Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 just received one of its meatier free updates. Patch 15 adds a Chaos version of Siege, a new challenge system, fresh weapons, and more armour. It also puts one of the update's most wanted cosmetics behind a Twitch subscription.
The Victrix Guard Shield cannot currently be earned by playing. Saber's official rewards page says players must purchase one new recurring Twitch subscription or gift a subscription, then claim the shield through a linked Saber account. Simply watching a stream will not unlock it.
That restriction is temporary. Representatives for the game told IGN that the shield will be added to the in-game Accolades shop in a future update. They did not say when. Players who want the shield without paying Twitch can wait, but right now there is no posted date for the free route.
What Patch 15 adds for free
Anniversary Update II launched on 1 October for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Its headline addition is Chaos Siege, the first PvE mode that lets players control Chaos Space Marines. The two new sectors on Avarax turn the regular setup inside out: Chaos forces fight Tyranids, Cadians, and loyalist Space Marines.
The Crucible system gives experienced players a reason to make familiar missions nastier. Penances apply debuffs or negative modifiers, and successful runs award special progression toward cosmetics such as a full Lamenters armour set. Patch 15 also adds the one-handed Thunder Hammer for Tactical, Assault, Bulwark, and Techmarine classes.
Three heroic weapon variants joined the Armoury, covering the Power Axe, Auto Bolt Rifle, and one-handed Thunder Hammer. There are new pauldrons and an Iron Halo too. Season Pass 3 begins alongside the patch with paid Space Wolves and Exorcists cosmetic packs, but Chaos Siege, Crucible, and the gameplay additions are part of the free update.
The Twitch rewards need three different actions
The Anniversary Update II campaign splits its rewards across viewing and spending. Watching an eligible Space Marine 2 stream for 30 minutes awards 100 Accolades. Watching for one hour awards an Infiltrator Helmet. The Victrix Guard Shield is separate and requires one new recurring or gift subscription.
To claim anything, players need to link the game to a Saber account and connect that account to Twitch. Saber's rewards page notes that a game restart may be required after claiming. Its wording specifically calls for a new recurring or gift subscription, so players should not assume an existing subscription will qualify.
Why one shield caused such a fuss
The Victrix Guard appear in Space Marine 2's campaign, and players have been requesting their ornate armour and shield for multiplayer customization since launch. Public suggestions on Focus Together repeatedly ask for the set or individual pieces to be added to the Bulwark. Charging for first access to that particular shield was always going to land badly.
The awkward part is not that Space Marine 2 sells cosmetics. The game has done that through its season passes from the start. It is that this reward sits outside those passes and sends buyers through Twitch for an item tied closely to the campaign's Ultramarines. The later Accolades release takes some sting out of it, but the missing date leaves non-paying players in limbo.
If you mainly want the new modes and weapons, update the game and ignore the campaign. If the shield is the prize, the choice is less tidy: buy or gift a new Twitch subscription now, or keep your Accolades and wait for Saber to announce when the in-game version arrives.