Warhammer 40K Darktide Classes Tier List [Patch #14]

Pick the Best Class with the help of our Warhammer 40K: Darktide Classes Tier List.

Knowing the Best Classes in Warhammer 40K Darktide is essential if you wish to create a dream team with your gaming squad. Hence, getting familiar with the Warhammer 40K Darktide Classes Tier List can help you understand which operators you should go for while protecting the city against the ensuing chaos. 

Key Highlights
  • Warhammer 40K Darktide features Four different operators that the players can choose.
  • Each of these classes has its own expertise and abilities, making them unique.
  • Some classes are way too balanced, like the Veteran Sharpshooter, whereas operators like the Zealot could use a bit of upgrading.
  • Choosing the Best Operators class will help you perform better alongside your allies.

In Warhammer 40K Darktide, you can choose from a list of four different operators. Each has its own forte and requires a specific playstyle to excel. However, some operators stand out among the rest. Knowing key points about these Operator classes can take a mediocre team to a top level.

Our Rankings

Check out our Warhammer 40K Darktide Class Tier List Rankings:

Tier ListS-TierA-TierB-Tier
OperatorsVeteran: Sharpshooter,
Ogryn: Skullbreaker
Psyker: PsykineticZealot: Preacher

Some of these Warhammer 40K Darktide Operators can bulldoze through hordes, while others are great at providing assistance or using psychic abilities.

Comparison Between All Classes

Let’s now look at the comparison between each Warhammer 40K Darktide Class:

ClassesTypeAbilityBlitz TraitAura TraitUnique Melee WeaponUnique Ranged Weapon
VeteranSharpshooterVolley FireFrag GrenadeScavenger HuntCombat ShovelsPlasma Guns
OgrynSkullbreakerBull RushBig Box of HurtIntimidating PresenceSlab ShieldsGrenadier Gauntlets
PsykerPsykineticPsykinetic’s WrathBrain BurstKinetic PresenceForce SwordsForce Staves
ZealotPreacherChastise The WickedStun GrenadeThe Emperor’s WillTwo-Handed ChainswordsFlamers

S-Tier

Tier-S Warhammer 40k: Darktide Classes Tier List
S-Tier (Image By: eXputer)

The S-Tier Operators are by far the best ones the game offers right now. There is an undivided opinion regarding these operators in Warhammer 40K Darktide. From the amount of game time we have spent playing, along with the opinion the majority of the players have on Reddit and other online forums, the Veteran and Ogryn classes are currently the best in the game. Of course, these rankings can change over time.

However, if you’re solely looking to run the best operator in Warhammer 40K Darktide, you can never go wrong with Veteran or Ogryn.

Veteran: Sharpshooter

Regarding PvE games, everyone knows nothing about classes with good ranged damage and quick movement. These characters allow the players to keep their safe distance against hordes and punch in some legitimate damage as well. This is exactly where the Veteran operator steps in! Since the launch of Warhammer 40K Darktide, players have been completely biased regarding Veteran: Sharpshooter.

Unique Trait Name
Ability Volley Fire
Iconic #1 Make Every Shot Count
Iconic #2 Be Prepared
Blitz Frag Grenade
Aura Scavenger Hunt
Unique Melee Weapon Combat Shovels
Unique Ranged Weapon Plasma Guns

Veterans, troopers of the Astra Militarum, are Emperor-tested warriors in Warhammer 40K Darktide. They excel as Sharpshooters, often considered the most formidable class due to imbalance issues. Veterans shine at ranged combat, excelling against Specialists and Elites, thanks to abilities like Volley Fire.

They can unleash rapid fire without precise aiming during hordes, though ammo can run low. This is mitigated by the “Be Prepared” Iconic ability.

Veterans are the most user-friendly class, equipped with a Frag Grenade, Sapper Shovel, and Infantry Lasgun. Notable feats for Veterans include: [List feats here]:

  • Rank 5 [Confirmed Kill]
  • Rank 10 [Sniper]
  • Rank 15 [Bio-Optic Targeting]
  • Rank 20 [Unwavering Focus]
  • Rank 25 [Deadshot]
  • Rank 30 [Counterfire]

Class Ability:

  • Volley Fire: Enter ranged stance for 5 seconds, prioritize non-Ogryn Elite and Specialist foes, deal +50% ranged damage.

Iconic Abilities:

  • Be Prepared: Increase ammo reserve by 40% per team member.
  • Make Every Shot Count: +15% damage on weak spots.

Coherency Aura:

  • Scavenger Hunt: You and allies in Coherency gain a small amount of Ammo whenever you kill an Elite enemy.

Ogryn: Skullbreaker

Next up on the S-Tier operator entries in Warhammer 40K Darktide, we have Ogryn. When it comes to PvE games, it is essential to have a tanky character in your team at all times. You never know when things might go south and you may need someone who can throw all the strategies out of the park and wreak pure havoc. That is exactly what the Ogryn is capable of doing in Warhammer 40K Darktide.

