Darktide's new patch brings big bludgeons, necessary nerfs, and beefs up the crafting system

The grim dark of the future hits version 1.0.20 today. Warhammer 40K: Darktide has a new patch, and it's brought with it new weapons, updates to the crafting system, and a much-needed nerf that will no doubt still make someone very angry indeed.

First up among the patch's additions is a pair of new weapons. The Zealot and the Ogryn are each getting a shiny new power maul: A two-handed "Indignatus Mk IVe Crusher" for the former, and a one-handed "Achlys Mk I Power Maul" for the latter. Big sci-fi hammers for big sci-fi people, in other words. If you like, you could try out your new toys in the mission the patch introduces, the catchily-titled "Comms-Plex 154/2f," in which you'll have to "Get to the roof of the HL-19-24 Archivum and transmit a message to your allies in the Imperium".

But what Fatshark gives with one hand, it takes away with the other. The Munitorum Mk III Power Sword, which was strong enough to turn Darktide's ranged-focused Veteran class into a melee savant, has been nerfed. The cleave on its attacks and its "damage falloff for targets beyond the third on heavy activated sweeps" have both been tuned down. It's for the best: The community has been lamenting the Veteran's melee aptitude for a while now. This ought to even the odds a bit.

Finally, in an update less directly related to stone-cold murder, you can now refine perks in the Shrine of the Omnissiah. Refining a single perk on a weapon will lock others, and each refine action taken on a perk will reduce its resource cost. Plus, perks will now show their tier (ranging from 1 to 4) in the item card view. Darktide's crafting system was a little undercooked when the game initially released, but Fatshark told PCG it has a step-by-step plan to beef it up when we spoke to them recently. The addition of refining brings that plan about halfway to completion.

There are many, many more tweaks and additions in the patch—including a new private play mode and a new condition—and you can read about them in the full patch notes below. It's good to see necessary changes getting the attention they deserve. We scored Darktide 80% in our Warhammer 40K: Darktide review, but noted that it was a "solid foundation" that could "blossom into a truly excellent game" if Fatshark put the work in. It looks like that's just what the studio intends.

Here are the full, voluminous patch notes. Get ready to scroll.

