Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2

Fencing and Defence Type Explained

Space Marine 2 - Fencing vs Balance vs Block.png

Fencing, Balance, and Block are weapon defence types in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 that affect how parrying functions. Learn the key differences between Fencing, Balance, and Block, why you should choose Fencing, and how to choose between these types here.

Fencing, Balance, and Block Defence Explained

Only Affects Parry Timing

Defence Type Description
Fencing Weapons with this defense type has their perfect parry window increased.
Balance Weapons with this defense type has moderate / normal perfect parry window.
Block Weapons with this defense type has no parry window altogether.

The three Melee Weapon defence types affect how forgiving the parry windows are when attempting a Perfect Parry against enemy attacks. Fencing enhances the parry window compared to the Balance type, allowing you to parry much earlier or later. Meanwhile, Block disables parrying altogether, turning all attempted parries into a block instead.

It's worth noting that the Bulwark's shield blocking mechanic is unaffected by these melee weapon defence types.

Parry Timing and Perfect Parry

Fencing is the Best Defence Type

Warhammer 40k Space Marine 2 - Fencing is the Best Defence Type

The Fencing defence type significantly extends parry windows, making it easier to parry enemies. This defence type is highly recommended for all classes, especially on higher difficulties where successful parries are crucial for recovering Armor, and triggering Executions and Gun Strikes to heal Contested Health.

Perfect Parry Update Timing for Fencing Defence

As of the Season One free update patch released on Sept. 26, 2024, the Fencing defence type perfect parry window has been reduced from 30 frames to 20 frames, with the last remaining 10 frames as a vulnerability window.

This makes parry spams less useful against enemies, and will now require more disciplined timing for enemy attacks.

Patch Notes and Updates

Is Balance and Block Worth It?

Aggressive Melee Style

Balance defence is a good option if you want to sacrifice some extra parry windows for better stats on your weapon. The difference is not that noticeable if you have already mastered parrying against Majoris enemies and higher. You will just find it a bit more trickier simultaneous attacks like ones from Minoris groups.

Block, while often giving superior base stats, is trickier to use and does not give you gun strikes due to having no perfect parry window. Receiving an attack from Majoris enemies and higher during your parry animation can also push you back. In its current state, Block is only useful if you are more used to a dodge playstyle.

Why Choose Fencing?

Perfect Parries in High-Pressure Situations

Fencing is strictly the best defence type among the three, especially in high-pressure situations when surrounded by enemies. It allows for a Perfect Parry even if your timing is slightly off—whether early or late—enabling you to follow up with Gun Strikes and Executions.

The wider parry window with Fencing also makes it easier to parry attacks without the blue parry indicator, such as those from Majoris, Extremis, or boss enemies.

Parry Timing and Perfect Parry

Best For Classes With Primary Weapons

Warhammer 40k Space Marine 2 - Classes With Primary Weapons

Since Fencing weapons typically trade off stats like Strength, Cleaving Potential, or Speed, they are best suited for classes that can rely on Primary Weapons to compensate for these stat losses on their melee weapons.

Classes like the Assault and Bulwark rely heavily on their melee weapons for most of their damage, so they should carefully consider using Fencing weapons. While it's still recommended to use a Fencing weapon, it's worth having loadouts with higher Cleaving Potential or Speed for specific situations.

All Classes and Abilities

All Fencing Weapons

Weapon Type Variants
Chainsword Space Marine 2 - Drogos ReclamationChainsword
(Drogos Reclamation) Space Marine 2 - Aquilan DedicationChainsword
(Aquilan Dedication)
Combat Knife Space Marine 2 - Master-Crafted - BetaCombat Knife
(Master-Crafted - Beta) Space Marine 2 - Salvation of BakkaCombat Knife
(Salvation of Bakka) Space Marine 2 - Ophelian Liberation - AlphaCombat Knife
(Ophelian Liberation - Alpha)
Power Fist Space Marine 2 - Achortan Oath - BetaPower Fist
(Achortan Oath - Beta) Space Marine 2 - AggamedesPower Fist
(Aggamedes's Gift - Beta)
Power Sword Space Marine 2 - Master-Crafted - GammaPower Sword
(Master-Crafted - Gamma) Space Marine 2 - Achortan OathPower Sword
(Achortan Oath) Space Marine 2 - Gathalamor CrusadePower Sword
(Gathalamor Crusade)
Thunder Hammer Space Marine 2 - Master-Crafted - BetaThunder Hammer
(Master-Crafted - Beta) Space Marine 2 - Salvation of Bakka - BetaThunder Hammer
(Salvation of Bakka - Beta) Space Marine 2 - Ophelian Liberation - BetaThunder Hammer
(Ophelian Liberation - Beta)

The list above shows all the Fencing weapons available for each weapon type. Most classes have access to Fencing weapons, except for the Heavy Class, which cannot use Melee Weapons. The Vanguard, Assault, and Bulwark classes, however, have multiple options to choose from as their Melee Weapon.

List of All Melee Weapons

How to Change Defence Type

Change via Weapon Upgrades

Space Marine 2 - Chainsword Balance to Fencing

The Defence stat of your weapon can be changed by upgrading them to have the defence type that you want. Hovering over the weapon upgrade would show a preview of the stats changes that will happen with one of them being the defence type.

What is Defence?

Stat for Melee Weapons

Space Marine 2 - Melee Weapon Stats

Defence is a stat exclusive to melee weapons. It is one of the important stats that dictate how the weapon performs - similar to stats like Strength, Speed, and Cleaving Potential.

Dictates the Perfect Parry Window of a Melee Weapon

Defence dictates the perfect parry window of your weapon. Knowing how much window you have for parrying in Space Marine 2 will affect how well you can defend against multiple melee attacks from Minoris swarms and Majoris elites and highter.

Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 Related Guides

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Tips and Tricks

All Tips and Tricks

All Tips and Tricks Guides
Dataslate Locations All Trophies and Achievements
Multiplayer Modes Guide Game Length and How Long to Beat
Difficulty and Threat Level Guide Joining Server Bug
How to Fix Crashes How to Fix Controller Not Working
Ultrawide Support and Patch Armory Data Locations
How to Troubleshoot EOS Log-In Error Fencing, Block, and Balance Explained
How to Heal Gun Strike Guide
How to Get Requisition Gene-Seed Locations and Effect
How to Get Mastery Points How to Delete Custom Armor Set
How to Fix Opening Cutscene Freezing Issue Parry Timing and Perfect Parry
Fastest Operation and How to Level Up Fast How to Play Operations Solo
How to Fix Long Load Times -

Comment

1 Brother Ciatusabout 1 month

While not present in the Codex, me and my squad brother find this information valuable.

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