks

Making A Grand Return From The Original Space Marine

The Orks are easily the most recognizable Xenos species in Warhammer 40,000, being subject to countless viral memes on top of their unique style. Being a familiar sight for fans of the original Space Marine, the Orks would pair excellently with the newly expanded combat system, benefiting greatly from having the cult classic predecessor to borrow from. While it's unlikely that the developers at Focus Entertainment would choose a faction that's already had a full game to flesh them out, that hasn't stopped fans from hoping for their revival.

Leaning into Focus Entertainment's history and strengths, it wouldn't be the most difficult endeavor to port over some variations of the Orks from the cult classic that is Space Marine 2's predecessor. For players new to the franchise, the Orks are hulking behemoths known for their comedically large weaponry and vehicles that are barely held together with haphazardly placed bolts, glue, and plenty of imagination. Compared to the complex goals of other Xenos, the Orks are the simplest in their pure love of fighting, being originally engineered solely for war, their conquests are more similar to a lifestyle and a pastime for these green-skinned warriors.

4 Surviving The Khorne Worshipping World Eaters

Different Flavors For The Legions Of Chaos

With the presence of one Chaos God already wreaking havoc in Space Marine 2, there's always room for another. The various followers of the Blood God Khorne would fit right at home in Space Marine 2, providing a variety of new enemies the developers could pull from. Ranging between hulking Chaos Marines to Daemonic Archfiends, this legion of Chaos would be more than a match for Titus and his Ultramarines, even after surviving the onslaught of Tzeentch's thousand sons.

Chairon and many of the Ultramarines aboard the Battle Barge would finally get the chance to take revenge on these heretical traitors.

Unlike Tzeentch's reliance on deception and sorcery, the World Eaters and other Chaos worshipers prefer brutalizing mortal combat, thriving off the bloodlust of battle. Not only would this legion make for a wide variety of regular enemies to face, but the larger Daemons would make for some excellent boss battles. Facing off against these material forces of Chaos, Chairon and many of the Ultramarines aboard the Battle Barge would finally get the chance to take revenge on these heretical traitors.

3 Fighting Back The Horrifying Servants Of Nurgle

Spreading The Warm Embrace Of Undeath

While it's tough to beat the pure brutal combat potential of the Chaos God Khorne, his brother Nurgle is just as fearsome with even more horrifying aftereffects. Being the Chaos God of death and decay, the legions of Nurgle are made up of diseased and undead worshipers ready to throw themselves wherever commanded by their deity. The Death Guard is the primary traitor Chapter associated with this brand of Chaos, having fallen into his influence thousands of years ago during the Horus Heresy.

With Deathguard armor already being present in Space Marine 2's Eternal War game mode, it already has a better chance of being upgraded into a new enemy faction than some of the other options available. On top of their appearance in the PvP mode, servants of Nurgle have the potential to create unique and engaging battles, blasting the rough hordes of reanimated corpses summoned by his terrifying Daemons.

2 Uncovering A Traitorous Genestealer Cult

Evolving Space Marine's Tyranids In A Unique Direction

With the Tyranids already being a major antagonist throughout Space Marine 2, the Genestealer Cults have the highest chance of reasonably making it into the game. Given their role in preparing planets for invasion by the Tyranid Hive Fleets, most cultists would have already been assimilated into the Hive's biomass by the events of Space Marine 2's story. Despite this, there are still more than enough places for these traitorous mutants to be lurking in the bowels of Avarax's cityscapes.

The inclusion of this faction would allow Space Marine 2 to explore the more nuanced horror that the Tyranids are well known for.

Being infected by the Genestealer Tyranid's advanced scouting troops, the Genestealer cultists are influenced to worship the coming threat with extreme religious fervor, being solely dedicated to their cause. On top of providing more variety to the armies of the overwhelming Tyranids, the inclusion of this faction would allow Space Marine 2 to explore the more nuanced horror that the Tyranids are well known for. Not everyone is so lucky as to be outright killed by the equally deadly and terrifying Xenomorphic forces, with some victims being mutated beyond recognition to serve the Tyranid's ultimate goal of assimilation.

1 Awakening The Immortal Necrons

The Oldest Threat To The Galaxy At Large

Aside from the immaterial threats of the Chaos Gods and the unknown potential of the Tryanids, the Necrons are one of the most dangerous threats in 40k, capable of wiping out not only the Imperium of Man but all life in the galaxy should they fully awaken. Comprised of armies made up of mechanical skeletons, the Necrons are an ancient race of beings whose souls were tied to their metal husks to gain immortality. While this attempt backfired from their intent, it left the Necrons with an overwhelming edge in combat with lifeless resilience, being capable of planning through millennia with ease.

The Necron's ancient weaponry is capable of disintegrating Space Marine armor with a single blast, on top of them being incredibly challenging to kill, thanks to their self-revival abilities.

Having slept for countless millennia, the Necrons have only recently begun to awaken, wreaking havoc on anyone foolish enough to enter their tomb worlds. Fortunately for fans of these slumbering ancients, one of the later levels in Space Marine 2's story provides plenty of hints towards the possibility of a Necron-focused DLC, letting players face off against the immortal threat in all their glory. While some fans speculate this inclusion was merely a nod to the popular faction, many more have taken it as proof that they will be involved in either a free content update or a spin-off expansion for Space Marine 2.

Sources: Warhammer/YouTube, Warhammer 40,000 Wiki, Warhammer 40,000