• General/QoL
• The chat window is now accessible on all loading screens and during the outro cinematic after a mission. You will also have access to a Strike Team chat channel in the Mourningstar if you invite someone to your Strike Team while in the Mourningstar.
• The option to merge Strike Teams during the end-of-round screen has been temporarily removed while we improve this functionality.
• Added 2400 Aquilas pack so cosmetic bundles can be purchased at face value.
• An option to skip the intro cinematic has been added to the options menu.
• Performance & Stability
• Fixed several cases that would generate GPU crashes.
• Fixed a bug where clients would get mismatching player loadouts from the server, which could cause a bunch of different crashes.
• Fixed a bug with fired projectiles VFX crashing the game when the player leaves the game.
• Fixed an issue that could cause a client crash when using weapons while under the influence of various attack speed or reload speed buffs.
• Fixed various and numerous unspecified crashes.
• Contracts & Penances
• Isolated and resolved a rare issue that could cause Contract progression during a mission to be lost when the mission completes at the end of the round.
• An issue was detected in the penance "Pick N' Mix'" where it could in some circumstances not be awarded as expected.
• Localization
• New localizations have been added for several UI texts.
• Weapons
• Fixed an issue in the Psykhanium where equipping weapons would sometime disable weapon perks and blessings.
• Ogryn ranged weapons with melee special attacks should now change crosshair when using their special attacks.
• Fixed an issue where players would stay in ADS while using the bayonet with Lucius pattern Lasguns.
• Fixed an issue where players would stay in ADS while using special attack with the Accatran MG Mk II Heavy Laspistol and Zarona Mk IIa Quickdraw Stub Revolver.
• Fixed an issue where the Psyker could not use the Accatran MG Mk II Heavy Laspistol weapon special while switching weapons.
• It should now be possible to cancel a reload by using the weapon special on the Zarona Mk IIa Quickdraw Stub Revolver.
• Autoguns should now more reliably interrupt other actions when performing a weapon special attack.
• Fixed a bug where Weapon Stagger in the Control/Collateral stat didn't work as intended on weapons like Rippergun.
• Fixed an issue where players could use the special attack whilst ADSing with the Accatran MG Mk II Heavy Laspistol and Zarona Mk IIa Quickdraw Stub Revolver.
• Fixed a bug where Flamer and Purgatus Staff secondary attacks would not damage enemies if the attack was too short.
• Fixed a bug where special attack follow up damage on Catachan Mk3 Combat Blade did not scale with damage stat.
• Fixed a bug where the Ripper Gun’s reload can be interrupted such that you can fire it without a magazine.
• Fixed a bug where overheat only dissipated when having a weapon wielded.
• Tweaked Locke Mk IIb Spearhead Boltgun:
• Added equip variations and reworked original equip to make the equip animations less repetitive and frustrating,
• Fixed issues with snapping after un-aiming while shooting
• Fixed exploit where weapon swapping at the right time would result in a much faster reload
• Tweaked Munitorum Mk III Power Sword:
• Tuned down cleave on powered attacks (from infinite to simply very big cleave - 8.5 to 12.5 cleave range, so around 10 enemies)
• Added damage falloff for targets beyond the third on heavy activated sweeps. scales from 130-260 at targets 1, 2 and 3 down towards 50-100 at target 8+
• Tweaked Lucius pattern Lasguns:
• Tuned charging VFX to unblock view of shot.
• Pushed ADS FOV to 65 to clean up sight a bit.
• Increased time until forced shot across all marks (from 1 to 2.5 extra seconds after full charge).
• Decreased ammo consumption on fully charged shot:
• Mk I: from 9 to 6
• Mk II: from 6 to 4
• Mk III: from 12 to 9
• Reduced charge time ranges until fully charged:
• Mk I: 1.0-0.5 down to 0.8-0.4
• Mk II: 0.75-0.35 down to 0.65-0.25
• Mk III: 1.25-0.65 down to 1.0-0.5
• Reduced chain time for Mk III bayonet slash, from 0.5 to 0.3 (like a normal melee sweep).
• Increased damage vs. armored and resistance on low charge near/far: from 40%/50% to 50%/60%.
• Increased minimum charge scalar for Mk II charged shot from 30% power to 40% power.
• Reduced suppression sway.
• Reduced baseline sway.
• Tweaked M35 Magnacore Mk II Plasma Gun:
• Increased clip size range to 75-150 from 60-100. still one clip in reserve, with matching adjustment.
• Improved vent durations, both active venting is now 3s, down from 4s and passive venting now 15s, down from 20s.
