12 Common Mistakes and Bad Habits in Warhammer 40K: Darktide

Introduction: The Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Runs

Darktide is a team-based game, and while some mistakes are harmless, others can ruin a run, frustrate teammates, or make survival much harder. This guide highlights 12 common mistakes that players make, often without realizing it. Learning from these errors will improve both your experience and that of your team.

1. Ignoring Books (Grimoires and Scriptures)

Grimoires apply a team-wide health penalty, so always check if your squad wants to collect them before grabbing one. However, Scriptures have no downside, and failing to pick them up can mean the difference between completing a contract or wasting another 20 minutes in a new game. If you have an empty slot, help out your team and grab the book!

2. Triggering a Demon Host and Then Leaving

Some players accidentally trigger a Demon Host and immediately leave the game, abandoning their teammates to deal with the mess. This is one of the most frustrating things you can do. Demon Hosts only kill two players before vanishing, meaning your squad still has a chance to recover. If you make the mistake of angering one, own it, stay, and fight—don’t leave your team in a worse position.

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3. Running Away With a Monster

Monstrosities are designed to split team focus, but that doesn’t mean you should sprint away from your squad. Running too far:

Separates you from teammates, making you vulnerable to disablers.
Removes your coherency regen.
Makes it harder for your team’s damage dealers to focus fire on the monster.

Instead, kite the monster around your team while keeping a safe distance, allowing them to support you while taking out other threats.

4. Not Using Utility to Create Space for Revives

Grenades, abilities, and stagger effects exist for a reason. Trying to revive someone while completely surrounded by enemies—without using any crowd control—often results in both players going down.

Use grenades or knockback abilities before attempting a revive.
Ogryn Rumbler Trick: Fire at the ground near a downed teammate to stagger enemies and create breathing room.
Veterans should be generous with grenades, as they regenerate them with feats.

5. Not Sticking With the Team During Hunting Grounds or Shock Trooper Gauntlets

These modifiers increase enemy density, making teamwork even more important. Splitting up causes:

Specialists to dogpile on isolated players.
Rescuing teammates to become much harder.
Veterans to lose the passive ammo regen from special kills within coherency.

Stay together when these modifiers are active!

6. Not Freeing Trapped Teammates Immediately

Being caught in a Trapper’s net deals corruption damage over time. If left too long, your teammate could lose a wound and die instantly on their next down.

Free teammates ASAP unless the situation is too dangerous.
If needed, use a grenade or stagger attack to make a safe rescue.
Kill the Trapper first before attempting a rescue if possible.

7. Shooting the Assassination Target’s Void Shield Instead of Meleeing

The Assassination Target (Captain) has a Void Shield that reduces ranged damage by 50% but takes 300% more melee damage.

Use melee attacks to break the shield faster.
Once the shield is down, then switch to ranged fire.
Keeping the target in melee also makes specials and gunners easier to manage.

8. Ignoring Tactical Positioning

Positioning is crucial in higher difficulties. Good positioning:

Forces ranged enemies to push into melee range.
Funnels hordes into tight corridors for easier control.
Puts enemies in climb animations, making them vulnerable.

Running out of strategic spots mid-fight makes the mission harder. Think before you move—hold the high ground when possible!

9. Pulling Faraway Enemies Too Early

Idle enemies don’t aggro until they detect the team. Players who prematurely attack distant enemies can:

Ruin tactical positioning.
Overwhelm the squad while already dealing with a horde.
Trigger monstrosity spawns at the worst possible time.

Pull enemies when the team is ready—not just because you feel like shooting something.

10. Double-Dipping the Ammo Box

Ammo boxes have four full refills. If a player uses a box at 99% ammo, they waste a full charge that could have fully restocked someone else.

Only take ammo when you actually need it.
Prioritize teammates with high-demand weapons (Bolters, Plasma Guns, etc.).
Leave extra charges during final waves, so teammates can restock later.

11. Not Watching Out for Your Teammates

Darktide is a co-op game. Covering teammates makes the difference between survival and disaster.

Veterans and Psykers should keep an eye on ranged threats.
Preachers and Ogryns should engage melee enemies and clear hordes.
Turn around occasionally to check if teammates need support.

Even a simple stagger or quick shot can save a teammate from an untimely death.

12. Shooting a Pox Burster While Someone Is About to Push It

Many players shoot Pox Bursters too early, causing unnecessary damage. Instead:

Let a teammate push it away.
Use a stagger weapon to interrupt its lunge (e.g., Surge Staff, Voidstrike Staff, Trauma Staff).
Explosives instantly kill Bursters—grenades, Rumbler shots, and certain abilities work best.

If a teammate is clearly about to push a Burster, don’t ruin it by shooting!

Conclusion: Learn From These Mistakes to Improve

If you recognize yourself in these habits, don’t worry—everyone has made these mistakes at some point. The goal is to be aware of them, adjust, and become a better teammate.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Help with books—Scriptures have no downside, and Grimoires should be team-approved. ✅ Don’t leave after triggering a Demon Host—your team still has a chance. ✅ Kite monsters near your team, not away from them. ✅ Use grenades and abilities before reviving teammates. ✅ Stick together during heavy horde modifiers. ✅ Free teammates from Trapper nets immediately. ✅ Melee the Assassination Target’s shield, then use ranged. ✅ Think about tactical positioning—high ground wins fights. ✅ Don’t pull enemies before your team is ready. ✅ Be mindful with ammo boxes—don’t waste charges. ✅ Watch your teammates’ backs—it’s a co-op game. ✅ Let teammates push Pox Bursters instead of shooting them.

By improving these habits, you’ll help create smoother, more successful runs in Darktide. Purge the heretics efficiently!