Unique Trait Name
Ability Bull Rush
Iconic #1 Excessive Force
Iconic #2 Loyal Protector
Iconic #3 Thick Skin
Blitz Big Box of Hurt
Aura Intimidating Presence
Unique Melee Weapon Slab Shields
Unique Ranged Weapon Grenadier Gauntlets

Ogryn, the tanky operator, excels in fun horde battles. Skullbreakers, also called Ogryns, are massive, powerful humans used to shock Astra Militarum soldiers, compensating for limited intelligence.

They deal brutal damage, absorb hits, and revive allies seamlessly with “Loyal Protector.”

Ideal for horde combat and melee damage, they wield a thrilling cannon/shotgun, the “Big Box of Hurt” (Blitz weapon), for explosive enemy handling. However, their sluggish movement can be a concern.

Their primary ability, “Bull Rush,” offers an escape from tight spots. For an action-packed time obliterating foes, Ogryn is your go-to class.

Starting with an Mk I Bully Club Melee weapon and Thumper Shotgun, Ogryns are a compelling choice in Warhammer 40K Darktide.

Some of the Best feats for Ogryn’s class are:

  • Rank 5 [Lynchpin]
  • Rank 10 [Blood and Thunder]
  • Rank 15 [Bullfighter]
  • Rank 20 [Bloodthirst]
  • Rank 25 [Raging Bull]
  • Rank 30 [Bull Gore]

Class Ability:

  • Bull Rush: Charge forward, knocking enemies back and granting a 25% increase in Attack Speed and Movement Speed for 5 seconds.

Iconic Abilities:

  • Thick Skin: Reduces Health and toughness damage by 20%.
  • Excessive Force: Increases Melee Stagger by 25%.
  • Loyal Protector: Ogryns can revive or assist teammates without interruption from damage.

Coherency Aura:

  • Intimidating Presence: Increases Heavy Melee attack damage by 10% for allies within Coherency.

A-Tier

Tier-A Warhammer 40k: Darktide Classes Tier List
A-Tier (Image By: eXputer)

The A-Tier classes are the next best options you can consider while picking an operator in Warhammer 40K Darktide. These classes have the pros to make their way into the S-Tier. However, due to a few drawbacks, we decided to peg them down, below the Veteran and Ogryn. Nonetheless, the A-Tier operators are still good choices to go for while tagging along with your allies. 

Psyker: Psykinetic

The Psyker operator is quite different from what we have seen so far in this guide. Psykers do not have any firepower or devastating weapons, instead, they rely on their psychokinetic abilities and expertise to deal with the enemies in Warhammer 40K Darktide. In our opinion, they have the coolest-looking finishers and attack moves in the game. Once you get a hang of these guys you will feel like a possessed wizard on the battleground.

Unique Trait Name
Ability Psykinetic’s Wrath
Iconic #1 Warp Siphon
Iconic #2 Battle Meditation
Blitz Brain Burst
Aura Kinetic Presence
Unique Melee Weapon Force Swords
Unique Ranged Weapon Force Staves

Psychic Mutants in Warhammer 40K Darktide, known as Psykers, harness the Immaterium for enhanced mental abilities. They serve as the game’s magic users, adept at handling different foes and supporting allies like Veterans and Ogryns.

While Psykers excel in tackling Elites and Specialists, they struggle against multiple enemies alone due to their limited physical strength. Yet, their Brain Burst (Blitz weapon) enables them to snipe Crushers and Bulwarks from afar, adding a thrilling aspect to confined combat.

However, this power comes with risks. Using Brain Burst increases Peril, displayed as a percentage on-screen. If it crosses 100%, the Psyker explodes. Psykinetic’s Wrath refreshes this meter. Psykers also boost team damage with Kinetic Presence.

Regarding gear, Psykers start with a Sword for melee and a Heavy Revolver for ranged combat, but they predominantly rely on their magical abilities. Despite their strengths, handling large hordes and sticky situations falls short compared to Veterans and Ogryns.

Some of the Best feats for Psyker class are:

  • Rank 5 [Warp Absorption]
  • Rank 10 [Inner Tranquility]
  • Rank 15 [Cerebral Lacerations]
  • Rank 20 [Mind in Motion]
  • Rank 25 [Warp Battery]
  • Rank 30 [Kinetic Barrage]

Class Ability:

  • Psykinetic’s Wrath: Resets Peril level and staggers enemies in front of the Psyker.

Iconic Abilities:

  • Warp Siphon:Gain a Warp Charge with each enemy killed using Brain Burst. Each charge increases damage by 3%, stackable up to 4 charges for 25 seconds.
  • Battle Meditation: +10% chance to end 10% peril after a kill.

