Kill the Space Marine! Who will win Titus or Master Chief?

In this Article I will be diving into the topic of who would wind in a fight between Titus from the Space Marine video games and John-117, the Master Chief from the Halo series.

Recently this subject was raised in Death Battle as part of their Death Battle Cast livestream where they debate and discuss the two combatants. From what little I saw I could see that there was some missing information and a focus on plot armour elements on both sides. For the purposes of this article I will be omitting any “plot armour” feats of strength and looking specifically at the feats that have a measurable and quantifiable aspect.

It has to be said that from the outset this matchup looks to be a good one as the warriors have similar origins. Both are taken in as children, both are trained and conditioned to serve their respective forces, and around the time they enter puberty they undergo medical procedures that have a high chance of killing the aspirant. Both wear an advanced suit of armour, both have access to a vast arsenal of weapons.

Titus and John-117 are fairly similar on paper, but these similarities are wildly different. In this article I will share with you the differences between them and using this data will form an informed decision on who would win.

The Adeptus Astartes

What makes an Adeptus Astartes? Is it genetic augmentation? Cool armour and weapons of unimaginable destruction? A brotherhood of similar individuals holding to their beliefs, traditions and the Codex Astartes?

Actually it’s all of the above.

A young Aspirant, depending on Chapter, will usually have the honour to be selected to become a battle brother. Each chapter has their own initiation rituals, the Ultramarines like to test their aspirants with something called the Exposure Trials. They pick a random Death World in the Ultramar region, and in case you didn’t know a Death World is a world that is inhospitable to humans. The child is given the bare minimum to survive and an arbitrary time limit in which to survive, or told to make their way to a specific location.

Many children will fail this test, after all not all who are recruited are destined to become Astartes. The survivors of the Exposure Trials will be taken back to Macragge for their next trial. The second trial sees the recruit being pitted against a full Astartes in a test of skill. This could be unarmed combat, marksmanship, a foot race, or a game of Chess. The aspirants will fail these tests but the tests are designed to see who has the resolve to be steadfast in the face of overwhelming odds. Any recruits that admit defeat fail the test and are washed out. Those that continue to try and achieve victory regardless are taken in for the next stage of their newfound career.

Any successful aspirants between the ages of 10 and 12 years old begin the long and painful process to become an Astartes Battle Brother. This begins with a combination of hypnotherapy and chemical conditioning, alongside the first three phases of Gene-Seed organ implantation. An Astartes is kept awake during these procedures, training them to resist pain and to overcome fear. For an Astartes has use for neither. The first organs implanted are:-

1. The Secondary Heart - This acts as a support to warrior’s primary heart. It aids with increased blood flow and should the primary heart become damaged, it will shoulder the burden.
2. The Ossmodula - A small organ implanted next to the pituitary gland at the base of the brain. This organ results in the aspirant growing to a height of around seven feet tall. It also hardens their bones to make them stronger and capable of supporting the Astartes in their many feats of strength and skill. In order to protect an Astartes’ most vital organs, the Ossmodula makes the rib cage fuse together, giving the warrior an inbuilt and organic stab-proof vest.
3. The Biscopea - This small pea like organ is implanted in the Neophyte Astartes’ chest. Where the Ossmodula stimulates bone growth (insert giggle here), the Biscopea stimulates muscle growth. Making them harder, stronger, faster and better.

The next two organs are implanted between the ages of 12 and 14

1. The Haemastamen - This organ is implanted into a major artery such as the Femoral Artery, Aorta, or the Vena Cava. It allows the blood to carry oxygen and nutrients far more effectively than a standard human, making it a brighter shade of red when spilled.
2. Larraman’s Organ - This golf ball sized liver is crucial to an Astartes’ survival. Should an Astartes sustain a wound, the Larraman’s Organ pumps Larraman Cells into the bloodstream, at the sight of the wound they begin forming scar tissue. Larraman Cells are more effective and efficient at stopping bleeding and preventing infection.

The Catalepsean Node is implanted between 14 and 17. At this stage Hypnotherapy begins

1. The Catalepsean Node - Implanted just above the brain stem, this organ helps an Astartes survive without sleep. Like any human, the Adeptus Astartes need sleep but the Catalespean Node allows them to shut down parts of their brain without any hindrance to their performance. This lets their brain get some sleep while the Astartes is still in action.

The next few organs are implanted between 14 and 16 with the first 3 being implanted simultaneously.

