As a hardcore Darktide gamer with hundreds of hours played, the Zealot class speaks to my love of brutal, high-risk melee combat. I live for thunderous weapon impacts, multidirectional attacks, and fluid combos.
And I‘ve tested every tool of destruction available to these righteous warriors. Here I‘ll share my insights on the top tier Zealot weapons that deliver the most glorious ripping and tearing!
Why Listen to Me?
I‘ve been gaming since I could first grip a mouse and haven‘t stopped since. I‘ve played every melee-focused ARPG out there, but none capture visceral chaos quite like Darktide.
As a Zealot main with prestige level 15, I‘ve sliced my way through countless hordes using virtually every weapon combination. It‘s given me an intimate feel for each weapon‘s unique tempo and tactics.
I breathe the theorcraft. Frame counting attack speeds, crunching damage numbers, and analyzing combat fluidity brings me joy. It‘s this passion I hope to distill into the definitive Zealot weapon guide for my fellow faithful thrashing enthusiasts!
How I Evaluate Zealot Weapons
Weapon choice dramatically impacts combat feel and efficacy. But with so many options, what metrics matter most?
For Zealots, four key attributes determine a weapon‘s quality:
Damage Profile: What damage types (slashing, bludgeoning etc.) and scope (single-target, area-of-effect)
Mobility: How agile and evasive while wielding in combat
Complexity: Does the moveset enable advanced combos?
Uniqueness: Special attacks that alter gameplay flow
By cross-referencing top performers in these categories against actual handling experience, I arrived at my top recommendations.
Top 3 Zealot Melee Weapons
After blood-soaked analysis, these three emerged as the pinnacle Zealot weapons:
1. Tigrus Mark II Heavy Eviscerator
Damage: Extremely high slashing and area damage
Mobility: Moderate
Complexity: High – Cleaves, spins, and launchers
Uniqueness: "Ravage" boosts damage and attack speed
For sheer damage, nothing matches the Eviscerator. This wickedTech-Priest blessed cleaver turns hordes into mincemeat with its roaring chainblade.
Broad, arcing swings effortlessly shear multiple enemies while hefty overhead chops obliterate armored elites. The complex moveset enables artful crowd manipulation via launchers and pulls. Activating Ravage propels the Eviscerator into a supersonic Complete. Destruction. Machine.
It‘s the ultimate weapons for Zealots craving maximum bloodshed. I live for this murder blender.
Maaz‘s Note: Seriously, if you enjoy non-stop rivers of gore, the Eviscerator SATISFIES. Its churning death spins are a grim ballet of blades, blood, and bodies. Glorious!
2. Crucis Mark II Thunder Hammer
Damage: Extremely high crushing and area shock damage
Mobility: Low
Complexity: Moderate
Uniqueness: "Activate" – Discharges AoE lightning explosion
This iconic arm-mounted sledgehammer brings the wrath of Armageddon. Slow, enormously heavy swings (and the odd skull-busting pistol crack) pulverize enemies with raw kinetic and electrical energy.
The Thunder Hammer trades speed for DEVASTATING impact. Each crushing blow sends enemies careening, stunning surround foes. Activate unleashes a lightning nova, frying clumped enemies.
It can‘t quickly dispatch spread out threats. But against densely packed hordes? Atomizing home runs.
Maaz‘s Note: I adore the Thunder Hammer‘s tanky "wade into hell" playstyle. With blessings enhancing toughness, you become an unstoppable lightning juggernaut! Line up those homers and watch the bodies fly!
3. Achlys Mark VIII Combat Axe
Damage: Very high slashing area damage
Mobility: Moderate
Complexity: Moderate
Uniqueness: Unique multi-hit combo finisher
For well-rounded versatility, the Combat Axe can‘t be beat. Its lightweight frame allows moderately nimble strikes compared to bulkier options.
The axe moveset provides wide slashing attacks to rip into multiple enemies at once. And its special melee attack throws enemies off balance before a devastating finisher.
An extremely versatile pick able to adapt to any situation!
Maaz‘s Note: I love the Combat Axe for its flexibility. Great at both hordes and elites thanks to balanced damage and mobility. The special attack is SO satisfying too!
Statistical Weapon Comparison
Looking past subjective impressions, cold hard stats reveal key strengths and weaknesses:
Damage Per Second (Body Shot)
Enemies Hit Per Strike
Mobility Rating
We see the Tigrus Eviscerator and Thunder Hammer output the most extreme single-target and AoE damage respectively. Meanwhile, the Combat Axe charts high across all categories, cementing its versatile threat.
There are no absolute "best" weapons as each profile suits different playstyles and situations. But the data indicates these three as the top performers.
Honorable Mentions
While they didn‘t make the final cut, two more weapons deserve recognition:
Rashed Mark II Combat Axe – Boasts high target damage thanks to armor penetration and impact force. Plus enhanced mobility from dash attacks. Excel at battering elites.
Catachan Mark I "Devil‘s Claw" Sword – Though lacking elite damage, amazing horde shredder. Paired with the Zealot‘s Kernvoid Laceration blessing at higher levels, this sword swarms the battlefield with health-stealing shadow blades!
Ideal Pairings By Playstyle
I‘ll share my top weapon pairings for common Zealot combat scenarios:
Horde Exterminator
- Eviscerator + Flamer – This loadout OBLITERATES incoming waves before they even come close. The Eviscerator liquefies clumped enemies via cleaves and spins while the Flamer roasts spread out stragglers.
Elite Slayer
- Thunder Hammer + Boltgun – The Thunder Hammer obliterates even the heaviest enemies. Softening up targets first with the armor-cracking Bolt Gun makes them easy prey for massive smashing finisher. Maximize single-target damage!
Balanced Fighter
- Combat Axe + Lasgun – Boasting versatility in all areas, the Combat Axe handles both hordes and elites with aplomb. The Lasgun provides reliable ranged support. Adapt to any battle thanks to well-rounded capabilities!
Key Zealot Melee Tactics
Whichever wicked instruments of war you wield, implementing core combat tactics separates the faithful from the fallen. Follow these battle teachings and reach your ultimate skull-taking potential!
Redirect Enemy Attacks
- Parrying incoming blows into other enemies multiply damage exponentially
- Master this technique to funnel threats into murder funnels
Exploit Cleaving Attacks
- When surrounded, cleaves hitting multiple foes simultaneously diffuse danger rapidly
- Spin attacks like the Eviscerator‘s excel here – just wade in and start shredding!
Eliminate Elites Quickly
- Leave dangerous elites alive, and they‘ll shred your team
- Focus fire them down rapidly with heavy attacks before addressing weaker enemies
Combat Roll Is Your Ally
- Mobility is limited wielding massive Zealot weapons
- Time your combat rolls well to avoid threats and reposition for counterattack
Follow these teachings in your worship of bloodshed, and all shall soon bear witness to your schools of carnage!
Conclusion
And there you have it – my guide to the most glorious Zealot weapons based on hours of pious analysis and battle testing! My goal was capturing key combat insights from a passionate gamer perspective to help you conduct maximum righteous slaughter.
Darktide‘s grim dark future depends on stalwart warriors getting stuck into the merciless melee. So stock up on ammunition, say a prayer to the Emperor, and get ready to paint the city red!
The only way to truly know a weapon‘s spirit is through baptism by blood. Now get out there and start swinging away in His name!
