Warhammer 40,000: Darktide offers a gritty, brutal co-op shooter experience set in the dark universe of the 41st millennium. While early difficulties allow players to get used to the mechanics, Heresy and Damnation bring the real challenge, testing every skill, reflex, and team synergy to the limit.
If you’re planning to step into these intense difficulty levels or are tired of getting wiped by hordes and elites, this guide is for you. Below are battle-tested survival tips to help you stay alive, support your team, and complete high-tier missions like a veteran.
Stick Together: Never Split the Team
One of the most common causes of wipes in Heresy or Damnation is team separation. At higher levels, enemies hit harder, spawn more frequently, and overwhelm solo players in seconds. Stick close to your squad, and always check your teammates’ positions before pushing forward.
Tip: Ping important items, ammo, and enemies to maintain team awareness. Communication even without voice chat is vital.
Know Your Role and Play It Well
Each class in Darktide brings something essential to the table. In higher difficulties, playing your role correctly can make or break a run:
- Veteran: Elite eliminator. Use long-range weapons and grenades to neutralize threats quickly.
- Zealot: Frontline brawler. Soak damage and clear trash mobs while disrupting elites.
- Psyker: Crowd controller. Use Brain Burst and stun abilities to keep hordes under control.
- Ogryn: Tank and stagger machine. Protect squishier teammates and break enemy lines.
Don’t just focus on killing, support your team through positioning, shielding, and crowd management.
Use Chokepoints and Hold Strong Positions
Darktide’s maps often feature narrow hallways, doorways, and stairwells, perfect for controlling enemy flow. In Heresy and Damnation, don’t fight in open areas where you can be flanked. Instead, hold tight corners, place your back to a wall, and funnel enemies into kill zones.
Pro move: Let your Ogryn block the entrance while ranged players eliminate enemies from behind.
Prioritize Targets: Don’t Panic Fire
In harder difficulties, ignoring the wrong enemy can lead to instant failure. Always focus on:
- Specials (Mutants, Trappers, Bombers, Flamers)
- Elites (Crushers, Maulers, Bulwarks)
- Ranged snipers, they can one-shot low-health players.
Call out special enemies and take them out as quickly as possible to prevent chaos from snowballing.
Manage Toughness and Use Cover Wisely
Toughness acts as a shield before health. It regenerates when you stay near allies or eliminate enemies. Use this system strategically:
- Stay in cover when being shot
- Regroup with allies for bonus toughness regen
- Don’t charge out alone unless you’re a Zealot with damage reduction active
Bring the Right Weapons and Blessings
In high difficulty, gear matters more than ever. Choose weapons with:
- High cleave for horde clearing (e.g., power swords, chain axes)
- Armor penetration to deal with elites (plasma guns, bolters)
- Blessed mods that increase critical, damage vs elites, or toughness on kill
Upgrade your Curios to increase max health and reduce damage from specific enemy types.
Learn When to Retreat
Sometimes the best move is to fall back and regroup. If a teammate is down in a dangerous spot, don’t rush in blindly. Clear PEH888 area first or wait for your ability cooldown. Prioritize survival over heroics.
Conclusion: Only the Strong (and Smart) Survive in Darktide’s Endgame
Conquering Heresy and Damnation in Warhammer 40K: Darktide demands more than brute strength, it requires teamwork, class knowledge, smart positioning, and resource management. By following these tips, you’ll dramatically improve your chances of success, even in the most punishing missions.
Sharpen your chainsword, rally your team, and bring the Emperor’s justice to the heretics, without getting shredded in the process.