The Best Tactical Builds

Tactical is one of the six classes available in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2. See the best Tactical builds and loadout, the best weapons and perks, how to pass all Tactical Trials, as well as how to play this class!

Tactical Class Overview

Tactical Class Abilities

Tactical Class Information
Tactical
Class Perk	Armour Class
Auspex Scan	3
Auspex Scan Description
Scanning reveals and marks enemies in the selected area for 8 seconds, making them more vulnerable.
PvE Rating	PvP Rating

Tactical Class Builds and Loadout

Tactical Builds
Early Game	Mid-Game	Endgame

Endgame Tactical Class Build

Class Perk Build

Tactical Class Perk Build
Core	Balanced Distribution	Relentless Pursuit	Emperor's Vengeance
Team	Aligned Aim
Gear	Priority Targeting	Precise Calibration	Expert Timing
Signature	Marked for Death

The Perks in this build focuses on defeating Extremis-tier and Boss enemies as quick as possible. Priority Targeting, Precise Calibration, and Expert Timing are the three perks that improves the Auspex Scan causing all scanned enemies to take much more damage when scanned, enabling the team to melt boss HPs.

The Emperor's Vengeance is also a notable perk to get as after switching to the Melta Rifle, a common issue you may run into is running out of ammo and the slow reload of the weapon. This perk refreshes the Melta Rifle's current magazine to full when killing a Majoris-level or higher enemy. Not only does this effectively reload your weapon instantly, but it also gives you free ammo.

Endgame Weapon Build

Tactical Class Weapon Build
Primary Weapon	Melta Rifle (Ophelian Liberation - Alpha) (Magazine and Ammo Capacity)
Primary Weapon Perks	Standard: •　Fast Reload Master-Crafted: •　Adamant Reload •　Fast Regeneration Artificer: •　Fast Regeneration •　Fast Reload Relic: •　Elusive Range
Secondary Weapon	Bolt Pistol (Gathalamor Crusade)
Secondary Weapon Perks	Standard: •　Great Might Master-Crafted: •　Retaliation •　Iron Grip Artificer: •　Divine Might •　Extended Magazine •　Head Hunter Relic: •　Elite Hunter •　Head Hunter
Melee Weapon	Chainsword (Aquilan Dedication)
Melee Weapon Perks	Standard: •　Perpetual Strength Master-Crafted: •　Swift Recovery •　Perpetual Strength Artificer: •　Saw Blade •　Tyranid Slayer •　Minoris Slayer Relic: •　Full Throttle •　Extremis Slayer •　Majoris Slayer

As the difficulty increases, the threat of being overwhelmed by Minoris enemies also rises. This build adapts by switching to the Melta Rifle for its powerful area-of-effect damage, allowing you to melt through waves of enemies. The Ammo Reserve upgrade synergizes well with the Emperor's Vengeance Class Perk, enabling you to regain ammo and automatically reload the Melta Rifle's magazine when eliminating Majoris-level or higher enemies.

Once the Minoris enemies are dealt with, Majoris, Extremis, and boss enemies become easier to manage. At this point, the Auspex Scan and Fencing Defense from the Chainsword are crucial. The Auspex Scan helps you burn through a boss's HP, while the Fencing Defense allows you to reliably parry their attacks, setting up Gun Strikes for additional damage.

Mid-Game Tactical Class Build

Class Perk Build

Tactical Class Perk Build
Core	Plasma Boost	Relentless Pursuit	Final Shot
Team	Aligned Aim
Gear	Vital Data	Battle Focus	Close Targeting
Signature	Radiating Impact

At levels 10 and 11, equip the Plasma Boost and Relentless Pursuit perks for increased damage, allowing you to eliminate Majoris-type and stronger enemies more quickly.

The new Team Perk, Aligned Aim, boosts the entire team's damage output. For your Signature Perk, switch to Radiating Impact, which offers solid area-of-effect damage to help clear out enemies that are surrounding you.

Without the Signal Jammer perk, you can rely instead on fully charged Plasma Incinerator shots to stun enemies attempting to call for reinforcements.

