Warhammer 40,000 Darktide relies on the co-op formula developer Fatshark has refined since the launch of Vermintide but veers away from its established structure in a few significant ways. Prior to exploring the dark depths of Tertium, you’ll need to create your character, picking one of four available archetypes and classes.
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide does away with pre-made characters, allowing players to customize their own convict before risking their lives battling the servants of Chaos. Its four archetypes range from a brutish Ogre to a Psyker with otherworldly powers and, when combined with their respective classes, cater to different playstyles.
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide Archetypes and Classes
Each archetype and class combo in Darktide starts with its own loadout and has access to a set of abilities that, with proper use, can give your team the upper hand even in the most dire of situations. Below, we take a look at what the developer has shared so far about the game’s playable roster.
Zealot: Preacher
Players opting for the Zealot archetype in Warhammer 40,000 Darktide play as characters whose life revolves around unyielding faith and dedication to serving the Emperor of Mankind.
Although these holy warriors aren’t the easiest people to be around, their fanaticism translates to an ever-burning desire of vanquishing Terra’s enemies, which is quite useful considering the circumstances.
Darktide’s Preacher class sees players embodying fighters who treat eliminating foes as more important than their own lives. They passively gain increased melee attack speed, preferring to fight in close quarters.
Although it caters to a more aggressive, in-your-face playstyle, switching between melee and ranged weapons at the right time can make you more efficient while allowing you to manage the amount of damage that comes your way.
Using the class ability allows you to charge either into the fray, quickly getting you near an opponent that needs to be taken out, or to an ally that might need help. Here is an overview of Warhammer 40,000: Darktide’s Zealot: Preacher archetype/class combo:
Key features
- Health Management
- High Damage Melee Attacks
- Good vs Armor
Starting Loadout
- Melee: Combat Axe
- Ranged: Autopistol
Tactical Action
- Stumm grenade
Passive
- Melee damage is increased based on missing health
- Resists death on taking lethal damage
- Increased melee attack speed
Class Ability
- The Preacher dashes forward, locking their target in melee.
Coherency bonus
- Decreases toughness damage taken
Veteran: Sharpshooter
Veterans come from the ranks of the Astra Militarum, so they’re all too familiar with facing Mankind’s enemies in battle. It’s also where they thrive, at least until one of their foes gets the upper hand.
As its name suggests, Darktide’s Sharpshooter class favors fighting from a distance using ranged weaponry. It can aim for weak spots or mow down scores of enemies with its weapons but also use frag grenades when a more explosive solution is most appropriate.
Although its class ability slows the Sharpshooter down, it also increases the weak spot damage dealt alongside accuracy and handling. In addition, it lets players more easily spot non-ogryn elites and special enemies in a crowd.
Here is an overview of Warhammer 40,000: Darktide’s Veteran: Sharoshooter archetype/class combo:
Key features
- Ranged Combat
- Headshots
- Good vs Elites & Specials
Starting Loadout
- Melee: Standard-issue Munitorum Sapper Shovel
- Ranged: Kantrael Mk VII Lasgun
Tactical Action
- Frag Grenade
Passive
- Increased weak spot damage
- Increased ammo capacity
Class Ability
- The Sharpshooter slows down their movement to take careful aim, increasing weak spot damage as well as accuracy and handling
Coherency bonus
- Increased chance of not using any ammo
Ogryn: Skullbreaker
Ogryns, as you may know, are big and strong, serving both as laborers or soldiers of the Astra Militarum. Perhaps the convicts with the most straightforward approach to existence, they value strength and treat shooting and smashing things as their favorite ways to solve problems.
Darktide’s Skullbreaker class focuses on using its strength as its main weapon. Although slower, its size and toughness makes it a good frontline fighter adept at keeping enemies busy while the rest of the team deals damage.
Its class ability sends it into a charge that knocks down opponents while also temporarily increasing movement and attack speed once complete.
That’s not to say Skullbreakers can’t pack a punch – they can very much do so as well as use a variety of ranged weapons.
Here is an overview of Warhammer 40,000: Darktide’s Ogryn:Skullbreaker archetype/class combo:
Key features
- Good vs. hordes
- Effective stagger/suppression
- Melee combat focus
Starting Loadout
- Melee: Club
- Ranged: Thumper Shotgun
Tactical Action
- Box of Grenades
Passive
- Increased melee heavy attack damage
- Increased toughness from melee kills
- Tough skin - Greatly reduces toughness damage taken. Also reduces damage taken
- Increased revive and assist speed </ul>
- “Bull Rush” - The Ogryn charges forward and knocks enemies back. After Bull Rush, the Ogryn has increased movement and attack speed for a limited time.
- Increased melee damage
- Effective vs. Elite enemies
- Warp Charge / Peril management
- Melee: Combat Sword
- Ranged: Stub Revolver
- Brain Burst
- Killing an enemy with Brain Burst stores a Warp Charge. This bio-energy increases the damage of your smite ability while active.
- Peril generation is reduced proportionally to the number of Warp Charges.
- The Psyker discharges their accumulated Warp Charge, knocking enemies away.
- Increased damage against Elite enemies.
Class Ability
Coherency bonus
Psyker: Psykinetic
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide's Psyker archetype describes individuals whose mental powers allow them to channel the raw energies of the Immaterium, turning them into powerful spellcasters.
A potent tool in the fight against Chaos, Psykers also lead a risk-laden existence. Should their concentration falter, they can easily fall prey to daemonic possession, insanity, or, much like dozens of people and one particular drummer, spontaneous combustion.
Darktide's Psykinetic class stands out from the rest of the roster thanks to its ability to literally pop enemy heads using its powers. As you do so, you gain Warp Charges, increasing your level of Perils of the Warp.
Efficiently using the abilities that set the class apart is tied to managing the Perils of the Warp that build up while you cast spells.
They slowly decrease overtime when you're not using spells or when you give yourself a few seconds to meditate, which renders you vulnerable to opponents.
The Psyker: Psykinetic prefers fighting from afar, since it lacks the Ogryn's constitution, but you won't go into battle without the tools to smack enemies around, when push comes to shove. Here is an overview of Warhammer 40,000: Darktide's Psyker: Psykinetic archetype/class combo:
Key features
Starting Loadout
Psychic Ability
Passive
Class Ability
Coherency bonus
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide's approach to archetypes and classes could mean that the starting roster will grow post-launch through either premium DLC or free updates in the future.
Although no concrete plans have been shared at the moment, developer Fatshark has taken a similar route with Vermintide 2 in the past.
That is what we know so far about Warhammer 40,000: Darktide's archetypes and classes. For more on the game, check out our articles covering whether or not it's coming to <a href="https://www.gamewatcher.com/news/warhammer-40000-darktide-xbox-game-pass-pc>PC Game Pass</a> or getting crossplay at launch.
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