Space Marine 2 – Destructoid
When you’re done with the campaign in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2, there’s still a lot of work for you to do. Every class has a skill tree to unlock perks at every level using experience gained from PvE and PVP activities. But you can speed the process up.
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of things you need to level up in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2. Not only do you need to level up classes to unlock new perks and customization options, but you’ve got to grind their weapons too, so you can open up stronger ones with more interesting skins. However, it doesn’t need to feel like a marathon because there are a few ways you can optimize your levels and experience gained.
How to level up fast in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2
Below, I’ve listed the best ways I’ve come across that will help you level up quickly in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2. The most important thing is to have fun. So, if any of these options don’t feel fun to you, try something different because there’s no point having a terrible time in a game like this.
10. Follow the advised level progression in Operations mode
This is the most important tip in the entire article. Operations mode has an advisory level range for every difficulty. While you gain more currencies from higher-difficulty missions, you’ll have a terrible time doing them if you’re under-leveled. The difficulty level ranges are as follows.
- Minimal: Level 1-5
- Average: Level 5-10
- Substantial: Level 10-15
- Ruthless: Level 15+
Note that this is the level your class must be at for the missions. I had the worst time pushing into a mission on a difficulty that I wasn’t ready for, and it took forever just to lose it in the end. Hitting missions within your level range will ensure you always finish the missions and get the XP you’re after.
9. Change classes regularly
Changing classes between missions will ensure you’re always trying something fresh. I often find that I need to change my class when I jump into a mission anyway because one of the other players in the squad is already running it.
While yes, it’s nice to grind out one class after the other, and you can definitely do that if you want to, this practice will make leveling up easier overall. A helpful team player is a better team player, and you don’t want to be the Heavy hog.
8. Use the weapons you’re comfortable with until they’re maxed out
Don’t stress yourself out by grinding multiple weapons and reaching each level cap simultaneously. Weapons change per class, and you can alter yours as you select a new class on the go. It’s easier to roll with the default weapons first, level them up to their maximum, and then start tweaking builds so you’re still making meaningful progress. You need time to learn each weapon, so make things straightforward, and don’t worry too much about changing up your guns every single time.
7. Opt for Quick Match Operations missions
Quick Match is a godsend for grinding out experience. Just select your difficulty level and matchmake into someone else’s mission. You’ll get all the XP from a successful completion, and you won’t need to set up everything every time you want to play. This helps out other players, too, so it’s a win-win.
6. Jump into one PvP match every two Operations missions completed
PvP in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 is an acquired taste. It’s not easy by any stretch, but it’s a different mode that will break up the monotony of Operations mission after mission. Hit a PvP match every now and then so you don’t get bored by repeating missions, and you’ll give yourself another way to earn some additional XP.
If you end up enjoying PvP more than Operations, you could even shift your grind over to this mode entirely. There’s definitely something to be said for getting good at PvP because prestige levels are on the way at some point over the game’s first year of updates.
5. Keep an eye out for Gene-Seeds in Operations mode
Gene-Seeds are additional items you or anyone else in your team can pick up in Operations mode. The goal is to hold it and take it to the end of the mission without dying. If someone drops it, someone else needs to pick it up. These provide extra XP for mission completion, so they’re well worth keeping an eye out for.
4. Play the objective and don’t go for every execution
It’s easy to want to go in for every execution you can get in Operations mode. However, this won’t net you as much XP for your weapons because you’re just not using them as often. Unless you’re running a class like Vanguard or Assault, stick back and do what your class does best.
Snipers are best at killing from afar, Heavy is great for laying down and suppressing fire, and every other class has its strengths that utilize weapons over melee as well. If your goal is to gain more XP, stay back and blast those Xenos.
3. Equip perks and upgrade weapons with every level you gain
Give yourself a break from playing missions and head to the Armory to equip yourself with the perks you’ve unlocked every time you gain a level. It’s only a small thing, but it’ll make each class you level up stronger as you grind, and the stronger you are, the easier it is to play more missions and grab all that XP you’re after.
2. Stick with a team for as long as you can
Once an Operations mission ends, you don’t need to head off and matchmake again. You’ll stick with the same team for as long as they don’t quit or kick you. I find that it’s better to try to keep with the same team for as long as possible because you’ll find that you gel well together after understanding how everyone plays.
Of course, the best team to play in is one with your friends, but I’ve had the best time playing with randoms too. As long as everyone is doing their part and you’re having fun flying through missions, there’s no need to quit and matchmake again.
1. Pick a Chapter cosmetic to unlock, then pick another, and then another
This last tip is one that’s incredibly important for your mindset. It’s so easy to get bogged down in the numbers for your weapons and how many perks you’ve unlocked for your favorite class. However, Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2 has pre-set Chapter customization options for every class that you can purchase once you’ve earned enough Armory Data.
Open these options and pick one that you like because of the colors or because of that Chapter’s values in the wider lore. Then, once you know which Chapter you want to pick up first, play until you’ve unlocked it for every class. Then repeat this process until you’ve got every Chapter unlocked.
It’s such a small thing in the great scheme of the game, but it’ll help you pull back from the numbers and focus on something that’s a lot more fun to grind for. If you’re focused on earning just a little more Armory Data instead of a set amount of XP, you’re more likely to hit your goal. It just so happens that this goal will also net you a tonne of XP.