So you’ve already read our survival guide for Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide. This guide will teach you what you need to know about taking the fight to the enemy and give you a fighting chance against the Skaven hordes.
This guide contains combat tactics to teach you how to take on Rat Ogres and Stormvermin Commanders without breaking a sweat.
Basic Combat Tactics
Use the Q key to quickly toggle between melee and ranged weapons. You can scroll through your equipment with the mousewheel, but Q is a much faster and more accurate way to pick which weapon you want ready.
Learn and use your weapons’ charge attacks (hold down left-click). Different weapons have vastly different attack patterns, ranges, and timings, and it takes some practice to learn how to use them effectively.
Block attacks (right-click) an instant before an attack lands. It’s better to dish out attacks and block only when you’re about to get hit instead of holding down the block button the whole time.
Sidestep (space bar + left/right) overhead strikes from Stormvermin to avoid being hit.
Backstep (space bar + backwards) broad swings from the Rat Ogre.
Characters with high stamina gear such as shields can effectively tank tougher enemies, such as Stormvermin, by pushing them (right click + left click) and gaining their attention.
Aim for the head. Melee weapons do far more damage when directed at Skaven skulls, particularly against tough enemies like Rat Ogres and Commanders. Use headshots at range to take out threats early, too: One carefully-aimed crossbow bolt can take out a Ratling Gunner before he becomes a problem.
Advanced Combat Tactics
If you decide to take on a troop of Stormvermin, engage from a distance where you’ll be able to kill some of them with headshots before they get close.
Use explosive grenades on the armored Stormvermin rats. They’ll go down fast. The same goes for Rat Ogres.
Weapons have a variety of traits, including armor piercing and headshot. Equip the right weapons for the right situations. Don’t waste your energy with ineffectual attacks on a Stormvermin.
Drink potions when dealing with tough enemies or during swarm events. For instance, a speed potion will allow you to dispatch large groups of enemies with sweeping melee attacks.
Use terrain and architecture to your advantage. Wherever possible, pull swarms into bottlenecks like doorways and gates so your tanks can hold them back while ranged characters pick off special enemies.
Ratling Gunners and Poison Globadiers’ attacks will also affect rats. You can use the poison cloud to your advantage.
