Cataclysm is a difficulty for players who have finished the gear grinding and looking for high-level challenges gameplay.
This guide highlight one to three builds on each career as recommendation for non-modified Cataclysm difficulty. These builds have good skill ceiling and strong to play with practice. For more builds, check out the last section with Ranalds Gift links.

For my Cata Twitch 200% build guide, check out this spreadsheet[docs.google.com]

My Cata Twitch 200% build spreadsheet[docs.google.com]

Builds & Items Spreadsheet for my Legend & Cataclysm Guides [docs.google.com]
Credit to RedBeardedGiant

Legend Builds Collection:
https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2034609078
To learn basic information/strategy about Cataclysm difficulty:
https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1845062917
To learn the best combo for melee weapons mentioned in this guide:
https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1821186836
To learn some Vermintide Mechanic including the lvl15 stagger system:
https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1816101198
To learn how to fight all Monsters:
https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1723437775

Patch 5.4

• Tweaked builds to be more meta focus than newer player focus.

LVL 5
Both Carve and Sting are very viable. Carve has better consistency in most scenarios.
LVL 10
The core talent of this build. It can dish out high burst damage with high ammo/magic efficiency. Also make sure to proc Blood Shot before use your career skill too.
LVL 15
Assassin provide a 40% increase in melee crit/headshot. On Hagbane build, you will use your melee weapon for armour elites and trigger Blood Shot. Better than other choices in this scenario.
LVL 20
Spirit Arrows is a key component for Hagbane build, since Hagbane is very ammo hungry. Lower career skill cooldown combine with Kurnous' Reward provides the best ammo sustain you can get.
LVL 25
Greatly reduce your career skill cooldown. It is way superior to other choices since you rely on your career skill to regen ammo.
LVL 30
Kurnous' Reward is the best talent in this row for Hagbane build to sustain ammo. Use active aim to make sure that you can kill at least one elite/special with one ult.





















With this build, the main job of your melee weapon is to kill strafe horde unit to trigger Blood Shot, generate THP, and dealing with armoured elites.

Sword & Dagger has the best balance between horde clean, elite damage and easy to use. It also has half push to go into strong single target combo or help crowd control, synergize greatly with all kinds of damage buff. If you want to improve your melee crowd control ability or extra THP farm Sword & Dagger is the choice.

Dual Dagger has excellent elite killing power. Its stackable bleed also works great to get melee mob kill since you can simply apply bleed to couple enemies and get back. Its armour damage is very high even on a body shot, but super low base stamina and short-reach make it a high risk high reward weapon. If you can use Hagbane to crowd control efficiently this is the best weapon for this build.





















With Blood Shot Hagbane build, you should use your charge arrows most of the time. Shoot charged arrow normally when enemies are tightly group up. When there is no high density enemy group or when you are on low ammo, then you need to make sure to proc Blood Shot before shoot.

Hagbane has huge damage potential to all type of units, but it doesn't instant kill specials. Knowing your breakpoints will save you a lot of ammo, although your teammates may waste some shots due to enemies don't die instantly to your poison.
On Cataclysm, Hagbane stalker is one of the best DPS characters with great crowd control in horde. It melts even beastmen horde and monster. Although it is still very ammo hungry. Utilize Blood Shot and increase your ammo efficiency by shooting at high-density crowd.

Breakpoints: 10% skaven, 10% berserker, 10% chaos, 10% infantry, Barrage
Two shot-bodyshot all specials except Wargor with charged arrows
Three shot-bodyshot SV/Mauler/Savage/Monk with charged arrows
Four shot-bodyshot Bestigor with charged arrows





















BCR is way superior to stamina if you have enough shield to perform push. Extra health is critical.
Although career has low HP pool, with high THP farm speed Barkskin is great at providing survivability. If you struggle with farming THP or hit trade a lot, use Boon of Shallya.




















To reach the breakpoints mentioned above.
All potion effects benefit Hagbane greatly, let you shoot faster/gain AoE armour piercing attacks/generate ult to restore ammo. Overall the most consistent trait for this build.



















Crit chance provides more damage. Stamina regen provides more push to crowd control/survivability.
Due to the massive Monster health on Cataclysm, Shrapnel works best on monster burst down. It also the best option for Patrol kill if a team can focus their fire.

LVL 5
Both Carve and Sting are very viable. Carve has better consistency in most scenarios.
LVL 10
Serrated Shot does not rely on your melee kills like Blood Shot. You can stay at a safe distance from enemies and still have efficient range attacks. The stackable bleed also helps you reach some breakpoints and increase your range Boss DPS.
LVL 15
Assassin provide a 40% increase in melee crit/headshot. Boosts your melee damage most.
LVL 20
Since Longbow already has amazing ammo sustain, Rejuvenating Locus provides overall best value when you are playing with a team.
LVL 25
Greatly reduce your career skill cooldown. It is way superior to other choices since you rely on your career skill to regen ammo.
LVL 30
The best over all talent in this row. Allows you to spam arrow none stop.




















With Longbow build, the main job of your melee weapon is to regen THP, kill close horde and kill super armour elites. Leave specials and other elites to your Longbow.