Mid-Game Weapon Build

Tactical Class Weapon Build
Primary Weapon	Plasma Incinerator (Drogos Reclamation - Beta)
Primary Weapon Perks	Standard: •　Fast Venting Master-Crafted: •　Rampage •　Plasma Collection Artificer: •　Adamant Restoration •　Blast Radius •　Supercharged Shot •　Charged Cooling
Secondary Weapon	Bolt Pistol (Drogos Reclamation)
Secondary Weapon Perks	Standard: •　Great Might Master-Crafted: •　Retaliation •　Iron Grip Artificer: •　Divine Might •　Extended Magazine
Melee Weapon	Chainsword (Salvation of Bakka)
Melee Weapon Perks	Standard: •　Perpetual Strength Master-Crafted: •　Swift Recovery •　Perpetual Strength •　Perpetual Strength Artificer: •　Reverberating Impact •　Chaos Slayer

Like the Early Game Build, this setup focuses on charged Plasma Incinerator shots to deal massive damage to Majoris-type or stronger enemies. Equip the Drogos Reclamation - Beta upgrade, the hardest-hitting Artificer-tier Plasma Incinerator. While you lose some ammo capacity, the Plasma Restoration and Adamant Restoration Weapon Perks help sustain your plasma ammo.

For large waves of enemies, the Bolt Pistol and Chainsword remain your primary weapons for thinning out hordes. The Reverberating Impact Weapon Perk and Radiating Impact Signature Perk synergize well, boosting your damage and effectiveness against enemy waves that could easily surround and overwhelm you.

Early Tactical Class Build

Class Perk Build

Tactical Class Perk Build
Core	Balanced Distribution	Heightened Vigour	Final Shot
Team	Communion of Fire
Gear	Vital Data	Battle Focus	Close Targeting
Signature	Signal Jammer

In the early game, you can freely equip all the perks you unlock up to Level 9. A key perk, Vital Data, is unlocked at Level 6. It restores 50% of the Auspex Scan's charge when used on elite and boss enemies, significantly boosting the Tactical Class's effectiveness against frequent tough encounters and boss fights.

Early Weapon Build

Tactical Class Weapon Build
Primary Weapon	Plasma Incinerator (Master-Crafted - Beta)
Primary Weapon Perks	Standard: •　Fast Venting Master-Crafted: •　Rampage •　Plasma Collection
Secondary Weapon	Bolt Pistol (Master-Crafted - Beta)
Secondary Weapon Perks	Standard: •　Great Might Master-Crafted: •　Retaliation •　Iron Grip
Melee Weapon	Chainsword (Master-Crafted - Alpha)
Melee Weapon Perks	Standard: •　Perpetual Strength Master-Crafted: •　Swift Recovery •　Perpetual Strength

This build focuses on maximizing damage against elites and bosses, primarily using charged Plasma Incinerator shots boosted by the Auspex Scan buff. A fully charged shot, followed by a few Chainsword melee hits, will push most elites into the Execute threshold, helping you survive tough encounters with the Armor gained from executions.

However, this build may lack effective area-of-effect damage, despite the Plasma Incinerator's charged shots and the Chainsword's wide swings. For better cleave, you can opt for the Master-Crafter - Beta Chainsword, but you might struggle more against elites. Use your Bolt Pistol and rely on allies to handle minor enemies.

Best Tactical Weapons

Best Weapons for Tactical

Weapon	Explanation
Melta Rifle	The ever-powerful Melta Rifle remains to be the king of all Primary Weapons in Space Marine 2 and what better class to equip it than the primary weapon specialist themselves. The Melta Rifle deals significant damage against both single and multiple target, making it an easy top pick for any class who are able to use it.
Bolt Pistol Chainsword	The Tactical has no choice but to use the Bolt Pistol and the Chainsword as their secondary and melee weapons, respectively. The Bolt Pistol is a great secondary option if you are saving your Melta Rifle's ammo on single, Minoris enemies while the Chainsword is a good melee option from close-range. You will be using your Primary Weapon more often than not, so these two are just options at most.

The best primary weapon for the Tactical class is the ever-trusty Melta Rifle. It can decimate hordes of enemies in front of you while also capable of dealing with single, powerful enemies when needed. Even if th Tactical has access to a lot of primaries, the Melta Rifle is just the cream of the crop.

All Tactical Primary Weapons

Auto Bolt Rifle	Bolt Rifle	Heavy Bolt Rifle
Stalker Bolt Rifle	Bolt Carbine	Plasma Incinerator
Melta Rifle

All Tactical Secondary Weapons

Bolt Pistol

All Tactical Melee Weapons

Chainsword

Best Tactical Perks

Best Perks for Tactical

Perk	Explanation
Balanced Distribution	Unconditional increase to your primary weapon's damage with a small sacrifice on the secondary's. You will be using primary most often than not so the trade-off is worth it.
Priority Targeting	Minoris enemies are very easy to deal with especially if you're using a Melta Rifle so the trade off for additional duration of the scan is well worth it.
Expert Timing	Works hand-in-hand with Priority Targeting, reducing the additional duration from 8s to 4s for a +100% damage boost.
Marked for Death	Works really well when dealing with mini-bosses in missions. Has a cooldown of 2 minutes, but considering you will only rarely deal with Majoris and Extremis level enemies in missions, the cooldown won't matter much. Just make sure to land a headshot!
Emperor's Vengeance	Reloads by 1 magazine - not an ammo, magazine. Works hand in hand with Marked for Death as it can be a way to replenish your ammo in dire situations.
Precise Calibration	An additional 75% damage but your scans have reduced radius - perfect when dealing with hoards of enemy near you.

