# Feature Highlight - Skitarii Visual Design **URL:** \ **Category:** Announcements\ **Tags:** devpost\ **Created:** [May 29, 2026, 4:01pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020 "2026-05-29T16:01:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![FatsharkQuickpaw](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forums.fatsharkgames.com/fatsharkquickpaw/32/35638_2.png) [@FatsharkQuickpaw](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/FatsharkQuickpaw)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 4:01pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020/1 "2026-05-29T16:01:06Z")
_Today we are joined by our Art Director and Associate Art Director, to chat a bit about how we visualised this new class._ ![cryptic-feat-highlight-Cover](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/uploads/fatshark/original/3X/8/7/877b2b6b4b1cb89953deaae91e14a2204fb6a92d.jpeg) # **Warband!** Last week we revealed the new Skitarii Alpha Primus class to the world. We are so excited for these specialist warriors of the Machine-God to join the fight on Atoma, bringing their wargear and combat expertise to the fight against the heretics! Today we are joined by Matte and Lucas, our Art Director and Associate Art Director, to chat a bit about how we visualised this new class in Darktide. Take it away guys! ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/uploads/fatshark/optimized/3X/d/0/d01fb03fcfc31c1ef12a505a38ad2e873259b0c9_2_624x29.png) _ **“As a huge Warhammer fan myself, getting the opportunity to explore something from the Adeptus Mechanicus faction was very exciting”** _ - _ **Lucas** _ We already touched upon the fact that the entire Darktide team has been waiting for a chance to add an Adeptus Mechanicus themed class to the game for a long time, and for many of us this really is a dream come true. The ritualistic elements of this faction, combined with their technology is something we find really interesting, and getting to pour all of our combined knowledge and ideas into this has been such a fun journey. It’s been great to collaborate together with Games Workshop to make sure we get the look and feel of these warriors just right. ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/uploads/fatshark/original/3X/6/5/655e0a6ba8fd5f3602065c8837a53836944ccf8a.jpeg) We realised early that if we are doing an Adeptus Mechanicus class, it would be represented by the Skitarii, as they make the most sense, both for the power level of the Inquisitorial Warband, but also from a good gameplay experience perspective. _ **“I think this is the closest we have been to the core of Warhammer 40.000 for a class in the game”** _ - _ **Matte** _ Since the Skitarii are so iconic for Warhammer 40.000, we knew that this would be an immense task to represent in the game. Not only did we want to honor the lore, but we also wanted to make sure that the class ticked all the boxes, being represented correctly and fun to play! ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/uploads/fatshark/original/3X/a/9/a979047ea794b3a9bba85684e8e28e67d3bffd11.jpeg) _Skitarii headgear concept_ ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/uploads/fatshark/original/3X/4/5/455a7e8b7e34f92ba5309be0cdbbba34599490bf.jpeg) _Skitarii backpack concept_ One of the most interesting (and important) parts of the Skitarii is the blend between human and machine. The Skitarii are at their core humans, but they have been augmented by bionics to better suit the battlefield conditions they are faced with. Their limbs have been upgraded to mechanical ones, and their faces are covered in different optical enhancements and other gruesome details, all to make them better warriors. We thought a lot on how to represent this, and we hope that when you get to see the coming reveals, you can see how much care and consideration went into this. ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/uploads/fatshark/original/3X/b/c/bc3f91105cb77cc839d1240e50693cb48470773a.jpeg) _Bionic arm concept_ The bionics themselves have been very fun to work on. Since we have always hoped to bring this class to the game, we have consciously not added too much of these to the cosmetics of the other classes. We felt that if we ever get the chance to visualise the Adeptus Mechanicus as a player class, that was going to be the time to go all out on this. And that time is finally here! _ **“This has been a project long vision for the team, and I was excited for us to finalise this class”** _ - _ **Matte** _ Another really cool thing to work on was their iconic weaponry and adding some of them to the game. It is always a challenge to take something from the tabletop game and bring it to life. The weapons are front and center in Darktide, so it’s something we take great pride in trying to figure out how to represent in the best way possible. ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/uploads/fatshark/original/3X/5/4/5431943284f29f178c8fef2c8646f69ffb539a90.jpeg) _Phosphor Blast Pistol firing & reload concept_ Together with Games Workshop, we always try to make the weapons believable, especially the ranged ones. A lot of work goes into trying to figure out how parts move, how the reload mechanism works and how the weapon acts as you pull the trigger. Not to mention the sound and VFX of the shots. The weapons of the Adeptus Mechanicus are works of art, and we spent a lot of time making sure that this is also shown. The blend between high-tech, ornate wood work and fine metals make them really stand out. We thought along the lines of making them feel both archaic and advanced at the same time. ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/uploads/fatshark/original/3X/b/8/b8d65fc6f54db5de6908db6410c96576a2580e6f.jpeg) _Galvanic Rifle Concept_ One good example of this is the Galvanic Rifle. We took the existing concept art, the look of the miniatures themselves and then mixed this with references of how historical weapons work and sprinkled the advanced technology of the Adeptus Mechanicus on top. This all blends together to make the weapon you will see in the game. It’s a long process to get everything right, but a very rewarding one when it’s done. _ **“There is also the gameplay aspect of it, we want to make sure the weapons look and act in a way that makes sense for the player while using them”** _ - _ **Matte** _ Another huge task was to visualise the room where you will create your player character. It’s the inner sanctum of the old Adeptus Mechanicus facility that Hadron Omega-7-7 has gotten access to, and it is here standard Skitarii are upgraded into the Alpha Primus variant. ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/uploads/fatshark/original/3X/9/7/97585044740c0e2bae8c3edd51d9e8082e2844e5.jpeg) _Skitarii Alpha Primus character creator ideas_ There is so much detail that has gone into this. First and foremost we wanted the mood of it to be just right. In the center there is this giant machine, the main component of the upgrade process, but the room is also filled with censer smoke and candles. We really tried to nail the feel of this being both a machine and ritual chamber. ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/uploads/fatshark/original/3X/8/a/8a83c92e5c93186b16a6a1d072c06442fc6b199d.jpeg) _Skitarii human parts concept_ It is here you will see the full display of the gruesome nature of the Skitarii. Suspended in the middle will be a disfigured torso and head that is the core of your character, and you get to pick the mechanical limbs and other details for it. We wanted it to feel like you are creating your very own Skitarii. _ **“The hood, the face and the bionic limbs are so iconic”** _ - _ **Lucas** _ Much of this will then be concealed by the hood and robes of the Adeptus Mechanicus when you are done. And since you also get to pick what Forge World your Skitarii initially came from, these come in some different colors to tie it all together. ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/uploads/fatshark/original/3X/8/a/8ac7fc53e7150f349c4d1bec8d82425c027cb85c.jpeg) _Forge World color variations (Mars, Ryza & Branx Minor)_ That’s as much as we will go into today, all in all this has been a very challenging, but rewarding, process for us, and we have so much to share with you in the upcoming weeks! ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/uploads/fatshark/optimized/3X/d/0/d01fb03fcfc31c1ef12a505a38ad2e873259b0c9_2_624x29.png) If you want to know more about the character customization, make sure to tune in next week as we will really deep dive into this. But for now, this is us signing off. The Skitarii Alpha Primus class will be available on the 23rd of June, but you can already wishlist it now. > **[Warhammer 40,000: Darktide - Skitarii Class on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/4355570/Warhammer_40000_Darktide__Skitarii_Class/)** > > The Adeptus Mechanicus will not see the secrets of Hive Tertium fall into the hands of heretics, the Skitarii Alpha Primus are elite operatives devoted to serving the will of the Omnissiah. They will annihilate all who stand in their way. > **[Warhammer 40,000: Darktide - Skitarii Class Deluxe Edition on Steam](https://store.steampowered.com/app/4355580/Warhammer_40000_Darktide__Skitarii_Class_Deluxe_Edition/)** > > The Adeptus Mechanicus will not see the secrets of Hive Tertium fall into the hands of heretics, the Skitarii Alpha Primus are elite operatives devoted to serving the will of the Omnissiah. They will annihilate all who stand in their way. Thanks to Matte and Lucas for sharing their thoughts and experience on the visual design of the new class, and thanks to all of you for reading! Praise the Omnissiah! See you at the Mourningstar! - The Darktide team ---
**Author:** ![oleanus](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forums.fatsharkgames.com/oleanus/32/91893_2.png) [@oleanus](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/oleanus)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 4:04pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020/2 "2026-05-29T16:04:28Z")
IT LOOKS SO GOOD and the white robes blue metal looks AMAZING ---
**Author:** ![FreezeZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@FreezeZ](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/FreezeZ)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 4:10pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020/3 "2026-05-29T16:10:20Z")
Will we get Vanguard cosmetics? ---
**Author:** ![Amelia](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forums.fatsharkgames.com/amelia/32/35846_2.png) [@Amelia](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Amelia)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020/4 "2026-05-29T16:12:42Z")
skitarii next month ---
**Author:** ![CiaphasSyndrome](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forums.fatsharkgames.com/ciaphassyndrome/32/103442_2.png) [@CiaphasSyndrome](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/CiaphasSyndrome)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 4:13pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020/5 "2026-05-29T16:13:00Z")
Praying that the vanguard concept we saw in the insights comes true, but this looks amazing hell yeah. ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/uploads/fatshark/original/3X/5/f/5f12cc1f9e998477708bc043a553fc778e0f4174.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![se05239](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forums.fatsharkgames.com/se05239/32/115181_2.png) [@se05239](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/se05239)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 4:13pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020/6 "2026-05-29T16:13:50Z")
I still think the Skitarii are way too high up as Mechanicus units to even be mixed with the Rejects to begin with. ---
**Author:** ![MekBossKlamps](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecb155/32.png) [@MekBossKlamps](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/MekBossKlamps)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 4:15pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020/7 "2026-05-29T16:15:33Z")
I really hope they’ll let us pick some of the more obscure Forge Worlds, such as Arachnus, Gryphonne, Urdesh, and Zhao-Arkhad ---