1. The Preomnor - This organ is implanted into the digestive system; just above the stomach, and helps an Astartes filter out any poisons or toxins they may have ingested. It also aids digestion of inedible foods, such as my mother-in-law’s cooking.
2. The Omophagea - Quite possibly the most useful organ an Astartes has. It is implanted into the spinal cord and wired into the central nervous system and the digestive tract. It allows an Astartes to gain knowledge about a location by eating the flesh of the animals. It can also be used to gain some of the memories of a fallen warrior by ingesting their blood or part of their brain.
3. The Multi-Lung - Implanted into the circulatory system, the Multi-Lung allows for an Astartes to survive in low oxygen environments. As part of the implantation, a special muscle is fitted to the trachea enabling all three lungs to be used at maximum effectiveness and should the Astartes find themselves in a toxic environment, the Multi-Lung closes off the access to the other lungs and filters out all toxins breathed in. It’s also handy should an Astartes ever want to join the opera.
4. The Occulobe - Implanted into the brain and wired into the Optic Nerve and Retina, the Occulobe has 3 crucial benefits. Firstly, it allows the hypnotic training and conditioning k no ore effective. Secondly, it enhances an Astartes’ visual acuity. Lastly, it allows an Astartes to see in near darkness conditions.
5. Lyman’s Ear - This nifty little organ is implanted onto the side the Astartes’ head, replacing one of his own ears. Indistinguishable from his original ear, Lyman’s Ear gives the Astartes an impressive sense of balance and allows him to single out sources of noise and filter out the other sounds.
6. The Sus-An Membrane - This organ is grafted into the Cranium and over time it fuses with the brain. With training and practice, the Sus-An Membrane allows an Astartes to enter suspended animation. The record so far is 567 years by Silas Err of the Dark Angels, Rip van Winkle eat your heart out. Only the correct chemical compound or hypnotic suggestion administered by an Apothecary can rouse an Astartes from his self induced nap.

The next three are implanted between 15 and 16

1. The Melanochrome - Implanted into the Astartes’ lymphatic system, this handy organ produces melanin to darken their skin when exposed to high levels of UV rays ergo instant suntan.
2. Oolitic Kidney - Impanted in the abdomen. The Oolitic Kidney helps not only regulate the function of an Astartes’ other organs, but should they fall victim to poisons and toxins that overwhelm an Astartes’ biology, the Oolitic Kidney kicks into overdrive and filters out the offending substances. Only problem, doing so knocks the Astartes out, making him vulnerable should it happen in battle
3. The Neuroglottis - This organ is implanted into the upper nasal passages and functions as a built in poison detector. It also gives the Astartes’ sense of smell of a dog.

Between 16 and 18 these organs are implanted in numerical order

1. The Mucranoid - This is implanted into the central nervous system and when combined with the Sus-An membrane puts an Astartes into Suspended Animation, it does this by producing a mucus from his pores to cocoon him until he is revived by an Apothecary.
2. Bethcher’s Gland - This pair of organs are implanted into the mouth of the Astartes, and should the Astartes be bitten by something venomous, his body will process the venom to his Betcher’s Gland for the Astartes to use at a later date.
3. The Progenoid Glands - These organs are vital to the Chapter. One is implanted in the throat, another in the chest. They mature over time and when ready, are harvested to create the next generation of Astartes Gene Seed Organs. Should an Astartes fall in battle, the Apothecary will usually move heaven and earth to recover these precious organs
4. The Black Carapace - This fibrous mesh is implanted under the skin of an Astartes and when fully hardened allows his nervous system to interface with his power armour via access ports dotted across his skin. This gives the Astartes the full benefits of the armour such as enhanced speed, strength etc.

The Primaris Organs

1. The Magnificat - One of the Primaris organs implanted into the cerebral cortex and it amplifies the effects of Biscopea and Ossmodula, making the Astartes taller and stronger than his Firstborn brethren. With the widespread rollout of the Primaris this is usually implanted at an earlier stage, but as Primaris was a Firstborn (Space Marine 1) he would have to cross the Rubicon Primaris.
2. The Belisarian Furnace - Implanted between the hearts of an Astartes, should the Astartes become mortally wounded the furnace kicks in and pumps him full of combat and medicinal stimulants to preserve his life. It takes a while to recharge but is useful should he bear near death upon crossing the Rubicon
3. Sinew Coils - Durametallic coils that are implanted around every sinew of the Astartes’ body. Giving him extra defence.

Plot armour aside, Titus is a badass. He practically single-handedly saved the Forge World of Graia from an Ork invasion and a Chaos incursion. His experience not only with the Ultramarines but also with the Deathwatch gives him several human lifetimes of combat experience the alien, the mutant, and the heretic.

