Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is Fatshark's co-op FPS set in the grim darkness of the far future, where four players fight through Hive City Tertium against hordes of heretics, mutants, and Chaos-corrupted enemies. Building on the Vermintide formula, Darktide replaces fantasy melee with the Warhammer 40K universe's blend of brutal melee and ranged combat. The game's atmosphere captures the oppressive industrial gothic of 40K perfectly — every mission drips with grime, decay, and fanatical devotion to the God-Emperor. Major updates in 2024-2025 overhauled the crafting system (removing despised RNG locks), added new classes, and expanded the mission pool, addressing the rocky launch complaints.
Warhammer 40K: Darktide features distinct areas with increasing difficulty. This guide covers every major location in progression order — what to do, what to get, and when to move on. For the step-by-step path, see our walkthrough.
Area Progression Order
| Order | Location | Difficulty | Key Rewards | Recommended Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hive City Tertium | All difficulties | All mission rewards, story context | Zealot Preacher |
| 2 | Hab Block | Sedition-Heresy | Standard mission rewards, close-quarters combat experience | Zealot Preacher |
| 3 | Refinery | Malice-Damnation | Ranged combat opportunities, horde defense experience | Veteran Sharpshooter |
| 4 | Carnival | Heresy-Damnation | Atmospheric experience, challenging environmental hazards | Veteran Sharpshooter |
| 5 | Smelter Complex | Malice-Damnation | Environmental mechanics, complex mission objectives | Veteran Sharpshooter |
Hive City Tertium — Starting Area
The overarching setting — a massive hive city on the planet Atoma Prime. All missions take place in different sectors of the hive. The oppressive gothic industrial atmosphere defines every environment.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | All difficulties |
| Key Rewards | All mission rewards, story context |
| Recommended Role | Zealot Preacher |
| Key Weapons | Power Sword |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of class abilities — this is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first weapons upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Hab Block.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Hab Block — Early Game
Residential sectors of the hive with narrow corridors and apartment blocks. Close-quarters combat in tight spaces favors melee classes. Ranged enemies use cover from doorways and windows.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Sedition-Heresy |
| Key Rewards | Standard mission rewards, close-quarters combat experience |
| Recommended Role | Zealot Preacher |
| Key Weapons | Power Sword |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering horde combat — it's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Power Sword if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Refinery.
Refinery — Mid Game
Industrial processing areas with large open rooms and catwalks. The open spaces favor ranged combat while catwalks create elevation advantages. Some of the most intense horde events occur in refinery missions.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Malice-Damnation |
| Key Rewards | Ranged combat opportunities, horde defense experience |
| Recommended Role | Veteran Sharpshooter |
| Key Weapons | Power Sword |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Bolter becomes accessible here — prioritize getting it.
- Master crafting system for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Carnival — Late Game
The twisted Nurgle-corrupted sections of the hive with disgusting organic growth and disease. Environmental hazards include toxic clouds and corrupted terrain. Visually striking and atmospherically disturbing.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Heresy-Damnation |
| Key Rewards | Atmospheric experience, challenging environmental hazards |
| Recommended Role | Veteran Sharpshooter |
| Key Weapons | Bolter |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Bolter should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- penance challenges mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Smelter Complex.
Smelter Complex — Endgame
The foundry areas with extreme heat hazards and molten metal. Gameplay features moving platforms, conveyor belts, and environmental kill zones. Some of the most mechanically complex missions.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Malice-Damnation |
| Key Rewards | Environmental mechanics, complex mission objectives |
| Recommended Role | Veteran Sharpshooter |
| Key Weapons | Bolter |
What to Do Here
- This is endgame. Best-in-slot gear and a perfected build are mandatory.
- See our boss guide for endgame fight strategies.
- The reward loop: clear content → upgrade → push harder content.
- Experiment with All Classes for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order — Hive City Tertium → Hab Block → Refinery → Carnival → Smelter Complex. Skipping areas means missing resources you'll need later.
- Check every corner — Hidden caches and secrets are often in non-obvious locations.
- Match your weapons — Some areas favor different weapons types.
- Read the walkthrough — Our walkthrough provides exact progression milestones for each area.
- Don't rush — Clearing an area fully gives more resources than speedrunning two areas.
More Warhammer 40K: Darktide Guides
- Warhammer 40K: Darktide Warhammer 40K: Darktide Overview
- Warhammer 40K: Darktide Best Builds
- Warhammer 40K: Darktide Tier List
- Warhammer 40K: Darktide Walkthrough
- Warhammer 40K: Darktide Beginner's Guide
- Warhammer 40K: Darktide Tips & Tricks
- Warhammer 40K: Darktide Weapons Guide
- Warhammer 40K: Darktide Combat Guide
- Warhammer 40K: Darktide Boss Guide
- Warhammer 40K: Darktide Crafting Guide
- Warhammer 40K: Darktide Classes & Characters
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