Warhammer 40k Darktide Skitarii DLC: Does It Actually Kick Ass?
Dropping into the hive as a Skitarii feels like a proper, cold-blooded upgrade to the usual grind, bringing a lethal dose of Adeptus Mechanicus flavour that fits the chaotic vibes perfectly. The stakes are predictably through the roof, and with new skill trees and masteries, this feels like a genuine shift in how you purge the enemies of the Emperor. It’s gritty, it’s intense, and having that skull servo buddy tagging along makes me feel like a one-man army even if the rest of the squad is busy running around like headless chickens.
QUICK NAV: [Specs] [Gameplay] [Performance] [Settings]
Warhammer 40k Darktide Skitarii DLC Steam Review
- Download Size: 96.2GB (includes base game)
- Developer: Fatshark
- Playstyle: First-person shooter/melee hybrid
- Cross-play: Fully supported
- Licensing: Officially licensed Warhammer 40,000 product
Warhammer 40k Darktide Skitarii DLC Steam Review
The Skitarii class is a genuine game-changer, especially with the skull servo companion. This little metal helper is a godsend for solo players, as it can hack terminals, tag enemies, and even lay down fire while you deal with the swarms. The character creator is surprisingly deep, forcing you to agonise over your forge world, pre-ascension history, and defining moments like the Sacking of Uxar Hive or the Fall of Outpost Chi Gamma 9. It makes you feel like your operative has actually seen some proper hell before the mission even starts and gives a lot of great background.
Mission selection is where the addiction kicks in, splitting your time between campaigns and special events. The gameplay takes a massive page from the Vermintide or Left for Dead playbook, constantly pulling you from quiet atmospheric exploration into “I’m gonna die” swarm encounters in a split second. The end-of-level breakdown is incredibly satisfying as you watch your trust level, gear, and cosmetics pop off, though I’m still bitter about finding empty loot chests, which is some next-level heresy that I’m definitely not a fan of.
The game is a fantastic one and I do prefer the Warhammer 40k to the Warhammer in which Vermintide is set, but my main issue is the fact that no matter what I try all the movement and sluggish controls at times makes me feel ill and I cant fully enjoy the game, I cant quite put my finger on it but man it hurts and I just want to play the game! Even more so with this class DLC, as it gives me way more options and I love the rifles and servos and general attitude of the Skitarii; it’s just frustrating when sickness gets in the way of a good time!
Warhammer 40k Darktide Skitarii DLC Steam Review: Performance & Fidelity
- Visuals: Amazingly detailed locations that ooze atmosphere, though it’s a massive assault on the eyes.
- Loading: Improved, but still not the fastest out there.
- Technical: Random resolution drops and sporadic matchmaking times.
- Cross-Progress: Not supported.
Settings, Customisation & Control Details
- Controls: Full controller support with seven presets.
- Movement: Includes hold to crouch/sprint and various dodge settings.
- Accessibility: HUD scale, camera sway, and Peril FX intensity sliders.
- Customisation: Extensive weapon skins, transmogs, and a fully editable emote wheel.
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Warhammer 40k Darktide Skitarii DLC Steam Review
Summary
Is Warhammer 40k Darktide Skitarii DLC Actually Worth Your Time? The Positives:
The Skitarii class is genuinely awesome, mostly because of the new voice interactions and the sheer depth of the character creator; nothing beats choosing your origin from a list that includes things like ‘Manufactorum rat’ or ‘Vat grown’. The skull servo is a godsend, giving you the extra options and time needed to actually breathe during chaotic firefights, and the new skill trees and masteries give you a proper reason to keep grinding. It’s incredibly moreish and addictive, and seeing all your gear level up at the end of a mission with all those rewards banging up on the screen is pure dopamine. Plus, the lore detail in the locations is spectacular, making it a proper treat to get lost in if you’re a fan of the 40k setting.
What Makes Warhammer 40k Darktide Skitarii DLC Annoying? The Technical & Design Flaws:
The frustration starts with the UI, where the DLC store items are constantly shouting “please buy me” with bits of text, which feels like a grubby cash grab. Navigating the hub is a nightmare because there’s no dedicated map, and the forced jump between third-person hub and first-person gameplay is a huge bummer that ruins the flow. It’s infuriating that you can’t run a full team of bots, especially since the actual AI teammates are completely useless; they hate healing themselves and refuse to pick up ammo. The constant difficulty spikes can feel like a blindside, and the lack of decent accessibility options meant I couldn’t play for more than a few sessions without feeling nauseous. And for the love of the Emperor, stop giving me empty loot chests; it’s an insult to my time.
The Final Gert Lush Verdict: Should You Buy Warhammer 40k Darktide Skitarii DLC?
If you’re already deep in the trenches of the base game, this DLC provides enough fresh tactical depth and mechanical variety to keep things interesting. It is undeniably fun and addictive, especially if you have a reliable crew to run missions with, but you’ll have to tolerate some serious design clunkiness and those annoying technical spikes. It’s not perfect, and the lack of solo-friendly improvements for the bots remains a thorn in my side, but for the lore and the satisfaction of the new class, it’s a solid addition to the roster. If you can stomach the chaos and the occasional UI headache, it’s worth the price of admission, and you will have so much fun!
