What is the Best Starting Class in Warhammer? A Definitive Guide

Choosing your first class in the Warhammer universe can feel like wading through a warp storm of options. The “best” starting class depends entirely on which Warhammer game you’re diving into and what kind of playstyle resonates with you. There isn’t one universally “best” class across all Warhammer games. However, if you’re looking for a safe and broadly applicable starting point, classes geared toward tanking and dealing consistent damage are typically the most forgiving for beginners. In Vermintide 2, the Mercenary (Kruber) is an excellent starting point. In Darktide, the Veteran offers a familiar and straightforward gameplay loop. Understanding these classes and adapting them will allow you to begin your Warhammer adventures with confidence.

Diving Deeper: Starting Classes Across Warhammer Games

Let’s break down ideal starting classes for some of the most popular Warhammer games, considering ease of play, survivability, and overall impact:

Warhammer: Vermintide 2

Vermintide 2 throws you into the thick of the End Times, battling hordes of Skaven and Chaos warriors. This is where Kruber’s Mercenary shines. Here’s why:

• Tankiness and Sustain: The Mercenary boasts a relatively high health pool and access to weapons that excel at clearing hordes, allowing you to stay alive longer and contribute significantly to the team’s survival.
• Support Capabilities: His career skill provides temporary health to the entire party, a crucial asset for newer players who might be taking more damage. This ability lets them learn more strategically and improve their skills.
• Easy to Learn, Difficult to Master: The Mercenary’s basic attacks are simple to understand, but mastering his block timing, dodging, and positioning will elevate your gameplay. This provides a great starting point for learning the game’s more complex mechanics.

While other classes like the Witch Hunter Captain (Saltzpyre) have higher skill ceilings, they require a deeper understanding of enemy weaknesses and headshot mechanics. The Mercenary provides a smoother learning curve.

Warhammer 40,000: Darktide

Darktide plunges you into the grim darkness of the far future, where you’ll face waves of Nurgle-corrupted enemies. For beginners, the Veteran is the clear choice.

• Familiar Archetype: The Veteran is essentially a soldier class, wielding guns and grenades with ease. This provides an intuitive starting point for players familiar with shooter games.
• Versatile Weaponry: The Veteran has access to a wide array of ranged weapons, allowing you to experiment with different playstyles and find what suits you best.
• Support Utility: The Veteran’s “Voice of Command” ability provides much needed toughness, temporarily making the entire team harder to kill.
• Clear Role: The Veteran’s role is immediately obvious: deal damage and support your team. This simplicity allows you to focus on learning the game’s core mechanics.

While the Ogryn offers incredible tankiness and crowd control, mastering its limited mobility and specific weapon preferences can be challenging for new players. Similarly, the Zealot requires aggressive melee play and careful management of health and toughness. And lastly, the Psyker has a more unique playstyle where you have to pay careful attention to Peril accumulation.

Warhammer: Age of Sigmar (Tabletop)

Unlike the video games, the Age of Sigmar tabletop game presents an entirely different starting point. There isn’t a class system, but rather factions (armies). Picking an easy army is the equivalent of picking the best starting class.

• Space Marines: For beginners in the tabletop world of Warhammer 40,000, Space Marines are a solid starting point due to their well-rounded nature and straightforward gameplay.
• Aeldari: The Aeldari are a race of extra-terrestrial elf-like aliens.
• Adeptus Mechanicus: The Adeptus Mechanicus excels in technology.

Mastering Your Chosen Class

Regardless of which class you choose, remember that practice and experimentation are key. Don’t be afraid to try different weapons, talents, and strategies to find what works best for you. Watch gameplay videos, read guides, and most importantly, play the game! The more you play, the better you’ll understand your class’s strengths and weaknesses. This understanding will allow you to adapt your gameplay to any situation. Also, consider engaging with online communities and forums to find useful information and tips and tricks.

FAQs: Your Warhammer Starting Class Questions Answered

Here are some frequently asked questions about choosing a starting class in the Warhammer universe:

1. Is it better to start with a melee or ranged class? It depends on your preference. Melee classes offer more direct engagement and can be very satisfying, but ranged classes provide more safety and control. If you are new to the Warhammer universe, ranged classes are better because they will teach you all the enemy types and their attack patterns.
2. What’s the difference between classes in Vermintide 2 and Darktide? In Vermintide 2, each character has multiple career paths, essentially sub-classes, offering diverse playstyles. Darktide has four distinct classes with more limited customization options.
3. Can I change my class later? In Vermintide 2, you can switch between careers for a single character. In Darktide, you have to create a new character for each class.
4. What are the easiest classes to learn in Darktide? The Veteran and Ogryn are generally considered the easiest to learn. The Veteran is an easy class to understand, while the Ogryn is very forgiving in combat.
5. What are the hardest classes to learn in Darktide? The Psyker is often considered the most difficult due to the unique Peril mechanic. You need to carefully manage your Peril accumulation and ensure it doesn’t go past 100%.
6. Is it better to focus on one class or try them all? It’s beneficial to experiment with all classes to understand their strengths and weaknesses, but ultimately, focusing on one will allow you to master its nuances.
7. How important is team composition? Team composition is crucial, especially on higher difficulties. Having a balanced team with a mix of damage dealers, tanks, and support classes significantly increases your chances of success.
8. What is the best class for solo play? While Warhammer games are designed for cooperative play, some classes are better suited for soloing. The Zealot in Vermintide 2 and the Veteran in Darktide can be effective solo classes due to their damage output and survivability.
9. Are there any classes that are considered “overpowered”? Class balance is constantly evolving with patches and updates. It’s important to stay informed about the current meta, but ultimately, skill and teamwork are more important than playing a supposedly “overpowered” class.
10. What are good resources for learning about Warhammer classes? Online forums, YouTube guides, and community discords are excellent resources for learning about Warhammer classes. Consider joining the Games Learning Society to learn about different game communities.
11. Does difficulty setting impact class choice? Yes. Some classes will be harder to play on higher difficulties because of limited mobility or a focus on a specific enemy type.
12. Can I play as the same class as other players in Darktide? Yes, Darktide allows multiple players to choose the same class. However, it’s generally recommended to have a diverse team composition.
13. How long does it take to level up a class? In Darktide, it takes around 20-30 hours of gameplay to reach level 30 with a class. It may take even longer if you are not playing efficiently.
14. Are there any free-to-play Warhammer games where I can test classes? Currently, most Warhammer video games are paid experiences. However, some tabletop games have starter sets that provide a limited selection of models and rules.
15. What’s the most fun class to play? Fun is subjective! Experiment with different classes to find the one that resonates most with your playstyle and preferences.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the best starting class in Warhammer is a personal journey. Consider your playstyle, desired level of challenge, and willingness to learn. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each class, you can make an informed decision and embark on an epic adventure in the Warhammer universe. Also, be sure to check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more information about game communities.