What are the best Space Marine units in 2021?
10. Devastators
A Devastator Squad brandish their heavy weapons.
The Devastators have been good for a long time, and they still hold up in 9th edition. These powerful units can still be quite devastating on the tabletop, even against the shiny new Primaris Marines.
What’s Great About Devastators
- They have 2 wounds
- Multi Melta and Heavy Bolter both got buffed in 9th edition
- Access to the “Count as stationary” stratagem
- Very hard to kill if in cover
Devastator details: https://warhammer40k.fandom.com/wiki/Devastator_Marine
9. Company Veterans
Company Veterans prepare to put their experience to the test in another battle.
Company Veterans are another throwback to pre-Primaris Space Marines that are still performing well in 9th edition. Do not throw away your first-born marines!
What’s Great About Company Veterans:
- They cost 20pts with 2 wounds
- They have access to nearly all weapons
- They do not take your elite slot and have the bodyguard rule
Company Veterans details: https://warhammer40k.fandom.com/wiki/Veteran_Marines
8. Terminators
A Terminator Squad prepares to go to battle and shrug off small-arms fire with their Terminator plate.
Terminators are always a good choice to place in your army if you need some beefy boys to be on the frontlines. Terminator armor is renowned for its durability, making the warriors who inhabit these powerful suits of ceramite nearly invulnerable to small arms fire.
What’s Great About Terminators
- They can access the new Teleport Homer rule
- They have 3 wounds
- The Fury of the First stratagem works well with them
- They can access weapons like the Power Fist and Lightning Claw
- They’re relatively cheap for how powerful they are
Terminator details: https://warhammer40k.fandom.com/wiki/Terminators
7. Gladiator Reapers
A Gladiator Reaper shows off its intimating weapon mounts.
The Gladiator Reaper is a bit of a steep investment, but it comes with a ton of firepower and, in my opinion, is well worth the points.
What’s Great About The Gladiator Reaper
- It’s main gun is a heavy 24 with 2 extra rapid-fire 4 bolters
- You can add 1 Ironhail and One Icarius gun
- If you can rapid-fire, you can get 45+ shots, potentially obliterating your target
Gladiator Reaper details: https://wh40k.lexicanum.com/wiki/Gladiator_(Battle_Tank)
6. ATV
Ultramarines ride on ATV into battle with a heavy assault cannon and twin bolters mounted onto it.
The ATV is a great-looking and effective choice to add to your Space Marine army. It has great mobility and formidable firepower for its point cost!
What’s Great About The ATV
- It’s resilient against Anti-Tank weapons due to Transhuman Physiologie
- You can get 42 shots or 6 Multi-Melta shots
- It can use the -1 to hit Stratagem to make them it tougher
ATV details: https://1d4chan.org/wiki/Invader_ATV
5. Apothecary
An Apothecary harvests the Geneseed from a fallen comrade.
Apothecaries are a stable of Space Marine forces, tasked with performing acts of triage, or harvesting precious Gene-seed from fallen Space Marines to be returned to headquarters for implantation in future recruits.
What’s Great About The Apothecary
- It can use Feel no pain on 6+ rolls
- It can heal multi wounds models each turn by rolling a 1d3
- Access to Combat Revival stratagem allows you to re-add a destroyed model to a damaged unit at the end of your movement phase. This is incredibly powerful!
Apothecary details: https://warhammer40k.fandom.com/wiki/Apothecary
4. Chapter Master on a Bike
A Chapter master leads a charge from atop his well-worn bike.
Putting your Chapter Master on a bike can be a very powerful choice for your Space Marine fighting force!
What’s Great About The Chapter Master on a Bike
- It’s now a Captain Upgrade
- It allows you to take a second Captain
- You can get access to a relic: Angel Sacrifice
- You can equip a Storm Shield and Thunder Hammer for 7 wounds!
Chapter Master on a bike details: https://warhammer40k.fandom.com/wiki/Chapter_Master
3. Primaris Chaplain on a Bike
A Primaris Chaplain raises his Crozius in Salute atop a handsome black motor bike.
The Primaris Chaplain on a bike is a great new addition to your Space Marine army that came out with 9th edition. He’s got the tall, dark and handsome aesthetic and the value to back it up!
What’s Great About The Primaris Chaplain on a Bike
- At 115 points he’s a very economic support option, especially if you take the Master of Sanctity upgrade, adding +2 to charge range and a 6” bubble around him
- He works very well with Assault Terminators
Primaris Chaplain on a Bike: http://wahapedia.ru/wh40k9ed/factions/space-marines/Primaris-Chaplain-on-Bike
2. Heavy Intercessors
A Heavy Intercessor squad brandish their huge weapons.
Heavy Intercessors are one of the coolest additions to Space Marines from 9th edition. These beefy boys can take some punishment and give it back!
Whats Great About The Heavy Intercessors
- 3 Wounds makes them hard to kill
- They have access to Gravis and Primaris keywords
- They can hold objectives while dishing out some serious damage at range
- They have access to the executor bolter
Heavy Intercessor details: https://1d4chan.org/wiki/Intercessor
1. Eradicators
An Eradicator squad prepare to fire their Melta Guns to incinerate anything in their path.
Primaris Eradicators are probably the scariest addition from 9th edition, able to deal out some serious damage to tough enemy units like vehicles.
What’s Great About Eradicators
- At 40 or 45 points per model, they are worth the points for what they can do!
- Can use Multi Meltas and Heavy Multi Meltas that can obliterate armored units with ease.
- Steady Advance and Unyielding in the face of the Foe stratagems make them quite scary indeed
- They are core units and benefit from all auras
Eradicator details: https://1d4chan.org/wiki/Eradicator
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