• Adjusted vent speed curves over thresholds and lowered the high threshold to 60%, down from 70%.
• Time scales of venting are now: low: 80% - high: 50% - critical: 25% (was 50% - 100% - 25%).
• Re-tuned vent damage to a player - it should be in the same ballpark but scale more aggressively, so lower overcharge gives less damage.
• Allow heavy-charged shots to continue after shooting through geometry. Entry and Exit both create explosions.
• Tweaked Zarona Mk IIa Quickdraw Stub Revolver:
• Increased ammo reserve from 25-40 to 35-70.
• Increased far range from 23 to 35.
• Increased high end of base damage range to 200-400, was 200-350.
• Increased hit scan range to fix issues where no hits would be detected at very long ranges.
• Tweaked Vraks Mk III & VII and Agripinaa Mk VIII Headhunter Autoguns:
• Reduced recoil vertical rise on all 'Headhunter' autoguns.
• Increased damage:
• Vraks Mk III: 70-140 to 80-160.
• Vraks Mk VII: 80-160 to 100-200.
• Agripinaa Mk VIII: 75-150 to 90-180.
• Tweaked Turtolsky Mk VI, Mk VII & Mk IX Heavy Swords:
• Increased baseline damage armor mod vs. Flak Armour (from 30% to 50%) and Infested (from 75% to 100%) on light attacks.
• Increased baseline impact armor mod vs. Flak Armour (from 50% to 75%), Maniacs (from 50% to 75%) and Carapace Armour (from 50% to 75%) on light attacks.
• Increased horizontal light attack damage from 25-50 to 35-70, adjusted target follow to match.
• Increased diagonal light attack damage from 35-70 to 40-80, adjusted target follow to match.
• Crucis Mk II Thunder Hammer: (unfortunately these changes slipped through the net and will come in the next update, sorry for the disappointment)
• Increased light attack baseline armor mod vs Flak Armour (from 75% to 90%) and Carapace Armour (from 1% to 25%).
• Increased heavy attack baseline armor mod vs Flak Armour (from 75% to 90%) and Carapace Armour (from 20% to 25%).
• Fixed a bug where Thunderhammer was missing Weapon Special Activate chain from block.
• Fixed an issue where Lucius Pattern lasguns were ignoring shoot input after getting stunned in ADS.
• Fixed a bug where you couldn't initiate weapon special from the push action. Fixed for all Heavy Swords and Tactical Axes.
• Fixed a bug where animation was snapping when un-aiming right after shooting on Lasguns and Shotgun.
• Fixed a bug with the Krourk Mk V Twin-Linked Heavy Stubber where primary fire didn't buffer properly from wield, leaving braced and sliding, etc.
• Combat
• Fixed an issue where Zealot Preacher’s ability ‘Chastise the Wicked’ could get interrupted if used while having been pushed by enemy attacks.
• Fixed issue where Psykinetics "Inner Tranquility" talent caused slower quell speeds.
• Fixed a bug where being hit while lugging disabled coherency toughness regen for 100 seconds or until hit again.
• Improved precision smart targeting.
• Fixed a bug where you couldn't perform heavy attacks while with the Obscurus Mk II Blaze Force Sword whilst holding sprint. Made sure all attacks and start actions can be used with sprint.
• Fixed issue where Zealot Preacher would dash through enemies if they were too close
• Fixed issue where some pickups could not be interacted with due to being inside collision.
• Enemies
• Fixed some issues where the Pox Hound could launch into the stratosphere.
• Fixed some Traitor Guard helmets and armours which depicted `IV` instead of `VI`.
• Missions
• Moved the spawn point of Daemonhost from respawn location in Power Matrix mission.
• Fixed some Diamantine that couldn't be picked up in Excise Vault Spireside-13.
• Fixed an area where players could leave the play area in Enclavum Baross.
• Fixed a spot on Enclavum Baross where players could stand and be out of reach from melee heretics.
• Fixed an issue where a Horde could spawn next to the players in the end event in the
• Consignment Yard HL17-36 mission.
• Fixed a spot where players could get stuck on HL17-36 Smelter Complex.
• Fixed a bug where enemy units were spawning in plain sight in Consignment Yard HL17-36 end event.
• Fixed an issue where players could enter a soft-locked state in the prologue.
• Fixed an issue where the Valkyrie would arrive silently during the end event in Enclavum Baross.
• Fixed a scripture that couldn't be picked up in Refinery Delta-17.
• Fixed an issue where Monstrosities could not reach the players in Refinery Delta-17.
• Fixed a soft lock that can occur on levels with airlocks should a player join a mission whilst the airlock is closing.
• Fixed a spot on Enclavum Baross where enemies could walk through walls.