Coherency Aura:

  • Kinetic Presence: Allies within Coherency have their damage increased by 10%.

B-Tier

Tier-B
B-Tier (Image By: eXputer)

Last but not least, we have the B-Tier that rounds off the final Operator class in Warhammer 40K Darktide. By now you would know which operator is left in this list. From our own experience and the feedback from many players across the internet, the Zealot is just not it thus far in Warhammer 40K Darktide.

Zealot: Preacher

Don’t get us wrong, the Zealot is not a bad operator in Warhammer 40K Darktide. It just falls a bit behind the rest of the operators in the game. The Zealot is a melee-focused class, it excels while getting close to the enemies in the City. Which is exactly why it may end up being the first one to fall under pressure. Although, you can equip some good ranged weapons for the Zealot after you’ve played through the game for a while.

Unique Trait Name
Ability Chastise The Wicked
Iconic #1 Martyrdom
Iconic #2 Until Death
Iconic #3 Swift Exorcism
Blitz Stun Grenade
Aura The Emperor’s Will
Unique Melee Weapon Two-Handed Chainswords
Unique Ranged Weapon Flamers

The Zealot, embodying determination and piety, fights for the honor of the Emperor. “Chastise the Wicked” is a notable ability, while the Stun Grenade can effectively control hordes of enemies, allowing allies to deal damage or enabling the Zealot to engage directly.

Initially equipped with a Combat Axe and Auto pistol, the Zealot can later upgrade to more lethal melee weapons like the Mk II Thunder Hammer or Mk II Eviscerator.

However, the Zealot’s limited damage range and melee variety may pose challenges against larger enemies or crowds, leading to vulnerability and potential setbacks compared to other operators.

Despite these drawbacks, the Zealot’s exhilarating melee combat and maneuverability, especially with Chastise the Wicked, make it an enjoyable class to play.

Some of the Best feats for Zealot class are:

  • Rank 5 [Enemies Within, Enemies Without]
  • Rank 10 [Bloodletting]
  • Rank 15 [Benediction]
  • Rank 20 [Thy Wrath be Swift]
  • Rank 25 [Honour the Martyr]
  • Rank 30 [Purge the Wicked]

Class Ability:

  • Chastise the Wicked: Sprint forward or dash towards an enemy, replenishing toughness and boosting the damage of the next melee attack by 25% (guaranteed critical hit).

Iconic Abilities:

  • Martyrdom: Gain +5 damage for every 15 Health lost (stackable up to 3 times).
  • Until Death: Become invulnerable for 5 seconds after taking lethal damage. Activates every 90 seconds.
  • Swift Exorcism: Increases attack speed by 10%.

Coherency Aura:

  • The Emporer’s Will: Provides allies in Coherency with 7% toughness damage reduction.

Changes Due To Latest Patch Notes

Here are some of the buffs and nerfs added to the Warhammer 40k Darktide after the release of new patches. Those updates are as follows:

Updated Version: 07/March/2023.

  1. Ogryn: Skullbreaker Class:
    • Buffed with a +20% damage gain for 5 seconds whenever an enemy damages you with a melee attack.
    • Grants Immunity and Suppression immunity to allies during the buff.
  2. Psyker: Psykinetic Class:
    • Increased damage bonus from 5-15% to 1025%.
    • Buffed Stacks of Soulblaze from 2-3.
    • Increased Radius from 3 meters to 4 meters.
  3. Zealot: Preacher Class:
    • Updated Until Death Passive issue: Now activates at 1 health even without any damage.

Conclusion

With that, we end our discussion of the Warhammer 40K Darktide Tier List. By carefully balancing our opinion with that of the vast majority of players, we were able to get the optimum ranking for each class. So with our deep analysis, we came to the conclusion that the Veteran and Ogryn classes stand out the most amongst the rest currently in Warhammer 40K Darktide.

If you’re new to Warhammer 40K Darktide, then make sure to go through our top-level Tips and Tricks. Be sure you’re well accustomed and know how to Level Up fast and upgrade gear to enhance your gameplay quickly. In Warhammer 40K Darktide, objectives like Data Interrogator can get a little tough when you don’t have the best equipment in the game. Hence, prepare yourself before heading out to secure the City from the horde of enemies.

For more informative and in-depth articles related to Warhammer 40K Darktide, make sure to stick around with us at eXputer!

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Tehreem is a Tier List Writer on eXputer who loves playing, researching, comparing, and writing about games that she enjoys. She’s a Pokemon-obsessed, high-on-caffeine kind of gal. She’s got several years' worth of experience writing about the games she loves. When she’s not playing or writing about RPGs, she can be found binge-watching her favorite shows. Feel free to get in touch with Tehreem or even game with her on her Steam profile.

Experience: 3+ Years || Education: Studying English Literature.

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