'Darktide' Guide: How To Play The Ogryn Skullbreaker

The Ogryn Skullbreaker is one of the more unique of classes in "Darktide." These lumbering brutes make for great protectors, using their strength to control crowds and lock down tougher targets for the rest of the squad to dispatch.

Those who want to plow through hordes of heretics with ease will find much to enjoy when playing as the Skullbreaker. However, players might find this class difficult to use because of the nuances surrounding its kit.

Skullbreaker Role and Playstyle

Skullbreakers are close-range specialists who use enormous melee weapons to cleave through hordes of puny targets. Their feats revolve around knocking targets down, causing bleed effects and protecting the squad with various Toughness-related bonuses.

Despite their looks and damage reduction passives, Skullbreakers are not tanks. They are not meant to absorb damage. Instead, the Skullbreaker's job is to disrupt enemy formations by using their Bull Rush class ability to knock down targets and engage them in melee combat. This playstyle is similar to the Zealot Preacher, though Ogryns are capable of absorbing more damage than they can.

This class shines best during frantic horde encounters.

Arsenal Notes

Skullbreakers have a very limited set of weapons to choose from as of Patch 1.0.13, though all of them are effective. As far as melee options go, their most unique weapon is the Battle Maul and Slab Shield combo, which lets them tank incoming ranged fire effortlessly. The shield is especially useful since Ogryn's are too big to use most of the cover scattered around maps.

As for ranged weapons, almost all of the Skullbreaker's guns are meant for close-ranged fire support. The most reliable long-range option is the Grenadier Gauntlet, which also doubles as a melee weapon. It can be used to take out distant enemies but as much as possible, leave such targets for other teammates like Veterans and Psykers.

Tips

All Skullbreaker melee weapons (except for the Slab Shield) have punch attacks that deal great Stagger damage, which is great for interrupting enemy attacks. This also compensates for their lack of armor-piercing weapons since punches can stagger Crushers and Maulers.

Considering playing as a backline defender instead of a frontline tank. Make sure to keep lines of fire clear for teammates, and only charge in when the enemy is hunkered down behind cover.

Do not underestimate the Skullbreaker's Box of Grenades. It's excellent for taking out elites and specials, especially stationary snipers and Reapers. Aim for the head and watch the heretics fall.

Always be the one to carry objectives like power cells or ammo containers. Ogryns are not slowed down while carrying these.