Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide

Special Attacks

Master operative special attacks in Warhammer 40,000: Darktide. Learn to strategically use unique class abilities to overcome the Heretic Astartes.

Special Attacks

Mastering your operative's special attacks is crucial for surviving the relentless hordes of the Heretic Astartes and the myriad horrors lurking within the Tertium Hive. Each class boasts unique abilities that, when used strategically, can turn the tide of battle. This section will detail how to effectively utilize these powerful tools.

Activating Special Attacks

Special attacks are typically activated by pressing the F key (default PC binding). Some abilities may have an alternative activation or a secondary effect when held. Always check your keybinds in the game's settings under Options > Controls > Keybindings to ensure optimal setup.

Veteran Sharpshooter: Volley Fire

The Veteran's Volley Fire is an invaluable tool for precision targeting and damage amplification. Upon activation, your Veteran enters a focused state for a short duration, highlighting elite and special enemies, and granting a significant boost to ranged damage and weak spot damage.

  • Primary Use: Prioritize high-threat targets like Maulers, Ragers, or Snipers. The damage buff can allow you to one-shot many specials with a well-placed headshot from weapons like the Lucius Mk III Helbore Lasgun or the Kantrael MG IV Lasgun.
  • Situational Awareness: Use Volley Fire to quickly clear out distant threats before they can close the gap, or to burst down a Crusher that is pinning down your team.
  • Synergy: Combine Volley Fire with the Deadshot feat (Level 10) for increased critical hit chance on weak spot hits, or Rending Strikes (Level 25) to further reduce enemy armor.
  • Cooldown Management: Volley Fire has a moderate cooldown. Avoid wasting it on basic Poxwalkers unless absolutely necessary for crowd control in dire situations.

Zealot Preacher: Chastise the Wicked

The Zealot's Chastise the Wicked is a potent ability for both offensive bursts and defensive repositioning. When activated, the Zealot dashes forward, gaining a temporary invulnerability window and a guaranteed critical hit on their next melee attack.

  • Offensive Application: Use Chastise the Wicked to instantly close the distance to a dangerous elite, such as a Mutant or a Traitor Captain, and deliver a devastating critical strike. This is especially effective with high-damage melee weapons like the Thunder Hammer or the Crucis Mk II Thunder Hammer.
  • Defensive Maneuver: The invulnerability frames during the dash can be used to escape dangerous situations, such as being surrounded by a horde or dodging a Poxburster's explosion.
  • Crowd Control: While not its primary function, a well-placed critical hit with a wide-sweeping weapon like the Eviscerator can clear a path through lesser enemies.
  • Feat Choices: Consider feats like Blazing Piety (Level 15) for increased attack speed after using Chastise, or Invulnerable Zealot (Level 30) for extended invulnerability.

Ogryn Skullbreaker: Bull Rush

The Ogryn's Bull Rush is a powerful crowd-controlling and repositioning ability. The Ogryn charges forward, knocking down and staggering most enemies in their path, and gaining temporary damage reduction.

  • Team Support: Bull Rush is excellent for creating space for your team, especially when they are being overwhelmed by a horde or pinned down by elites. Use it to knock down a line of Ragers or clear a path through a dense group of Poxwalkers.
  • Target Prioritization: While it can knock down most enemies, larger enemies like Crushers and Bulwarks will only be staggered. Use the follow-up melee attacks to exploit their momentary vulnerability.
  • Rescue Missions: If a teammate is downed or surrounded, a well-timed Bull Rush can clear a path for revival.
  • Weapon Synergy: Follow up a Bull Rush with heavy attacks from weapons like the Mk IIIb Cleaver or the Mk II Ripper Gun to maximize damage on the downed enemies.
  • Feat Considerations: Feats like Thick Skin (Level 10) further enhance your damage reduction, making you an even more formidable frontline.

Psyker Psykinetic: Brain Burst

The Psyker's Brain Burst is a unique and potent single-target ability that deals immense damage to a chosen enemy, often instantly killing lesser elites and specials. It requires a charge-up time and generates Peril.

  • Elite Elimination: Brain Burst is your go-to for instantly removing high-threat targets like Snipers, Bombers, Flamers, and even Mutants. Aim for the head for faster charge times and increased damage.
  • Peril Management: Constantly monitor your Peril meter. Overcharging Brain Burst can lead to a dangerous Peril explosion. Use your Quell ability (default R key) to manage Peril between bursts.
  • Strategic Targeting: While powerful, Brain Burst has a limited range and requires line of sight. Prioritize targets that are difficult for your teammates to reach or that pose an immediate threat.
  • Feat Integration: Feats like Warp Siphon (Level 10) can reduce Peril generation, while Kinetic Flayer (Level 25) can provide a chance for free Brain Bursts on critical hits.
  • Alternative Use: In desperate situations, a fully charged Brain Burst can even stagger a Daemonhost, though this is highly risky and generally not recommended as a primary strategy.