How's it going gamers? I've been playing the Annihilation mode in Warhammer 40K: Space Marine 2, and well, it's a game mode made in the classic way, but with all the modern toys. In quick match I still hadn't run into this mode, so I decided to pick it directly today, and let me tell you, it's really good if what you want is a classic face-off against another team where the goal is to reach 50 kills first.
A classic formula that still works
Annihilation is the team deathmatch of the game, plain and simple. Two teams of six go head to head, every kill you get adds a point for your side, and the first team to reach 50 takes the win. There are no zones to hold, no moving objectives, no giant bosses to fight over. It's just you, your squad, and the enemy team, and everything comes down to who can take down more players.
I honestly think there's something refreshing about that. After spending so many hours in the PvE missions, juggling objectives, puzzles, and waves of Tyranids, it feels great to jump into a mode where the only thing you have to worry about is the fight in front of you. The matches are fast and direct, and you're never really lost about what you're supposed to do. You see an enemy, you take them down, and you keep moving.
What makes it special is that, even though the structure is the classic one that we've seen in a million shooters, here it gets mixed with the power fantasy of playing as a Space Marine. You're not some regular soldier running around with a rifle, you're a walking tank in power armor, carrying heavy weapons and swinging melee weapons that can cut through people like paper. So even when you're doing the most classic thing in the world, which is killing the other team, it feels bigger, heavier, and more brutal than in most games.
All the abilities of the Marines in a Team Deathmatch
Something I really enjoyed is how all the abilities and tools of the Marines come into play in a mode like this. Since there are no objectives pulling your attention in different directions, you can focus entirely on using your class abilities, your weapons, and your melee to get the most out of every fight.
You can be mid-range trading shots with an enemy, then suddenly switch to melee when someone gets too close, and use your class ability at exactly the right moment to turn the fight around. Every class has its own way of playing, and in Annihilation you really get to feel what makes each one different. The Assault class can jump in and close the distance fast, the Heavy can lay down suppressing fire, the Bulwark can hold ground with its shield, and so on. And because the mode is all about kills, those differences show up immediately, since you can see right away whether your style is working or not.
I also noticed that the matches have a very particular rhythm. There are moments of calm where both teams are moving around trying to find each other, and then suddenly everything explodes into chaos when two squads collide. Those firefights are intense, and since the maps are fairly compact, you're never too far from the next fight. It keeps the adrenaline up and makes it really easy to say "one more match" over and over again.
The Tactical class is excellent for spotting hidden enemies
If I had to pick the class that shines the most in this mode, I'd say it's the Tactical. I've talked about this class in previous posts, and in Annihilation it really proves its worth. Its ability to reveal enemies lets you spot those who are hiding or trying to flank you, and in a mode where information is everything, that's a huge advantage.
Think about it. In a team deathmatch, you don't have a point to defend, so the enemies can come from anywhere. Players love to hide around corners, wait in ambush, or try to sneak behind your team. With the Tactical class, you can see them before they get to you, and you can call out their position so your teammates can react. It feels great when you reveal a group of enemies that thought they were hidden and your team takes them out in seconds.
It's also a very versatile class when it comes to weapons, which makes it a great choice if you want to adapt to different situations on the fly. You can play more aggressively or more cautiously depending on how the match is going, and that flexibility is really valuable when the pace of the game changes constantly.
The Auto Bolt Rifle over the Plasma Rifle
Now here's something I discovered while playing. The Auto Bolt Rifle is a very good option, even better than the Plasma Rifle, at least for this mode. And I say this as someone who has been a huge fan of the plasma rifle since the beginning, it was one of my favorites in the PvE and in other PvP modes.
The plasma rifle is incredibly satisfying, with its powerful shots and its sound, but in Annihilation, where the fights are fast and chaotic, you need something more consistent. The Auto Bolt Rifle gives you a steady stream of damage that's easy to control, and it lets you keep pressure on the enemies without having to worry as much about timing or managing your weapon. When you're facing multiple enemies in quick succession, that reliability makes a big difference.
I'm not saying you should abandon the plasma rifle forever, since in the right hands it can still be devastating. But if you're looking for something that fits the fast pace of a team deathmatch and gives you more consistent results, I'd definitely recommend giving the Auto Bolt Rifle a shot. It's one of those weapons that just feels right for this kind of fight.
The last PvP mode, and what's left to explore
This is the last mode the PvP has to offer. They're not in any particular order, but with this one, I'd say I've now tried all the PvP modes in Warhammer. That's a nice little milestone, since I started this journey into the online side of the game not that long ago, and now I've got a pretty good idea of what each mode brings to the table.
Now, all that's left for me to fully explore everything the game has to offer is to finish about three more PvE missions and unlock the Chaplain at level 25. So there's still some road ahead, but we're definitely getting close to completing the whole experience.
So, gamers, tomorrow we'll keep moving forward to see if we can finish this series either this week or next week. Thanks for reading, and see you in the next post. Cheers.
By the way i lost the match LOL
