Warhammer 40k Darktide BEST Classes & [Our Expert’s Picks]

Learn the four different class options that players can choose from whenever making their character in Warhammer!

Warhammer 40K Darktide has 4 classes that players can choose from, and all 4 serve different gameplay based on players’ preferences. Our Warhammer 40K Darktide Best Classes guide will showcase a complete overview of each class, including their skills, weapons used by them, as well as personality changes, and what changes are brought to their upbringing! 

Key Takeaways
  • Darktide has four classes that players can choose from. All 4 serve different gameplay based on players’ preferences.
  • The Veterans are described to be the troopers or sharpshooters of the Astra Militarum. This class of warriors is extremely skilled and performs best in Ranged combat.
  • Zealots of the Preacher class are described as pious warriors who can use their rage and hunger in combat, and they are often known to be fearless.
  • Psyker in hand, this class can draw power from the Immaterium. They are extremely vulnerable and fragile when busy in combat.
  • Ogryn class are also known to be skull breakers.

All Classes and Comparison

Before we get to business, let’s quickly compare the Warhammer 40K Darktide Classes:

ClassesHealthToughnessClass AbilityAuraUnique Melee WeaponUnique Ranged WeaponKey Features
Veteran150.0200.0Volley FireAmmo replenishment on EliteCombat ShovelsPlasma GunsRanged Combat, Headshots
Zealots100.0200.0Chastise The Wicked7% Toughness Damage ReductionTwo-Handed ChainswordsFlamersHigh Damage Melee Attack
Psyker150.0100.0Psykinetic’s Wrath10% Damage vs Elite EnemiesForce SwordsForce StavesWarp Charges, Peril Management
Ogryn300.0100.0Bull Rush10% Heavy Melee Attack DamageSlab ShieldsGrenadier GauntletsMelee Combat Focus

Veteran 

Veteran
Veteran (Image Credits Exputer)
Health 150
Toughness 200
Class Ability Volley Fire
Aura Ammo replenishment on Elite
Unique Melee Weapon Combat Shovels
Unique Ranged Weapon Plasma Guns
Key Features Ranged Combat, Headshots
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Kicking things off, we have the Veteran class with us. The veterans are described to be the troopers or sharpshooters of the Astra Militarium, and they are known to be extremely skilled and seasoned warriors that serve the Emperor of Mankind and will always stay in service to the Emperor regardless of circumstances. 

Playstyle 

When it comes to the overall playstyle, while playing as a veteran, players will be able to specialize in ranged combat as compared to focusing on melee combat. It almost doesn’t matter when you go up front and center to take out an enemy or spray your way through; you can bring any kind of enemy to its knees. 

Health and Toughness:

  • Health: 150
  • Toughness: 200

Class Ability – Volley Fire:

  • Engages a ranged stance for 5 seconds.
  • Prioritizes and targets nearby Elite enemies.
  • Increases damage by 50%.

Iconic Abilities:

Veteran
Veteran (Image Credits Exputer)
  • Make Every Shot Count: Increases weak spot damage by 15%.
  • Be Prepared: Boosts ammo reserve for ranged weapons by 40%.

Blitz Ability – Frag Grenade:

  • Provides a fragmentation grenade that explodes after a delay, effective for clearing groups of enemies.

Aura Ability – Scavenger:

  • Upon killing an elite enemy, replenishes a small amount of ammo for you and allies within coherency.

Weapons:

  • Primary Weapon: Plasma Guns for effective ranged attacks.
  • Melee Weapon: Combat Shovels, primarily a backup option.

Background Choices:

  • Childhood: Includes options like Stinkskin Apprentice, Progena, and Hive Urchin, each contributing to the character’s backstory and skills.
  • Growing Up: Offers paths like Enlisted or Hive Ganer, impacting the character’s development and abilities.
  • Defining Moments: Players can choose defining events like being Saved By The Sarge or receiving a Field Promotion, which influence personality and tactical choices.

