Space Marine 2’s latest patch adds a deathray laser pointer

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After patches that spent more time rolling back unpopular difficulty changes than adding new stuff, Space Marine 2’s 4.5 patch may finally add something shiny: the Neo-Volkite pistol.

A classic sci-fi raygun that sets people on fire and then they explode. The Neo-Volkite Pistol has been added to the loadouts of Assault, Stronghold, and Vanguard Marines in PvE Operations mode, and will be added to PvP Eternal mode in an upcoming update.

Volkite weapons were the original weapon of choice of spacefaring legionaries before the Horus Heresy, but by the time of Horus’ betrayal they had been replaced by cheaper and easier to produce bolt-action weapons. They were returned to Neo-Volkite form by Belisarius Cawl, the same technology priest responsible for the Primaris Marines.

Patch 4.5 also rebalances a variety of existing weapons in Operations mode, making room for the oculus bolt carbine and increasing the headshot damage bonus, increasing the auto-bolt rifle’s maximum ammo increased and the damage reduction curve for the bolt carbine is adjusted (SMG), among other changes.

Bug fixes and technical improvements in the patch include a fix for DLC cosmetics unlocking and then being locked again after a restart, the sniper’s Targeted Shot perk not working after switching weapons, and several stability improvements and connectivity.

The next major update, in addition to the addition of the Neo-Volkite pistol to Eternal War mode, brings a new enemy, a new map for Operations mode, and cosmetics based on the Dark Angels chapter of the Marines.