The ultimate 40k guide to Warhammer Space Marine Chapters; from fan favorites to hidden gems, see which one may be the right fit for you.
When it comes to picking a Warhammer Space Marine chapter, it’s not just about which color of power armor looks best on your shelf. Each chapter brings its own style of warfare, unique lore, and battlefield tricks that can make or break your games.
From the disciplined Ultramarines to the blood-soaked fury of the Blood Angels and the sneaky hit-and-run antics of the Raven Guard, every one of their 40k chapters has its own flavor.
This guide breaks down the best Warhammer Space Marine chapters, explains their tactics, and shows why they stand out both in the 40k lore and on the tabletop.
All Space Marine Chapters and Famous Warhammer 40k Chapters
Updated on October 30th, 2025, with the latest on each chapter.
The Space Marines make up a pretty large portion of the Warhammer 40k lore, and model selection! Click any of the top ones below to jump to their section, or just keep reading to see them all!
- Blood Angels
- Space Wolves
- Ultramarines
- Black Templars
- White Scars
- Imperial Fists
Dark Angels - Raven Guard
- Salamanders
The First Founding and Chapter Lineage of Warhammer Space Marine Chapters
Space Marines are the top-tier warriors of the Imperium created by the Emperor himself. They are genetically upgraded super-soldiers committed to shielding humanity from the countless horrors lurking in the galaxy. If you’ve glanced into the shadowy chaos of Warhammer 40k, you know these guys are the cream of the crop, the ultimate badasses.
But here’s a twist: there are tons of chapters of these battle-hardened heroes, each rocking its own vibe and personality. Get ready for a whirlwind journey through the many Space Marine chapters, their backstories, quirks, and tips for leading them to victory on the battlefield.
While there are possibly thousands of Space Marines floating around the Imperium of Man, these were the chapters of the first founding.
| Legion | Name | Primarch |
| I | Dark Angels | Lion El’Jonson |
| II | [Information expunged] | [Information expunged] |
| III | Emperor’s Children | Fulgrim |
| IV | Iron Warriors | Perturabo |
| V | White Scars | Jaghatai Khan |
| VI | Space Wolves | Leman Russ |
| VII | Imperial Fists | Rogal Dorn |
| VIII | Night Lords | Konrad Curze |
| IX | Blood Angels | Sanguinius |
| X | Iron Hands | Ferrus Manus |
| XI | [Information expunged] | [Information expunged] |
| XII | World Eaters | Angron |
| XIII | Ultramarines | Roboute Guilliman |
| XIV | Death Guard | Mortarion |
| XV | Thousand Sons | Magnus the Red |
| XVI | Luna Wolves (later Sons of Horus, then Black Legion) | Horus Lupercal |
| XVII | Word Bearers | Lorgar |
| XVIII | Salamanders | Vulkan |
| XIX | Raven Guard | Corvus Corax |
| XX | Alpha Legion | Alpharius Omegon |
Now, let’s jump into some of the most significant Space Marine chapters in 40k that remained loyal to the Emperor after the Horus Heresy.
Famous Space Marine Chapters and Their Playstyles
Blood Angels: Melee Pressure and Hero Plays
The Blood Angels are tragic nobles of the Imperium, beautiful, deadly, and one bad day away from drinking your blood mid-battle. Their curse gives them style points and a short fuse.
Playstyle:
- Lightning-fast charges that hit like a thunder hammer.
- Stack buffs for cinematic melee moments.
- Reward bold movement and aggressive positioning.
Key Units:
- Sanguinary Guard – gold-clad angels of death.
- Death Company – pure rage in power armor.
- Baal Predator – fast, mean, and flame-happy.
See tactics in our Blood Angels guide.
Space Wolves: Ferocity and Counterattack Fury
The Space Wolves are everything you’d expect from Fenrisian Vikings in space: loyal, loud, and ready to punch Chaos in the teeth. They fight like a pack, and they always bring the teeth.
Playstyle:
- Close-range brawlers built for hero duels and brutal counterstrikes.
- Strong synergy between characters and squads.
- Thrive on momentum and timing the perfect charge.
Key Units:
- Thunderwolf Cavalry – yes, Marines riding wolves.
- Wulfen – pure mutation-fueled destruction.
- Long Fangs – the old wolves with the big guns.
See tactics in our Space Wolves guide.
