Meet Warhammer 40,000’s new Space Marines

Space Marines are easily Warhammer 40,000’s most iconic creations, with the hulking metal-suited warriors making their way from the tabletop to countless novels, audiobooks, video games and even movies over the last 30 years.

For this reason, there’s always going to be an amount of controversy when it comes to evolving Space Marine storytelling and lore – or, as Games Workshop has just announced, introducing a completely new faction of Space Marines.

The Primaris Space Marines are among the first brand new units announced for Warhammer 40,000’s upcoming new edition, due for release later this year – with a release date announcement planned before the close of May.

Said to be the next evolutionary step along from the Emperor’s Angels of Death, the Primaris Space Marine Intercessors come clad in new Mk X Tacticus armour and equipped with re-engineered bolt rifles. (For those seeking stats, the rifles feature Range 30, Strength 4, AP -1 and Rapid Fire.)

Games Workshop confirmed that the Primaris Space Marines would not replace existing Space Marines, instead serving as reinforcements for existing Imperial armies or being able to form their own complete legions.

The Primaris Space Marines cost more points than standard Marines, meaning their improved weapons and armour come at a cost when creating armies.

While parts of the new models such as shoulder pads and helmets will be cross-compatible with older figures, the new armour means that legs, torso and arm pieces will be harder to mix-and-match.

In addition to the Intercessor infantry revealed, the publisher teased further units for the Primaris faction including the Redemptor Dreadnought, as well as vehicles.