Unleash Chaos: Introducing the Ultimate Zealot Build for Warhammer 40,000: Darktide - Patch 13
Enhance your Zealot experience in Warhammer 40,000: Darktide Patch 13 with our revitalized melee build for the powerful Darktide Zealot Preacher Unleash your zeal and dominate the battlefield like never before
The Zealot class in Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is specifically designed for exceptional melee abilities. These devout servants of the God-Emperor passionately obliterate heretics, leaving behind a trail of righteous fury. In terms of gameplay, they excel in close-quarters combat utilizing their brutal weapons.
With Patch 13, two new approaches were introduced to enhance the Zealot's gameplay experience, while also refining the class' original playstyle from the earlier days of Warhammer 40,000: Darktide. This particular build emphasizes the latter aspect, offering guidance to new and returning players as they become acquainted with the revamped skill system of the Zealot class.
Darktide Zealot Preacher Build
The Zealot's skill tree on the left side focuses on close-quarters combat, enhancing offensive capabilities and endurance in melee battles. This side offers skills such as self-revival, increased Toughness, and improved critical hit chances, allowing the Zealot to excel in up close and personal fights.
1-10 Skill Points | |
Skill | Effect |
Disdain | Increases melee damage for each enemy hit |
Enemies Within, Enemies Without | Replenish Toughness per second if there are at least three nearby enemies |
Toughness Boost | |
Vicious Offering | Replenish 7.5% Toughness on Heavy Attack Kill |
Stunstorm Grenade | Stuns enemies in a large radius |
Melee Damage Boost | |
Movement Speed Boost | |
Duelist | Increases Weakspot and Critical Hit damage on successful dodge |
Desperation | Increases melee damage when Stamina is depleted |
Until Death | Become invulnerable for five seconds instead of dying; Can occur once every 120 seconds. |
11-20 Skill Points | |
Skill | Effect |
Holy Revenant | When Until Death ends, heal for a percentage of damage dealt while invulnerable. Melee damage heals 3x more. |
Benediction | +15% Toughness Reduction for all allies in Coherency |
Toughness Boost | |
Fury of the Faithful | Augments Chastise the Wicked. Rush forward and gain 100% crit chance and 25% extra damage on next melee hit. Increases attack speed by 20% for 10 seconds after rushing. |
Redoubled Zeal | Gain an extra Combat Ability charge |
Suppression Boost | |
Punishment | Melee attacks gain +30% Impact Strength after hitting at least three enemies (stacks up to five times). Gain Uninterruptible after reaching max stacks. |
Movement Speed Boost | |
Invocation of Death | Melee critical hits reduce Combat Ability cooldown by 1.5 seconds |
Blazing Piety | Enter Fury state when 25 enemies die within 25 meters of the Zealot. Fury increases crit chance by 15%. |
21-30 Skill Points | |
Skill | Effect |
Fury Rising | Crits count toward building Fury |
Righteous Warrior | Gain +10% more crit chance from Blazing Piety |
Toughness Damage Reduction | |
Faithful Frenzy | Increases melee attack speed |
Health Boost | |
Faith's Fortitude | Increases max Wounds |
Melee Damage Boost | |
Sustained Assault | Increases melee damage when hitting an enemy with a melee attack. Stacks up to five times. |
Backstabber | Deal more damage when hitting enemies from behind |
Blood Redemption | Toughness gained upon killing an enemy with melee attacks increased by 50% |
The Zealot's melee damage is greatly enhanced by Disdain, Desperation, and Sustained Assault, which only becomes more potent when combined with Blazing Piety and Duelist. To maximize damage output, aim for the enemies' backs to activate Backstabber. Collectively, these abilities establish the Zealot as the most formidable melee class in the game.
For added security, Until Death and Holy Revenant are crucial. Every three minutes, players can fearlessly dive into the midst of a horde and unleash their attacks without fear of dying, thanks to the invincibility granted by Until Death. However, it's important to remain cautious of crowd control, as Until Death cannot protect against it. Be particularly wary of Specialists such as Trappers and Pox Hounds.
This build offers great flexibility when selecting weapons. Finesse weapons such as the Combat Blade and Tactical Axes work exceptionally well with the Blazing Piety ability, although players won't make a wrong choice with any weapon in their arsenal. However, it is highly recommended to have an anti-armor weapon like a Bolter or Thunder Hammer, particularly when facing challenges in Heresy and Damnation difficulties.
When it comes to recommended curios, it is advisable to prioritize Health and Combat Ability Regeneration. While Stamina blessings may make triggering Desperation more difficult, they prove helpful for players who struggle with dodging attacks.
Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is available now on PC and Xbox Series X/S.