Sword & Dagger has the best balance between horde clean, elite damage and easy to use. It also has half push to go into strong single target combo or help crowd control, synergize greatly with all kinds of damage buff. If you want to improve your melee crowd control ability or extra THP farm Sword & Dagger is the choice.



















With this build, use your Longbow on all none super armour elites/specials and long range horde. Use your charge arrow most of the time, only quick arrow when you need to finish off close range Assassin/Leech/Gas.

Longbow is the best sniping weapons for Kerillian. It also has very high monster damage, if you can save ammo by headshot. As a longbow waystalker, you need to place yourself in the backline and kill armour units/elites/specials from far.
For horde, shot them with charge arrows before close range combat. You have enough ammo regen to 'waste' some ammo on horde.

Longbow Breakpoints: 20% skaven, 10% armour, 10% Chaos Serrated Shots
One shot-bodyshot Assassin with charged arrow
One shot-headshot Gunrat/Fireart/Hookrat/Leech/Blight/SV/Bestigor/Savage/Monk
Two shot-bodyshot Gunrat/Fireart/Hookrat/Leech/Blight/SV/Savage/Monk





















BCR is way superior to stamina if you have enough shield to perform push. Extra health is critical.
Although career has low HP pool, with high THP farm speed Barkskin is great at providing survivability. If you struggle with farming THP or hit trade a lot, use Boon of Shallya.


















To reach the breakpoints mentioned above.
Proxy provides more potion efficiency since a team should play very tight on Cataclysm difficulty. Also, two people on potion effect can get out of emergency situations more easily.



















Crit chance provides more damage. Stamina regen provides more push to crowd control/survivability.
Due to the massive Monster health on Cataclysm, Sharpnel works best on monster burst down. It also the best option for Patrol kill if a team can focus their fire.

LVL 5
Carve gives the most consistent regen. Especially when there is a horde for you to cleave. Plus you can farm THP on single target, like Monster/Lord.
LVL 10.
Asraie Alacrity provides decent power and very high attack speed. With Handmaiden passive stamina regen aura, you can throw in push/push attack in your combo very frequently to get this bonus.
LVL 15
Smiter provide a flat 20% increase melee damage on the unit you hit, making it super efficient on melee elites killing power.
LVL 20
Basically a flat 15% constant attack speed. Superior than the other two choices in terms of DPS.
LVL 25
On Cataclysm enemies break your shield faster than ever. This BCR talent is more valuable than HP and max ammo on a full melee commit build.
LVL 30
Core talent of this playstyle, allows you to get out of your way to delete some special/elite easily even on high density.
Gift of Ladrielle gives Low cooldown 2 sec of invisibility helps you to snipe specials on high density, deleting one elite inside horde and clutch easily. A strong utility talent. Very good to pair with a sniping range weapon, or a melee weapon that can delete elites with a couple sec of free time.













With this build, melee weapon should be your main DPS source. Focus on horde units with your melee most of the time, and wait for opening to focus attack on elites.

Dual Daggers has some of the highest single target damage in the game. The high crit, high attack speed and high stamina regen also help you a lot in horde clean. Abuse the high stamina regen on handmaiden to gain extra power and crowd control on Dual Daggers.

Glaive has strong stagger power and high single target damage even with bodyshot. Use the high cleave/stagger light attacks, dodge and short cooldown invisibility to create an opening for heavy attacks on elites.

Sword & Dagger has the best balance between horde clean, elite damage and easy to use. It also has half push to go into strong single target combo or help crowd control, synergize greatly with all kinds of damage buff.

With this build, Moonfire bow should only be used against specials due to efficiency. Only shoot elites when they are far and you don't need to conserve energy for specials, or when you cannot find melee attack opportunity but needs to eliminate them ASAP.

Moonfire bow has ok special sniping breakpoints on Cataclysm. The benefit of it over Longbow and Javelin is that it has infinite ammo and can regenerate arrows back without reloading with the trade-off of lacking any horde clear function.

Proxy provides more potion efficiency since a team should play very tight on Cataclysm difficulty. Also, two people on potion effect can get out of emergency situations more easily.

Breakpoints: 10% monster, 20% skaven, 10% chaos
One shot-bodyshot Assasin with full charged arrow
One quick fire + one quick charge bodyshot gunrat/firerat
Two shot-headshot all specials except wargor with quick fire arrows
Two shot-bodyshot all specials except wargor with quick charged arrows

With this build, Longbow should only be used against specials due to ammo limit. Only shoot elites when there are ammo source nearby, or when you cannot find melee attack opportunity but needs to eliminate them ASAP.

Longbow is the best special sniping weapons for Kerillian if you can land headshot consistently. It also has very high monster damage if you can headshot. Only outshined by Moonfire Bow/Javelin when you run out of ammo.

Breakpoints: 10% infantry, 20% skaven
One shot-bodyshot assassin with charged arrow
Two shot-bodyshot all specials with charged arrow

With this build, javelin should only be used against specials due to efficiency. Only shoot elites when they are far and you don't need to worry about specials, or when you cannot find melee attack opportunity but needs to eliminate them ASAP.

