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All Space Marine 2 difficulties explained, from Minimal to Lethal

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Each difficulty level in the Operations mode of Space Marine 2 ups the threat and rewards

Space Marine 2 difficulty levels menu lethal difficulty
(Image credit: Focus Entertainment)
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All the different Space Marine 2 difficulty options for Operations provide varying levels of challenge and rewards for you and your squad mates. You’ll find that the Tyranids and Thousand Sons are relatively tame on Minimal and Average even at the low levels, but things quickly escalate when you reach Substantial difficulty and above in Space Marine 2. At the highest difficulty levels, you’ll be getting massive XP and Requisition pay-outs, and Lethal even offers its own cosmetic rewards, but only if you’re able to survive the onslaught. Here’s what you can expect from every difficulty level in Space Marine 2.

All Space Marine 2 difficulty levels in Operations

Space Marine 2 difficulty level on mission select screen

(Image credit: Focus Entertainment)

There are five difficulty options in Space Marine 2 that affect how challenging the co-op Operations are. You can change difficulties by following the button prompt in the top-right corner of the Operations menu. Also known as “threat levels”, they determine things like enemy aggression and damage, equipment drop frequency, and Medicae Stimm effectiveness, as well as the quality of your rewards, such as Space Marine 2 Armory Data.

All of them are available to select the moment you unlock the Space Marine 2 Operations mode. Although, each one comes with a recommended level, and a warning pop-up will appear if you select a difficulty that is above your current class’s level, letting you know what you’re in for – be sure to bear our Space Marine 2 tips in mind regardless of the difficulty you choose.

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Here's how each Space Marine 2 difficulty level affects the game, from Minimal threat all the way up to Lethal:

Space Marine 2 Minimal difficulty

For players still learning how Space Marine 2 works or those getting to grips with their low-level Space Marine 2 classes.

  • Recommended level: 1+
  • Enemies: Foes are somewhat dangerous if you’re still getting used to the game but are easily overcome with good teamwork and combat techniques.
  • Equipment: Drops are generous.
  • Healing: Medicae Stimms provide a good amount of health, and you receive a Mortal Wound after your second incapacitation.
  • Rewards: 35 Requisitions and 630XP per completion, Master-Crafted Armory Data discoverable

Space Marine 2 Average difficulty

A slight step up in challenge mitigated by the fact that you should have a few perks unlocked for your class, some slightly improved Space Marine 2 weapons, and a good understanding of combat by now.

  • Recommended level: 5+
  • Enemies: Enemies are more aggressive and challenging.
  • Equipment: Drops are reduced.
  • Healing: Medicae Stimms provide a reduced amount of health, and you receive a Mortal Wound after your second incapacitation.
  • Rewards: 55 Requisitions and 945XP per completion, Master-Crafted Armory Data discoverable

Space Marine 2 Substantial difficulty

A notable increase in threat level where mistakes can cost you dearly in the face of aggressive foes, but the rewards are also much better.

  • Recommended level: 10+
  • Enemies: Enemies are dangerous and much tougher.
  • Equipment: Drops are reduced, and players have less armor.
  • Healing: Medicae Stimms provide a reduced amount of health, and you receive a Mortal Wound after your first incapacitation.
  • Rewards: 95 Requisitions and 1260XP per completion, Artificer Armory Data discoverable

Space Marine 2 Ruthless difficulty

For players after a brutal challenge against relentless enemies.

  • Recommended level: 15+
  • Enemies: Enemies are vicious and can tear through you.
  • Equipment: Drops are reduced, players have even less armor, and ammo caches have limited uses for each squad member.
  • Healing: Medicae Stimms provide a reduced amount of health, you receive a Mortal Wound after your first incapacitation, and respawn times are increased.
  • Rewards: 165 Requisitions and 1890XP per completion, Relic Armory Data discoverable

Space Marine 2 Lethal difficulty

The highest difficulty in the game intended for classes at the maximum level, hitting you with severe penalties but also the chance at the greatest rewards.

  • Recommended level: 25
  • Enemies: Enemies are utterly unrelenting. Majoris enemies can also become enraged, making them deadlier and harder to kill.
  • Equipment: Drops are reduced, players have little armor, and ammo caches have limited uses for each squad member.
  • Healing: Finishers do not regenerate Armor if your squadmates are far away, Medicae Stimms provide a reduced amount of health, and you receive a Mortal Wound after your first incapacitation. Respawn times are increased but killing enemies of Majoris level or higher reduces the respawn time.
  • Rewards: 220 Requisitions and 2830XP per completion, Relic Armory Data discoverable. Complete all seven Operations on Lethal difficulty to unlock the Survivor helmet.

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Will Sawyer
Will Sawyer
Guides Editor, GamesRadar+

Will Sawyer is a Guides Editor at GamesRadar+ with over five years of experience in writing online guides, news, and features, and has a BA (Hons) in Journalism. Starting as a freelancer, Will contributed to startmenu and Game Rant before joining the GamesRadar+ team in August 2021. Since then, he has written hundreds of guides about a huge range of games, with shooters and action games being his areas of expertise. Outside of writing about games, Will hops between multiplayer shooters with friends, such as Darktide and Helldivers 2, and delves into whatever has been on his backlog for far too long. He also tries to get through his never-ending Warhammer pile of shame of grey Tyranids, Aeldari, and Chaos Space Marines.