His Mark X Tacticus armour is composed of Adamantium and Ceramite with powered fibre bundle muscles that enhance an Astartes’ enhanced strength and speed. This coupled with the impressive arsenal he has access to make him a towering engine of destruction.

What about Master Chief?

Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 is the epitome of the Spartan-II project, described as being neither the strongest or the fastest but the luckiest has led to him becoming a one man army against forces such as the Covenant, the Flood, and the Forerunners.

Recruited by Doctor Catherine Halsey at the age of 6 as his physical prowess was significantly greater than that of his classmates and being inducted into the Spartan-II program and would spend the next eight years undergoing physical training, military education, and conditioning. At 14 he underwent the Spartan-II Augmentation Procedure which included the following:-

1. Carbide Ceramic Ossification. Advanced material grafted onto skeletal structures. This material is designed to make bones nigh on unbreakable it is however recommended that total coverage not to exceed 3% total bone mass. This could cause significant white blood cell necrosis. There are however risks in the event of sudden skeletal growth spurts, which may cause irreparable bone pulverisation.
2. Muscular Enhancement Injections. Protein complexes are injected intramuscularly to increase tissue density and decrease lactase recovery time, making the Spartan stronger and capable of going further for longer than your average Marine. However, five percent of test subjects experience a fatal increase of cardiac volume, meaning their heart grows in size causing multiple fatal health conditions.
3. Catalytic Thyroid Implant. A Platinum pellet containing human growth hormone catalyst is implanted in the thyroid to boost the growth of skeletal and muscle tissues, aiding in the development a Spartan’s superhuman physical process. In some cases it can cause Elephantiasis and can lead to a suppressed sexual drive, the UNSC don’t see the last one being a problem.
4. Occipital Capillary Reversal. Increases the blood flow beneath the rods and cones of the subject's retina. Produces a marked visual perception increase. It can lead to retinal rejection and detachment. In severe cases, permanent blindness.
5. Superconducting Fibrification of Neural Dendrites. Alteration of bioelectrical nerve transduction to shielded electronic transduction. 300% increase in subject reflexes. Anecdotal evidence of marked increase in intelligence, memory, and creativity. Significant instances of Parkinson's Disease and Fletcher's Syndrome in some cases.

Decked out in the Mk. VI Mjolnir Armour, John comes equipped with a companion AI known as Cortana, or her successor The Weapon in later games. This AI helps regulate his power armour’s functions and can periodically hack into any computer to help the Master Chief. John may only be 46 but he’s achieved a lot in his time as a Spartan. He has carved his way through the forcs of the Covenant, faced off against the necromantic flood, and tangled with the Forerunners.

How do the two stack up against each other?

Both combatants are subject to plot armour. Both have survived literal world ending weapons going off at point blank range. Both have performed feats beyond comprehension such as John surviving re-entry in just his armour. The true winner is decided by knowing the facts and using the age old method of Top Trumps to determine a winner.

I plan to reuse the categories from Tigurius vs Darth Vader, those being:-

Short Range Weapons

Mid Range Weapons

Long Range Weapons

Special Weapons

Melee Abilities

Ranged Abilities

Special Abilities

Physical Prowess

Experience

Wargear

Short Range Weapons

For the purposes of defining ranges, Short Ronge will be considered melee range as both parties have access to pistols which could be considered Short Range.

Titus being an Astartes of the Ultramarines has access to a vast array of weapons. However, I will only be looking at the weapons available in Space Marine and Space Marine 2. Titus has access to the following short range weapons:-

• Astartes Combat Knife - Easily as large as a normal human's short sword.
• Chainsword - Half sword, half chainsaw, delivers death in the bloodiest way possible.
• Power Axe - Not the shotgun firing Power Rangers type but the bound in a special power field that allows it to cut through bone, flesh, and most armours with ease. Not as nimble as the Power Sword but delivers a greater hit.
• Power Sword - The Astartes version of a lightsaber, cuts through enemies like a hot knife cuts through butter using it's molecular matter disruption field.
• Thunder Hammer - This weapon comes with a similar energy field to the Power Sword and Power Axe, but it only engages at the point of impact. This allows it to store up massive amounts of energy which explodes with a thunderclap the minute it lands a hit.
• Power Fist - A gauntlet that allows an Astartes to punch holes in the enemy with it's power field

The Master Chief is not short in the Short Range weapons department. The Chief has access to:-

• Type 1 Energy Sword - A dual pronged knock-off lightsaber. Twin plasma blades erupt from the hilt upon activation but unlike their Star Wars counterparts, can only manage ten hits before needing a recharge. In the hands of a Covenant Elite, the sword can punch through Spartan Armour.
• Type 2 Energy Hammer - Known as the Gravity Hammer, the hammer uses concussive energy blasts to send enemies flying, causing internal injuries in the process.