Javelin range attack has ok special sniping breakpoints and good trajectory, it also has very strong stagger, enough to stagger all elites overhead except Chaos Warrior. Unlimited ammo also helps a non-ammo regen melee career, though recalling the javelin takes quite a while. Its most unique part is its melee attacks. The chain light attack provides one of the strongest monster DPS in the game, and heavy attack also does decent armour damage when you land a crit or headshot.

Breakpoints: 20% skaven, 20% monster
One shot-bodyshot Assassin
One shot-headshot/Two shot-bodyshot Gunrat/Firerat/Hook/Blight/Leech





















BCR is way superior to stamina if you have enough shield to perform push. Extra health is critical.
With high THP farm speed and fairly high HP pool, Barkskin is very decent for heavy-melee front liner. If you struggle with farming THP or hit trade a lot, use Boon of Shallya.



















Crit chance provides more damage. Stamina regen provides more push to crowd control/survivability.
Due to the massive Monster health on Cataclysm, Sharpnel works best on monster burst down. It also the best option for Patrol kill if a team can focus their fire.

LVL 5
Depends on your melee weapon, choose different talent.
Sword & Dagger: Carve gives the more consistent regen. Your melee weapon won't stagger elites constantly, plus you can farm THP on single target, like Monster/Lord.
Spear & Shield: Second Wind provides very good THP with well placed pushes. Spear & Shield has shield push, combine with HM high stamina regen, provides amazing THP regen.
LVL 10.
Asraie Alacrity provides decent power and very high attack speed. With Handmaiden passive stamina regen aura, you can throw in push/push attack in your combo very frequently to get this bonus.
LVL 15
Smiter provide a flat 20% increase melee damage on the unit you hit, making it super efficient on melee elites killing power.
LVL 20
Basically a flat 15% constant attack speed. Superior than the other two choices in terms of DPS.
LVL 25
On Cataclysm enemies break your shield faster than ever. This BCR talent is more valuable than HP on a full melee commit build.
LVL 30
Core talent of this playstyle, gives you more DPS while stay at frontline.
Power from Pain: Provide up to 25% crit chance for a short period of time. Greatly increase your overall melee damage. Move to the flank side of the horde, then dash back into your team to gain crit safely. A front line focused talent.



















With this build, melee weapon should be your main DPS source. Focus on horde units with your melee most of the time, and wait for opening to focus attack on elites.

Spear & Shield is way different than base game shield weapons. On one hand, you have very fast light stab which deals decent damage to horde on crit or headshot. On the other, you still have shield block and shield push, which means you have a natural 60% block cost reduction and your push will stagger most of elites' movesets.
When fighting horde, use push - heavy attack combo. The heavy attack has insane cleave value, and the push will provide crowd control.
When fighting elites, use push attack-heavy attack-heavy attack. The push will stagger SV/Beastgor/Mauler most of time, and even if they are doing the overhead you can always abuse the high block ability.
With Willow Stance, spear&shield already has enough attack speed. Use Opportunist so your push would be able to stagger SV/Mauler/Beastgor out of their overhead, allowing more aggressive play.

Sword & Dagger has the best balance between horde clean, elite damage and easy to use. It also has half push to go into strong single target combo or help crowd control, synergize greatly with all kinds of damage buff.

Spear & Shield Stagger Breakpoints: 20% Skaven, Asrai Alacrity
Push stagger SV/Bestigro/Mauler/Savage/Monk all attacks

With this build, Moonfire bow should only be used against specials due to efficiency. Only shoot elites when they are far and you don't need to conserve energy for specials, or when you cannot find melee attack opportunity but needs to eliminate them ASAP.

Moonfire bow has ok special sniping breakpoints on Cataclysm. The benefit of it over Longbow and Javelin is that it has infinite ammo and can regenerate arrows back without reloading with the trade-off of lacking any horde clear function.

Proxy provides more potion efficiency since a team should play very tight on Cataclysm difficulty. Also, two people on potion effect can get out of emergency situations more easily.

Breakpoints: 10% monster, 20% skaven, 10% chaos
One shot-bodyshot Assasin with full charged arrow
One quick fire + one quick charge bodyshot gunrat/firerat
Two shot-headshot all specials except wargor with quick fire arrows
Two shot-bodyshot all specials except wargor with quick charged arrows

With this build, Longbow should only be used against specials due to ammo limit. Only shoot elites when there are ammo source nearby, or when you cannot find melee attack opportunity but needs to eliminate them ASAP.

Longbow is the best special sniping weapons for Kerillian if you can land headshot consistently. It also has very high monster damage if you can headshot. Only outshined by Moonfire Bow/Javelin when you run out of ammo.

Breakpoints: 10% infantry, 20% skaven
One shot-bodyshot assassin with charged arrow
Two shot-bodyshot all specials with charged arrow

With this build, javelin should only be used against specials due to efficiency. Only shoot elites when they are far and you don't need to worry about specials, or when you cannot find melee attack opportunity but needs to eliminate them ASAP.

Javelin range attack has ok special sniping breakpoints and good trajectory, it also has very strong stagger, enough to stagger all elites overhead except Chaos Warrior. Unlimited ammo also helps a non-ammo regen melee career, though recalling the javelin takes quite a while. Its most unique part is its melee attacks. The chain light attack provides one of the strongest monster DPS in the game, and heavy attack also does decent armour damage when you land a crit or headshot.

