April 1st has come and gone, marking another year of playful antics in the video game industry. Among the memorable pranks this year was the one pulled by the team behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2. Just yesterday, Focus Entertainment, the publisher of Space Marine 2, announced a new Chaplain class as a supposed DLC release for April 1.
"In story mode, swap out Titus for The Chaplain and experience the game as a true Codex-compliant Ultramarine," Focus cheekily declared, undoubtedly enjoying the jest from behind their screens. This faux 'DLC' promised to introduce the Chaplain as a playable character in the story mode, complete with an 'Enhanced Dialogue System.' This feature would have the Chaplain interjecting every five minutes with reminders like "the Codex Astartes does not support this action," and "I’m telling the Inquisition."
Moreover, the Chaplain was touted to have a unique ability called Discipline, which would allow him to report any deviations from the Codex Astartes instantly, granting a 5% discipline bonus at the cost of a 20% brotherhood penalty.

The humor in this April Fool's prank stems from the game's narrative where Chaplain Quintus closely monitors Titus for any signs of heresy, despite Titus's unwavering loyalty to the Imperium, the Ultramarines, and the Emperor. Throughout the campaign, as Titus combats the Tyranids and the traitorous Thousand Sons, it's evident that he possesses something unique, which Quintus views with suspicion. Quintus is akin to an overzealous school prefect, ever vigilant for any hint of misconduct, ready to report it to higher authorities—a trait that has made the Chaplain a somewhat infamous figure within the Space Marine community.
This April Fool's gag cleverly plays into the Chaplain's meme status among fans. Interestingly, some enthusiasts have expressed genuine interest in seeing the Chaplain added to the game, not with the humorous skill set from the prank, but as a formidable warrior-priest dedicated to the Emperor's worship.
"This would actually go hard if this was real," remarked ResidentDrama9739 on the Space Marine subreddit, where fans are buzzing with excitement about potential ways to incorporate the Chaplain into the game.
While Space Marine 2 did feature this April Fool's jest, a new class is indeed on the horizon. Although Focus and developer Saber Interactive have kept details under wraps, speculation abounds. Many believe it might be the Apothecary, akin to a medic class, while others hope for the warp-wielding Librarian. Does the Chaplain's spotlight in the April Fool's prank diminish his chances?
Despite the unexpected announcement of Space Marine 3's development, Space Marine 2's year one roadmap remains in place. Patch 7 is slated for mid-April, and the game will see the introduction of the new class, alongside new PvE operations and melee weapons in the coming months.
The world of Space Marine 2 continues to evolve, and fans eagerly anticipate what new adventures and challenges await in the grim darkness of the far future.