Games Workshop has resurrected the long-awaited Warhammer 40,000 animation, Astartes 2, with a stunning teaser trailer that has captivated fans. However, there's a crucial detail: the trailer showcases scenes that won't actually appear in the final animation.

Astartes 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the fan-made original, created by Syama Pedersen. Widely considered the pinnacle of Warhammer 40,000 animation, surpassing even Amazon's excellent Space Marine 2 animation for Secret Level, its impact is undeniable. Its success even inspired Saber Interactive's hugely popular Space Marine 2, leading Games Workshop to bring Pedersen on board for the sequel.

Years of silence surrounding Astartes 2 had fueled speculation of cancellation. Then, on January 29th, the surprise teaser trailer dropped, thrilling Warhammer 40,000 fans.

It's not even February yet and the Ws for 2025 won't stop coming! Astartes is back, Brothers! pic.twitter.com/sYhu5LjwiC

— Champions of the Ice (@ChampionsOTIce2) January 29, 2025

The teaser boasts unprecedented scale and quality for a Warhammer 40,000 animation, featuring intense melee combat, explosive gunfights, thrilling vehicle battles, and even epic spaceship clashes. Various Space Marine chapters clash across diverse environments, facing off against Tyranids, Orks, and Tau.

While the teaser expertly builds hype, a Warhammer Community post reveals a twist: none of the footage is from the actual animation.

“This teaser trailer is not actually clips from the new animation, instead showing a compilation of shots that represent the former lives of the characters that will appear in the show. There’s a pretty unsubtle hint at the end as to the nature of the final story...We’ll leave you to speculate and start putting the pieces together yourselves.”

The trailer's coolness is undeniable, but its deceptive nature is a concern. The lack of a disclaimer might lead to disappointment for viewers expecting to see the depicted scenes in Astartes 2, especially those who don't see the Warhammer Community post.

Despite this, fan excitement remains high, with speculation rife. The final image hints at the characters' eventual roles in an Inquisition-led Deathwatch Terminator squad.

Meanwhile, Space Marine 2 fans are already expressing envy, hoping some elements from the teaser, perhaps even capes, might find their way into the game. With ongoing updates to Space Marine 2, further inspiration from Astartes seems a distinct possibility.