Ultramarines: Balanced and By-the-Book
The Ultramarines are the gold standard of Warhammer Space Marine chapters, running the Imperium like a military franchise. Discipline and flexibility keep them at the top of every codex.
Playstyle:
- Versatile and tactical, great for adapting mid-battle.
- Blend strong shooting with solid board control.
- Win through balance and steady pressure.
Key Units:
- Tactical Squads – the all-purpose workhorses.
- Victrix Guard – Guilliman’s finest.
- Primaris Intercessors – modern Marines that do it all.
See tactics in our Ultramarines guide.
Black Templars: Relentless Crusaders of Faith
Faith, fury, and chainswords, the Black Templars are one of the most Warhammer 40k famous chapters for a reason. They’ve been crusading nonstop for 10,000 years, and they’re not about to stop now.
Playstyle:
- Pure melee mayhem with unshakable morale.
- Re-roll charges to ensure they get stuck in.
- Dominate objectives through sheer aggression.
Key Units:
- Crusader Squads – the fearless frontline.
- Sword Brethren – elite zealots with style.
- Emperor’s Champion – the one-man boss fight.
See tactics in our Black Templars guide.
White Scars: Speed, Precision, and Hit-and-Run Chaos
The White Scars are all about freedom, velocity, and shredding the enemy before they know what hit them. The storm-born sons of Jaghatai Khan rule the road across the 40k chapters.
Playstyle:
- Lightning strikes, fast withdrawals, repeat.
- Control the pace of the match through mobility.
- Punish slow armies and trap static gunlines.
Key Units:
- Bike Squads – classic fast-attack hitters.
- Outriders – bigger bikes, bigger guns.
- Stormtalon Gunships – air cavalry for cleanup duty.
See tactics in our White Scars guide.
Imperial Fists: Firepower and Fortification
The Imperial Fists are the kings of siege warfare and the definition of “hold the line.” They build walls, break walls, and then shoot through what’s left.
Playstyle:
- Long-range dominance with brutal accuracy.
- Outlast enemies in drawn-out shooting wars.
- Excel at holding ground and denying movement.
Key Units:
- Devastator Squads – your go-to heavy hitters.
- Centurion Devastators – walking bunkers with cannons.
- Terminators – your unbreakable anchors.
See tactics in our Imperial Fists guide.
Dark Angels: Secrets, Strategy, and Inner Circle Power
No Warhammer Space Marine chapter carries more secrets or more firepower than the Dark Angels. They are stoic knights with skeletons in the closet and plasma guns in their hands.
Playstyle:
- Reward patience and precise movement.
- Mix elite Deathwing and fast Ravenwing units.
- Use layered buffs for durable, efficient trades.
Key Units:
- Deathwing Terminators – unstoppable walls of armor.
- Ravenwing Bikers – mobile firebases with style.
- Interrogator-Chaplains – hit like a sermon from orbit.
See tactics in our Dark Angels guide.
Raven Guard: Stealth and Surgical Strikes
The Raven Guard live by the “hit fast, vanish faster” motto. These stealth operators define asymmetric warfare among Warhammer 40k famous chapters.
Playstyle:
- Infiltrate, disrupt, and delete key threats early.
- Excel at ambushes and denying counterattacks.
- Reward cunning movement and shadow play.
Key Units:
- Vanguard Veterans – airborne assassins.
- Infiltrators – stealth specialists for objective grabs.
- Eliminators – silent snipers who ruin big plans.
See tactics in our Raven Guard guide.
Salamanders: Fire, Forge, and Brotherhood
The Salamanders fight with flame, faith, and a whole lot of heart. They’re the good guys of the Warhammer Space Marine chapters, but still bring enough firepower to roast an army.
Playstyle:
- Close-range firefights and durable line pushes.
- Overlap flame and melta weapons for brutal synergy.
- Great balance of resilience and stopping power.
Key Units:
- Flamestorm Aggressors – living infernos.
- Eradicators – tank-melting monsters.
- Pyroclasts – artisans of destruction.
See tactics in our Salamanders guide.
What Are Space Marines and How Do Their Chapters Differ in Warhammer 40k
Space Marines aren’t your average soldiers; they’re eight-foot tanks with personality, power armor, and a bad habit of solving problems with bolter fire. Across the Warhammer Space Marine chapters, each one adds its own flavor of discipline, rage, or righteous zeal to the galaxy’s ongoing apocalypse.
