The Zealot class in Warhammer Darktide is built mainly to focus on their melee abilities. However, Zealots can be significant assets also in long-range combat situations. Therefore, with the latest patch 13 update, the Zealot has become one of the most versatile and influential classes in Warhammer 40k Darktide. You can further enhance their abilities with the correct build. Therefore, Let’s discuss the best Zealot build in Warhammer 40K Darktide with some comparisons of alternatives.
Choosing the Right Build for Zealot in Warhammer 40K Darktide
The beat Zealot build has to focus on Penetration, First target, and Crowd control abilities, increasing Zealots’ survivability and damage output. Here’s what we’ve come up with for the best build for Zealot in Warhammer 40K Darktide:
- Crucis Mk II Thunder Hammer (Transcendent) as the primary weapon.
- Artemia Mk III Purgation Flamer (Transcendent) as the secondary weapon.
- Immolation Grenade as the Blitz.
- Benediction as the Aura.
- Fury the Faithful as the Ability.
Now, let’s explain why!
Primary Weapon: Crucis Mk II Thunder Hammer (Transcendent)
Crucis attack patterns contain more head attacks in light attacks, and heavy attacks are significant sweeping strikes. It has 71% penetration, 79% crowd controlling, and 72% on first-target attacks. We recommend adding Level III Thrust and Level III Momentum as Blessings since they will increase damage with heavy attacks and support the toughness level. Also, Headtaker and Sull Crusher are good options as blessings if you want to do more damage to bosses and orgryns for the best Zealot build in Warhammer 40K Darktide.
Secondary Weapon: Artemia Mk III Purgation Flamer (Transcendent)
Artemia offers 80% damage, 80% ammo, and 75% burn. Flamer is especially helpful when you use the hammer to deal with challenging targets such as orgryns and heavily armored enemies. When enemies surround you and can’t use any other weapon, the flamer will significantly damage them. The best blessings to recommend are Fan the Flame and Blaze Away, which increase the stagger resistance and attack power for this Zealot build in Warhammer 40K Darktide.
The Loadout: 1 to 10 Skill Points
- Anoint in Blood: Increase 25% base ranged damage.
- Purge the Unclean: 20% `damage increased against infected and unyielding enemies.
- Toughness Boost: Increase 15% Toughness.
- Restoring Faith: 25% of damage occurs for 5 seconds on taking damage heals.
- Immolation Grenade: Throw a grenade that leaves burning liquid. It burns and staggers enemies, barring their path.
- Toughness Boost: Increase 15% Toughness.
- Disdain: increase 5% for the next melee attack for each enemy hit.
- Enemies Within Enemies Without: Replenish 2.5% toughness per second when at least three enemies are nearby.
- Toughness Boost: Increase 15% Toughness.
- Vicious Offering: Replenish 7.5% toughness on heavy attack kills.
Here, we focus more on increasing the toughness since it is crucial for a melee build. However, we have selected Immolation Grenade at the Blitz. Some players choose Blades of the Faith as the Blitz by selecting Backstabber and Scourage at the top of the skill tree. However, selecting the axe will not give enough movement speed for these perks, and therefore, going with the Immolation Grenade is the best option for this Zealot build in Warhammer 40K Darktide. On the other hand, it will provide a good advantage in horde situations.
The Loadout: 11 to 20 Skill Points
- Melee Damage Boost: Increase by 5% melee damage.
- Movement Speed Boost: Increase by 5% movement speed.
- Duelist: 50% weak spot and critical damage for three seconds for a successful dodge.
- Desperation: 20% melee damage for five seconds when the stamina is depleted.
- Benediction: 15% toughness damage reduction for you and allies in coherency.
- Toughness Boost: Increase 15% Toughness.
- Fury of the Faithful: Replenishing 50% Toughness and gaining 20% attack speed for 10 seconds. The next melee hit gains 25%.
- Redoubled Zeal: Fury of the Faithful will get two charges.
- Suppression Boost: Increase by 15% suppression dealt.
- Toughness Damage Reduction: 5% Toughness Damage Reduction.
We have selected Duelist and Desperation rather than Until Death and Holy Revenant to maximize the damage output and have better control over the battle for creating the Zealot build in Warhammer 40K Darktide. Most other things are straightforward, and we have selected Redoubled Zeal to get the maximum from Fury of the Faithful.
The Loadout: 21 to 30 Skill Points
- Melee Damage Boost: Increase by 5% melee damage.
- Sustained Asualt: 4% Melee damage for five seconds for hitting an enemy with a melee attack.
- Faithful Frenzy: 10% melee attack speed.
- Punishment: A melee attack that hits at least three enemies grants 30% impact strength for five seconds.
- Movement Speed Boost: Increase by 5% movement speed.
- The Master’s Retribution: Knocks back the attacker, taking a melee hit.
- Invocation of Death: Melee critical hit reduces combat ability.
- Blazing Piety: 15% critical hit chance for 8 seconds when in a fury.
- Critical hits also count up when the fury is triggered.
- Righteous Warrior: 10% critical hit chance from Blazing Piety.
We have selected Faithful Frenzy and Sustained Asualt here because they provide good buffs for melee attack speed and damage. Additionally, Punishment is a valuable skill for dealing with multiple enemies simultaneously.
The video below from Ryken XIV compares all Blitz, Aura, and Ability options, giving you a more in-depth understanding of each option for the best Zealot build in Warhammer 40K Darktide.