• Fixed a spot on HL17-36 Smelter Complex where players could respawn behind a dropdown, rendering them unrescuable.
• Fixed an issue where players joining midway through HL-16-11 Chasm Station could spawn in behind a now closed door.
• Fixed an issue where one of the Grimoires could not be collected on Chasm Logistratium.
• Fixed an issue where one of the Grimoires could not be collected on the HL17-36 Smelter Complex.
• Fixed a railing on HL17-36 Consignment Yard that was a missing collision.
• You can now reach the Penance menu by interacting with the newly added interaction spot in the HUB.
• Fixed a bug in the Psykhanium where unequipping a weapon with a trait/perk makes the other equipped weapons' traits/perks not work.
• Fixed a spot where players could get stuck on HL-17-36 Power Matrix.
• Fixed an area where players could be thrown into an inaccessible area by a Mutant on HL17-36 Smelter Complex.
• Tweaked timing and added a few elites to the end event in Enclavum Baross mission.
• Fixed an NPC shooting without a gun on the Prologue.
• SFX/VFX/Animation
• Auspex scan targets should no longer remain outlined after completing a scan.
• Fixed an issue where the animation didn't match the duration of stun when hitting a target with Thunder Hammer's special ability.
• Tightened up animations for the Locke Mk IIb Spearhead Boltgun when aiming after sprinting.
• Ogryn feet should no longer clip through the floor of the Mourningstar.
• Fixed some animation issues on the Ripper Gun special attack.
• Ragdolls created by the Blastoom Mk III Grenadier Gauntlet should feel more satisfying now.
• Fixed a bug where the wrong VFX was being used for torso gibs.
• Force Sword weapon special now creates a larger visual blast on damaging and killing heretics.
• Fixed various sound issues on various missions (certain happenings not having sounds, audio imbalances, early cut-offs, missing music, etc.).
• Fixed cases where dodge sounds were not reliably played for other players (or bots).
• Fixed excessive camera shake when cleaving through enemies on specific attacks on Tactical Axes, Power Sword and Eviscerator.
• The Nomanus Mk VI Surge Force Staff has had its VFX buffed to feel more impactful.
• Fixed a bug where wrong start animation was used on the second right start action on Mk IX Heavy Sword. Now it matches the horizontal right attack.
• Fixed a bug where sound proximity was based on average position instead of the local players position so enemy units were not making any sound.
• Character Customization
• Fixed various issues with cosmetics (clipping etc).
• Resolved an issue where selecting blind eye options would remove the information about the Cadia homeworld restriction during the character creation screens.
• Resolved an issue where the Psyker convict upper body garb for the crime of Misplaced Faith may disappear from the inventory view. It was never removed from your inventory but may have appeared to no longer be present.
• Resolved an issue where restrictions on items would disappear when viewing an item in the Commodore's Vestures.
• Fixed an issue with an Ogryn mustache that only appeared during cutscenes or when observed within kissing distance (note, do not kiss the Ogryn)
• UI/UX
• Added 'Texture Quality' settings back to the settings menu.
• Added 'Mesh Quality/LOD distance' slider to the settings menu.
• Fixed a bug with the control stat not affecting stagger duration on the Ripper Gun.
• Crosshairs are now consistent across weapon families.
• Fixed an issue where the outline of one of the Auspex Scan targets in the Hab Dreyko mission.
• Several UI and UX adjustments have been made surrounding the Weapon Cards, including a hover item inspect in inventory loadouts as well as now showing the item level for curios in loadout and its detail card.
• Now displaying the cosmetic weapon skins and clothes as Owned when viewing them in the Armoury Exchange.
• The Ossuary Charm Weapon Trinket has been flipped so it can be seen in the Trinket preview within the weapon customization panel.
• Weapon traits that require 'Multiple Hits' now have clearer descriptions.
• You can no longer discard multiple items by holding down the Discard key action.
• Fixed a situation where the taskbar could still appear when switching to Borderless Window.
• Engine
• Multiple fixes to prevent GPU Hangs
• Fixes to address network disconnects
• Raytracing now works on AMD RX 6/7000 cards.
• Visual glitches around weapons and in levels for users of AMD cards has been fixed
• Fixed a crash that sometimes happened to players after watching a video cutscene