The Eliminators are the stealthy marksmen of the Space Marines. Clad in lightweight Phobos armour, these Vanguard Primaris troops stalk the battlefield and take down high-value targets with specialised ammunition.
What are the Eliminators?
They’re a type of Primaris Space Marine trained for covert operations and long-range elimination. They belong to the Vanguard, the stealth-focused branch of the Primaris reinforcements. On the tabletop, they operate as a Fire Support Squad, meaning they hang back and provide covering fire.
Their job is to haunt the shadows, pick off key enemies, and disrupt the enemy’s plans. They don’t seek glory in melee; they win by patience and precision.
Equipment and ammunition
Eliminators wear a stripped-down version of Mk X Phobos Armour, which trades heavy plating for stealth and mobility. Their main weapons are the Mk III Shrike Pattern Bolt Sniper Rifle, the Las Fusil, or the Instigator Bolt Carbine. Each rifle has advanced optics that can switch between thermoscopic vision and auspex scans that see through solid matter.
What really sets them apart is their special ammo. Hyperfrag rounds burst into shrapnel, Executioner rounds are self-guided and can curve around cover, and Mortis rounds release self-replicating toxins. Every Eliminator carries a mix of these, ready for any target.
- Hyperfrag: explodes into shrapnel for anti-infantry.
- Executioner: self-guided, seeks targets behind cover.
- Mortis: delivers a mutagenic toxin that eats through flesh.
On the battlefield
In games of Warhammer 40,000, Eliminators are a flexible fire support unit. They can target characters, heavy infantry, or light vehicles depending on their ammo and weapon choice. Their stealth skills make them harder to hit, and they can deploy in forward positions to get early shots.
They’re not meant to hold objectives alone. Instead, you’ll want to keep them at range, using their precision to whittle down the enemy’s key units while your main force moves in.
Chapter variations and lore
Most Chapters field Eliminators as part of their Vanguard forces. The Space Wolves are a notable exception: their Wolf Scouts often take on the Eliminator role when needed, blending their traditional scouting skills with the new Primaris equipment.
Notable Eliminators include Sergeant Certus of the Ultramarines, who appears in the game Warhammer 40,000: Tacticus.
Key facts
- Eliminators are Vanguard Primaris Space Marines specialised in stealth and sniping.
- They wear lightweight Phobos Armour and wield bolt sniper rifles, las fusils, or bolt carbines.
- Their special ammunition includes Hyperfrag, Executioner, and Mortis rounds.
- On the tabletop, they serve as a Fire Support Squad, targeting high-value enemies from range.
- The Space Wolves use Wolf Scouts in the Eliminator role instead of dedicated squads.
FAQ
What’s the difference between Eliminators and regular snipers?
Eliminators are Primaris Marines with specialised stealth armour and a wider range of ammunition types. They’re dedicated to covert elimination, while regular snipers might be part of a more general infantry squad.
Can Eliminators be used in any Space Marine army?
Yes, they’re available to most Chapters as part of the Vanguard Primaris range. Some Chapters like the Space Wolves use different units to fill the same role.
What’s the best ammunition to use?
It depends on your target. Hyperfrag is great against infantry, Executioner for characters hiding behind cover, and Mortis for tough multi-wound models. Mix and match as needed.