As Warhammer 40K starts to look for a worthy successor to its surprise hit success of Space Marine 2. The new game not only includes an amazing narrative storyline that is set in Warhammer 40K's present day, it also has a robust PvP mode showcasing different kinds of Space Marine chapters and units.

Games Workshop is already exploring options for its next big video game hit, but an unannounced Warhammer game was canceled as well. One potential focus is the Aeldari, a dying race of elf-like aliens with advanced technology and abilities. Among the Aeldari's forces are Aspect Warriors, specialized fighters that embody different facets of their war god Khaine. Not only are Aspect Warriors aesthetically unique, they each offer different abilities and combat styles that would translate well into video games. If Games Workshop or one of its partners are considering expanding the footprint of Warhammer 40K games, they should look to the Aeldari Aspect Warriors for inspiration.

Aeldari Aspect Warriors Have Made A Comeback

Aspect Warriors Recently Received A Massive Update In Warhammer 40K

One wrinkle to Warhammer 40K is that its line of miniatures periodically receives updates and redesigns separate from new game editions. A unit originally created in the 1990s might continue to receive new rules for decades until Games Workshop decides to release a new version of that unit. The Aeldari Aspect Warriors unfortunately ranked among the oldest active miniatures in Warhammer 40K, although that issue was fixed recently with the release of new versions of the Dire Avengers, Fire Dragons, Swooping Hawks, Striking Scorpions, and Warp Spiders.

In addition to the release of these new Aspect Warriors miniatures, Games Workshop has also either refreshed or released brand new Phoenix Lords. These powerful heroes serve as both the leaders of their respective Aspect Warriors and harbingers of Rhana Dandra, the fabled final battle between the forces of Chaos and the armies of the known universe. Several of these Phoenix Lords have never appeared in Warhammer 40K before, such as Lhykis, the Whispering Web, who can quickly teleport through the Warp and attack using her unique four-armed armor.

Because the Aspect Warriors and their Phoenix Lords have received a recent update, it would be relatively easy to translate their suit designs into a game. Each kind of Aspect Warrior has a unique look and coloration, making them stand out even more than a typical Space Marine. Because each Aspect Warrior represents a different kind of combat, it's also easier to tell what each specializes in compared to specialty Imperial units like the Grey Knights or the Iron Hands.

Aspect Warrior Attack Styles Are Perfect For Gameplay

Aspect Warriors Offer Unique Combat Styles That Are Much More Unique Than Choosing A Weapon

Each Aspect Warrior represents a different style of combat or violence. The Swooping Hawks, for instance, are specialists in area combat. The Fire Dragons specialize in close-quarter combat using fire-based weaponry like melta bombs and fusion guns. The Striking Scorpions specialize in stealth combat and hunt down their prey, while Warp Spiders specialize in hit-and-run tactics using short-range teleportation abilities. Each Aspect Warrior brings different playstyles and specialties to the Warhammer 40K battlefield and would likely fit in nicely with a game that provides different classes for players.

One advantage to using the Aspect Warriors is that they provide more combat options than Space Marines, who have some specialties but are meant to be one-man death dealers. Players can choose whether to opt for a sneaking style of combat with the Striking Scorpions or a more elusive class like the Warp Spiders. Both Aspect Warrior types have superficial similarities, but their gameplay would differ because of how they fight. For instance, a Striking Scorpion might specialize in fighting a single enemy but are vulnerable if they can't get a kill, while Warp Spiders offer a quick-hit gameplay style.

Phoenix Lords also embody the same power sets and combat specialties, but are significantly more powerful. Fuegan, leader of the Fire Dragons, has one of the most powerful weapons in Warhammer 40K, with current stats that allow it to wreck full vehicles with a single attack. Because these units are so powerful, it may not make sense to include them in standard gameplay, but they could be used as temporary heroes or power-ups for reaching certain conditions.

What A Space Marine 2 Successor Could Look Like

A Space Marine Successor Could Incorporate Other Factions Or Entirely Abandon The Imperium Of Man

Space Marines are often considered to be the "main characters" of Warhammer 40K, largely due to their prominent use in marketing material and video games. One downside to the continual focus on Space Marines is that many newcomers don't realize just how big the world of Warhammer 40K is, nor do they understand that the Imperium of Man isn't supposed to be the "good guys" of the franchise. Choosing a different faction to focus on would be a good next step for a Space Marine 2 successor, even if it means abandoning the "Space Marine" branding.

Another option would be to include more factions in a new Space Marine than just the Space Marines and their Chaos-tainted equivalents. The Aeldari and Imperium of Mankind are often foes, but the two factions occasionally work together against bigger threats. Throwing the Aspect Warriors into a future Space Marine video game might be a good way to reflect some of the less-than-savory attitudes of both the Imperium and the Aeldari, better demonstrating the hypocrisy and deep cynicism of the Warhammer 40K setting.

No matter what route a new Space Marine game takes, the key is balancing fun gameplay with cohesion to the Warhammer 40K lore. One of the reasons why Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 was so successful is because it captured the endless war aspects of the franchise with exciting action and gameplay. There are tons of different units across Warhammer 40K's various factions that could provide new wrinkles to the shooter aspects of the Space Marine franchise. Hopefully, we'll see a deeper exploration into the world of Warhammer 40K in a sequel, even if the next game doesn't latch onto the Aspect Warriors.