Fatshark released Vermintide 2 on 8 March 2018 and it still runs on the same five heroes: Markus Kruber, Bardin Goreksson, Kerillian, Victor Saltzpyre and Sienna Fuegonasus. Each has four careers, three unlocked through levelling and one sold separately, which gives 20 loadouts built on one first person melee system. Difficulty climbs through Recruit, Veteran, Champion and Legend, with Cataclysm added by the Winds of Magic expansion in August 2019.
Warhammer: Vermintide 2 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 | Righteous Stand | Recruit to Legend | Three tomes, two grimoires, an easy end event to hold | Bardin Goreksson |
| 2 | Screaming Bell | Veteran to Cataclysm | Three tomes, two grimoires, heavy Skaven elite pressure | Bardin Goreksson |
| 3 | Athel Yenlui | Veteran to Cataclysm | Three tomes, two grimoires, good sight lines for ranged builds | Markus Kruber |
| 4 | Against the Grain | Champion to Cataclysm | Three tomes, two grimoires, a demanding hold at the finale | Markus Kruber |
| 5 | Skittergate | Champion to Cataclysm | Campaign completion, boss encounter, best end of run loot | Markus Kruber |
Righteous Stand: Starting Area
The usual first map, running through Helmgart's streets up to a cathedral finale on a defensible platform. The layout is generous with sight lines, which makes it the best place to learn to spot specials before they reach you.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Recruit to Legend |
| Key Rewards | Three tomes, two grimoires, an easy end event to hold |
| Recommended Role | Bardin Goreksson |
| Key Weapons | Drakefire Pistols |
What to Do Here
- Learn the basics of Temporary health from damage dealt. This is where you practice without heavy punishment.
- Collect starting resources and your first weapons upgrade.
- Clear all main content before moving to Screaming Bell.
- If you're struggling, read our beginner's guide.
Screaming Bell: Early Game
A vertical Skaven map with tight interiors and an end event beneath a great bell. The corridors punish two handed weapons and reward anyone who took a shield, since there is rarely room to dodge sideways.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Veteran to Cataclysm |
| Key Rewards | Three tomes, two grimoires, heavy Skaven elite pressure |
| Recommended Role | Bardin Goreksson |
| Key Weapons | Drakefire Pistols |
What to Do Here
- Focus on mastering Stamina shields and push attacks. It's critical from this point on.
- Farm for Drakefire Pistols if you don't have it yet.
- Complete all objectives for maximum rewards.
- Prepare for the difficulty spike in Athel Yenlui.
Athel Yenlui: Mid Game
Elven ruins with wide open ground and long approach lines, which makes it one of the better maps for ranged careers. The open space also means patrols are visible early enough to route around them.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Veteran to Cataclysm |
| Key Rewards | Three tomes, two grimoires, good sight lines for ranged builds |
| Recommended Role | Markus Kruber |
| Key Weapons | Drakefire Pistols |
What to Do Here
- This is the main skill check. Bring an optimized build.
- Halberd becomes accessible here. Prioritize getting it.
- Master Dodge count per weapon for the boss encounters.
- Check our boss guide if you get stuck.
Against the Grain: Late Game
Farmland and barns with an end event defending a burning building. The middle section has several ambush points where a horde and a special can arrive together, which is where most runs on this map fall apart.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Champion to Cataclysm |
| Key Rewards | Three tomes, two grimoires, a demanding hold at the finale |
| Recommended Role | Markus Kruber |
| Key Weapons | Halberd |
What to Do Here
- Full build optimization is expected by this point.
- Halberd should be your primary, fully upgraded.
- Specials and monster spawns mastery starts mattering here.
- Farm resources for the push into Skittergate.
Skittergate: Endgame
The campaign finale, longer than any other map and ending in a boss fight against Rasknitt. It is the most punishing map to attempt with both grimoires because the run time gives the health penalty far more chances to matter.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Champion to Cataclysm |
| Key Rewards | Campaign completion, boss encounter, best end of run loot |
| Recommended Role | Markus Kruber |
| Key Weapons | Halberd |
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 Sienna Fuegonasus for variety once you've mastered the meta.
Exploration Tips
- Clear areas in order: Righteous Stand → Screaming Bell → Athel Yenlui → Against the Grain → Skittergate. 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: Vermintide 2 Guides
- Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Overview
- Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Best Builds
- Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Tier List
- Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Walkthrough
- Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Beginner's Guide
- Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Tips & Tricks
- Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Weapons Guide
- Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Combat Guide
- Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Boss Guide
- Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Crafting Guide
- Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Classes & Characters
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