The latest update for Warhammer 40,000: Darktide continues developer Fatshark’s commitment to evolving their intense co-op ‘Left 4 Dead’-style shooter. This free update, dubbed ‘Bound by Duty,’ promises to expand the game’s thrilling Mortis Trials mode, introduce a suite of new weapons, and confront players with a formidable new enemy type. Scheduled to launch on September 23 across all platforms, ‘Bound by Duty’ is packed with significant additions designed to deepen the gameplay experience.
As detailed by Fatshark in their official blog, a substantial portion of the new content focuses on the Mortis Trials – Darktide’s challenging wave-based roguelike mode. Players can look forward to a brand new arena, the ‘Theatre of Rectitude,’ where they can truly put their skills to the test. Additionally, new ‘Indulgence archetypes’ will introduce fresh combat styles, encouraging players to experiment and adapt their strategies. The mode will also receive new ‘Memory Echoes,’ enriching the lore by delving into NPC backstories and uncovering more about the game’s central hub, the Mourningstar.
While the Mortis Trials receive a significant boost, players who prefer Darktide’s mission-based gameplay will find plenty of new gear and threats. The Veteran class gains a devastating new weapon, the ‘Power Falchion,’ which functions similarly to the Zealot’s Relic Blade, allowing for empowered attacks until it dangerously overheats. Furthermore, new Mark variants of the ‘Bolt Pistol’ and ‘Boltgun’ are being introduced, both designed to unleash explosive damage upon hordes of enemies.
These potent new armaments will be crucial in facing the new adversary: the ‘Scab Plasma Gunner.’ Equipped with a high-damage plasma weapon, these enemies pose a serious threat and should be prioritized whenever they appear on the battlefield.
It’s worth noting that Fatshark previously overhauled Darktide’s class system in 2023, introducing expanded talent trees and new abilities for the game’s four (now five, with the DLC Arbites) classes. With ‘Bound by Duty,’ Fatshark revisits these talent trees, offering another round of balancing. The Veteran, Zealot, and Psyker trees have been specifically reworked to provide ‘more flexibility and player agency,’ as per Fatshark’s notes, while the Ogryn and Arbites talents have received a ‘light touch-up.’
Rounding out this comprehensive update are several quality-of-life improvements. A new dodge counter will keep players informed of their remaining dodge charges, enhancing tactical awareness. A new event, ‘Smuggled Munitions,’ will challenge players to confront squads of the new Plasma Gun enemies in low visibility conditions. For those seeking exclusive in-game cosmetic rewards, Twitch Drops for Darktide will be active from September 23 through October 13.
In other news from the Warhammer 40K gaming universe, Space Marine 2 is slated to receive a highly anticipated new class next year as part of a free update. Meanwhile, fans eagerly awaiting Amazon’s Warhammer 40K TV series should temper their expectations, as the show is still reportedly several years away from release.
