Darktide’s new Hivescum DLC was recently released, featuring a brand new class that features a bit of a twist compared to other classes: The ability to craft your own stimulants to enhance yourself mid-fight.
The Hivescum class focuses on a run n’ gun combat style with brand new dual-wielded pistols and submachine guns letting you blitz through enemy combatants on a drug-fuelled frenzy — all while you whirl through large groups of unarmoured enemies with ease. There is also a new needle pistol which applies different chemical effects to your enemies, giving them a taste of your own concoctions and causing them to take damage over time.
The dual wielding doesn’t just end with guns, a few new melee weapons are available for the class as well featuring a pair of quick-cutting knives and a one handed bone saw. There’s also a crowbar, letting you bash skulls in a few new ways.
At first the Hivescum class does feel a little weaker compared to, say, the Arbites DLC class but as you start to level up the abilities on offer are absolutely devastating. I decided to opt for the ability that instantly reloads my gun and consumes no ammunition as long as it’s active. This incredibly powerful ability can also be sustained with kills, making large groups of weaker enemies a breeze for my group.
There is also the new custom stimulant system that lets you craft a drug — which you can choose the effects of — which slowly recovers for more uses over time. The only downside to this is that you can no longer pick up the various other stimulants that you can find laying around each map, which includes the healing stimulant, so be careful when choosing what to buff yourself with.
The Hivescum class is a clear choice for anyone looking to clear large groups of enemies and is a refreshingly fast paced choice in what is normally a slower and heavier roster. It works as a one man support team and can be used to easily cover others or in small stimulant bursts overpower tougher enemies.
If you would like to try the Hivescum DLC yourself you can find it on PC, Xbox and PlayStation 5.
