In Warhammer 40,000: Darktide, beyond the straightforward shooting and slashing in its moment-to-moment gameplay, there lies a surprisingly intricate (if not somewhat complex) RPG system that may leave players puzzled. While charging into missions with sheer recklessness can often yield results, those seeking to optimize their characters will need to grasp the nuances of these RPG mechanics.
One term that players may have come across in their skill trees and weapon stat sheets is “Finesse.” While it might seem vague, it holds a highly specific role within Warhammer 40,000: Darktide’s damage formulas, and prioritizing the development of this weapon stat can lead to the creation of exceptionally potent melee-focused character builds. Let’s delve into what Finesse is and how it operates within the game.
What is Finesse in Darktide?
Finesse in Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is not a damage type, but rather a crucial stat that determines the strength of a weapon’s damage when dealing Critical and Weakspot Hits. It also significantly influences the speed of both light and heavy attacks. Higher Finesse values equate to quicker strikes, more potent critical hits, and improved exploitation of an enemy’s weaknesses. Players can easily gauge the impact of Finesse on their weapon by utilizing the Inspect function within the inventory menu.
It’s important to note that not all weapons feature the Finesse stat. Typically, you’ll encounter this stat on weapons such as Maccabian Dueling Swords, Atrox Tactical Axes, Catachan Combat Blades, and similar options. While Finesse is commonly associated with weapons that excel in single-target damage, there are exceptions to this rule.
Finesse exclusively affects attack speed and damage values; it does not enhance the critical hit chance of weapons. If players desire more frequent critical hits, they’ll need to invest in relevant passives within their character’s skill tree or equip weapons with Blessings specifically designed to boost critical hit chance. Blessings that further amplify Weak Spot Damage and Critical Hit Chance can synergize effectively with high Finesse weapons. Look out for the following:
- Brutal Momentum: Increases Weakspot Damage; Weakspot Kills cause the weapon to ignore Enemy Hit Mass (infinite cleaving).
- Precognition: Elevates Finesse Damage following a successful dodge.
- Uncanny Strike: Enhances Rending for Enemy Weak Spot Hits.
While Weakspot and Critical Damage are potent DPS modifiers, they aren’t the sole factors in determining the ideal weapon stats. Considerations such as Cleave, Mobility, and raw Power are equally important when selecting a melee weapon. Ultimately, the choice should align with one’s preferred playstyle. When wielding Finesse-focused weapons, it’s often advantageous to pair them with anti-horde ranged weapons like Flamethrowers, Autoguns, and Heavy Stubbers to compensate for any potential lack of Cleave damage and crowd control capabilities.
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is currently available on PC and Xbox Series X/S, offering an immersive gaming experience in the grim and dark universe of Warhammer 40,000.