Space Marine 2 Melta Weapons: Close Range, Real Damage

What melta does

Melta weapons deliver enormous damage at very short range. They are the answer to armoured targets that would otherwise eat a full magazine of bolter fire. The trade is range, and it is not a small trade. A melta weapon at medium distance does almost nothing.

Why that matters in this game

Space Marine 2 fights happen at every range, and most of the dangerous enemies prefer to attack from a distance. A melta build has to close that distance, which means taking hits on the way in. That makes melta a build for players who are comfortable using cover and timing, not for players who want to stand and shoot.

Best users

Close-range classes get the most from melta because they are already closing distance for melee. A class that fights at range gains nothing from a weapon that only works at three metres. For the Heavy, melta patterns trade sustained fire for burst damage, which changes the class from a turret into a brawler.

Ammunition and heat

Melta burns through its charge quickly and overheats if you hold fire. That makes shot discipline more important than with a bolter, where missing costs less. Fire when the target is close and committed. Firing early wastes the damage and the heat.

Against swarms

Melta is poor against spread-out swarms because each shot hits a narrow cone. It is excellent against a cluster, which is what you get when enemies funnel through a doorway. That makes it a defensive weapon: hold a chokepoint and melta is the best gun in the game.

The honest verdict

Melta is a specialist tool that is dominant in its niche and weak outside it. Bring it when the mission is close-quarters and armoured; leave it when the mission is open.

Related guides

• Space Marine 2 Weapons List
• Space Marine 2 Best Weapons
• Space Marine 2 Heavy Class Guide