The Battle for Tertium Update Brings New Life to Warhammer 40,000: Darktide
Fatshark has dropped one of its most ambitious updates yet for Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, launching the Battle for Tertium patch alongside the game’s first paid class DLC: Adeptus Arbites.
The new Arbites class is available now for $11.99 / €11.99 across all platforms. This disciplined enforcer arrives just as the Battle for Tertium free update hits, promising a complete overhaul of how players experience Darktide’s grimdark universe.
Gone is the chaotic onboarding process. In its place: a linear, narrative-driven campaign complete with mission debriefs and immersive cinematics. Fatshark says the new structure will help newcomers grasp the game’s systems gradually, while offering veterans a clearer story progression to enjoy-or skip entirely.
That said, skipping the story is permanent for your character. If you want to dive into the plot later, you’ll have to roll a new operative. The devs are working on adding story mission replays in a future patch, but it’s not live yet.
The update also introduces a reworked mission board. Players can now select missions first, then choose their preferred difficulty. Difficulty progression is no longer tied to your character’s level-instead, you’ll earn higher tiers by completing missions at your current cap. Failures set you back slightly but won’t demote you. This shift is meant to ensure teammates have genuinely earned their stripes.
Weapon tuning also got a major pass. Devil’s Claw swords now pack more punch, feel snappier in combat, and offer better options for chaining attacks. Tactical Axes have improved sprint handling and heavier hits. Shock Mauls see a boost in stagger and damage, especially with better hitboxes and weak spot alignments. Eviscerators reclaim their status with massive buffs to cleave and single-target power, and Helbore Lasguns finally feel snappy enough to be useful in high-stress moments.
Meanwhile, Combat Shotguns get love too-with better base damage, reload speed, and ammo reserves, these crowd-control beasts are now more viable beyond just their special shells.
As Darktide approaches its third anniversary, Fatshark seems determined to turn the page. From narrative overhaul to mechanical tweaks, this is a bold attempt to reignite player interest-and it’s largely working. The Steam reviews have bounced back to “mostly positive,” a far cry from the rocky launch days.
If you dropped off the Tertium train or never boarded it at all, now might be the time to answer the Emperor’s call.