InWarhammer 40,000: Darktide, you take the role of a trooper thrown into the meat grinder of a chaos invasion. In this arcade style looter shooter, you’re not expected to survive. Against overwhelming odds, you and your small team will only have a chance (meager as it is) if you work together and fight effectively.
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Made by Fatshark, Darktide has more than a few similarities to its predecessor, Vermintide. However, Darktide places a higher emphasis on ranged weapons. With its dystopian, far-future setting in mind, it’s no surprise thatweapon technology (there’s a huge range available)has taken steps far out of reality and into horrific new territory. As the player, this means you have some tremendously effective guns to choose from. These are the best of all.
10Artemia Mk 3 Purgation Flamer
The Artemia Mk 3 Purgation Flamer is a weapon available to the Preacher alone. As a flamethrower, its job is to bathe enemies in damage over a wide range. The Flamer inflicts damage over time status effects to enemies in addition to its direct damage. It’s important to note that the weapon only works at close range, so long open spaces aren’t your friend.
The Flamer is a horde breaker. Its wide arc lets you hit full groups of enemies all at once, but what holds this weapon back is the difficulty it has dealing with elite enemies. Elites will be set on fire, but they will continue their charge regardless and their health takes a little too long to tick down.
9Agripinaa Mk 8 Braced Autogun
Autoguns can feel a bit clunky when compared to other ranged weapons (Autoguns aren’t as accurate as Lasguns because they use projectiles instead of lasers), but they make up for it with higher stopping power. The Agripinaa Braced Autogun plays into an Autogun’s strengths. The weapon sacrifices precision accuracy for better recoil bracing. The Autogun’s shots pierce through enemies, retaining their high damage, so you can mow down hordes with a long, sustained burst. Light armor barely reduces its power, and it can still deal some damage through heavy armor, allowing it to deal with hordes and most elites with a few shots. The only issue, of course, is thatthose shots need to connect.
8M35 Magnacore Mk 2 Plasma Gun
The M35 Magnacore Mk 2 Plasma Gun in Darktide cuts through armor with ease. Even enemies like the Bulwark, blocking shots with a shield, have no defense. This slow-firing, high-damage weapon has brutal power, not to mention a stylish,futuristic design (much like many of the game’s cosmetics).For stronger enemies, you can even charge the weapon to deal higher damage with more penetration. However, the Plasma Gun is a very cumbersome weapon. In addition to managing its ammo, you also have to ensure it doesn’t overheat. Should the weapon get too hot, venting it will cause minor damage. If it overheats completely, it will explode in your hands. High-risk though it is, the Plasma Gun’s ability to deal with elites is unmatched.
7Mk 3 Helbore Lasgun
The Mk 3 Helbore Lasgun is the closest thing Darktide has to a sniper rifle. Its primary fire is the standard semi-automatic common to most Lasguns, which means it’s easy to control and use. The Helbore’s main feature is its ability to charge its shots for increased damage.
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There are a few different Helbore rifles, and each has a different charge time. Damage increases with a longer charge, meaning the Mk 3 has the highest damage per shot. This is what makes the Helbore Mk 3 a sniper weapon. As long as you are accurate enough to land your headshots, there isn’t much that will be able to get close to you. If it does, though, you have only the bayonet to rely on.
6Combat Shotgun
Most of Darktide’s combat takes place in close quarters, and that’s where the Combat Shotgun shines. It boasts high damage and a faster firing rate than you’d expect. The Shotgun is also good at staggering enemies to keep them back. Of the three versions of the Shotgun, each offers some special ammo to give you an edge. The Lawbringer increases its horizontal spread, while the Agripinaa Shotgun loads a slug. The newest Shotgun, the Kantrael, loads in incendiary ammo, which is good for taking down elites with additional damage over time. None differ from each other outside their special ammo, so it just becomes a matter of preference.
5Accatran Recon Lasgun
Recon Lasguns in Darktide are the only fully automatic Lasguns. They dish out a consistent stream of damage wherever you point them, and they’re very accurate. Since you’re shooting lasers, you don’t have to worry about leading your target either; the projectiles are nearly instantaneous. While there are multiple versions of this Lasgun, they all share the same mechanics. The only substantial difference between them is ammo efficiency. Shot for shot, it may not be the most powerful Lasgun, but by volume, you’ll deal more damage faster because of the Accatran Recon Lasgun’s speed.
4Blastoom Mk 3 Grenadier Gauntlet
The Blastoom Mk 3 Grenadier Gauntlet is a versatile tool, allowing you to seamlessly switch from ranged to melee attacks. Regarded as a multipurpose weapon, the Grenadier Gauntlet’s primary use is as a fist armament. Your Ogryn swings wide, pushing back all attackers who come too close.
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When you brace for ranged combat, it acts as a grenade launcher, ideal for dealing with enemy groups. Its projectiles detonate on impact, making the weapon very intuitive to use. As its special attack, the Gauntlet unleashes an explosive punch, detonating a grenade wherever your fist strikes.
3Void Strike Force Staff
Of the Psycker staves, the Void Strike Force Staff excels at dealing with formations of enemies. Its primary fire is the standard Force bolt inherited by all staves, but its secondary fire will actually be used more often. The Void Strike Staff has you charge an orb with the alternate fire to launch at enemies. This orb is a piercing projectile, striking multiple enemies in a line. When it finally strikes something solid, the orb explodes, adding more area of effect damage to hostile groups. The orb itself doesn’t need to be fully charged to have this effect either, so you’re able to take as much time as you need.
2Gorgonum Mk 4 Twin-linked Heavy Stubber
The Gorgonum Mk 4 Twin-Linked Heavy Stubber is the largest ranged weapon in Darktide. Only accessible by hulking Ogryns, the Gorgonum deals out heavy damage at the cost of movement. One of its main strengths is the sheer volume of ammunition you’re able to carry. Compared to other heavy stubbers, The Gorgonum has a slower fire rate, but because of that, you’ll be able to land more of your shots on target. In case enemies get too close, you can always use the weight of your heavy stubber to push enemies back. If you’re looking to be the heavy gunner for your team, the Gorgonum is the stubber you want.
1Locke Mk 2 Boltgun
The Locke Mk 2 Boltgun is iconic in Warhammer 40K, and for good reason. As a weapon, it decimates your enemies with every pull of the trigger. The Boltgun fires small missiles which explode with bone-shattering ferocity. In game, the Boltgun has two firing modes. When firing from the hip, the Bolter shoots in bursts that you can chain so closely it seems automatic. While aiming, you fire a single shot. The Boltgun is a heavy weapon, making it difficult to aim, but most enemies struck by it won’t survive. Equally devastating against hordes and bosses, the Boltgun slays them all.
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