Playing as Space Marines
Space Marines vs Orks
A tempo problem. Orks will take more of the map than you can, and the game turns on whether their first push breaks a defended point.
Opening plan
Scouts first for early points, then two Tactical Squads onto the closest contested point. Do not spread thin — a single strong position beats three weak ones here.
Scouting checklist
- Count Boy Huts: two means an all-in push is coming
- Look for a Waaagh! Banner on your side of the map
- Check whether they have teched at all by four minutes
Timeline
Danger timings
When this matchup typically turns, and what turns it.
- 03:00First mass of Slugga Boyz arrives at a contested point
- 06:30Nobz appear and your bolters stop being enough
Core interactions
What decides this matchup
- Reinforcing in place beats retreating — a retreating Marine squad is caught
- Frag grenades are worth far more here than in any other matchup
- Ceramite plating is a genuine answer to massed shoota fire
Execution
Recommended builds
- Devastator defensive holdWritten for this matchup · patch 1.0.0
- Standard Marine openingGeneral-purpose opening · patch 1.0.0
Editorial, pre-release
Nobody has played this matchup — the game is unreleased. This guide reasons from provisional statistics and will be rewritten from real games after launch.