Warhammer 40,000: Darktide Gets Free Update Alongside Skitarii Class, Adds a New Enemy
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide has received a major free update alongside the release of the Skitarii class DLC. While the $11.99 Adeputus Mechanicus unit is likely the highlight for many fans, the free update brings several important changes that enhance the gameplay experience. Among the most notable additions are two new enemies: the Scab and Dreg Vanguards. These human melee bruisers are equipped with breakable shields, introducing a new layer of strategy to combat. The Scab variant boasts a tougher, more durable shield that lasts longer but appears less frequently, while the Dreg variant is more common but uses weaker, handmade shields that break more easily. Even without their shields, these enemies are stronger than their non-shielded counterparts.
Players can now participate in a new event called ‘Relics in Ruins’, which allows them to recover relics from cultists during missions. Once collected, these relics can be delivered to Sire Melk at the Mourning Star, where players can choose to give them to different factions, each offering unique buffs. The rewards for completing this event include Ordo Dockets, Plasteel, Diamantine, and a brand new Portrait Frame. This update not only adds more variety to the game but also gives players a reason to revisit familiar locations in search of hidden treasures.
Balance Changes and New Mechanics
As part of the update, developer Fatshark has adjusted the number of Bulwarks in missions to maintain a balanced challenge, especially with the introduction of the new enemies. Other notable balance changes include updates to Packmasters, who are now more mobile and appear in different game modes starting from the Heresy difficulty level. The number of Pox Hounds accompanying Packmasters now scales with the difficulty, with more armored versions appearing at higher levels.
A new Plasma Gun Mk III has also been added, specifically for the Veteran and newly released Skitarii classes. This variant focuses more on explosive power than piercing damage, offering a fresh take on ranged combat.
Expeditions Update and Quality of Life Improvements
The Expeditions game mode has received a substantial injection of new content, including a new time of day called Dawn, as well as new Scavenge Zones, Sites of Interest with electric hazards, and a Deadsider Sanctuary. These additions bring more variety and challenge to the mode, while also improving the overall gameplay experience.
One of the most significant changes involves Tech-Remnants. Previously, each player had their own pool, but now, any Tech-Remnants collected by a team member are added to a shared pool. If a player dies, the team’s pool is reduced by 25%, but this loss can be partially recovered if the player is rescued. Additionally, if a player is teleported to a Deadsider Sanctuary, their Tech-Remnants are lost. These adjustments aim to encourage teamwork and more strategic resource management.
Other improvements include enhancements to the Auspex system. Players can now mark Sites of Interest, Scavenge Zones, and extraction points on the map, making navigation easier. The Auspex now displays Hog-tied players and Data Reliquaries once they’ve been collected. Respawn points have also been added to all Scavenge Zones, and Ordo Docket and Experience rewards have been improved for failed runs.
General Changes and Tweaks
The title awarded for completing the Prologue can now be equipped by all classes, with the displayed title changing based on the class it’s equipped on. For example, the original classes retain the "Reject" title, while the Arbitrator now displays "Deputy" and the Hive Scum class replaces "Reject" with "Juve".
Changes to Poxbursters include improved targeting behavior, making them more predictable. They should no longer be able to change targets while in their lunge state and will always enter their explode state after being staggered by a Melee Weapon Push, regardless of whether they were lunging. Additionally, Poxburster explosions caused by non-player-related events, such as navigation issues, will no longer deal damage, though they will still knock players away if caught in them.
