Space Marines

Gene-forged warrior-monks in power armour, the best-known faction of Warhammer 40,000.

The Space Marines, also called the Adeptus Astartes, are superhuman warrior-monks who fight for the Imperium of Man. Altered by implanted gene-seed and clad in powered armour, they are the best-known and most popular characters in Warhammer 40,000, appearing in the artwork and starter set of every edition. Space Marines who betrayed the Imperium for the Chaos Gods are known as Chaos Space Marines.

Quick Facts

Series: Warhammer 40,000
First major: Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader
First date: 1987
Creator: Rick Priestley

Lore & Background

A recruit becomes a Space Marine when gene-seed is implanted, which reshapes the body: a full Marine has two hearts, three lungs and an extra kidney, among other engineered organs, and is sterile. Gene-seed cannot be mass-produced, so Space Marines are few and form only a small part of the Imperium's forces. New recruits serve as Scouts before earning power armour; the most experienced veterans may wear Terminator armour, and a mortally wounded Marine can be entombed in a Dreadnought walker.

Did You Know?

The 1990 book Realm of Chaos: The Lost and the Damned first gave the Space Marines a backstory, introducing the 20 Legions and their Primarchs.
Space Marines can live for centuries, so veterans build up vast combat experience.