A friend of mine and I were discussing what could be added next to Darktide given the recent releases of the Arbitrator and Hive Scum. Both of us have adored these DLCs and they have only enhanced a game I was already in love with. If another class were to be added, it would have serious standards to meet.
There is a particular strain of abhuman that I have not seen in games or Warhammer media, and that is the diminutive Ratling. Little is known about their origin but their skills as marksmen are renowned throughout the Imperium. Perhaps some have found their way aboard the Mourningstar as part of the reject conscription that has swept all of our characters up.
My thinking is a ranged damage dealer with a particular emphasis on marksmanship and shot selection. Their standard tree would focus on doing extra damage to Elites, while their weaponry could introduce the first ever scoped rifle to the game and reward picking individuals from a crowd for the team. Offshoot tree Blitzâs could include a deployable ration store (as Ratlings are known for being good cooks) that buffs allies and a âdecoyâ mechanic that could play into a melee build too.
Personality-wise Ratlings tend to get along with Ogryns, so some of the dialogue between these classes could be unique in their bantering familiarity, moreso than the âregularâ humans. They could also be a bit more cheeky, like a swashbuckler or a dashing rogue.
The cosmetic options could be really cool given the models out there and the creative beauty of Fatshark, like bionic limbs, extra rations tucked in waistbands or ghillie suits fashioned from refuse.
Iâm posting this here to get a conversation going, Iâd love to see something like this implemented. The light-hearted nature of these abhumans would fit perfectly with the banter of Darktides characters and it presents an opportunity to bring more rewarding gameplay for shot selection and Elite focusing.
And if you need a voice actor for one of the personalities, Iâd be more than happy to oblige
No known âexclusiveâ weapon other than the various Sniper rifles (which could also be given to the Vet)
Unlike Ogryn much rarer
Like could a Ratling be made to work, sure, but would it be a class that from lore match well with the gameplay that is demanded, not really.
Squats could, as they have luch more sources of weapons they could depend on (IG Squat Regiments; Necromundan Squat Prospector; Necromundan Squat Hired Guns), and could somewhat dubiously reach for some of the Votaan stuff if need be.
I think this would only be plausible if the game was designed from the ground up for two abhumans, not just the ogryn, and not having the vet class. As it stands I donât really see what would be accomplished with a ratling that the veteran canât do.
