Warhammer 40K: Darktide has a long list of stats and buffs found across several different melee and ranged weapons. One of the many stats that does not have a great in-game explanation in Darktide is Impact. Many wonder how it can influence their melee prowess and ability to stagger your enemies.
In this quick yet detailed Darktide guide, we’ll introduce you to what impact is and when/why you’d want to include it in your build. Let’s dive in!
So, What is Impact in Darktide?
Impact essentially translates to Stagger. Gaining Impact through buffs or blessings increases the amount of Stagger inflicted by your weapon. For example, the Zealot’s Thunder Hammer already has a high amount of Stagger by default and gains even more when charged.
If we obtain a blessing that gives the Thunder Hammer greater Impact, such as the Hammer Blow Blessing, each consecutive swing will increase the weapon’s staggering capability.
Stacking more Impact boils down to gaining temporary Stagger power, which allows you to become the ultimate crowd-control machine. However, a few blessings in Darktide also give you more Impact after staggering a target. Either way, gaining more Stagger is always helpful.
Why do you want more Impact and stagger in Darktide?
Impact is the stat in Darktide that determines how much knockback and stagger enemies will receive when they are hit with a melee weapon. This means that weapons with higher impact can push back enemies further, allowing for more time between swings or even creating an opening to use special abilities or escape.
Impact boosts your Stagger power, giving you the possibility of knocking around large Ogryn enemies such as Crushers or Reapers (depending on the weapon). Of course, even if your Stagger power isn’t strong enough to push around larger Elite or Specialist enemies, staggering Pox Walkers or other cannon fodder enemies will allow you to create space during hordes and give your team some much-needed breathing room in the midst of battle.
Weapons with low Stagger power, such as the Combat Blade or the Psyker’s Force Sword, will struggle to push groups of enemies back or make it significantly more challenging to carve a path and reunite with your allies.
Ogryns typically have a significant amount of Stagger power regardless of whatever weapon they use because of their impressive strength, yet Impact can still aid this heavy frontline class. As we previously mentioned, there are a few Blessings in Darktide that grant you Impact after staggering a target, mainly the Thunderstrike Blessing.
While Impact isn’t as substantial to stack on an Ogryn build in Darktide compared to physically weaker class builds, such as a Veteran Sharpshooter loadout or the Psyker, any amount of bonus Stagger is still helpful, especially on greater difficulties.
Does Impact increase your Damage?
The impacts and staggering effects do not apply any damage modifiers or buffs that directly influence your damage. However, knocking your enemies senseless or onto the ground gives you more opportunities to attack them unopposed, thus increasing your damage output.
New players can underestimate Stagger, and we will never stop praising the number of situations where having some form of Stagger weapon or ability can save a run. Any Vermintide 2 veteran will agree that using one Career skill with AOE Stagger/knockback can turn the tide in their favor.
Wrap up on Impact in Darktide
That’s our short guide on what Impact does in Warhammer 40K: Darktide. Impact and Stagger weapons/effects can save your runs and make clearing enemies significantly easier for you and your team. Never underestimate the power of having more crowd control on your weapons. You will thank us later once you start climbing up to Heresy difficulty.
If you enjoyed our explanation on Impact, check out our other guides for how Cleave and Rending work in Darktide.
For now, good hunting, Rejects!
Additional Frequently Asked Questions
The best way of getting more impact weapon stats in Darktide is to bless your weapon or find those already with this stat added.
You do not need additional impact to stagger enemies. The Ogryn already has a great ability to stagger enemies due to his size and great brute strength. For other class builds, though, we usually recommend some ability to stagger back enemies, or you may become overwhelmed in melee.
