Playing the dwarf in Warhammer Vermintide 2 is occasionally a roleplaying decision. There is little disagreement among the community about how Bardin Goreksson cheers up the group and is overall fun to listen to. Squads that don't have him present are all the emptier and more dreary for it.
However, don't get to thinking that Bardin is simply there for his jovial songs, clever jokes, and desire for ale. Bardin is easily one of the best characters in Warhammer Vermintide 2 and he gets even better with an ideal career and the best build around that choice.
Career
- Ironbreaker
Bardin's three damage-dealing careers are all worth a look. The Slayer is an aggressive frontline combatant for those who enjoy pushing the action. His other two classes, the Outcast Engineer and Ranger Veteran, also bring some physical prowess to the table from range.
With all due respect to those careers, they're interchangeable with other melee and damage classes. The Ironbreaker is simply the best tank in the game and among the best classes in the game without any notable dissent. To pass up on the best character in a role would be a mistake, so Bardin's Ironbreaker gets the nod.
Talents
|
Level |
Talent |
Description |
|
5 |
Rock-Breaker |
Staggering enemies with a melee attack grants temporary health. Health gained based on stagger strength. |
|
10 |
Rune-Etched Shield |
Blocking an attack grants Bardin and his allies 2% melee power for 6 seconds. Stacks 5 times. |
|
15 |
Smiter |
The first enemy hit always counts as staggered. Deal 20% more damage to staggered enemies. Each hit against a staggered enemy adds another count of stagger. Bonus damage is increased to 40% against enemies afflicted by more than one stagger effect. |
|
20 |
Tunnel Fighter |
Reduces the cooldown of Gromril Armour to 10 seconds. |
|
25 |
The Rolling Mountain |
Killing enemies with melee attacks while on full stamina reduces the cooldown of Impenetrable by 2%. |
|
30 |
Oi! Wazzok! |
Impenetrable taunt now forces monsters to attack Bardin. |
The main problem with a "tank" in the traditional sense is that taking damage throughout a long match results in dying before the finish line. To tank at his best, Bardin needs to give himself healing with every swing and increase his mitigation with these talents. The game itself is long enough, it will feel even longer with an inferior tank build.
Oi! Wazzok! Forces the big bosses to attack Bardin. Although it's not available until the final level, this brings it together. After all, if Bardin can't take blows from the boss, his usefulness as a tank at the most critical times is limited.
Weapons & Equipment
|
Slot |
Item |
Property 1 |
Property 2 |
Trait |
Trait Description |
|
Primary |
Hammer and Shield |
30% Push/Block Angle |
30% Block Cost Reduction |
Off Balance |
Blocking an attack increases the damage the attacker takes by 20% for 5 seconds. |
|
Secondary |
Drakegun |
5% Crit Chance |
20% Crit Power |
Barrage |
Consecutive attacks against the same targets boost attack power by 5% for 5 seconds. |
|
Necklace |
N/A |
30% Push/Block Angle |
30% Block Cost Reduction |
Barkskin |
Taking damage reduces the damage you take from subsequent sources by 40% for 2 seconds. This effect can only trigger every 2 seconds. |
|
Charm |
N/A |
5% Attack Speed |
20% Crit Power |
Concoction |
Drinking a potion grants the effect of all other potions. Duration reduced by 50%. |
|
Trinket |
N/A |
30 Stamina Recovery Rate |
10% Cooldown Reduction |
Shrapnel |
Grenades cause hit enemies to take 20% increased damage for 10 seconds. |
As players acquire the best items in the game, they should keep an eye out for the ones that benefit Bardin more than the rest. Most classes don't use their shields often, if at all, but Bardin will use his constantly, especially after performing his taunt.
There is a legitimate argument to be made that the career is already so tanky that he doesn't need to use a shield or block often. That may be true after he's well-geared, but in that situation, players are better off using another melee damage dealer over Bardin. The whole purpose of the character is to tank for the team. Players who don't like taunting hordes of enemies and laughing as their attacks bounce fruitlessly off of a shield should choose somebody else.
Warhammer Vermintide 2 is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.