Breakpoints: 20% skaven, 20% monster
One shot-bodyshot Assassin
One shot-headshot/Two shot-bodyshot Gunrat/Firerat/Hook/Blight/Leech





















BCR is way superior to stamina if you have enough shield to perform push. Extra health is critical.
With high THP farm speed and fairly high HP pool, Barkskin is very decent for heavy-melee front liner. If you struggle with farming THP or hit trade a lot, use Boon of Shallya.



















Crit chance provides more damage. Stamina regen provides more push to crowd control/survivability.
Due to the massive Monster health on Cataclysm, Sharpnel works best on monster burst down. It also the best option for Patrol kill if a team can focus their fire.

LVL 5
Shade has good mobility and one of the highest single target damage in the game. Execute provides tons of THP for this type of character.
LVL 10
Very powerful damage boost. The 10 sec duration is long enough to keep it full stack. With a high headshot damage melee weapon, this talent is your best horde clear boost and general damage increase on this row.
LVL 15
Assassin provide a 40% increase in melee crit/headshot. Although Enhanced Power can increase your damage more against staggered horde, the flat damage boost against Monster/Lord making Assassin a better choice.
LVL 20
Depends on your range weapon, use different talent.
Moonfire Bow: Focused Slaying reduce your career skill cooldown by a decent amount during pacing or when clearing up low density horde.
Longbow: Bloodfletcher decent amount of ammo back. Combine with Conservative Shoot, you should never need to worry about running out ammo for special snipe with longbow.
LVL 25
Damage reduction helps squishy career like Shade to stay at front line and focus melee damage.
LVL 30
Allows you to go behind and chain heavy attack to delete Skaven/Beastman patrol. You can also snipe multiple specials while in stealth if you can oneshot kill them. Best talent at dealing with man-sized patrol or mass specials/clutch potential.





















With this build, melee weapon should be your main DPS source. Focus on horde units with your melee most of the time, and wait for opening to focus attack on elites.

Sword & Dagger has the best balance between horde clean, elite damage and easy to use. It also has half push to go into strong single target combo or help crowd control, synergize greatly with all kinds of damage buff.

Dual Daggers has some of the highest single target damage in the game. It has default 10% extra crit chance and high headshot/crit damage on almost all attacks . With Exquisite Huntress and Assassin you can deal massive damage at front. Its biggest weakness is its crowd control. Use its high dodge, high attack speed and half stamina push to keep yourself safe inside horde.




With this build, range weapon should only be used against specials due to efficiency and/or ammo sustain. Only shoot elites when they are far and you don't need to conserve energy for specials, or when you cannot find melee attack opportunity but needs to eliminate them ASAP.

Moonfire bow has ok special sniping breakpoints on Cataclysm. The benefit of it over Longbow for Shade is mostly coming from the Hunter trait and free up your level 20 talent options, giving you more usage on career skill and boss damage.

Longbow is the best special sniping weapons for Kerillian if you can land headshot consistently. It also has very high monster damage if you can headshot. The benefit of it over Moonfire bow is its amazing anti special ability, you can easily compete with other backline careers in terms of special control.

Moonfire bow Breakpoints: 10% monster, 20% skaven, 10% chaos
One shot-bodyshot Assasin with full charged arrow
One quick fire + one quick charge bodyshot gunrat/firerat
Two shot-headshot all specials except wargor with quick fire arrows
Two shot-bodyshot all specials except wargor with quick charged arrows

Longbow Breakpoints: 10% infantry, 20% skaven
One shot-bodyshot assassin with charged arrow
Two shot-bodyshot all specials with charged arrow





















BCR is way superior to stamina if you have enough shield to perform push. Extra health is critical.
With high THP farm speed, Barkskin is very decent for heavy-melee focus career. If you struggle with farming THP or hit trade a lot, use Boon of Shallya.

















To reach the breakpoints mentioned above.
The strength and concentration effect provided by Concoction benefit Shade boss nuking ability greatly.



















Crit chance provides more damage. Stamina regen provides more push to crowd control/survivability.
Due to the massive Monster health on Cataclysm, Sharpnel works best on monster burst down. It also the best option for Patrol kill if a team can focus their fire.

LVL 5
Shade has good mobility and one of the highest single target damage in the game. Execute provides tons of THP for this type of character.
LVL 10
Extra damage for your melee weapon. Most consistent & strongest Infiltrate boost on this row, fitting the boss burst playstyle well with this build.
LVL 15
Assassin provide a 40% increase in melee crit/headshot. Although Enhanced Power can increase your damage more against staggered horde, the flat damage boost against Monster/Lord making Assassin a better choice.
LVL 20
Depends on your range weapon, use different talent.
Moonfire Bow: Focused Slaying reduce your career skill cooldown by a decent amount during pacing or when clearing up low density horde.
Longbow: Bloodfletcher decent amount of ammo back. Combine with Conservative Shoot, you should never need to worry about running out ammo for special snipe with longbow.
LVL 25
Damage reduction helps squishy career like Shade to stay at front line and focus melee damage.
LVL 30
Provides the highest burst damage. Both attacks have full Infiltrate bonus. Can instant delete multiple Chaos Warriors or deal huge boss damage. Best talent at dealing with Chaos Patrol and Boss/Lord.





















