Every faction in Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War – Definitive Edition has its own set of strengths and weaknesses, but the faction that’s possibly got the most interesting combination of possibilities is also probably the most recognizable: the Space Marines.
Space Marines arguably don’t have a definite weakness, but they also don’t have one particular strength, either. They’re a faction that can fit a newer player very well because they’re easy to grasp, but their value grows with the game knowledge that the player has, because of their extreme adaptability.
Space Marine Strengths
The Space Marines don’t necessarily have one big strength. Instead, they’re able to adapt and shift their focus into a lot of different areas, giving you plenty of options for facing whatever the enemy is throwing your way.
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Strength |
Explanation |
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Versatility |
Space Marines have a ton of options and opportunities to mold their forces in different directions. They can directly counter the enemy force without much effort, it just takes some knowledge to know what you need to pivot into. |
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Orbital Relay |
The Orbital Relay allows you to spawn troops anywhere visible on the map, meaning anyplace not obstructed by the Fog Of War. You can really be adaptable with where you place your troops this way, and your opponent will have a difficult time staying prepared. |
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Mines |
The ability to place mines gives you a bit more defensive utility, particularly when combined with turrets. If you’re looking to defend an area but don’t want to dedicate many troops to the job, mines can be a big help. |
Space Marine Weaknesses
The Space Marines don’t have many weaknesses. They can be good at many different things, and are more valuable the more knowledge you have.
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Weakness |
Explanation |
|---|---|
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Options |
The Space Marines have a lot of different options, and while that’s a good thing, if you aren’t sure exactly what you should be using with them, it can be a burden. Pivoting into the wrong strategy with them can lead to failure, and if you’re unfamiliar with certain mechanics, that can be a problem. |
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Lower Ceiling |
If you’re playing the Space Marines and not using them to specifically counter your opponent, they might feel a little bit weak. They don’t easily stack into being particularly strong in one area, relying much more on smarts than strength. |
Tactics For Using Space Marines
It’s difficult to recommend a “best strategy” for the Space Marines, because so much of their value comes from adapting to what your opponent(s) is doing throughout the round. It’s going to require a different strategy depending on who you’re playing against, and not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Early Game
Early on, you should make good use of your Scouts; these troops are easily upgraded in multiple ways, and can hold their own in early combat situations and capture points. You’ll need to swap out of these once the enemy starts using more powerful units, but early on, they’ll set you up well.
You should also be putting out tons of Plasma Generators in the early game. It’s going to set up your resource production well, and it’ll make it easier to be flexible as the round continues.