Short Range Weapons: Titus. Each warrior has access to similar weapons. The Power Sword and Energy Sword are similar in function, the power sword not having a limit gives it the advantage. The Thunder Hammer and Gravity Hammer again are very similar, they use massive amounts of concussive force to send the energy flying. The Gravity hammer is possibly the stronger of the two but the Thunder Hammer can be used single handedly allowing Titus a free hand to wield another weapon or a Storm Shield.

Titus wins this category as he has more weapons at his disposal, and those don't have as many restrictions that the Chief's weapons come with.

Medium Range Weapons

For Medium Range we'll look at weapons such as pistols, submachine guns, and shotguns.

Titus' armoury over the two Space Marine games includes the following:-

• Bolt Pistol - Fires 0.70 calibre, self-propelled, explosive rounds that usually make a mess of whatever they hit.
• Heavy Bolt Pistol - Has greater stopping power than the standard bolter. It's shells are slightly larger which means less in a magazine but it's usually point and kill.
• Plasma Pistol - Whilst known for it's ability to explode and kill the wielder, the plasma pistol utilises a micro-fusion reactor to generate the power to superheat the fuel into plasma. It takes a little time to recharge, safety feature, it is a devastating weapon.

The Master Chief being the super soldier that he is is skilled with many different weapons be they human, Covenant, or Forerunner. The has access to:-

• M6G Magnum - Fires 50 Calibre magnum rounds, known to punch holes in the heads of many Covenant
• M7 Submachine Gun - Holds 60 5x23mm caseless rounds. Often dual wielded by the Master Chief
• M90 Shotgun - Effective anti-infantry weapon that uses 8 Gauge Shells.
• T25 Plasma Pistol - The standard weapon of choice for Covenant Grunts
• T33 Needler - Fires explosive crystal needles
• Z110 Boltshot - Forerunner Energy Pistol

Medium Range Weapons: Tie. The Master Chief has a greater Medium Range arsenal but Titus' weapons have the better stopping power. Many of the weapons used by Master Chief will struggle to penetrate Titus' armour whereas Titus' arsenal will likely leave craters in the Master Chief.

Long Range Weapons

Weapons that are not pistols, smgs, or shotguns is what we'll define as Long Range weapons. These weapons must be able to be carried and not mounted on vehicles or in emplacements.

Titus has an impressive array of devastating weapons to choose from such as:-

• Autocannon - Fires high velocity shells but is often overlooked for more devastating projectiles.
• Bolt Rifle - The standard issue weapon for a Primaris Intercessor. Fires 0.75 calibre mass reactive shells as standard ammunition. Can be fitted out with Kraken Penetrator Armour Piercing rounds, Inferno Incendiary rounds, Hellfire rounds which are used against Tyranids, Metal Storm Frag rounds. The bolt rifle also has various forms such as Auto Bolt Rifle and Stalker Bolt Rifle.
• Heavy Bolt Rifle - Bigger than the standard Auto-Bolt Rifle and hits significantly harder.
• Storm Bolter - Two boltguns welded together. Twice the firepower and twice the ammo consumption.
• Bolt Carbine - Like the Bolt Rifle but fires three round bursts, has a Marksman Variant
• Bolt Sniper Rifle - Like the Stalker Bolt Rifle but with longer range.
• Plasma Incinerator - Like the Plasma Pistol but deals significantly better damage
• Heavy Plasma Incinerator - Slower to fire but deals a massive amount of damage.
• Lascannon - Powerful Laser Weapon capable of punching through tank armour.
• Melta Rifle - Part plasma incinerator, part lascannon. Unleashes a beam of intense heat that will melt through whatever it touches.
• Multi-Melta - A double barrelled variety of the melta rifle. Twice the damage.
• Pyreblaster - Standard weapon of the Infernus Marines. The Astartes flamethrower.

