Unleashing the Shadows: Decoding Finesse Damage in Warhammer 40,000: Darktide

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide offers more than just simple shooting and slashing in its gameplay. In fact, there is a surprisingly complex (albeit somewhat convoluted) RPG system that can puzzle players. While recklessly charging into missions may yield favorable results most of the time, those looking to optimize their characters will need to understand these RPG mechanics.

One term that players may have come across in their skill trees and weapon stat sheets is "finesse." Although it may seem vague, finesse actually represents a specific aspect of Darktide's damage formulas. By focusing on developing this weapon stat, players can create formidable melee builds. Let's delve into what finesse truly entails and how it operates.

What is Finesse in Darktide?

Finesse is not a specific type of damage, but rather a stat that determines the strength of a weapon's damage when landing critical hits or hitting weak spots. It also impacts the speed of both light and heavy attacks. Higher Finesse values result in faster hits, stronger critical hits, and improved exploitation of weaknesses. Players can check the exact impact of Finesse on their weapon by using the Inspect button in the inventory menu.

Not all weapons possess the Finesse stat. It is typically found on light blades such as Maccabian Dueling Swords, Atrox Tactical Axes, Catachan Combat Blades, and similar weapons. While this stat is commonly associated with weapons that excel at single-target damage, it is not always the case.

Finesse solely impacts attack speed and damage values, without enhancing the crit chance of weapons. If players aim to increase their likelihood of critical hits, they must invest in relevant passive skills within their character's skill tree or equip weapons with Blessings explicitly designed to boost critical hit chance. Blessings that additionally amplify Weak Spot Damage and Critical Hit Chance synergize well with high Finesse weapons. Be on the lookout for the following:

Brutal Momentum: Augments Weakspot Damage; Weapon ignores Enemy Hit Mass and achieves infinite cleaving upon Weakspot Kills.

Precognition: Increases Finesse Damage after a successful dodge

Uncanny Strike: Enemy Weak Spot Hits have increased Rending

While Weakspot and Crit Damage are effective DPS modifiers, they are not the only factors to consider when selecting preferred weapon stats. Cleave, Mobility, and overall Power hold their own importance for melee weapon choices. Ultimately, it's crucial to choose weapons that complement one's playstyle the most. When utilizing Finesse weapons, it is often advisable to pair them with anti-horde ranged weapons such as Flamethrowers, Autoguns, and Heavy Stubbers to compensate for potential lack of Cleave damage and Crowd Control abilities.

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide can now be enjoyed on PC and Xbox Series X/S.