Chaos Space Marines (Warhammer 40,000)

Chaos Space Marines are the Traitor Legions of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marines who turned against the Emperor and now serve the dark powers of the warp. The army suits collectors who like customisable power armour, strong characters and a villainous theme. A good first purchase is the Battleforce: Chaos Space Marines Warband, which gives you a playable core in one box.

What are Chaos Space Marines in Warhammer 40,000?

They are the renegades, the exiled and the corrupted. Many descend from the Legions that rebelled during the Horus Heresy and fled into the Eye of Terror. Others joined them later. They worship, use or exploit the Chaos gods, and that shapes how the models look: spikes, horns, mutations, daemonic machinery and heavy ornamentation.

The faction is a good fit if you like the Space Marine silhouette but want something grimmer and more personal. Because it is a broad faction, you can build a disciplined warband, a mutated horde or a daemon-haunted war machine, and all of them are legitimate.

How do Chaos Space Marines play?

In general terms, the army combines elite power-armoured infantry with fast assault troops, heavy fire support and powerful characters. It rewards players who like to plan an approach: transports to carry infantry forward, jump troops to strike from unexpected angles, and characters to hold the force together.

It is also a flexible faction when it comes to theme. You can lean towards one Legion, one Chaos god or a mixed warband, then pick your kits to match. For the wider picture of the game, see our Warhammer 40,000 guide.

Where should I start a Chaos Space Marines army?

Start with one box that gives you troops and a character, then add a transport and a specialist unit you actually enjoy building. A tidy first collection looks like this:

1. The Battleforce. The Chaos Space Marines Warband battleforce is the simplest way in, bundling several units so you can get painting quickly.
2. A core infantry kit. The Legionaries kit is the backbone of a traitor force and offers plenty of options for personalising each warrior.
3. A leader. Either of the two Chaos Lord kits works well; see below.
4. A transport. The Chaos Rhino is a practical way to carry infantry across the table and is a straightforward build.

Which characters lead a Chaos warband?

Characters give the army its identity, and the range has several strong options.

• Abaddon the Despoiler is the best-known leader of the Black Legion and the figurehead of the faction.
• The Chaos Lord is a classic infantry commander, and the Chaos Lord with Jump Pack suits an aggressive, mobile force.
• Fabius Bile is the infamous renegade surgeon, a character with a lot of personality for converters and painters.
• The Warpsmith brings the daemonic engine side of the army to life.
• Vashtorr the Arkifane is a daemonic forge-lord, a strong centrepiece for a collector who wants something unusual.

Which units make up the rest of the army?

Elite and close-combat units

The Chosen are veteran warriors with a wide choice of weapons. The Mutilators are grotesque, heavily mutated brutes that stand out on any table. The Rubric Marines are the sorcerous, armoured warriors associated with the Thousand Sons and Tzeentch, a good choice for a more arcane-looking force.

Fast and mobile units

The Raptors use jump packs to cover ground quickly, while the Chaos Bikers add speed and a distinctive look. Both pair naturally with the jump pack Chaos Lord.

Fire support

The Havocs are the heavy weapons specialists, giving a warband ranged firepower and a lot of room for custom weapon choices.

Cultists, mortals and beastmen

Not every follower of Chaos wears power armour. The Chaos Cultists are inexpensive in hobby terms and add a ragged, fanatical feel. The Traitor Guardsmen Squad and the Traitor Enforcer represent turncoat Imperial soldiers, while the Fellgor Beastmen bring a feral, mutated flavour. Together they can turn a small elite force into a larger, more varied warband.

How do I paint Chaos Space Marines?

The faction is forgiving for newcomers. Heavily weathered, battered armour looks right, so a few basic layers plus washes and some metallic edging can look convincing. Choose a Legion or colour scheme before you start, so that every squad matches.

If you are new to the hobby, read How to start painting Warhammer miniatures first. When you are ready to buy paints, our Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints guide explains the ranges and how to build a small starter set.

What books and rules do I need?

For the game itself, use the current rules publications for Warhammer 40,000 and check that your reference material matches the version of the Chaos Space Marines you plan to play. Rules change over time, so we recommend confirming the latest material before you commit to a large purchase.

For the story side, the Black Library paperbacks Apostle and Ghost Legion are a good way to get a feel for the setting and might inspire your colour scheme or warband name.

Chaos Space Marines FAQ

Are Chaos Space Marines good for beginners?

Yes. The core units are straightforward to assemble and paint, and the army tolerates a rough, battle-worn finish. Starting with a battleforce and one or two extra kits keeps the early investment manageable.

What is the difference between Chaos Space Marines and other Space Marines?

Chaos Space Marines serve the Chaos gods rather than the Emperor, and their models reflect that with mutation, daemonic features and darker themes. Loyalist chapters such as Dark Angels, Blood Angels and Black Templars are the opposite side of the same coin.

Can I collect a specific Chaos god or Legion?

Yes, and many players do. Related Chaos factions have their own guides, including Death Guard and Emperor's Children, which are worth reading if you lean towards Nurgle or Slaanesh.

What should I buy after my first box?

Add a transport, a fast unit and a heavy-weapon unit, for example a Rhino, Raptors and Havocs. That gives you a balanced force and lets you see which playstyle you enjoy before expanding.

Do you ship Warhammer products internationally?

Universe TCG ships worldwide from Spain, and also has physical shops in Mollet del Vallès, Barberà del Vallès and Segovia. For a broader overview of what we cover, see the complete Warhammer buying guide.

Related guides

• Warhammer at Universe TCG: the complete buying guide
• Warhammer 40,000
• Dark Angels (Warhammer 40,000)
• Death Guard (Warhammer 40,000)
• Emperor's Children (Warhammer 40,000)
• Blood Angels (Warhammer 40,000)
• Black Templars (Warhammer 40,000)
• Citadel and Warhammer Colour paints: the complete guide
• How to start painting Warhammer miniatures