The reintroduction of Leandros in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 has been met with an outpouring of hatred for the character – but for those who aren’t well-versed in Warhammer, it can be tough to understand the vitriol. Leandros only appears for a couple of seconds at the very end of Space Marine 2 – without getting into too many spoilers too early, suffice it to say that he rears his ugly head in a quick sequel setup moments before the game ends.

Despite his incredibly minimal screen time, Leandros has provoked a visceral reaction, with fans expressing unequivocal shock and disgust at his appearance in Space Marine 2. Longtime Warhammer, or even Space Marine fans, seem to know exactly who he is, and have limitless stores of hatred for this seemingly minor character. To the casual observer just dipping their toes into the Warhammer 40K sea, such negative sentiment seems cold – but don’t worry, it’s justified.

Leandros Is A Recurring Character From The First Space Marine Game

Leandros Is Titus’ Former Ally

For the uninitiated, Leandros appears in the first Space Marine game as an ally and underling of Demetrian Titus, the series protagonist. Leandros is introduced as a relatively recent recruit to the Ultramarine, the Imperium of Man’s predominant fighting force. Leandros is well-studied, in part due to the instruction of his mentor Sidonus. Together with then-Captain Titus, the two of them participate in a battle to reclaim Forge World Graia from the Orks who have taken it over, and later, the forces of Chaos.

Throughout the game, Leandros impresses Sidonus with his maturity and commitment to the emperor. Leandros similarly sees Titus as a role model, admiring his victories and believing him beyond reproach for his loyal service. Titus, however, sees this as a fault: he believes that Leandros’ loyalty sometimes gets in the way of his logic, and that it, along with his overt formality, conceals an inability to think for himself.

Titus is proven right time and time again, as Leandros follows both direct orders and the doctrine of the Codex Astartes unquestioningly, repeatedly causing issues for himself and his squad. This conflict comes to a head when the three Ultramarines are exposed to the Warp, the home dimension of the Chaos gods who threaten the Imperium. Leandros accuses Titus of working with the forces of Chaos, but Sidonus, a good friend to Titus, dismisses his claims.

Leandros Betrays Titus At The End Of Space Marine 1

Why Everyone Hates Leandros

Custom image by Katarina Cimbaljevic

By the end of Space Marine 1, Sidonus is killed by Chaos leader Nemeroth, and Leandros and Titus are left to their own devices. This is when Leandros commits his greatest act of treachery, the main reason players still hate him today: Leandros betrays Titus by reporting him to Inquisitor Thrax as a heretic. Titus, of course, denies the accusation, but also worries for the people of Graia. A dilligent student of Imperium politics, Titus knows that if he puts up too much of a fight, the Inquisitor may execute the entire planet in punishment.

So Titus martyrs himself by agreeing to face trial for his heresy, in exchange for the safety of Graia. Before he leaves, however, he confronts Leandros, scolding him for his ignorant obedience in a chilling speech: “The Codex Astartes is a set of rules. They guide us, shape us as Ultramarines, teach us to hold duty and honor sacred above all. But how we live with those rules is the true test of a Space Marine. And you have failed.”

As a result of Leandros’ accusation, Titus is investigated for heresy, and determined to be uncorrupted by the Warp. He is, however, demoted to Lieutenant and imprisoned as a heretic for his resistance to Chaos. After Inquisitor Thrax’s death, Titus is offered a chance at freedom, but he declines, ashamed for having dishonored his order of Ultramarines. Instead, Titus voluntarily enters a period of penance, during which he serves in the Deathwatch, a sort of last-hope chapter of Space Marine veterans who are only called in where others have failed.

Who Leandros Is In Space Marine 2

& How He Might Come Back For The Sequel

That’s where Space Marine 2 picks up: with Titus serving in the Deathwatch, when he’s sent to Kadaku to fight off a Tyranid invasion there. He is grievously wounded, but rescued by Ultramarines, only to wake up later and be greeted by a not-yet-familiar face. Chaplain Quintus introduces himself, and explains that Titus has been made to undergo the Rubicon Primaris, a medical procedure that allows Space Marines to become more powerful, officially inducting them into the elite Primaris Marines order.

Chaplain Quintus demands much of Titus throughout the game: he must rejoin the Ultramarines and fend off the Tyranid invasion, but mustn’t reveal his past to his squadmates. Titus eventually manages to beat back both the Tyranids and the resurgent forces of Chaos, led by Thousand Sons Sorcerer Lord Imurah. As he’s celebrating a job well done, Quintus corners Titus to inform him that he’ll be joining his next mission, a direct assignment from Marneus Calgar. Quintus also takes the time to remind Titus that Chaos is still a threat, and if he ever shows another sign of heresy, Quintus will kill Titus himself.

Quintus then removes his skull helmet to reveal that he’s been Leandros all along. The implication is that he’s been promoted since the events of Space Marine 1, and now holds some measure of authority over Titus. It also appears that Leandros will play a larger role in a planned sequel, in which he will accompany Titus on another mission. The conflict between the two men, ignorant ideologue versus noble individualist, will likely be front and center in a future installment in the Space Marine series. Just how it will play out remains to be seen.

So, although the hatred for Leandros seems harsh at first, it’s undeniably justified by his persistent foolishness and eventual treachery in the first Space Marine game. His reputation precedes him in Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2, provoking boundless ire from series fans.