Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Patch 5 Release Date Confirmed, New Screenshot Shows a Blood Raven Holding (Stealing?) Something Players Haven’t Seen in the Game So Far

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 publisher Focus Entertainment has confirmed a December 10 release date for the hotly anticipated Patch 5 and Dark Angels Chapter Pack, and released a new screenshot showing something players haven’t seen in the game yet.

Focus has said Patch 5 makes the recently released Neo-Volkite Pistol (the one players were using to recreate Ghostbusters) available in PvP, adds a new PvE Operation called Obelisk, the new Tzaangor Enlightened Majoris enemy, and the aforementioned Dark Angels Chapter Pack, which includes a unique armor set and banner for the Bulwark Class.

In a tweet, Focus released four new screenshots (below) showing off the new content, but there’s one image in particular that’s set tongues wagging within the community.

This image, below, shows a Blood Raven (the chapter created for Relic Entertainment's Dawn of War series) holding what looks like a chalice in one hand and a pistol in the other, while staring down at a potential enemy. Whatever it is, the object is not currently in the game, at least not in a form that can be held by the player.

Why is this Blood Raven holding a chalice? Image credit: Focus Entertainment.

What could this chalice represent? Current theories include a raid-style mechanic for the new Operation (perhaps it needs to be held by a player for a certain amount of time). This would make sense in the context of what we know about the Operation from Focus itself. As a reminder, here’s what the publisher has said:

Called Obelisk, you’ll be sent to Demerium and your mission is to rotate a replica of the obelisk to disrupt the flow of energy protecting the Aurora device. This operation takes place in parallel to the final events of the campaign.To reach the console control of the obelisk, you’ll have to make it through a tomb plunged into darkness. To make your progression even tougher, the Chaos forces see a new addition to their roster: the Tzaangor Enlightened, a new Majoris enemy! They will now appear in every PvE Operation with Chaos.

Perhaps the chalice the Blood Raven is holding in the image is used to light the way to the console, but this is purely speculation on my part. Either way, it looks like we’re seeing the Space Marine from the perspective of a downed enemy, which suggests it’s been obtained during a firefight or perhaps even stolen from something.

December 10, by the way, is also the release date of Amazon’s Secret Level anthology series, which includes a Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 animation that acts as a sequel to the events of the game. Check out IGN’s Secret Level review for more.

In September, Saber Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits told IGN how the breakout success of Space Marine 2 had “changed everything” for the company. Eagle-eyed fans have spotted the Space Marine chapter now all-but confirmed to get a cosmetic pack after the Dark Angels, too.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].