Warhammer 40,000: Darktide Gets Free Update Alongside Skitarii Class, Adds New Enemy

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide has received a major free update today, coinciding with the release of the Skitarii class DLC. While fans are most excited about the arrival of the $11.99 Adeptus Mechanicus unit in the first-person action game, the free update brings several important changes as well. The highlight is the addition of new enemies: the Scab and Dreg Vanguards. These are human melee bruisers equipped with breakable shields. The Scab variant has a tougher, more durable shield that lasts longer but appears in smaller numbers, while the Dreg variant is more numerous but uses flimsy handmade shields that break more easily.

A new event also kicks off today, where players can join missions with the 'Relics in Ruins' modifier to recover relics from cultists. Once back on the Mourning Star, visit Sire Melk to deliver your recovered relics and choose which faction to give them to (each grants a different buff). Rewards include Ordo Dockets, Plasteel, Diamantine, and a new Portrait Frame.

In terms of balance changes, developer Fatshark has reduced the number of Bulwarks across missions with the release of the Vanguards. Patch notes are available on the Darktide website.

While Darktide had a rough start on PC in 2022, it's now in great shape and continues to receive meaningful updates. Notably, the game doesn't let you play as a Space Marine, Warhammer 40,000's famous genetically enhanced super soldiers. Instead, you choose a class from other factions within the setting. The Skitarii, for example, comes from the Adeptus Mechanicus (tech priest) faction. You can even play as an Ogryn, an enormous abhuman from the Astra Militarum (Imperial Guard) faction.

A new threat approaches…

As part of our ongoing balance commitment following the previous reduction to Ogryn enemies (specifically the Crusher), we've reduced the number of Bulwarks across missions with the release of the Vanguards.

The Packmasters have moved beyond the wastes of Atoma to reinforce their brethren in Tertium.

A new Mark has been added to the Plasma Gun: the Mk III! Available to the Veteran class and the Skitarii class (releasing today!), this Plasma Gun variant focuses less on piercing enemies and more on devastating explosive power. Give it a try!

This update also injects new content into the Expeditions game mode, along with various quality-of-life changes and system reworks.