Space Marine 2 Patch Reverts Nerfs After Fan Backlash

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is addressing player concerns with hotfix 4.1, reversing nerfs implemented in the previous patch (4.0). The developers, Saber Interactive, have also announced plans for public test servers in early 2025.

Space Marine 2's Controversial Nerfs Lead to Patch 4.1 and Public Test Server Announcement

Nerfs Reverted Starting October 24

Following significant negative player feedback and review bombing on Steam, Saber Interactive is rolling back the "most critical" balance changes from Patch 4.0. Game director Dmitriy Grigorenko stated that the October 24th release of Patch 4.1 will address these concerns. The decision to implement public test servers, slated for early 2025, aims to prevent similar issues in the future.

Player criticism centered on Patch 4.0's nerfs, which increased enemy numbers instead of adjusting enemy health, making even lower difficulty levels excessively challenging. Saber Interactive acknowledged that the changes inadvertently made the game too difficult across the board.

Patch 4.1 will revert the Extremis enemy spawn rates on Minimal, Average, and Substantial difficulty levels to their pre-Patch 4.0 values. On Ruthless difficulty, these spawn rates will be significantly reduced. Additionally, player armor on Ruthless difficulty is increased by 10%, and bots will inflict 30% more damage to bosses.

The hotfix also includes substantial buffs to Bolt weapons, addressing their previous underperformance:

• Auto Bolt Rifle: +20% Damage
• Bolt Rifle: +10% Damage
• Heavy Bolt Rifle: +15% Damage
• Stalker Bolt Rifle: +10% Damage
• Marksman Bolt Carbine: +10% Damage
• Instigator Bolt Carbine: +10% Damage
• Bolt Sniper Rifle: +12.5% Damage
• Bolt Carbine: +15% Damage
• Occulus Bolt Carbine: +15% Damage
• Heavy Bolter: +5% Damage (x2)

Grigorenko confirmed that Saber Interactive will continue monitoring player feedback post-Patch 4.1 to ensure the "Lethal" difficulty remains appropriately challenging and rewarding.