The Astartes 2 trailer revealed new Marines, Deathwatch ties, and major story clues. Here’s everything we know so far.
Ever since the Astartes 2 trailer dropped, the Warhammer community has been busy pausing frames, arguing lore, and trying to guess how long 2026 actually is in real-world time.
The original Astartes animation raised the bar for Warhammer 40k storytelling almost overnight, setting a standard that fan projects and official releases alike still chase.
With Astartes 2 now fully backed by Warhammer Studio, the sequel looks ready to build on that legacy with more scale, more story, and a much deeper look at the Space Marines behind the armor.
40k Astartes 2: Secrets & Everything We Know So Far
Updated on December 18th, 2025, by Rob Baer with new information and links.
Astartes 2 is shaping up to be even more epic, and this time, we’re getting a closer look at the individual Marines who will eventually join an elite Deathwatch Kill Team. This is not just another battle-heavy story; it’s about the Marines before they put on the black armor and enter their most important role in the Warhammer universe.
Trailer Shows Marines Before the Deathwatch
One of the coolest things about the Astartes 2 trailer is that it isn’t just jumping straight into the action. Instead, we’re getting an origin story for each of the Marines who will make up a new Deathwatch Kill Team. This is where we get to see who they were before becoming some of the most feared warriors in the galaxy.
We’ll be introduced to some fan-favorite chapters like the Blood Angels and Sons of Medusa, but also some fresh faces like the Retributors, a custom chapter designed specifically for this series.
Rather than throwing viewers straight into nonstop bolter fire, the Astartes 2 trailer focuses on who these Space Marines are before they ever don the armor. That character-driven approach suggests the series is just as interested in origin stories and personal trials as it is in explosive combat.
Deathwatch Terminator Origins in Astartes 2
Astartes 2 will explore the brutal path required to earn Deathwatch Terminator armor, showing the trials, failures, and transformations that separate elite veterans from everyone else long before they step onto the battlefield in Tactical Dreadnought plates.
Astartes 2 Characters and Space Marine Chapters
Each chapter that shows up in Astartes 2 will bring something unique to the table:
- Retributors: A custom chapter introduced for the series by the animator. These guys are new to the Warhammer universe, and their journey will add some much-needed fresh lore (Hopefully, we’ll learn a little more before the Astartes 2 release date.)
- Scythes of the Emperor: They’ve got a tragic backstory that adds emotional depth to their character arc. Astartes 2 will explore what shaped them into the Marines they are today.
- Blood Angels: Known for their emotional turmoil and dark history, the Blood Angels will get their moment in the spotlight. You’ll see what makes these tragic warriors tick before they get recruited into the Deathwatch.
- Sons of Medusa: These no-nonsense Marines bring pure grit to the table. Their storyline will explore how they develop their relentless fighting style before they become Deathwatch-ready.
- A Chaplain or a Mortifactors Chapter Marine: Spiritual and tactical leaders, these characters add another layer to the story. How they handle the psychological weight of their role before joining the Deathwatch is something we haven’t seen explored in depth until now.
Who Is Making Astartes 2 for Warhammer TV?
This time around, Warhammer Studio is fully involved, teaming up with Syama Pedersen’s Digital Bones Studio, the mastermind behind the original project. That’s huge. Syama’s ability to convey intensity, action, and sheer power through animation is unmatched.
By joining forces with the Warhammer Community official studio, he’s gaining access to even more resources, meaning Astartes II has the potential to be bigger, better, and even more immersive than its predecessor.
Release Date and Where to Watch
Patience, as they say, is a virtue. The Astartes 2 release date is 2026, which feels like an eternity in internet time. But if the first project proved anything, it’s that quality takes time. Instead of rushing it, the team is crafting something that will hopefully surpass expectations.
Final Thoughts on the Astartes 2 Trailer and Release
Everything shown in the Warhammer 40,000 Astartes 2 trailer points toward a focused Deathwatch narrative, where warriors from different chapters are forged into a single kill team through shared trials, not just shared enemies.
If the 2026 Astartes 2 release date feels too far away, now is the perfect time to check out the original Astartes series, rewatch Angels of Death, or catch up on Warhammer+ content from Games Workshop.
Support the Creator Behind Astartes 2
Syama Pedersen, creator of the original Astartes, continues to lead the project alongside the Warhammer Studio, bringing the same obsessive attention to detail that made the first series iconic. If you’re as excited about Astartes 2 as we are, consider supporting him on Patreon.
See The Evolution of The Adeptus Astartes Here!
