Welcome back to the devblogs for Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2. Today we’re providing a brief descriptor of every faction in the game, as well as showcasing one of their ships in screenshot or video form, and an in-game portrait from that faction.
There are many more ships and portraits in the final game, of course, so this is just a quick taster of each faction’s lore and looks.
Imperial Navy
The Imperial Navy is the greatest space-going military force of the 41st Millennium - and perhaps in the whole of history. Only its need to safeguard the million worlds of the Imperium prevents it from dominating the entire galaxy.
The Imperial Navy boasts a vast array of ship classes and a great variety of tonnage, offering balance and a versatility to any fleet. Its ships are resilient, move at average speed and shoot at medium range.
Adeptus Astartes
The Adeptus Astartes - the Space Marines - are the foremost defenders of Mankind; the Emperor's spear thrust deep into the heart of his foes. These genetically-engineered warriors are implacable, unyielding, and know no fear.
Adeptus Astartes vessels are expensive and therefore few in number. However, they are swift, mobile and offer substantial firepower. Space Marines are renowned for dealing ferocious damage during boarding actions or by conducting surgical teleport strikes on critical sections of enemy ships. In addition, the Space Marines' training renders them entirely immune to morale effects.
Adeptus Mechanicus
The Adeptus Mechanicus are the guardians of the Imperium's fading technology, and custodians of secrets deemed too dangerous or corrupting for the eyes of lesser men. They are stewards of terrifying mechanical might.
The Adeptus Mechanicus field ships that are every iota as efficient as those of the Imperial Navy - further augmented by the most advanced technology at the Imperium's disposal. Their fleets are oftenly led by an Ark Mechanicus, a specialised battleship unique to the Adepts of Mars. The Adeptus Mechanicus prefer to engage the foe at a distance, and make extensive use of nova cannons and macro batteries.
Chaos
Like their masters, the ships of the Chaos fleet were once loyal to the Emperor of Mankind. But the corrupting influence of the Dark Gods has warped them into something fouler, and more dangerous. Now, imbued with hellish energy, they come to take revenge on an Imperium they once served.
The Chaos fleet offers a wide variety of ships spread across a great range of tonnage, allowing it to muster a force suitable for any engagement. Its vessels favour swiftness and long-range engagement.
Aeldari Craftworlder
Aeldari craftworlds are cosmic lifeboats, the last remnant of a star-flung civilisation all-but consumed by its own hubris. Forever teetering on the brink of annihilation, the craftworlders fight to defend their existence with ancient technology and the power of prophecy.
Aeldari Craftworlders fight from swift vessels that favour hit-and-run strategies over sustained engagement, often using the cover of gas fields to shield their approach. Though more heavily armoured than other aeldari vessels, craftworlder ships are fragile compared to those of other races and demand careful manoeuvre to achieve victory.
Aeldari Corsairs
Wild-hearted aeldari corsairs can be found wherever the galaxy offers adventure and experience to thrill their heightened senses. Reckless and mercurial, they owe no loyalty save for that they choose to give - only a fool would trust them without good cause.
Aeldari Corsairs fight from highly advanced spacecraft that are lighter and faster than comparable vessels, but are also much more delicate. As such, their vessels rely on the extreme speed offered by their solar sails to avoid incoming fire, rather than on the ability of armour to absorb it.
Drukhari
Striking from the dark depths of Commoragh, the drukhari enter the killing fields of realspace in search of captives to slake their abominable desires, and fuel their quest for immortality. Expect no mercy, for the drukhari have none to offer.
A drukhari fleet is a collection of swift, deadly raiders crammed with advanced technology that puts Imperial equipment to shame. Concealed by shadow fields, drukhari vessels ambush unsuspecting victims to unleash barrages of lethally sophisticated weaponry and launching remorseless boarding parties before their target has chance to react.
Orks
Orks live for the violence of war, for the ceaseless contest to prove themselves 'da strongest'. Once an ork Waaagh! gets underway, there can be no hope of peace until every last greenskin is slaughtered. Even then, they will soon return…
Ork ships are rusty, ramshackle, and assembled from whatever parts the mekboy had to hand rather than a grand design. Nonetheless, they are every bit as potent as any ships used by other races. Orks offer little threat at long range but are festooned with heavy guns and grow increasingly dangerous as they close the distance. Moreover, the "Big Red Button" offers the prospect of heavy ramming damage to anyone foolish enough to be caught in their path.
Necrons
Ageless masters of the galaxy, the necrons emerge from stasis tombs to reclaim worlds lost to the ravages of time and the encroachment of lesser races. Coldly regal and slow to acknowledge outsiders as beings worthy of survival, the necrons will sweep aside all in their path in their quest to restore lost glories.
Necron warships are costly, and often outnumbered. However, their living metal hulls are heavily armoured and capable regenerating damage even in the heart of battle. Mastery of Gauss technology lends their weaponry extreme precision, allowing the necrons to inflict crippling damage on an unprepared foe.
Tyranids
Tyranids exist only to feed, to reduce living matter into thick, nutrient-rich gruel to sustain the hive fleet in its nomadic voyage across the stars. There is no common cause to be struck; no negotiation to be attempted. You either fight the Great Devourer until you can fight no more, or yield to its hunger.
Tyranid bio-ships are numerous, fast, and expendable. Few individual vessels pose a substantial threat, but when arrayed in overwhelming numbers they are almost impossible to defeat through conventional tactics. Tyranid vessels are at their most dangerous at close range, where they can devour enemy ships whole. The foe's only hope is to take advantage of their weak armour as they close, because once the feeding begins, nothing can stop them.
Tau Protector Fleet
The Protection fleet, known as the Kor'or'vesh in the Tau language, was a purposeful extension and overhaul of the Tau Empire's merchant fleet. As the Tau Empire expanded, the increasing scope and scale of threats to the Greater Good demanded that dedicated warships be created, lest the Tau be overwhelmed, and their noble conquest throttled by selfish aliens.
The Protection Fleet is composed of well-equipped, high-efficiency ships capable of devastating long-range engagements. However, their relative fragility and lack of speed make these ships vulnerable to swifter, more resilient foes.
Tau Merchant Fleet
In the early days of their space-borne expansion, the Tau made little distinction between trade and conquest, for both offered opportunity. The heavily-armed and armoured trading vessels served them well in early conflicts, blazing a trail of expansion that has never since guttered.
The Tau Merchant Fleet is composed of very few, slow, and well-equipped vessels. Each is equally capable of destroying the foe at a variety of ranges, relying on their formidable shields to keep the vessel intact while barrages of ordnance and torpedoes reduce the enemy to ruin.
Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2 releases on Steam 24 January 2019. You can already pre-order for Beta Access early December, and a 10% discount!
Returning Battlefleet Gothic: Armada players on Steam instead benefit from a 25% loyalty discount on their preorder of Battlefleet Gothic: Armada 2.