The Master Chief is no slouch in the Long Range department just some of the weapons that the Chief has acces to are as follows:-

• M41 Rocket Launcher - Delivers explosive death from afar with 102mm Unguided Rockets, or can fire M21 Anti-Personnel rounds, Guided Missiles, and Hunter-Killer munitions.
• M7057 Flamethrower - Chemical based Flamethrower that uses Pyrosene-V.
• MA5B/C Assault Rifle - The favourite weapon of the Master Chief fires 7.62mm ammunition. The magazine has a 60 round capacity.
• SRS99C-S2 AM - This gas powered sniper rifle fires 14.5mm rounds of death.
• Zasqi Pattern Fuel Rod Gun - Fires explosive fuel rods but draws power from a battery that is prone to overheating if overused.
• Okarda'phaa-pattern Plasma Rifle - The standard weapon for many Covenant footsoldiers, like a heavy version of the Plasma Pistol.
• BR55 Service Rifle - Fires 9.5x40mm ammunition. A versatile replacement for the MA5B.
• Sulok-Pattern Beam Rifle - An ionised beam weapon that hits the target at near light speeds.
• Vostu Pattern Carbine - Fire radioactive 8mm rounds.
• Jovokada Workshop Brute Shot - A heavy grenade launcher with a built in axe.
• M6 Spartan Laser - Portable solid state laser weapon.
• Paegas Spiker - Fires specially coated blades that become superheated when in contact with atmospheric oxygen, enabling it to burn through most armour.

Long Range Weapons: Master Chief. Titus without a doubt has the greater stopping power when it comes to his weaponry. His armour will be able to shrug most weapons the Chief has access to, but the Chief's in game arsenal dwarfs that of Titus. Yes the Chief has been the primary protagonist for 6 games as opposed to Titus' 2. Over those games he has amassed an impressive arsenal and no doubt somewhere in his collection is weapon that would turn Titus into Space Marine soup.

Special Weapons

Titus has his Mark X Tacticus armour, a variety of grenades, and a Storm Shield

The Chief has his Mark VI Mjolnir armour, a variety of grenades, and Cortana/The Weapon AI assistant.

Special Weapons: Tie. Titus has the better armour, Master Chief has more variety of grenades. AI isn't really a big deal in this fight as Cortana/The Weapon would have no effective use when trying to hack into Titus' armour.

Melee Abilities

Titus and Master Chief are great examples of what a Space Marine can be. Thier individual histories are very similar. They are both skilled at hand to hand combat where Titus would have the power advantage but the Chief has greater maneuverability.

Melee: Titus. Master Chief can hold his own among the best warriors in the Haloverse, but a few hits from the walking tank known as Titus and the Chief would go the same way as Apollo Creed in Rocky IV.

Physical Prowess

For Physical Prowess we have to look at their base stats

Height

• John-117: 7' 2"
• Titus: 10'~

Weight

John-117: 451kg

Titus: 1500kg~

Strength

John-117: 390Kg+

Titus: 1000kg+

Speed

John-117: 35MPH Endurance running, 65MPH Sprinting

Titus: 70mph endurance running, 85mph sprinting

Physical Prowess: Titius. Titus being a Primaris Marine makes him stronger and faster than John-117 even without his armour. John-117 is capable of some incredible feats of physical prowess, Titus is just an order of magnitude or two above him.

Experience

Master Chief John-117 has at least six games worth of experience and if you have played them all then you know just how much the Chief has taken on single handedly. He may only be in his mid 40s but he's seen a lifetime's worth of action.

Titus has more experience than due to his enhanced longevity. Before crossing the Rubicon Primaris he achieved the rank of Captain which is no mean feat. He single handedly save Forge World Graia and spent a number of years in the service of Deathwatch, the Imperium's Elite Alien hunters. Having survived the Rubicon Primaris, he takes his place back within the Ultramarines as a Lieutenant. We have to remember that all the work that went into creating Tigurius, see The Force vs The Warp, also went into creating Titus.

Experience: Titus. The Spartan-II Project pales in comparison to the Astartes' creation process. Titus is also older than John and has seen many more warzones that give him far more experience. John has experience but it's just not enough.

Wargear

John-117 has his Mark VI Mjolnir Armour

Titus has the Mark X Tacticus Armour

Wargear: Titus. Titus is already faster and stronger than the Master Chief when he isn't wearing armour, his armour just widens the chasm.

Overall Winner: Lieutenant Demetrian Titus.

This match isn't the a simple one sided fight. Master Chief having the greater arsenal would make it a difficult fight. Some of the weapons such as the spartan laser and the Spiker have the best chance to pierce the Astartes' armour. That being said, Titus can use weapons like the Melta Rifle which melts tank armour and would easily breach the Titanium armour of the Master Chief.

Take the weapons away and pitch them against each other in a round of fisticuffs, and Titus will break the Chief in two. The weapons they have are also very similar with similar abilities. Arguably, Titus' weapons have the greater stopping power. The Chief might be lucky and get in a few good hits, but Titus has faced foes that far exceed the Chief's abilities such as Chaos Space Marines, Daemons, and Tyranids.

It also has to be said that Cortana's only value in this fight would be limited to armour management as she can't hack the Machine Spirit of Titus' armour and weapons.

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