The arrival of the Adeptus Arbites in Warhammer 40k Darktide is certain to swing the balance of power in favor of the forces of Tertium. But developer Fatshark wants to make sure that players across the board are having fun, whether they’re using the ultra-professional new Darktide class or one of its existing roster of rejects. As such, the studio has revealed a big balance patch arriving with the FPS game’s June update, and there are sweeping weapon buffs to bring many of the weaker options up to the new standard.
“Going forward we will be doing regular balance changes to the game alongside big updates,” the Darktide developer says in a new blog. While it notes that “perfect balance in a PvE-focused game may be unattainable and perhaps unnecessary,” Fatshark says it still believes that maintaining “a reasonable level of balance” is important for the best FPS games. This ensures that “players feel empowered to experiment with various setups and choose options that are both enjoyable and engaging for their playstyle.”
This new round of changes is centered on “improving underperforming weapons so they can better compete with top-tier options.” There are also some adjustments that are designed to fit around the new gear brought to the battlefield by the Darktide Arbites. Existing shotguns, for example, have been upgraded “to ensure the Arbites weapons feel satisfying without completely overshadowing their existing counterparts.”
To begin there, Combat Shotguns are being given more overall usability with less reliance on special shells to be effective. They’ll benefit from better base damage and reload speed, greater ammo reserves, and more generous sprint and stamina templates, combining to enable “a more mobile, close-range playstyle and not rely only on precision weak-spot kills.” The Double-Barreled Shotgun, meanwhile, gets an increased armor damage modifier against unyielding enemies, and a bigger ammo reserve.
Fatshark admits that the slow swap time for Lucius Helbore Lasguns, while intended, has become “increasingly punishing as the enemy numbers grew in higher difficulties.” This has been sped up, albeit not so much that it loses the deliberately cumbersome feel, and the hitscan detection is now more generous, along with better armor and finesse modifiers for ranged shots.
Shock Mauls, while dependable stagger options, have low damage out and are “overall not very exciting.” They’ll now do more damage against their first target with a “particularly large bonus” to heavy strikedown and special attacks. Their hitboxes and active damage windows have been improved to make landing attacks easier, and stamina template changes will make them less draining.
The ‘Devil’s Claw’ Swords have been given a similar hitbox upgrade, will demand less stamina, and have a reduced minimum block time, making them feel “snappier and more responsive.” Their light attacks are a little stronger, while the heavy strikedown and special riposte both gain significant increases to their armor damage modifiers.
The Atrox Tactical Axes, a decent mobility option, should now feel even more proactive. Their sprint profile has been “significantly improved,” and you can perform most attacks and attack starts while sprinting, allowing you to rip straight into the action. They get a hitbox pass of their own, and significant damage buffs to their special attacks, along with a new uppercut heavy strikedown profile that does increased damage, with an extra bonus against carapace-armored foes.
Last but not least are the iconic Tigrus Heavy Eviscerators. The Zealot weapons have been outstripped by the Relic Blades, Fatshark explains, thanks to the latter’s stronger cleave options and comparable single-target output. To help the Heavy Eviscerators match up, their damage caps on secondary targets during sweeping attacks have been removed. The damage of heavy attacks has been “significantly improved,” and increased armor modifiers against several enemy types will make them a much more viable choice.
These changes will arrive with the Warhammer 40k Darktide June update on Monday June 23, alongside the launch of the Arbites DLC. Fatshark adds that it’s aware of some overperformers at the high end, but wanted to “elevate the lower-performing options rather than immediately nerfing the top ones.” It’s currently working on a “comprehensive rework” for the Duelling Swords and changes to the Plasma Gun, but these will come later.
Whether Chaos flows through your veins or is your most despised enemy, the best Warhammer 40k games will keep you plenty satisfied. For more bombastic experiences you can enjoy among friends, here are the best co-op games in 2025.
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