With this build, melee weapon should be your main DPS source. Focus on horde units with your melee most of the time, and wait for opening to focus attack on elites.

Sword & Dagger has the best balance between horde clean, elite damage and easy to use. It also has half push to go into strong single target combo or help crowd control, synergize greatly with all kinds of damage buff.

Dual Daggers has some of the highest single target damage in the game. It has default 10% extra crit chance and high headshot/crit damage on almost all attacks, synergize greatly with Assassin and Cruelty. Its biggest weakness is its crowd control. Use its high dodge, high attack speed and half stamina push to keep yourself safe inside horde.




With this build, range weapon should only be used against specials due to efficiency and/or ammo sustain. Only shoot elites when they are far and you don't need to conserve energy for specials, or when you cannot find melee attack opportunity but needs to eliminate them ASAP.

Moonfire bow has ok special sniping breakpoints on Cataclysm. The benefit of it over Longbow for Shade is mostly coming from the Hunter trait and free up your level 20 talent options, giving you more usage on career skill and boss damage.

Longbow is the best special sniping weapons for Kerillian if you can land headshot consistently. It also has very high monster damage if you can headshot. The benefit of it over Moonfire bow is its amazing anti special ability, you can easily compete with other backline careers in terms of special control.

Moonfire bow Breakpoints: 10% monster, 20% skaven, 10% chaos
One shot-bodyshot Assasin with full charged arrow
One quick fire + one quick charge bodyshot gunrat/firerat
Two shot-headshot all specials except wargor with quick fire arrows
Two shot-bodyshot all specials except wargor with quick charged arrows

Longbow Breakpoints: 10% infantry, 20% skaven
One shot-bodyshot assassin with charged arrow
Two shot-bodyshot all specials with charged arrow





















BCR is way superior to stamina if you have enough shield to perform push. Extra health is critical.
With high THP farm speed, Barkskin is very decent for heavy-melee focus career. If you struggle with farming THP or hit trade a lot, use Boon of Shallya.

















To reach the breakpoints mentioned above.
The strength and concentration effect provided by Concoction benefit Shade boss nuking ability greatly.



















Crit chance provides more damage. Stamina regen provides more push to crowd control/survivability.
Due to the massive Monster health on Cataclysm, Sharpnel works best on monster burst down. It also the best option for Patrol kill if a team can focus their fire.

LVL 5
Carve gives the most consistent regen. Especially when there is a horde for you to cleave. Plus you can farm THP on single target, like Monster/Lord.
LVL 10
Very powerful melee damage boost. The bleed damage is stackable, providing huge damage bonus to horde and berzerkers.
LVL 15
Smiter provide a flat 20% increase melee damage on the unit you hit, making it super efficient in providing melee Elites/Monster damage.
LVL 20
Increase your team's DPS drastically in its duration with a fairly low cooldown. Combine with Recursive Toxin, provides your team very high damage boost during difficulty spikes like boss/lord fights.
LVL 25
Best key target focus talent on this role and improves your own single target damage. Combine with Radiant Inheritance, provides your team very high damage boost during difficulty spikes like boss/lord fights.
LVL 30
Depends on your playstyle, choose different talent.
Use Tanglegrasp Thicket if you want utility and better space creation. It can push away close range high density horde units, while leaving elites behind and stagger them so the team can burst them down easily.
Use Blackvenom Thicket if you want straightforward control skill. It has AoE stagger and helps you to apply Atharti's Delight bleed. Perfect for spamming or quickly stun key targets. Also provide the ability to ledge/stagger boss.











With this build, melee weapon should be your main DPS source. Focus on horde units with your melee most of the time, and wait for opening to focus attack on elites.

Sword & Dagger has the best balance between horde clean, elite damage and easy to use. It also has half push to go into strong single target combo or help crowd control, synergize greatly with all kinds of damage buff.

Dual Daggers has some of the highest single target damage in the game. It has default 10% extra crit chance and high headshot/crit damage on almost all attacks. Its biggest weakness is its crowd control. Use its high dodge, high attack speed and half stamina push to keep yourself safe inside horde.

With this build, Deepwood staff should be used as a strong high value target control tool.
When fighting low density elite, disable them with alternative mode and then use melee weapon for damage.
When fighting armoured specials or long range specials, use your staff's alternative mode to disable them first, then try to kill them with left click. If you don't have enough overcharge to finish them off, just lift them would buy enough time for you to vent first or just leave them for your teammates.
When fighting groups of elites, lift -> back off -> vent, with career skill usage, until only a small amount of elites can move around freely to provide a max amount of safe DPS window for your team.

Life staff is one of the greatest control tools in the game, having the ability to disable all types of specials and elites in the game, providing unmatchable utilities. Only downside is its left click armoured damage isn't great, usually requires you spend tons of heat on armoured specials, or lift them and melee to finish them off, or just leave them to your teammates.

Proxy provides more potion efficiency since a team should play very tight on Cataclysm difficulty. Also, two people on potion effect can get out of emergency situations more easily.

