Hands on with Warhammer 40,000: Darktide’s new class overhaul update

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide Receives Major Talent Tree Overhaul

The highly anticipated game, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, has always impressed players with its intense combat and immersive gameplay. However, some aspects outside of the matches, such as character progression and late-game variety, have struggled to maintain post-launch momentum. Fortunately, a recent patch released on October 3 aims to change all of that by giving each class a full talent tree overhaul.

In the new update, each of the four classes in Darktide receives new major tools, making them feel more dynamic and exciting to play. For example, the psyker class can now choose to be a long-ranged “glass cannon” who dispatches special enemies with a brain burst, a protective friend who shields allies, or a Sith Lord with deadly projectiles for shredding groups of foes. These new additions enhance the gameplay experience and add fresh strategies to each class.

To balance the introduction of these exciting new tools, Fatshark, the developer of Darktide, has also made enemies tougher. Snipers, Trappers, and Chaos Ogryn now pose an even greater threat, while even the lowly Scab Shotgunner has gained more power. This increase in difficulty adds a heightened sense of danger and makes matches more challenging, particularly on higher difficulties.

The changes in Darktide’s talent tree system offer players a variety of options. Each class now has a grenade, a class ability, and an aura, all of which contribute to different playstyles and strategies. The ogryn, for instance, can choose between throwing a rock, a box of small grenades, or one big grenade, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Additionally, each class can choose between three new class abilities that dramatically alter the way they play, allowing for more customization.

While the talent tree overhaul in Darktide is exciting, its complexity can be overwhelming. Players are faced with numerous choices and paths, which may lead to choice paralysis. It would be helpful for Fatshark to provide clearer guidance on which choices are most impactful and to clarify the intentions behind each talent path. However, once players overcome the initial uncertainty, experimenting with the new abilities and options becomes a lot of fun.

In addition to the talent tree upgrades, Darktide’s class roster now feels much bigger. Each archetype within the classes has three distinct varieties, offering even more diversity and playstyle options. The update also includes new cutscenes around the Mourningstar quest hub, resolving previously abandoned plot threads and adding more depth to the game’s narrative.

Darktide has always been praised for its dialogue and barks, and the recent update introduces tons of new interactions during matches. This added dialogue enhances the overall experience and brings a sense of novelty, even on familiar maps. Fatshark’s dedication to responding to fan feedback and making improvements to the game during the update hiatus has paid off, as Darktide continues to establish itself as one of the best Warhammer 40,000 games on the market.

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is now available on Xbox Series X, and it is currently on sale at a 35% discount on Steam. Players can dive into the updated talent tree system and explore the deeper gameplay experience that Darktide offers. So gear up, choose your class, and prepare to take on the challenges within the Hive City of Tertium.