April 1 has come and gone, marking the end of another round of April Fool's Day pranks in the video game industry. However, the gag pulled off by the creators of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is one that fans might remember for a while.
Just yesterday, Focus Entertainment, the publisher behind Space Marine 2, announced a new Chaplain class as DLC, set to release on April 1. "In story mode, swap out Titus for The Chaplain and experience the game as a true Codex-compliant Ultramarine," they declared, likely with a chuckle behind their screens.
This 'DLC' was meant to introduce a new playable character in the story mode, along with an 'Enhanced Dialogue System.' Every five minutes, the Chaplain would remind his comrades that "the Codex Astartes does not support this action," and threaten to report them to the Inquisition. Additionally, the Chaplain's special ability, Discipline, would allow him to report any deviation from the Codex Astartes, granting a 5% discipline bonus but at the cost of a 20% brotherhood penalty.
The humor in this April Fool's prank stems from the character of Chaplain Quintus in Space Marine 2's campaign. Known for his hawk-like scrutiny over Titus, the protagonist, Quintus is ever-watchful for signs of heresy, despite Titus's unwavering loyalty to the Imperium, the Ultramarines, and the Emperor. As Titus fights against the Tyranids and the Thousand Sons, Quintus's distrust grows, making him akin to an overzealous school prefect reporting any minor infraction to the headmaster. It's no wonder the Chaplain has become a meme within the Space Marine community.
The April Fool's joke plays into this meme culture, but some fans have expressed genuine interest in seeing the Chaplain added to the game—not necessarily with the prank's skill set, but as a formidable warrior-priest dedicated to the Emperor's worship. On the Space Marine subreddit, fans like ResidentDrama9739 have voiced their enthusiasm, suggesting that such a character "would actually go hard if this was real."
While the Chaplain's appearance in an April Fool's gag might rule him out as the next class, Space Marine 2 is indeed set to introduce a new class soon. Although Focus Entertainment and developer Saber Interactive have not revealed details, speculation abounds. Many believe it could be the Apothecary, the closest thing Space Marines have to a medic, while others hope for the Librarian, offering powerful warp-based abilities.
Amidst these developments, the announcement of Space Marine 3's development has added excitement. Space Marine 2's year one roadmap continues, with Patch 7 scheduled for mid-April. In the coming months, players can look forward to not only the new class but also new PvE operations and melee weapons.
