Warhammer 40K Darktide: How To Rev Chainsaw

Learn all about your chainsaw's special action in Warhammer 40K Darktide

A chainsaw rev in Warhammer 40K Darktide is something that could slash a target in half but only if you know how to execute it. While each weapon unlocks comes with a special action that performs unique moves, mastering when and where to use a chainsaw rev will get you out of difficult spots in the game.  


Key Takeaways
  • The three Chainsaw weapons include Orestes Mk IV Chainaxe, Cadia Mk IV Assault Chainsword and Tigrus Mk II Heavy Eviscerator.
  • The Orestes Mk IV Chainaxe is unlocked for the Zealot Preacher class at level 13 and for the Veteran Sharpshooter class at level 17. 
  • The Cadia Mk IV Assault Chainsword is unlocked for the Psyker class at level 16, the Zealot Preacher class at level 9, and the Veteran Sharpshooter class at level 10.
  • The Major actions for both these classes are the same, which are:
    • Primary Action: Strike down
    • Secondary Action: Vanguard
    • Special Action: Activate
  • As for the third weapon, the Tigrus Mk II Heavy Eviscerator, it is only unlocked for the Zealot Preacher class at level 11.
  • The Major actions of this class include:
    • Primary Action: Vanguard
    • Secondary Action: Strike down 
    • Special Action: Activate

How To Chainsaw Rev

Each weapon in Warhammer 40K Darktide has a special action with unique utilities and effects. For the chainsaw, the special action called “Activate” activates the weapon’s chainsaw blade. All you have to do is press your weapon’s “Special Action” button to rev your chainsaw. 

This can be done by pressing the Mouse Button 5 on your mouse. If your mouse does not have it, go to the pause menu and click on options. Then you have to click on the keybindings option and find the weapon’s special actions. Then, click on it and replace it with whatever button you are comfortable with. This is how to rev a chainsaw.

An activated chainsaw blade does considerably more damage than a normal attack by lodging it into the enemy’s flesh. Make sure you do not stay idle once you have activated it because the effect only lasts for a few seconds. If the effect runs out, you will have to reactivate it.

What Are Chainsaw Weapons

Chainsaw weapons in Warhammer 40K Darktide have a special chainsaw property to them which allows you to shred your enemies. There are a total of 3 weapons with this capability. These are:

Orestes Mk IV Chainaxe

The “Orestes Mk IV Chainaxe” is a chainsaw property weapon that unlocks for the classes:

  • Zealot – Preacher at trust level 13 
  • Veteran – Sharpshooter at trust level 17.

It possesses the following actions:

  • Primary Action: Strike down
  • Secondary Action: Vanguard
  • Special Action: Activate

and the following traits:

  • Bloodletter: inflicts +2-4 bleed stacks from special actions.
  • Headtaker: grants +2-5 Power for 3.5 seconds on hit. Stacks up to 5 times
  • Rev It Up: Increases movement speed on special action activation.
  • Shred: Increases critical chance on consecutive hits. Stacks 5 times.
  • Slaughterer: gain +10-15 percent power for 3.5 seconds per kill. Stacks 5 times.
  • Thrust: Gain up to +5-20 percent power, increasing with your charge time. Stacks 3 times.
  • Thunderous: On hit, the target receives 1-4 stacks of brittleness.
    Chainaxe weapon
    Orestes Mk IV Assault Chainaxe | Picture By Us

Cadia Mk IV Assault Chainsword

The “Cadia Mk IV Assault Chainsword” is a chainsaw-type weapon that unlocks for the classes:

  • Psyker at trust level 16
  • Zealot – Preacher at trust level 9 
  • and Veteran – Sharpshooter at trust level 10 

It has the following actions:

  • Primary Action: Strike down
  • Secondary Action: Vanguard
  • Special Action: Activate

and the following traits:

  • Bloodletter: inflicts +2-4 bleed stacks from special actions.
  • Rev It Up: Increases movement speed on special action activation.
  • Shred: Increases critical hit chance on consecutive hits. stacks 5 times.
  • Skullcrusher: Target receives 1-4 stacks of increased damage by 5 percent on stagger. Lasts for 1-5 seconds.
  • Wrath: +10-20 percent cleave on hitting an enemy. stacks up to 5 times.
  • Rampage: gain +10-20 percent increased damage for 3 seconds on consecutive hits.
  • Bloodthirsty: 100 percent critical chance of killing an enemy with a special action.
  • Devastating Strike: Ignores enemy hit mass if you land a critical hit. Lasts for 2-4 seconds.
    Chainsaw blade
    Cadia Mk IV Assault Chainsword | Image Credit Copyright: eXputer

Tigrus Mk II Heavy Eviscerator 

The “Tigrus Mk II Heavy Eviscerator” can only be unlocked for the Zealot – Preacher class at trust level 11. It has the following actions:

  • Primary Action: Vanguard
  • Secondary Action: Strike down 
  • Special Action: Activate

and the following traits:

  • Bloodletter: inflicts +2-4 bleed stacks from special actions.
  • Rev It Up: Increases movement speed on special action activation.
  • Shred: Increases critical chance on consecutive hits. stacks 5 times.
  • Wrath: +10-20 percent cleave on hitting an enemy. stacks up to 5 times.
  • Rampage: gain +10-20 percent increased damage for 3 seconds on consecutive hits.
  • Momentum: Increases toughness by 10-20 percent for 3 seconds on consecutive hits.
  • Savage Sweep: Grants +100-200 percent cleave for 3 seconds on consecutive hits.
  • Perfect Strike: If you land a critical hit, it ignores the enemy hit mass.
    chainsaw weapon eviscerator
    Tigrus Mk II Heavy Eviscerator | Picture Credit: eXputer

Summary

Warhammer 40K Darktide is the latest endeavor by Fatshark released on November 30th,- 2022. It is a spiritual successor to Warhammer Vermintide boasting a variety of new additions such as ranged combat, overhauled loot system, and a variety of exciting new weapons such as chainsaws, staffs, and, guns.

With our guide on Warhammer 40k Darktide chainsaw rev, you can start using this weapon to its fullest potential. Rip and tear your enemies to shreds with this weapon and revel in the chaos and bloodshed, so you can lead your teammates to the finish line victorious as quickly and as safely as possible.

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Zohaib Abdullah is a Guides Writer on eXputer who’s been obsessed with FPS and RPG titles from a young age. He is constantly looking for new games to play, although you can mostly find him falling back on Skyrim. He has several years of experience writing for video games. Learn a bit more about Zohaib's gaming journey on his Steam profile.

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