Every so often, a new class drops in a live-service shooter and feels like it finally nails the fantasy you always wanted. For me, Warhammer 40,000: Darktide’s upcoming Arbites class might be that moment: grimdark space riot police, full tanking kit, a cyber dog at your heels, and a skillset that screams “get behind me, I’ve got this.” Fatshark’s approach signals more than just a new face-it’s a proper shake-up for one of 40k’s most visceral FPS games.
Publisher|Fatshark
Release Date|June 23, 2024
Genres|Co-op FPS, Action, Warhammer 40k
Platforms|PC (Steam), Xbox Series X|S
If you’ve been keeping tabs on Fatshark and the rocky evolution of Darktide since launch, you’ll know it hasn’t been an easy ride. Early, frankly barebones character builds and a lackluster new player experience left a lot of potential on the table. But Fatshark has spent the last year earning back trust—major overhauls, improved gear crafting, and a shift from FOMO-driven cosmetics to in-game unlocks. With the Arbites DLC, they’re taking another swing at delivering the power fantasy fans have been begging for.
The Arbites joins Darktide as a class that’s both properly embedded in Warhammer 40k lore (finally, someone actually from Tertium, not just a generically “rejected” convict) and built for those of us who like to control the chaos. You get to build your own handler, picking from six distinct personalities—yes, including voice talent from Vermintide, which will hit nostalgia for anyone who’s been grinding Fatshark’s games since Skaven times. But let’s be real, it’s the dog that steals the show. Your Cyber-Mastiff isn’t just a reskinned attack animation: it’s got actual customizable flair and will maul, pin, or, thanks to skill upgrades, outright detonate enemies. This is what I’ve wanted from AI companions since Left 4 Dead modded in support bots—finally, a buddy worth protecting.
Weapons-wise, the Arbites brings the punch. The new shotgun is so effective on release that Fatshark rebalanced the ENTIRE shotgun lineup so old mains wouldn’t get left in the dust. The Shock Maul lets you crowd-control like a classic tank, and combos with shields (including the hilariously overpowered Dominator Maul and Assault Shield pairing) give you a real “I am the law” presence. Weapon choice finally feels like it carves out a new identity—something Darktide’s meta sorely needed after a year of min-maxed, copy-paste builds.
What’s interesting is Fatshark’s use of the new tech tree to deliver playstyle diversity without pigeonholing you. You’ve got three “archetypes” here—investigator (dog handler), full cop (crowd control), and enforcer (biggest human meatshield in Tertium). But the real draw is the freedom: nothing’s stopping you from speccing a cyberhoud lord decked in riot armor who also tosses shock mines like a Dark Eldar trickster. It’s clear Fatshark paid attention to the open branching used in games like Deep Rock Galactic, where team maneuvers rule.
Beyond the shiny new toys, there’s a not-insignificant overhaul to onboarding and narrative in this DLC drop. A brand-new prologue for the Arbites (with alternate dialogue reflecting their “pro” status), updated cinematics, and a reworked, performance-based difficulty system. Before, you unlocked harder modes by account level, which threw greenhorns into the meat grinder. Now, if you’re good (or have friends willing to drag you), you’ll unlock harder content by performance—not grind. For old-timers, your progress carries over, so no need to redo the climb. It’s a small thing on paper, but anyone who’s ever tried to get their mates into Darktide will know what a difference this makes.
Let’s talk pricing: $11.99 for the class and its content, or $18.99 for the “deluxe” with extra cosmetics. Fatshark’s been savvy here; they’ve dodged the worst monetization sins of other live-service shooters (no forced battle passes) but know full well that 40k fans will pay up for the right vibes. I’d call it fair for how much this adds—especially if the class proves meta-defining in co-op lobbies—but not cheap. Hopefully, it sets a precedent for further meaningful DLCs, not just outfitter shop churn.
If you bounced off Darktide before, this update is a giant “welcome back” mat. New player experience is overhauled, and the class itself rewards creative co-op play. For veterans, it’s a legit shakeup—a new role to master, and the first true companion in the game opens up squad tactics we just didn’t have before. Frankly, after years of jokes about “who’s the dog’s good boy,” it’s about time we finally got to control one.
More importantly, Fatshark’s pivot here feels like a signal: less FOMO monetization, more meaningful content, and real respect for both Warhammer lore and what shooter fans want. If the Arbites delivers on its kinetic, tanky promise without getting immediately nerfed, this is the kind of update other co-op shooters should take notes on. I’ll be rolling a maxed-out handler day one—don’t say I didn’t warn you when I hurl my dog at that mutant Bencher four times in a row.
TL;DR: The Arbites DLC is more than new cosmetics—it’s the first companion-driven, tank-centric class in Darktide, with a war dog you’ll actually care about. Pricey but substantial, and paired with overdue quality-of-life fixes. Whether you want a new main or need a fresh reason to try Darktide, this riot cop’s arrival is the best excuse Tertium’s had in a long time.
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