Warhammer 40,000's Astartes 2 Returns: Stunning Teaser Revealed, Yet a Catch Exists

Games Workshop has thrilled Warhammer 40,000 fans by reviving the much-anticipated animation, Astartes 2, with a stunning teaser trailer. However, there's a twist: none of the content shown in the teaser will appear in the final animation.

Astartes 2 follows the fan-made original Astartes, crafted by Syama Pedersen, which is widely regarded as the pinnacle of Warhammer 40,000 animations. Its excellence even inspired Saber Interactive's successful Space Marine 2 and led Games Workshop to bring Syama on board for the sequel.

After years of silence that led many to believe Astartes 2 might have been canceled, Games Workshop surprised everyone on January 29, 2025, with the release of the teaser trailer. This trailer has been a visual feast for Warhammer 40,000 enthusiasts, showcasing an unprecedented scale and quality with scenes of melee combat, shooting, vehicle battles, and even spaceship engagements. It features various Space Marine chapters fighting across diverse environments against multiple enemy races, including Tyranids, Orks, and Tau.

It's not even February yet and the Ws for 2025 won't stop coming! Astartes is back, Brothers! pic.twitter.com/sYhu5LjwiC

— Champions of the Ice (@ChampionsOTIce2) January 29, 2025

Despite the excitement, Games Workshop clarified on the Warhammer Community website that the teaser trailer does not contain actual clips from the new animation. Instead, it is a compilation of shots representing the former lives of the characters who will appear in the show. A subtle hint at the end of the trailer suggests the story might involve an Inquisition-led Deathwatch Terminator squad.

This revelation might disappoint some fans who expected the teaser's content to be part of Astartes 2, especially since the trailer lacks a disclaimer. Nonetheless, the teaser has sparked speculation and excitement among the community, eager to piece together the story from the hints provided.

Meanwhile, fans of Space Marine 2 have expressed envy and hope that some elements from the Astartes 2 teaser might influence future updates to their game. As Saber Interactive continues to enhance Space Marine 2, there's anticipation that they might draw inspiration from Astartes once again.

Astartes 2 is set to launch in 2026, exclusively on Games Workshop's subscription-only Warhammer+ streaming service.