Warhammer 40,000 has built a loyal and fervent fanbase over the years, with many enthusiasts contributing their own creative touches to the ever-expanding universe. Among these fan projects, few have struck a chord like “Astartes,” the gripping YouTube series crafted by Syama Pedersen. This series spotlights a Space Marine Chapter known as the Retributors as they launch an assault on an enemy ship, weaving its narrative almost entirely without dialogue. Instead, it relies on the raw intensity of the Space Marines’ boarding mission and the enigmatic xenos artifacts they encounter along the way.
Such was the impact of “Astartes” that it caught the eye of Games Workshop, leading to Pedersen joining their team. Just this past Wednesday, fans got a thrilling sneak peek at what’s to come with a new trailer for “Astartes 2.”
The trailer is a whirlwind of spectacular action scenes, showcasing different Space Marine Chapters as they take to the battlefield. While the Retributors from the original series make their return, the trailer introduces viewers to Marines from the Blood Angels, Mortifactors, Sons of Medusa, and the Scythes of the Emperor. According to a Warhammer Community post about the sneak peek, these glimpses aren’t drawn directly from the upcoming installment. Instead, they serve as intriguing introductions to each Marine and their backstory. Notably, the appearance of a Deathwatch Terminator towards the trailer’s end hints that these various Chapters might unite under the banner of the Deathwatch, a faction that brings together Marines to combat alien threats across the cosmos.
Although we’ll have to hold out until 2026 to witness “Astartes 2,” it promises to echo its predecessor’s formula with minimal dialogue, intense action, and a looming extraterrestrial menace. Pedersen has also lent his talents to “And They Shall Know No Fear,” part of Amazon’s Secret Level anthology, which ties into the much-anticipated Space Marine 2. It appears that “Astartes 2” is slated for release on Warhammer Plus, a streaming service filled with animations, tutorials, and other engaging content for fans of both the 40K universe and the Age of Sigmar.
