Spellcaster is power in Warhammer Vermintide 2, preferable to physical ranged and melee attacks in virtually every circumstance. They hit hard, often in massive groups, and can feel like a zero-cooldown career skill with the right weapon equipped.
So why doesn't everyone play a magic user (or Drakefire weapon-wielder) of some kind if their auto-attack spells are so incredible? The downside is that using them increases Overcharge, a meter than can potentially damage the player and even instantly kill them. Those who want to use such a class as a main one in Warhammer Vermintide 2 will need to manage this bar carefully.
Understanding The Zones
Using a primary or secondary attack with a casting weapon or a Drakefire weapon will generate "heat." This heat does not actually deal damage to the caster unless they try to "reload." Holding reload with these weapons channels an ability (venting) that brings down the meter.
If players vent in the first bar of the meter, they will take no damage. If they do this for the second or third bars, they will take damage. Upon filling up the entire meter and casting again, the character will explode, instantly killing them and wounding them after being revived until they receive some kind of medical assistance. Players who understand not to vent when it hurts them can take one of the worst classes and turn them into one of the best careers.
Switching To Melee Weapons
Instead of reloading in a danger zone, experts prefer to switch to a melee weapon. That way, the player can still contribute to the fight without staying in place, channeling vent, and potentially damaging themselves. The enemies deal enough damage, doing their job for them is a bad idea.
After attacking in melee combat for a while, flip back around and use the preferred weapon again, either keeping it in the first zone or flipping back to melee attacks after getting into the third zone. Casters should become well-versed in melee combat as this is the preferred playstyle for the game's veterans. Gamers should try to get red veteran items for both weapons to avoid a significant damage dropoff.
Talent Assistance
|
Career |
Talent |
Description |
|
Battle Wizard |
Unusually Calm |
Tranquility's cooldown is reduced to 3 seconds. |
|
Battle Wizard |
Rechannel |
When Tranquility is active, Sienna's ranged charge time is reduced by 40.0%. |
|
Battle Wizard |
Centered |
Increases the Overcharge venting effect of Tranquility by 100%. |
|
Pyromancer |
Deathly Dissipation |
Killing a special stops your spells from generating Overcharge for 10 seconds. |
|
Pyromancer |
Exhaust |
The Burning Head also removes all Overcharge. |
|
Unchained |
Dissipate |
Block cost is reduced by 50.0% when Overcharged and blocking attacks vent Overcharge. |
|
Unchained |
Conduit |
Increases rate of venting Overcharge by 30.0% and reduces damage taken from venting by 50.0%. |
|
Unchained |
Natural Talent |
Reduces Overcharge generated by 10.0%. |
|
Ironbreaker |
Irondrake |
Reduces the Overheat generated by Drakefire weapons by 30%. |
These talents will help the class in question deal with Overcharge. Even if players are great at managing Overcharge, reducing Overcharge means going back to casting with the primary weapon more quickly. The game is already long enough, waiting around for Overcharge to expire is not a good way to spend that time.
Warhammer Vermintide 2 is available now for PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.