Patch 13 forDarktidefor has completely overhauled the game’s class system, giving each of the four playable character types vastly expanded skill trees that allow for deeper build customization. This change has opened up broader horizons for each class, and players now have more freedom in terms of how to cater to the playstyle they prefer.
As of this patch, Psykers now have the option to build heavily into DPS, crowd control, or defensive roles. The classic Soulblaze setup is much stronger than it was before for clearing large hordes, and building it in the new skill tree is relatively straightforward as well. Here’s how to make and use this build inDarktide.
Darktide Psyker Build: Soulblaze Skill Tree Setup
Soulblaze is a damage-over-time effect that continuously burns enemies with Soulfire. This build aims to inflict Soulblaze as frequently as possible to enemies via skills and thePurgatus Force Staffin hopes of quickly stackingWarp Charges,which decrease the cooldown of the selected active skill while increasing the base damage of all attacks.Psykers are good at a lot of things, but this particular build focuses on dealing with hordes and special enemies.
There’s a maximum of 30 skill points to spend, and players will want to focus on getting the ones that boostWarp damage, Critical Hit Chance, and Quell-related buffs. There’s plenty of room for flexibility in this build in terms of where the skill points are spent, but the following is a streamlined setup that focuses on CC and damage:
Replenish Toughness with every 10% Peril generated
Chance to quell Peril on kill
Charge up and deal massive damage to a single enemy
Kinetic Resonance
Brain Rupture gains +75% cast speed and -50% Peril generation after using a Combat Ability
-5% Peril generation
Soulblazed enemies spread Soulblaze to nearby enemies on death
Cooldowns reduced by 5% on Elite/Specialist kill
+10 Toughness replenishment
Gain Toughness Reduction based on current Peril levels
Stagger all enemies in front and remove 50% Peril
Reduce Peril generation for each enemy hit by Venting Shriek
Venting Shriek ignites all enemies with Soulfire
+50% Coherency aura radius
+5% bonus
Increase Quell speed by 30%
Effect
Warp Siphon
Gain a Warp Charge after killing an Elite/Specialist. Warp Charges are consumed when using Combat Abilities.
-6% Peril generation for each Warp Charge
+4% base damage to all attacks per Warp Charge
In Fire Reborn
Killing enemies with Soulblaze on them has a chance to generate a Warp Charge
Stack up to six Warp Charges
+10% HP
Replenish Toughness on Warp Attack Kill
Perilous Combustion
Kill an Elite/Specialist to inflict Soulblaze on all enemies near it
Perfect Timing
+3% Warp Damage on Critical Hits
This build strikes a nice balance between CC and DPS.Using a Purgatus Force Staffmeans players don’t have to rely on abilities to gain Warp Charges. Also, now that Warp Charges reduce the cooldowns of abilities, Venting Shriek should be available every 20 seconds assuming players can get max Warp Charges before they use it the first time.
Brain Rupture makes up for the Purgatus Staff’s lack of range. Since Venting Shriek will be off-cooldown a lot, players will be able to trigger Kinetic Resonance often, making Brain Rupture invaluable when it comes to hordes filled with Elite and Special units. Expect Venting Shriek to come off cooldown before Kinetic Resonance’s duration ends when playing in Hi-Intensity Shock Troop Gauntlet missions.
Players are free to choose whichever melee weapons they prefer, though single-target weapons like the Dueling Swords, Deimos Force Sword, Catachan Combat Blade, or any of the axes and swords with Strikedown or Assassin movesets.
Use the Purgatus Staff in hordes and Brain Rupture when there are too many Elites/Specialists. Players will be able to completely refresh Venting Shriek’s cooldown if they have six Warp Charges and kill three or four Elite/Special enemies.
Darktideis available now on PC and Xbox Series X/S.
