Darktide June Patch Revives Underused Weapons

I’ve spent countless hours stalking the grimy corridors of Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, only to watch some weapons quietly gather digital dust. Fatshark’s June 23 update, which coincides with the Adeptus Arbites DLC launch, aims to breathe new life into those underdogs—no nerfs for your go-to tools, just genuine buffs for the also-rans.

Buffs Overview

Instead of tweaking numbers solely to support new gear, this patch zeroes in on core stats like responsiveness, damage output, and handling. A handful of perennial underperformers—shotguns, lasguns, shock mauls, Devil’s Claw swords, Atrox axes, and the Heavy Eviscerator—receive targeted enhancements that promise real gains rather than placeholder tweaks. While Fatshark hasn’t released hard figures, early trials hint at noticeable improvements.

Shotguns & Lasguns

Close-quarters shotgun loadouts now hit harder, reload quicker, and carry more shells, plus they benefit from perk tweaks that boost agility. Those meme-tier builds are suddenly viable crowd-clearers. On the ranged side, the Lucius Helbore lasgun enjoys smoother handling and a more generous hitscan window—so you’re less likely to get swarmed mid-charge.

Melee Weapon Upgrades

Shock mauls now stagger tougher foes and deliver extra punch on the opener. Axes and swords sport refined hitboxes, improved stamina efficiency, and subtle mobility gains. Meanwhile, the Tigrus Heavy Eviscerator—once eclipsed by newer relics—regains its cleave and crowd-control edge, ideal for Zealots who crave that old-school smash-and-slash satisfaction.

Meta Impact & Co-op Balance

This update doesn’t topple the current meta; it widens the field. By raising the performance floor instead of nerfing the top guns, Fatshark invites more build variety and squad synergy. You should see a richer mix in Quick Play lobbies, with off-meta weapons holding their own alongside the heavy hitters.

Looking Ahead

While powerhouses like Relic Swords and the Plasma Gun remain in keen focus, this patch signals a sustained commitment to balance. To chart true progress, future notes could include usage data or damage benchmarks—letting us measure how far these once-forgotten tools have climbed. In the meantime, it’s time to dust off those neglected arms and trial some fresh loadouts on Tertium.