Breakpoints: 20% infantry, 20% skaven
One shot-bodyshot Assassin
Two shot-bodyshot OR one shot-headshot Gas
Three shot-bodyshot OR two shot-headshot Leech/Blight
Three shot-bodyshot OR two shot-headshot Hook
Five shot-bodyshot OR two shot-headshot Gunrat/Firerat

With this build, Moonfire bow should only be used against specials due to efficiency. Only shoot elites when they are far and you don't need to conserve energy for specials, or when you cannot find melee attack opportunity but needs to eliminate them ASAP.

Moonfire bow has ok special sniping breakpoints on Cataclysm. The benefit of it over Longbow and Javelin is that it has infinite ammo and can regenerate arrows back without reloading with the trade-off of lacking any horde clear function.

Proxy provides more potion efficiency since a team should play very tight on Cataclysm difficulty. Also, two people on potion effect can get out of emergency situations more easily.

Breakpoints: 10% monster, 20% skaven, 10% chaos
One shot-bodyshot Assasin with full charged arrow
One quick fire + one quick charge bodyshot gunrat/firerat
Two shot-headshot all specials except wargor with quick fire arrows
Two shot-bodyshot all specials except wargor with quick charged arrows

With this build, javelin should only be used against specials due to efficiency. Only shoot elites when they are far and you don't need to worry about specials, or when you cannot find melee attack opportunity but needs to eliminate them ASAP.

Javelin range attack has ok special sniping breakpoints and good trajectory, it also has very strong stagger, enough to stagger all elites overhead except Chaos Warrior. Unlimited ammo also helps a non-ammo regen melee career, though recalling the javelin takes quite a while. Its most unique part is its melee attacks. The chain light attack provides one of the strongest monster DPS in the game, and heavy attack also does decent armour damage when you land a crit or headshot.

Breakpoints: 20% skaven, 20% monster
One shot-bodyshot Assassin
One shot-headshot/Two shot-bodyshot Gunrat/Firerat/Hook/Blight/Leech





















BCR is way superior to stamina if you have enough shield to perform push. Extra health is critical.
With high THP farm speed and fairly high HP pool, Barkskin is very decent for heavy-melee front liner. If you struggle with farming THP or hit trade a lot, use Boon of Shallya.



















Crit chance provides more damage. Stamina regen provides more push to crowd control/survivability.
Due to the massive Monster health on Cataclysm, Sharpnel works best on monster burst down. It also the best option for Patrol kill if a team can focus their fire.

LVL 5
Carve gives the most consistent regen. Especially when there is a horde for you to cleave. Plus you can farm THP on single target, like Monster/Lord.
LVL 10
Very powerful melee damage boost. The bleed damage is stackable, providing huge damage bonus to horde and berzerkers.
LVL 15
Smiter provide a flat 20% increase melee damage on the unit you hit, making it super efficient in providing melee Elites/Monster damage.
LVL 20
Lower your crowd control career skill cooldown to provide more stagger for the team.
LVL 25
Elf weapons have enough attack speed/crit chance to make sure you constantly debuff all enemies inside a horde or patrol, greatly improve your team's DPS on crowd clear. The explosion can also stagger lesser enemies, improving your horde control ability even further.
LVL 30
Depends on your playstyle, choose different talent.
Use Tanglegrasp Thicket if you want utility and better space creation. It can push away close range high density horde units, while leaving elites behind and stagger them so the team can burst them down easily.
Use Blackvenom Thicket if you want straightforward control skill. It has AoE stagger and helps you to apply Atharti's Delight bleed. Perfect for spamming or quickly stun key targets. Also provide the ability to ledge/stagger boss.











With this build, melee weapon should be your main DPS source. Focus on horde units with your melee most of the time, and wait for opening to focus attack on elites.

Sword & Dagger has the best balance between horde clean, elite damage and easy to use. It also has half push to go into strong single target combo or help crowd control, synergize greatly with all kinds of damage buff.

Dual Daggers has some of the highest single target damage in the game. It has default 10% extra crit chance and high headshot/crit damage on almost all attacks. Its biggest weakness is its crowd control. Use its high dodge, high attack speed and half stamina push to keep yourself safe inside horde.

With this build, Deepwood staff should be used as a strong high value target control tool.
When fighting low density elite, disable them with alternative mode and then use melee weapon for damage.
When fighting armoured specials or long range specials, use your staff's alternative mode to disable them first, then try to kill them with left click. If you don't have enough overcharge to finish them off, just lift them would buy enough time for you to vent first or just leave them for your teammates.
When fighting groups of elites, lift -> back off -> vent, with career skill usage, until only a small amount of elites can move around freely to provide a max amount of safe DPS window for your team.

Life staff is one of the greatest control tools in the game, having the ability to disable all types of specials and elites in the game, providing unmatchable utilities. Only downside is its left click armoured damage isn't great, usually requires you spend tons of heat on armoured specials, or lift them and melee to finish them off, or just leave them to your teammates.

Proxy provides more potion efficiency since a team should play very tight on Cataclysm difficulty. Also, two people on potion effect can get out of emergency situations more easily.

Breakpoints: 20% infantry, 20% skaven
One shot-bodyshot Assassin
Two shot-bodyshot OR one shot-headshot Gas
Three shot-bodyshot OR two shot-headshot Leech/Blight
Three shot-bodyshot OR two shot-headshot Hook
Five shot-bodyshot OR two shot-headshot Gunrat/Firerat

With this build, Moonfire bow should only be used against specials due to efficiency. Only shoot elites when they are far and you don't need to conserve energy for specials, or when you cannot find melee attack opportunity but needs to eliminate them ASAP.