**Author:** ![Reginald](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forums.fatsharkgames.com/reginald/32/63707_2.png) [@Reginald](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Reginald)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 4:16pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020/8 "2026-05-29T16:16:56Z")
> [@se05239](#): > > I still think the Skitarii are way too high up as Mechanicus units to even be mixed with the Rejects to begin with. Is this bog standard soldier of the mechanicus too low to be mixed with a bunch of **literal inquisitorial acolytes?** Maybe you’re not level 30 yet but I’ve been an auric operative for more than 700 levels already. ---
**Author:** ![MagicCanOpener](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@MagicCanOpener](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/MagicCanOpener)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 4:18pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020/9 "2026-05-29T16:18:08Z")
Big fan of the Branx Minor robe colors! Going to be a tossup between choosing that or Ryza when I create my Skitarii haha ---
**Author:** ![buttholebabee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/aca169/32.png) [@buttholebabee](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/buttholebabee)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 4:18pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020/10 "2026-05-29T16:18:13Z")
love it, can’t wait. honestly a dream come true! ---
**Author:** ![HarrytheHookrat](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forums.fatsharkgames.com/harrythehookrat/32/9897_2.png) [@HarrytheHookrat](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/HarrytheHookrat)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 4:18pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020/11 "2026-05-29T16:18:17Z")
why? in the game maybe they failed to protect something vital or they are on atoma for that tank alloy thing we hear about in mission , the arbitrator isn’t exactly a reject either ---
**Author:** ![eatingsand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/aca169/32.png) [@eatingsand](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/eatingsand)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 4:22pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020/12 "2026-05-29T16:22:17Z")
![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/uploads/fatshark/original/3X/4/4/449077962a8eabf91be810e7a1a37b5722ada81d.png) i have no butthole and i must skit ---
**Author:** ![BlackMagicUser](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forums.fatsharkgames.com/blackmagicuser/32/108295_2.png) [@BlackMagicUser](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/BlackMagicUser)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 4:24pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020/13 "2026-05-29T16:24:35Z")
Thank you FatsharkQuickPaw, very cool indeed(in binaric) ---
**Author:** ![DVD.exe](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/user_avatar/forums.fatsharkgames.com/dvd.exe/32/116175_2.png) [@DVD.exe](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/DVD.exe)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 4:32pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020/14 "2026-05-29T16:32:44Z")
> [@FatsharkQuickpaw](#): > > ![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/flex013/uploads/fatshark/original/3X/8/a/8a83c92e5c93186b16a6a1d072c06442fc6b199d.jpeg) you may not like it, but this is what peak skiti physique looks like ---
**Author:** ![SprinKah](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@SprinKah](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/SprinKah)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 4:36pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020/15 "2026-05-29T16:36:17Z")
idk dude, a guardsman VETERAN (that are probably sargeants and stuff), Ogryns that are BONE’EADS, PSYKERS, ARBITES, almost supernaturally faith-addict zealots. I think Skitariis are right at home, they really ain’t leagues above the roster we have xD ---
**Author:** ![prolegitman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a88e57/32.png) [@prolegitman](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/prolegitman)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 4:57pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020/16 "2026-05-29T16:57:36Z")
Once again asking if we will now be able to include numbers in character names for Skitarri. Hopefully a bare head is also an option rather than being forced into covering everything up. ---
**Author:** ![Primaul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecd19e/32.png) [@Primaul](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Primaul)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 5:02pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020/17 "2026-05-29T17:02:04Z")
the Phosphor Blast Pistol has the first ever clip in the game has shown in the illustration with the label of 1. right next to the speed loader. every instance of clip currently in the game should be changed to mag instead. ---
**Author:** ![eatingsand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/aca169/32.png) [@eatingsand](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/eatingsand)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 5:02pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020/18 "2026-05-29T17:02:46Z")
> [@Primaul](#): > > every instance of clip currently in the game should be changed to mag instead. where does the game ever refer to anything as a clip? ---
**Author:** ![Primaul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecd19e/32.png) [@Primaul](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/Primaul)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 5:03pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020/19 "2026-05-29T17:03:04Z")
talents in the talent trees. ---
**Author:** ![eatingsand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/aca169/32.png) [@eatingsand](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/u/eatingsand)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2026, 5:04pm UTC](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020/20 "2026-05-29T17:04:09Z")
you’re right, i thought it actually did use magazine everywhere chalk it down to the mandela effect (or maybe i just correct it in my head by now) they do refer to it as magazine size in the ammo stat that’s probably where my head was [Next page](https://forums.fatsharkgames.com/t/feature-highlight-skitarii-visual-design/122020.md?page=2)