All Tactical Class Skills

Level	Class Perk	Effect
1	Auspex Scan	Type: Starting Any unequipped Ranged Weapon reloads automatically after 10 seconds.
2	Balanced Distribution	Type: Core Your Primary Weapon deals 10% more Damage, but your Secondary Weapon deals 10% less Damage
3	Heightened Vigour	Type: Core After a perfectly timed Dodge, you do not lose control upon taking Heavy Hits and you cannot be knocked back for 5 seconds
4	Final Shot	Type: Core After a Finisher, the equipped Ranged Weapon reloads automatically
5	Communion of Fire	Type: Team Recoil is reduced by 20% for all Squad Members
6	Vital Data	Type: Gear Scanning an Extremis- or Terminus-level enemy restores Auspex Scan's Charge by 50%
7	Battle Focus	Type: Gear A perfectly timed Parry gives the parried enemy a mark from Auspex Scan
8	Close Targeting	Type: Gear When Auspex Scan is in cooldown, Melee Damage increases by 50% against Minoris enemies
9	Signal Jammer	Type: Signature Enemies marked by Auspex Scan cannot call for reinforcements
10	Plasma Boost	Type: Core When the Plasma Incinerator is 50% Overheated, its Damage increases by 30%
11	Relentless Pursuit	Type: Core After a Gun Strike, Ranged Damage increases by 25% for 5 seconds
12	Steady Aim	Type: Core Recoil is reduced by 10%
13	Aligned Aim	Type: Team Ranged Damage increases by 5% for all Squad Members
14	Priority Targeting	Type: Gear The mark from Auspex Scan lasts 8 seconds longer (base: 8), but Auspex Scan ignores Minoris enemies
15	Improved Efficiency	Type: Gear Scanning 20 enemies with one Auspex Scan restores Equipment Charge by 1
16	Expert Timing	Type: Gear Enemies marked by Auspex Scan take an additional 100% Damage, but the mark's Duration is reduced by 4 seconds (base: 8)
17	Radiating Impact	Type: Signature A Melee Finisher additionally deals significant area-of-effect Damage. Cooldown is 90 seconds.
18	Kraken Penetrator Rounds	Type: Core Bolt Weapons penetrate 1 more enemies
19	Versatility	Type: Core After switching Weapons, your Secondary Weapon does 20% more Damage. The effect lasts until reloading or switching back to your Primary Weapon.
20	Emperor's Vengeance	Type: Core Killing a Majoris-level or higher enemy restores your Primary Weapon's Ammo by 1 magazines
21	Transhuman Physiology	Type: Team All Squad Members restore 30% more Contested Health
22	Target Lock	Type: Gear Enemies marked by Auspex Scan take 25% more Equipment Damage
23	Precise Calibration	Type: Gear Enemies marked by Auspex Scan take an additional 75% Damage, but Auspex Scan's radius is reduced by 25%
24	Concentrated Fire	Type: Gear Enemies marked by Auspex Scan take an additional 100% Damage, but they lose the mark when they leave the scanned area
25	Marked for Death	Type: Signature A Headshot will instantly kill a Majoris- or Extremis-level enemy marked by Auspex Scan. Cooldown is 120 seconds.

Tactical Trials Guide

Jump to a Trial!
Trial 1	Trial 2	Trial 3

Tactical Trial 1: Auspex Scan

Directives
Complete in: 60 seconds
Complete in: 50 seconds
Complete in: 40 seconds

Complete all three (3) to get the full rewards.

Get Ready to Parry at the Start

The Tyranid Warrior at the start often opens with a lunging attack, so be prepared to parry for a free Gun Strike. If it starts with a two-hit swing instead, parry both strikes to trigger a Gun Strike.

Ammo and Cooldown Resets for Each Stage

Your ammo and Auspex Scan cooldown reset after completing the first two stages of this trial, so feel free to use your ammo generously without worrying about reloading, and make use of the Auspex Scan in each stage for extra damage.

Switch Weapons to Kill the Minoris Enemies

During the second stage of the trial, you might run out of ammo while dealing with the Tyranid Warrior on the left platform. If that happens, switch to your Bolt Pistol to quickly take down the Tyranids on the right platform and move on to the third stage faster.

