In Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2’s Siege Mode, players battle relentless waves of Thousand Sons and Tyranid enemies, striving to climb the ranks. Yet, persistent connection issues and bugs often stall progress, with some players finding the Chaos faction a bigger hurdle than the Tyranids.

Siege Mode pits players against both of Space Marine 2’s enemy factions: the Thousand Sons traitor legion and the swarm-like, insectoid Tyranids. There’s no option to face just one faction, as waves alternate between the two.

For many Space Marine 2 players, battling Tyranids feels more engaging than facing Chaos. The Tyranids’ swarm-style combat fills the screen with a mix of small critters and massive, hard-hitting beasts. Wielding a Power Sword to carve through alien hordes, parrying attacks for clean counters, or smashing Tyranids with a Power Fist delivers a visceral thrill.

Conversely, the Thousand Sons offer a tougher, more tactical challenge. Facing fellow Space Marines and their daemonic allies, especially when Terminators unleash missile barrages, can feel grueling. Chaos battles demand precision, less about mowing down foes and more about calculated moves, almost reminiscent of Elden Ring’s punishing style.

This contrast sharpens at higher difficulties. On easier settings, Tyranids and Chaos feel similar in challenge. But crank up the difficulty—required for certain progression levels—and Chaos becomes a brutal slog, while Tyranids remain manageable.

It’s not just about difficulty. Tyranids capture the chaotic swarm essence from Warhammer 40,000 lore and tabletop, while the Thousand Sons embody their warp-infused traitor legion identity. Both factions are designed to feel distinct, as intended.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Siege Mode Screenshots

Since Space Marine 2’s blockbuster launch in September last year, players in PvE Operations and Siege Mode frequently voice a preference for Tyranids online. Some even quit Siege Mode when Chaos waves appear.

“Can we play Siege Mode with just Tyranids?” asked Think_Fan_5943 on the Space Marine subreddit. “I hate fighting Chaos—it’s forced and frustrating, so I drop out when they show up. We can pick Tyranid-only missions elsewhere, so why not in Siege Mode?”

A Tyranid-only Siege Mode seems unlikely from Saber Interactive, as splitting factions could shrink the Chaos matchmaking pool, given the clear player bias toward Tyranids. Still, the Tyranids vs. Chaos debate fuels excitement for Space Marine 3’s confirmed factions.

What challenges might Necrons bring to the Ultramarines? Could another traitor legion offer a fresh dynamic? Imagine facing the Death Guard, battling both bolter fire and corrosive plagues. Or what if Orks return from Space Marine 1, becoming the fan-favorite faction to fight?

For now, players must tackle both Tyranids and Chaos in Siege Mode. Looking ahead, Space Marine 2’s upcoming content excites fans. Patch 9 focuses on balance tweaks, while Patch 10 introduces Chaos vs. Chaos PvP, a new Power Axe weapon, and the Techmarine class. Explore all Space Marine 2 Patch 10 details here.