Warhammer: Vermintide Versus is more like a Dark Souls invasion than a multiplayer mode, but that can be fun too

GamesActionWarhammer: Vermintide 2Warhammer: Vermintide Versus is more like a Dark Souls invasion than a multiplayer mode, but that can be fun tooWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

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This is what happens when you combine Vermintide’s Pactsworn with human intelligence, like some kind of cyborg rat—Ikit Claweat your heart out. The result is Vermintide Versus, a self-proclaimed PvP+E mode for Fatshark’s Vermintide 2. It’s been in development for quite some time; you might remember the original trailer from way back in 2019. The outcome feels pretty unique.

In the mode, two teams of four take turns playing as the Pactsworn—a selection of Vermintide 2’s special skaven enemies—and the Ubersreik five, the game’s regular heroes. The heroes' goal? Make it as far into each level as they can, earning points along the way, and contending with regular enemies and hordes alongside the opposing players masquerading as specials. These Pactsworn have to stop the heroes reaching their goal and have a number of devious abilities to assist them.

The Pactsworn selection includes Ratling Gunners, Warpfire Throwers, Poison Wind Globadiers, Packmasters, and Gutter Runners—there’s also a Bile Troll, but we’ll get to that. Individually, they’re kind of weak, but the real trick to Vermintide Versus is setting ambushes and overwhelming entire teams before they have a chance to catch their breath. It’s a mode that rewards coordination and—like that Ratling Gunner shooting at us from a hard-to-reach spot—a knowledge of the map and where you can intercept players.

There’s something very skaven in plotting with your friends about where to lay an ambush

The Gutter Runner is wonderfully fun, as you line up a jumping stab and yeet yourself across the map—it’s a role that requires patience as you stalk lost players who get separated from the group. But the Gutter Runner’s jump is its only ability. The same is true for the Poison Wind Globadier; you hurl a cloud of poison gas, you hide, you hurl a cloud of poison gas again, and so on. Many of the Pactsworn feel like one-trick ponies right now, and so it’s hard to imagine this mode having all that much longevity unless they’re fleshed out. Still, there’s something to be said for each skaven player making up for the limitations and deficiencies of the others.

(Image credit: Fatshark)

Vermintide 2 Versus - A Hook Rat going to grab Kruber

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That hard-to-reach Ratling Gunner unloading his bullets on us couldn’t help but evoke those invaders who hang out with the bow-wielding Silver Knights in Anor Londo and help shoot you off ledges. Vermintide Versus, at least for the Pactsworn players, is about trickery, utilising enemies already on the map to distract players, and calling in hordes where you can conceal your advance. To be plain: your job is to be as annoying as possible.

As one of their opponents, it’s hilarious watching real humans inhabit skaven. I remember facing off against a Warpfire Thrower who was trying to corner peak me. He’d pop his head out and I’d hurl an axe at him, and so our dance continued. The only problem I have with the current mode is the Bile Troll. That’s right, you can play as a boss and yes, it feels absurdly strong.

It’s hard to gauge the replayability of Vermintide Versus, but if you’re a long-time Vermintide player you’ll definitely get a kick out of it either way, even if it’s just a fun experience seeing human players step into the shoes of skaven. Fatshark also mentioned unique cosmetics to earn through the mode, and that you can unlock weapons for the heroes in Versus through the base game. The open beta is currently available to try from August 21 to September 2, though there’s no definite release date for the full version yet. Fatshark said that the release will be in “months not years”, though it’s contingent on player feedback and any changes that need to be made.

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