Tactical Trial 2: Battlefield Awareness

Directives
Complete in: 60 seconds
Complete in: 50 seconds
Complete in: 40 seconds

Complete all three (3) to get the full rewards.

Destroy the Top Barrels at the Start

Right when the Tyranids on top of the platforms finish spawning, you can shoot the red barrels near them with the Bolt Pistol to defeat them. You can then use the Malta Rifle to defeat the melee Tyranids near you.

Theres another set of barrels you can shoot at the end of the hallway, shoot this once the Tyranid Warrior spawns in the middle.

Use the Auspex Scan for Each Enemy Squad

Killing the melee Tyranid Warriors from each of the squads resets your Auspex Scan cooldown and you weapon's ammo. Feel free to use the scan for each squad and generously use your Malta Rifle.

Tactical Trial 3: Hidden Hunter

Directives
Complete in: 60 Seconds
Kill 5 Enemies with Headshots
Scan a Lictor with the Auspex

Complete all three (3) to get the full rewards.

Focus the Melee Tyranids to the Left First

At the start, we recommend focusing on eliminating the melee Tyranids that rush toward you. Though it's harder to land headshots on them, clearing them out early gives you a better view of the Lictor spawn timing as you transition to dealing with the ranged Tyranids.

If you're struggling to hit the five headshots directive, prioritize taking out the ranged Tyranids first since they are easier targets for headshots.

Scan the Lictor After Dodging or Parrying its Attack

The Lictor is a fast enemy and often won't get scanned once it turns invisible. Therefore, it's best to use the Auspex Scan against it immediately after dodging an attack or following a successful parry. This prevents it from turning invisible and escaping, giving you the chance to deal more damage.

Prepare for a Parry After Escaping the Pounce

After it spawns, it will often lunge and grab you first. This attack can only be dodged, but if you do fail to dodge it and manage to free yourself from its grasp, stay alert as the Lictor will immediately follow up with an attack that you can parry.

How to Play Tactical Class

• Auspex Scan Elites and Bosses
• Plasma Incinerator for Bosses
• Melta Rifle for Clearing Hordes
• Reveal Hidden Enemies
• Utilize the Bolt Pistol's Versatility
• Use a Fencing Melee Weapon

Use the Auspex Scan Against Extremis and Terminus Enemies

The Tactical Class’s Auspex Scan highlights enemies within a selected area and increases the damage they take for eight seconds, making it a powerful tool for engaging groups of elites or bosses.

Equip the Precise Calibration and Expert Timing perks to boost the damage bonus by 175%, making scanned enemies take nearly three times the damage.

Have a Plasma Incinerator Loadout for Boss Damage

The Tactical has access to the Plasma Incinerator which is an excellent weapon for dealing damage to high-threat targets such as Extremis and Terminus enemies. Always have a Plasma Incinerator weapon loadout ready in case your team is in need for more single-target damage.

The Plasma Incinerator is ideal for dealing massive damage to Extremis and Terminus enemies. Always keep a Plasma Incinerator in one of your loadouts for times when your team requires high single-target damage such as against the Hive Tyrant, Heldrake, or other random bosses.

Have a Melta Rifle Loadout for Clearing Hordes of Enemies

For clearing swarms of Minoris enemies, the Melta Rifle is the best option the Tactical has and excels at taking out large groups in just a few shots. Be sure to also have a Melta Rifle weapon loadout to help out the team with clearing waves of enemies if needed.

To sustain its ammo, use the Emperor's Vengeance perk, which replenishes your magazine when you defeat Majoris enemies. Make sure to leave at least one bullet in your magazine before executing a Majoris enemy to maximize this perk's effectiveness.

Reveal Hidden Enemies

The Auspex Scan reveals the location of all scanned enemies, including invisible or underground foes. Use it against Lictor and Raveners to expose them and more easily anticipate their moves.

Utilize the Bolt Pistol's Versatility

The Bolt Pistol is a versatile sidearm that compensates for your primary weapon’s weaknesses. If you’re using the Melta Rifle, prioritize Accuracy and Headshot upgrades to deal with distant enemies. Alternatively, the Magazine and Ammo Reserve upgrades will help clear waves when using the Plasma Incinerator.

Use a Fencing Melee Weapon

Melee weapons usually trade off worse Defence types for better offensive stats such as Speed, Cleaving Potential, or Strength. However, since the Tactical has such an excellent choices of Primary Weapons for most offensive purposes, it's best to use the best Defence type, Fencing, on your melee weapon instead for easier parries to help you manage tougher enemy encounters.

Fencing and Defence Type Explained

Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 Related Guides

List of All Classes

All Space Marine 2 Classes

All Space Marines 2 Classes
Tactical	Assault	Vanguard
Bulwark	Sniper	Heavy