This Warhammer: Vermintide 2 tier list ranks every major option by overall effectiveness. Rankings factor in damage output, survivability, versatility, gear requirements, and how well each option scales.
Tier definitions: S = best in class, always a strong pick. A = strong and competitive, minor weaknesses. B = solid but clearly outperformed in most situations. C = viable only for players who enjoy the playstyle.
Characters Rankings
| Tier | Role | Rating | Playstyle |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Markus Kruber | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Bardin Goreksson | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Kerillian | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Victor Saltzpyre | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
| A | Sienna Fuegonasus | 8.5/10 | Balanced approach |
Detailed Characters Analysis
Markus Kruber (A-Tier)
Markus Kruber is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Halberd. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Bardin Goreksson (A-Tier)
Bardin Goreksson is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Drakefire Pistols. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Kerillian (A-Tier)
Kerillian is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Dual Daggers. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Victor Saltzpyre (A-Tier)
Victor Saltzpyre is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Rapier. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Sienna Fuegonasus (A-Tier)
Sienna Fuegonasus is a competitive option in the current meta.
Best with: Conflagration Staff. See our builds guide for full setup. Stat focus: Balanced stats
Weapons Rankings
| Weapon | Best With | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Halberd | Kruber holding a front line against mixed hordes and armour | Kruber's long reach polearm, with a light attack chain that cleaves infantry and a heavy that punches through armour. |
| Drakefire Pistols | Bardin players who keep running out of ammunition on long maps | Bardin's ranged weapon that fires fire damage instead of ammunition and overheats instead of running dry. |
| Dual Daggers | Shade burst damage on monsters and elites | Kerillian's fastest melee option, with the best dodge count in the game and enormous critical damage against a single target. |
| Rapier | Witch Hunter Captain duelling elites and finishing tagged targets | Saltzpyre's starting melee weapon and still one of his best, with fast thrusts, a strong push attack and a pistol shot bound to the special attack. |
| Conflagration Staff | Holding a corridor and breaking up horde momentum | Sienna's crowd control staff, dropping a fire pillar that staggers and burns everything caught in it. |
Check our weapons guide for in-depth stats and comparisons.
Weapons Analysis
Halberd: Kruber's long reach polearm, with a light attack chain that cleaves infantry and a heavy that punches through armour. It handles both jobs adequately, which is why it stays in loadouts long after players have unlocked flashier options.
Drakefire Pistols: Bardin's ranged weapon that fires fire damage instead of ammunition and overheats instead of running dry. Venting the heat costs health, so the pistols never leave you empty but they can kill you if you ignore the gauge.
Dual Daggers: Kerillian's fastest melee option, with the best dodge count in the game and enormous critical damage against a single target. Cleave is almost nonexistent, so a Shade caught in a horde with daggers has no good answer.
Rapier: Saltzpyre's starting melee weapon and still one of his best, with fast thrusts, a strong push attack and a pistol shot bound to the special attack. Its low cleave means it wants a career that kills quickly rather than one that grinds.
Conflagration Staff: Sienna's crowd control staff, dropping a fire pillar that staggers and burns everything caught in it. Damage per second is lower than the alternatives, but stopping a horde before it reaches the line is worth more than damage on most runs.
Meta Analysis
The current meta in Warhammer: Vermintide 2 centers on Temporary health from damage dealt and Stamina shields and push attacks. Builds that leverage both systems outperform those that focus on only one. Our combat guide explains these interactions in depth.
What's strong right now:
- Markus Kruber with Halberd is the benchmark. Everything else is measured against it.
- Dodge count per weapon builds are gaining ground as players find new combinations.
- Kerillian remains essential for learning hard content. See the boss guide.
What's underrated:
- Bardin Goreksson is consistently overlooked despite being the most flexible option.
- Dual Daggers offers excellent performance for its investment level.
What's overhyped:
- Pure Sienna Fuegonasus builds. High ceiling but the consistency isn't there for most players.
Quick Picks by Situation
| Situation | Best Role | Best Weapon | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall best | Markus Kruber | Halberd | Highest consistent performance |
| New player | Bardin Goreksson | Drakefire Pistols | Most forgiving, teaches mechanics |
| Hard content | Kerillian | Dual Daggers | Survivability when you need it |
| Group play | Victor Saltzpyre | Rapier | Utility and team support |
| Experienced player | Sienna Fuegonasus | Conflagration Staff | Unique challenge and high ceiling |
More Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Guides
- Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Overview
- Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Best Builds
- 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 Maps & Locations
- Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Crafting Guide
- Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Classes & Characters
Similar Games
If you enjoy Warhammer: Vermintide 2, check out these related guides:
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- Black Myth: Wukong Tier List: action game with similar mechanics
- Monster Hunter Wilds Tier List: action game with similar mechanics
