April 1st has come and gone, and with it, the video game industry's tradition of April Fool's Day pranks. Yet, the playful jest from the team behind Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 might linger in fans' memories a bit longer. Yesterday, Focus Entertainment, the publisher of Space Marine 2, announced a new Chaplain class as DLC set for release on April 1st. "In story mode, swap out Titus for The Chaplain and experience the game as a true Codex-compliant Ultramarine," Focus declared, undoubtedly stifling laughter behind their screens.

This 'DLC' would supposedly introduce the Chaplain as a playable character in the story mode, complete with an 'Enhanced Dialogue System.' Every five minutes, the Chaplain would remind his comrades that "the Codex Astartes does not support this action," and threaten to report them to the Inquisition. Additionally, the Chaplain boasted a special ability called Discipline, which would report any minor deviations from the Codex Astartes, granting a 5% discipline bonus at the cost of a 20% brotherhood penalty.

The humor in this prank stems from Chaplain Quintus's role in Space Marine 2's campaign, where he watches protagonist Titus with a hawk-like scrutiny for any signs of heresy, despite Titus's unwavering loyalty to the Imperium and the Emperor. As Titus battles the Tyranids and the Thousand Sons, it becomes evident that he possesses something unique, which Chaplain Quintus distrusts intensely. This portrayal likens the Chaplain to an overzealous school prefect, a character that has become a meme within the Space Marine community.

The April Fool's joke taps into this meme culture, yet some fans expressed genuine interest in seeing the Chaplain added to the game, albeit not with the exact satirical skill set. They envision him as a warrior-priest dedicated to the Emperor's veneration. Enthusiastic discussions on the Space Marine subreddit, highlighted by comments like "This would actually go hard if this was real" from ResidentDrama9739, reflect this sentiment.

Interestingly, Space Marine 2 is set to introduce a new class soon, though Focus and developer Saber Interactive have kept details under wraps. Speculation leans toward the Apothecary, akin to a medic class, or the Librarian, which would bring warp-powered abilities into play. The Chaplain's feature in the April Fool's Day prank might not rule him out entirely.

Despite the surprising announcement of Space Marine 3's development, Space Marine 2's roadmap for the first year remains intact, with Patch 7 scheduled for mid-April. Upcoming updates promise new PvE operations, melee weapons, and the eagerly awaited new class, keeping the community engaged and excited.