Staring down the hordes of Skaven in Warhammer: Vermintide 2 can make a lot of players feel like the game is impossible. Having to take down a massive amount of enemies with a maximum of three friends makes the game difficult if players don't understand how the game works. Those who go into Vermintide 2 half-cocked will find themselves dragged down by the sheer numbers of enemies they are forced to fight against.
Since the game came out of early access there was an extensive amount of reworks and many classes were balanced considerably. This has ensured that many players who haven't played in a while or are just starting out may have difficulty if they aren't playing as a team. This guide will help players understand some of Vermintide 2's mechanics and help them work together with their teammates.
Understanding Combat in Vermintide 2
A critical part of playing Vermintide 2 is understanding just how combat works. The game will constantly force players to face off against large hordes of enemies, so knowing how to use mechanics like dodge, push, block, and position are critical for players to survive.
Blocking- Blocking attacks is an incredibly important skill. As long as the player has stamina block will stop a player from taking damage from enemies. Another incredibly helpful thing to keep in mind is that players can block while reviving downed teammates. This will help players revive their friends while ensuring they don't get themselves killed.
Dodging- Dodging enemies is another excellent way to avoid damage, but unlike blocking can be used to set up enemies for damage. By dodging an enemy's attack players can then catch the enemy off guard or use dodge to get away as quickly as possible.
Pushing- Pushing is helpful for getting out of an enemy horde or getting an enemy to leave a friend alone. This can also stagger enemies and open them up for damage as well. Certain weapons will allow players to knock enemies down instead of just staggering them.
Positioning- Positioning may be the most important aspect of Verminitide 2. Instead of just rushing straight in to kill enemies, players should instead try to set their enemies up. This means that players should either put their back to a wall to stop themselves from being surrounded or try to get to a more tactical location.
Cooperation is Key in Vermintide 2
Considering how large the enemy forces are in Vermintide 2 the best way to die is to not play together as a team. Most failures in this game boil down to players splitting up or players jumping into combat before the rest of the team is ready. Teamwork is integral to surviving.
Players should prioritize reviving and healing their downed teammates as often as possible. This doesn't mean that they should jump straight into a horde to revive a friend if they can avoid it. A few close up enemies should be cleared out before friends are revived. Keep in mind that the block button can still be used while reviving to absorb some damage.
Also, it should be kept in mind that if players go down a certain amount of times (different for every difficulty) then they will die automatically. Death will take place in this instance or if no one revives a downed player. Luckily this isn't the end of their run in the game though. Any killed player can be found later in the level tied up and can be rescued.
Decide if Tomes and Grimoires are worth it in Vermintide 2
Grimoires and Tomes are integral to collecting high-quality loot in the game. Both items will provide a boost to loot quality and experience points. If players manage to hold on to them until they finish a level, then they will have better chances of obtaining some very impressive items and weapons. There are some severe downsides to picking up these items though.
Once a player picks up a Tome it will occupy the healing slot in their inventory. This means that any player who is holding one will not have the ability to heal during that time. The upside with the Tome is that players can drop the Tome to heal and then quickly pick it back up before continuing. The Grimoire is much more dangerous to use. The Grimoire will drop the overall team health by 33% and can not be put down.
The trick to these items is to know when to pick them up. If players are with a pretty good team, it could be okay to pick them up. If the team isn't working together really well or are dying a lot, picking up these items can be a true death sentence. They may give players good items, but if the whole team dies it isn't worth it.
General Tips for Vermintide 2
Here is a list of things that players can keep in mind while they are playing to help their game out considerably:
Character Silhouettes- If players are having trouble seeing their teammates, then it may be a good idea to turn character silhouettes to always on. This will help pick out other players even if they are stuck in the middle of the horde.
Don't Be Reckless- Players should attack enemies constantly. Players who just swing their weapons and don't use push and block will find themselves taking unnecessary damage. The best bet is to be positioned in a good area like a doorway or against a wall to take care of enemies.
Look Out for Armored Enemies- If an enemy is wearing armor, players will notice they won't be capable of doing much damage against them. In order to penetrate armor players will want to either use charged attacks or use a weapon that has a piercing ability.
Save Commendation Chests- Commendation Chests are awarded when players level up in Vermintide 2. It is highly recommended that players save these chests once they make it to the end of the game. Any equipment in these chests will scale to the player's level, so opening near the end will help players acquire some extremely high-quality gear.
Use Potions- Potions can truly save the lives of players who are struggling. While healing potions are incredibly effective, players will want to use strength and speed potions when they need a quick escape or want to deal some extra damage. Particularly helpful is that the strength potion can be combined with things like bombs to cause extra damage.
Warhammer: Vermintide 2 is not an easy game, but players who stay on the lookout for hordes and fight back to back with their teammates will find themselves winning more often than losing. Keeping these tips in mind just might give players the leg up that they need.
Warhammer Vermintide 2 can be played on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One.