Pros And Cons 

Last but not least, let’s quickly discuss the pros and cons of using a veteran class. One of the main pros will be that the player will be able to stay at a safe distance ad will be able to dish out quite a lot of Damage! 

You won’t need to be close to the enemy and, therefore, won’t really need to engage in any sort of close combat, but you will still be able to get a sight of the arena before any kind of enemy arrives. 

As for the main con, it’s simply that if you are forced to do melee combat, you will most probably suck at it. 

Zealot 

Zealot
Zealot (Image Credits Exputer)
Health 150
Toughness 200
Class Ability Volley Fire
Aura Ammo replenishment on Elite
Unique Melee Weapon Combat Shovels
Unique Ranged Weapon Plasma Guns
Key Features Ranged Combat, Headshots
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Moving on, the next class that we would like to discuss will be known as the Zealot or the preacher class, and they are described to be pious warriors who are able to use their rage and fervor in combat, and they are often known to be fearless. They are able to make way to areas that are extremely feared. 

Playstyle 

When it comes to the playstyle, Zealots will typically be a high damage-causing class that will have its expertise lie in close-ranged combat as opposed to long-ranged. While being a preacher, you will not care whether you live or you die, and you will be able to have your attacks buffed based on your HP, and you are absolutely ruthless in your attacks. 

Health and Toughness:

  • Health: 150
  • Toughness: 200

Key Features:

  • Specializes in close-ranged combat.
  • Utilizes rage and fervor to enhance combat effectiveness.
  • Known for being fearless, often charging into highly dangerous situations.

Class Ability – Chastise The Wicked:

  • Enables the Zealot to dash towards targeted enemies.
  • Gains 50% toughness and increases damage of the next melee hit by 25%, ensuring it’s a critical hit.

Iconic Abilities:

Zealot Abilities
Zealot Abilities (Image Credits Exputer)
  • Martyrdom: Increases damage by 5 for every 15 health missing, stackable up to 3 times.
  • Until Death: Provides vulnerability for 5 seconds every 90 seconds when taking a fatal hit.
  • Swift Exorcism: Boosts attack speed by 10%.

Blitz Ability – Stun Grenade:

  • Stuns all enemies within the blast radius, making them more vulnerable to attacks.

Aura Ability – The Emperor’s Will:

  • Provides a 7% toughness damage reduction to the Zealot and nearby allies.

Weapons:

  • Primary Melee Weapon: Two-handed chainsword.
  • Secondary Ranged Weapon: Flamers, used less frequently but effective in combat.

Background Choices:

  • Childhood: Shares options with Veterans, such as Stinkskin Apprentice, Progenas, and Hive Urchins.
  • Growing Up: Choices like Lowly Scribes and Saw The Light influence the Zealot’s abilities and combat style.
  • Defining Moments: Includes events like Encounter With Heretics and The Voices, shaping the Zealot’s fervent and relentless nature.

Pros And Cons 

Last but not least, the main pros of using the Zealot will be that you will be able to play as a DPS unit while being able to dish out tons of Damage since you will be in such contact with the enemies. You will also be able to furiously experience the class, being able to convert your anger and fury into deadly Damage that can obliterate any enemy in sight. 

As for the cons, you will always be surrounded by one enemy or another and will seldom get time to rest. 

Psyker 

Psyker
Psyker (Image Credits Exputer)
Health 150
Toughness 100
Class Ability Psykinetic’s Wrath
Aura +10% Damage vs Elite Enemies
Unique Melee Weapon Force Swords
Unique Ranged Weapon Force Staves
Key Features Warp Charges, Peril Management
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Moving onto the next class, we have the Psyker in hand, which will also be known as the Psykinetic class as well. They will be able to draw power from the Immaterium in order to fuel their mental capabilities. They are extremely suspicious people and are viewed as witches by everyone around them. 

Playstyle 

As for the overall playstyle, Psyker mains will be able to use their Psykintic mastery in order to be able to use their mind and take control of forces to do long-range combat. One thing that players should know about Psykers is that they will be extremely vulnerable and fragile whenever they are busy in combat. You will be able to power up your fellow allies and also cause enemies to become all the more vulnerable when in combat. 

