The Hellblasters are Primaris Space Marine fire support squads armed with plasma incinerators. They bring the kind of sustained, armour-melting firepower that can stop a tank column or drop a Hive Tyrant, and they’re some of the best marksmen in the Chapter.
What the hellblasters do
Hellblaster Squads are the Primaris answer to Devastators or Sternguard, depending on how you build them. Their job is simple: pour plasma into heavy targets and don’t stop until it’s ash.
Each Marine carries a plasma incinerator, a weapon light enough to fire on the move but strong enough to threaten monsters and vehicles. When a Hellblaster Squad hits the right spot at the right time, it can blunt an armoured spearhead or bring down a titanic xenos beast.
- Primaris heavy fire support, specialising in plasma weapons.
- Can fire on the move without losing stopping power.
- Deployed in Fire Support Squads according to 10th Edition codex.
- Analogous to Devastators or Sternguard Veterans depending on loadout.
Why plasma makes them dangerous
Plasma weapons hit hard, but they’re rare and unstable. That’s the trade-off Hellblasters live with. Their incinerators can be supercharged for extra punch, but doing so risks the weapon cooking off and killing the user.
Because of that, only the finest marksmen in a company get to join a Hellblaster Squad. They won’t supercharge unless things are truly desperate, but they will do it. More than one squad has martyred itself, turning a battle at the cost of their own lives.
How they fit with other Primaris squads
Hellblasters are part of a family of Primaris specialists, each built around one weapon type. If you know the others, you know where Hellblasters sit.
| Squad | Weapon speciality |
|---|---|
| Hellblasters | Plasma incinerators |
| Desolation Squads | Missile launchers |
| Eradicator Squads | Melta weapons |
| Infernus Squads | Flame weapons |
| Intercessor Squads | Bolt weapons |
On the tabletop and in lore
On the tabletop, Hellblasters are a mid-range shooting unit that rewards good positioning. Get them into rapid fire range and they’ll chew through elite infantry and light vehicles, but they’re not built to take a punch back.
In the lore, they’re a throwback to the Legion days, when squads specialised in a single armament. That said, they’re flexible enough to shift roles mid-battle, which is why commanders value them so highly.
- Best used at mid-range where rapid fire kicks in.
- Supercharging is a high-risk, high-reward option.
- Their rarity means they’re usually deployed where they’ll matter most.
Key facts
- Hellblaster Squads are Primaris Space Marines armed with plasma incinerators.
- They fill a heavy fire support role, similar to Devastators or Sternguard.
- Their plasma weapons are scarce and unstable, so only the best marksmen are chosen.
- Supercharging a plasma incinerator is powerful but can kill the user.
- They’re part of a Primaris specialist family alongside Desolators, Eradicators, Infernus, and Intercessors.
FAQ
Are Hellblasters Primaris Space Marines?
Yes. Hellblaster Squads are a Primaris unit, introduced alongside the Primaris range. They fill a heavy fire support role in a Primaris-heavy force.
What’s the difference between Hellblasters and Eradicators?
Both are Primaris fire support, but Hellblasters carry plasma incinerators while Eradicators carry melta weapons. Plasma is more versatile at range, melta is better up close against armour.
Can Hellblasters supercharge their plasma incinerators?
Yes, but it’s risky. Supercharging boosts damage but can destroy the weapon and kill the Marine holding it. They only do it when the situation is desperate.