Moonfire bow has ok special sniping breakpoints on Cataclysm. The benefit of it over Longbow and Javelin is that it has infinite ammo and can regenerate arrows back without reloading with the trade-off of lacking any horde clear function.

Proxy provides more potion efficiency since a team should play very tight on Cataclysm difficulty. Also, two people on potion effect can get out of emergency situations more easily.

Breakpoints: 10% monster, 20% skaven, 10% chaos
One shot-bodyshot Assasin with full charged arrow
One quick fire + one quick charge bodyshot gunrat/firerat
Two shot-headshot all specials except wargor with quick fire arrows
Two shot-bodyshot all specials except wargor with quick charged arrows

With this build, javelin should only be used against specials due to efficiency. Only shoot elites when they are far and you don't need to worry about specials, or when you cannot find melee attack opportunity but needs to eliminate them ASAP.

Javelin range attack has ok special sniping breakpoints and good trajectory, it also has very strong stagger, enough to stagger all elites overhead except Chaos Warrior. Unlimited ammo also helps a non-ammo regen melee career, though recalling the javelin takes quite a while. Its most unique part is its melee attacks. The chain light attack provides one of the strongest monster DPS in the game, and heavy attack also does decent armour damage when you land a crit or headshot.

Breakpoints: 20% skaven, 20% monster
One shot-bodyshot Assassin
One shot-headshot/Two shot-bodyshot Gunrat/Firerat/Hook/Blight/Leech





















BCR is way superior to stamina if you have enough shield to perform push. Extra health is critical.
With high THP farm speed and fairly high HP pool, Barkskin is very decent for heavy-melee front liner. If you struggle with farming THP or hit trade a lot, use Boon of Shallya.



















Crit chance provides more damage. Stamina regen provides more push to crowd control/survivability.
Due to the massive Monster health on Cataclysm, Sharpnel works best on monster burst down. It also the best option for Patrol kill if a team can focus their fire.

https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1831243904
https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1832306381
https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1833338040
https://steamproxy.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1833925976

**Hagbane Waystalker - Cataclysm**
https://www.ranalds.gift/build/OOp2C5frMLXcNisJI4Nq/view
Notes:
Hagbane:
2 SBS Gas/Storm/Leech with quick arrows
2 SBS assassin/ratling/firerat/leech with charged arrow

**Longbow Waystalker - Cataclysm**
https://www.ranalds.gift/build/VzHzSYmLHJK1tZWRXypm/view
Note:
Longbow: 1 SBS assassin/gunrat/firerat with charged arrow
1 Quick+ 1 Chrage arrow BS Gas/Leech/Storm
2 SBS all specials/SV with charged arrow
1 SHS all specials/SV/Beastgor with charged arrow

**Swiftbow Waystalker - Cataclysm**
https://www.ranalds.gift/build/IhY5lPePdlHRSppWMXX2/view
Notes:
Swiftbow: need to land constant shot to stack bleed/reach breakpoints
1 SBS slaverat/fanatic with quick arrow
3 SBS Gas/Leech/Storm wirth quick arrow
3 SBS firerat/ratling/hook rat with charge arrow

**Piercing Waystalker - Cataclysm**
https://www.ranalds.gift/build/AKvHk8Q9QeqwZABmvtuH/view
Notes:
Javelin:
1 SBS assassin
1 SHS/2SBS rest specials
Piercing shot 1 SHS all elites & specials

**Melee Handmaiden- Dual Dagger - Cataclysm**
Longbow: https://www.ranalds.gift/build/L4lITd8NxHshC42nKlnd/view
Moonfire: https://www.ranalds.gift/build/oxEPwUwBJiVgtSR71ZpZ/view
Javelin: https://www.ranalds.gift/build/9DOr4iV2HH5TEuf75WCz/view
Notes:
DD: 1 SBS fanatic with crit light
Longbow: 1 SBS assassin
2 SBS all specials
1 SHS all specials/SV
Moonfire:
1 SBS assassin with full charged arrow
1 quick fire + 1 quick charge BS gunrat/firerat
2 SBS rest specials with quick charge arrow
Javelin: use skaven/monster/conservative + skaven monster charm
1 SBS assassin
1 SHS/2SBS rest specials

**Melee Handmaiden- Sword Dagger - Cataclysm**
Longbow: https://www.ranalds.gift/build/ltD8kzE8gTc9CuSxbIAJ/view
Moonfire: https://www.ranalds.gift/build/JUhNqMuCHyTL6xOmNBz9/view
Javelin: https://www.ranalds.gift/build/1wgOU88IVex8j4Jc7jp0/view
Notes:
Longbow: 1 SBS assassin
2 SBS all specials
1 SHS all specials/SV
Moonfire:
1 SBS assassin with full charged arrow
1 quick fire + 1 quick charge BS gunrat/firerat
2 SBS rest specials with quick charge arrow
Javelin: use skaven/monster/conservative + skaven monster charm
1 SBS assassin
1 SHS/2SBS rest specials