Abilities 

Psyker Abiltiies
Psyker Abiltiies (Image Credits Exputer)

As for the abilities, the main class ability will be as follows: 

  • Psykinetic’s Wrath: Enemies that will be present in front of you will get staggered, and it will be done by quelling a total of 50% of your peril. 

Iconic Abilities 

  • Warp Siphon: Kills with the Brain Burst ability earn Warp Charges, each increasing damage by 3% for 25 seconds, stackable up to four times.
  • Battle Meditation: Provides a 10% chance to reduce Peril by 10% upon killing an enemy.

Blitz 

Targets and charges up to deal high damage to a single enemy, ideal for taking down priority targets.

Aura Ability 

When activated, increases damage dealt by allies by 10% against elite enemies if they are within coherency range.

Weapons 

  • Primary Melee Weapon: Force Swords.
  • Primary Ranged Weapon: Force Staves, key to unleashing the Psyker’s psychic powers.

Childhood 

Choices reflect the harsh realities of a Psyker’s origins, such as Navis Imperialis Conscript and Tide Forager, which influence their abilities and survival skills.

Growing Up 

Options such as Escaped to the Waters and Forged by Toil depict the struggles and resilience in developing their powers.

Defining Moments 

Significant events like Spell of Madness and Declared A Witch shape their abilities and their standing within the Imperium.

Pros And Cons 

Let’s end the class by discussing their pros and cons. The main pro of playing as a Psyker will be that you will be able to target specific opponents and will be able to deal a high amount of Damage to them, making them fall to their knees and die out easily. 

You will also be able to do ranged combat with utmost ease and can take on enemies at range easily. The main con is that they will be extremely vulnerable, causing them to die out easily as well. Therefore, players need to take in the number of enemies and their surroundings before heading into a fight. 

Ogryn 

Ogryn
Ogryn (Image Credits Exputer)
Health 300
Toughness 100
Class Ability Bull Rush
Aura +10% Heavy Melee Attack Damage
Unique Melee Weapon Slab Shields
Unique Ranged Weapon Grenadier Gauntlets
Key Features Melee Combat Focus
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Last but not least, the class that we would like to mention amongst the Warhammer 40K Darktide Best Classes will be the Ogryn class. They are also known to be skull breakers, and they are described as being massive and can come in handy as shock troops for the Astra Militarum. 

Playstyle 

When it comes to their playstyle, players who use the ogryn class will always be in close range of the enemies, and they will be extremely tough players. They are described to be a class that does not have subtlety in their name, and you will be a part of a class that will want to rush head first into battle whenever the opportunity presents itself.

You are able to take in incoming attacks from enemies quite easily without having to take Damage yourself while also being able to dish out impeccable Damage. 

Abilities 

Ogryn Abilities
Ogryn Abilities (Image Credits Exputer)
  • Excessive Force: Causes 25% melee stagger to nearby enemies, enhancing crowd control.
  • Loyal Protector: Prevents interruptions from damage while reviving or assisting allies, ensuring sustained support.
  • Thick Skin: Provides a 20% reduction in both toughness and health damage, bolstering durability.

Blitz 

Launches a powerful grenade attack that deals significant damage to enemies, ideal for clearing groups or targeting strong foes.

Aura Ability 

Increases heavy melee attack damage by 10% for the player and nearby allies, enhancing overall melee effectiveness.

And there we have it! The 4 Warhammer 40K Darktide classes that you will encounter while playing Warhammer, and with that, we will wrap up our Warhammer 40K Darktide Best Classes guide! 

Up Next: Warhammer 40k Darktide Scripture Locations

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Mina is a Senior Guides Writer and a fanatic who’s obsessed with playing games and writing about them. She’s invested more than 2,500 hours in games like Genshin Impact and Honkai Star Rail. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, she loves to write detailed guides for beginners and pros in the Gacha Games world. You can follow Mina's gaming activity on her Steam and PSN Profiles.

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