From the Codex-following Ultramarines to the wolfish maniacs of Fenris, there’s a chapter for every brand of chaos control. Want the full scoop on just what are Space Marines? Check out our breakdown of Warhammer 40k’s famous Space Marines and their larger-than-life lore.
Origins and History of Warhammer 40k Space Marine Chapters
Warhammer’s Space Marine Chapters started with the Emperor’s galaxy-spanning Great Crusade, a grand plan to unite humanity, right up until Horus decided betrayal was more fun. That little family feud, known as the Horus Heresy, blew the Imperium to pieces and gave birth to the chapters we know today.
From that chaos rose the legends of the Adeptus Astartes, genetically forged heroes, walking war machines, and the galaxy’s most iconic warriors. Read the history of the Warhammer 40k chapters here.
Create Your Own Warhammer Space Marine Chapter
Ready to build lists for Warhammer 40k chapters of Emperor-loving war machines? Grab a name that sounds vaguely Latin, pick a wild color scheme, and call it canon.
For all the lore and inspiration you’ll need to build lists for Warhammer 40k chapters or compare Warhammer Space Marine chapters, check out our full guide to Warhammer Space Marine Chapters.
FAQ: Space Marine Chapters in Warhammer 40k
Which of the Warhammer 40k Space Marine Chapters are the Best For Beginners?
Ultramarines are often recommended for beginners due to their balanced tactics and straightforward gameplay.
Can I Mix Units From Different Warhammer 40k Chapters?
Mixing different Space Marine Chapters can add a lot of flavor to your army. However, with the new way the rules are set up in 10th Edition, you have to pick a certain detachment, which comes with rules for your entire army. But… that means you can now paint your army pretty much however you want and pick your color scheme.
Where Can I Find the Latest Rules & Updates For Space Marines?
The Games Workshop website and Warhammer Community site are excellent resources for the latest updates and FAQs. You can also see the latest rule changes, model releases, and more right here!
How Many Space Marine Chapters Are There?
Short answer? Over a thousand 40k chapters of Space Marines. However, there were originally 20 chapters (with two being lost and redacted, so 18 known chapters).
Long answer? The Imperium officially recognizes around a thousand Warhammer 40k chapters of Space Marines, each with roughly 1,000 warriors, thanks to Guilliman’s Codex Astartes rules. But let’s be real, with all the lost records, secret foundings, rogue gene-lines, and warp shenanigans, that number’s more of a polite suggestion than a strict headcount.
So yeah, officially a thousand. Unofficially? Who knows how many Space Marine Chapters are lurking in some forgotten corner of the galaxy, painting their armor weird colors and ignoring orders.
Final Thoughts on Choosing Your Space Marine Chapter in Warhammer 40k
Whether you vibe with the noble Ultramarines, the fiery Salamanders, or the rowdy Space Wolves, there’s a Space Marine chapter out there with your name on it (probably in gothic script). Each one brings its own flavor of fury and faith to the battlefield, making the Warhammer 40k chapters roster one of the most iconic lineups in gaming.
Where to Buy Warhammer 40k Space Marine Chapters Miniatures
Snag your new Warhammer 40k Chapters goodies from our handpicked list of retailers, and give us a high-five in support! Every qualifying purchase helps Spikey Bits keep the lights on and the fun going.
Shopping Resources: Get 15% Off or More
- Mid Atlantic US: Fabricators Forge | Bazooka Games | or | The Rogue Traders |
- Central US: Wargame Portal | Collector Store | Dicehead Games | Noble Knight Games | or | Warpfire Minis |
- West Coast US: Frontline Gaming | Gamers Guild AZ | or | Squad Marks |
- UK: Element Games (UK) | Merlin’s Minis | or | Wayland Games |
- Canada: Fenris Workshop | Tista Minis | Abyss Game Store | or | Kingdom Titans |
- Worldwide: Amazon | eBay | or | Games Workshop’s Store |
You can save even more on your purchase by using our exclusive list of redeemable discount codes from some of the best hobby retailers and miniature manufacturers!
Ready to start your own Space Marine chapter? You’ve got several options. Official Games Workshop stores and their website are the go-to places for the latest models and codexes.
Online retailers like Amazon and eBay also offer a plethora of options, often at discounted prices. For those on a budget, second-hand markets can be a goldmine of deals.
All 20 40k Primarchs Status & Iconic Moments