**Melee Handmaiden- Glaive - Cataclysm**
https://www.ranalds.gift/build/ZD6lKfybCDf6Q7Q5T3g2/view
Notes:
Can give up 10 chaos for 5 speed. Will lose some optional breakpoints.
Glaive:
Heavy uppercut (bodyshot) + Heavy overhead (headshot) kill SV
Heavy uppercut (bodyshot) + Heavy overhead (headshot) + Light attack (headshot) kill Bestigor Need 10 Chaos
Longbow:
Oneshot-headshot all specials/all elites except CW/Mauler with charged arrow. Need 10 Chaos to kill Bestigor
Oneshot-bodyshot Assassin with charge arrow
Twoshot-bodyshot rest of specials with charge arrows
1 charge arrow (bodyshot) + 1 quick arrow (bodyshot) kill Gas/Blight/Leech
Moonfire: use skaven/monster Hunter + chaos skaven charm
1 SBS assassin with full charged arrow
1 quick fire + 1 quick charge BS gunrat/firerat
2 SBS rest specials with quick charge arrow
Javelin: use skaven/monster/conservative + skaven monster charm
1 SBS assassin
1 SHS/2SBS rest specials

**Hybrid Handmaiden- Spear Shield - Cataclysm**
https://www.ranalds.gift/build/5iqgPLYYPfGbWWfWRa6k/view
Notes:
Spear shield: Push stagger SV/Mauler/Bestigor/Berzerker/Monk
Javelin:
1 SBS assassin/gunrat/fire rat
1 SHS/2SBS rest specials

**Shimmer Strike Shade - Cataclysm**
S&D + Longbow: https://www.ranalds.gift/build/NRScEBrnUQtWfnu4IAAR/view
S&D + Moonfire: https://www.ranalds.gift/build/UkxOCLo9WmDuiWKfTTjq/view
S&D + Jave: https://www.ranalds.gift/build/04CN2lkPf6pQKvOYAPSp/view
Notes:
For DD, use Stamina/BCR/SS
Longbow: use skaven inf conservative bow/infantry charm
1 SBS assassin
2 SBS all specials with charged arrow
Moonfire: use skaven monster hunter bow/skaven chaos charm
1 SBS assassin with full charged arrow
1 quick fire + 1 quick charge BS gunrat/firerat
2 SBS rest specials with quick charge arrow
Javelin: use skaven/monster/conservative + skaven monster charm
1 SBS assassin
1 SHS/2SBS rest specials

**CoP Shade - Cataclysm**
DD + Longbow: https://www.ranalds.gift/build/mu43uNUaLSDdevTVTuix/view
DD + Moonfire: https://www.ranalds.gift/build/JG5rQGbJFkD3l18c3dY5/view
DD + Jave: https://www.ranalds.gift/build/eLPEgSczQOjo2UXnAUyY/view
Notes:
For SD, use crit/BCR/SS
Longbow: use skaven inf conservative bow/infantry charm
1 SBS assassin
2 SBS all specials with charged arrow
Moonfire: use skaven monster hunter bow/skaven chaos charm
1 SBS assassin with full charged arrow
1 quick fire + 1 quick charge BS gunrat/firerat
2 SBS rest specials with quick charge arrow
Javelin: use skaven/monster/conservative + skaven monster charm
1 SBS assassin
1 SHS/2SBS rest specials

**SOTT Spear/Javelin Bleed Build - Cataclysm**
https://www.ranalds.gift/build/7TCufNr7Evifn8ZcktNX/view
Notes:
Javelin:
1 SBS assassin/gunrat/fire rat
1 SHS/2SBS rest specials

**SOTT Spear/Moonfire Bleed Build - Cataclysm**
https://www.ranalds.gift/build/ejqYDi76XGv9YqWkH7JP/view
Notes:
Moonfire:
1 SBS assassin with full charged arrow
1 quick fire + 1 quick charge BS gunrat/firerat
2 SBS rest specials with quick charge arrow

**SOTT Spear/Deepwood Bleed Build - Cataclysm**
https://www.ranalds.gift/build/fMPOwhwN5HtkDXNPv821/view
Notes:
Deepwood:
1 SBS Assassin
2 SHS/3SBS Leech/Blight
2 SHS/5 SBS Gunrat/firerat

**S&D Javelin AoE Poison SOTT - Cataclysm**
https://www.ranalds.gift/build/LTmXbFXRSq2LobTj5Ly2/view
Notes:
Javelin: use skaven/monster/conservative + skaven monster charm
1 SBS assassin
1 SHS/2SBS rest specials

**S&D Moonfire AoE Poison SOTT - Cataclysm**
https://www.ranalds.gift/build/5ESdd3uBKvrRx0bbuuyh/view
Notes:
Moonfire:
1 SBS assassin with full charged arrow
1 quick fire + 1 quick charge BS gunrat/firerat
2 SBS rest specials with quick charge arrow

**S&D Deepwood AoE Poison SOTT - Cataclysm**
https://www.ranalds.gift/build/CDqrv8kDyQnP8HdDukgK/view
Notes:
Deepwood:
1 SBS Assassin
2 SHS/3SBS Leech/Blight
2 SHS/5 SBS Gunrat/firerat