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Markus Kruber is a hard-bitten veteran of the Empire's many wars and one of the five playable heroes in Vermintide 2. His experience gives him access to several Career options, each of which will alter his playstyle. Better still, his hidden bloodline can grant him holy powers through his premium Grail Knight career.

Related: How to Make the Most of Pilgrim's Coins in Warhammer - Vermintide 2

Kruber can get the job done in just about any situation, but by choosing the right Career you can make victory that much easier. Stay the course as a Mercenary, adopt a long-range strategy as a Huntsman, wade into the thick of battle as a Foot Knight, or embrace your destiny as a Grail Knight; whichever you choose, we've got you covered with all the information on your preferred Career.

Components Of A Career

Art of a battle with a dwarf leaping

Abilities

Each Career has one active Ability that can be used by pressing F (or whichever key to which you've bound the action). The active ability must complete its cooldown timer before it can be used again, but time is deducted from the cooldown whenever the player hits an enemy with an attack or takes damage themself.

Careers also possess three passive abilities which are always in play. These usually boost one of the character's stats or provide a bonus if the right conditions are met.

Talents

As a character levels up, they gain access to Talents for all of their available Careers. Each tier has three Talents, only one of which can be active at a time. You can freely swap between active Talents while at the Keep, but once you're on a mission your choice is set in stone until you return home.

Weapons

The heroes of Vermintide 2 have access to a wide array of melee and ranged weapons, but their arsenal is limited by their Career choice. Your best weapon might not be usable by a particular Career, so you'll want to consider that when designing your build. A hero can equip any of the available weapon types that they find in the field, but can only craft them upon reaching the appropriate level.

Tip

Some Careers will directly increase a character's Hero Power. Hero Power is a measure of your character's overall strength. A higher Hero Power increases the damage dealt by attacks, the likelihood that an attack will Stagger opponents, and the ability of an attack to Cleave through enemies. If an Ability or Talent affects your Hero Power, it will affect all of those stats in the same manner.

Mercenary

Markus Kruber as a Mercenary in Warhammer Vermintide 2

As a Mercenary, Kruber excels at dispatching hordes of enemies in melee - especially if he's fighting side-by-side with one or more allies. This Career is best utilized with large, sweeping weapons like two-handed swords, as it specializes in cutting through multiple enemies in a single swing. While it has access to a few ranged weapons, these are best used to pick off enemies that are still out of melee range as you charge into their ranks.

Hit Points

Active Ability Cooldown

Cooldown Reduction per Enemy Hit

Cooldown Reduction per Damage Taken

125

1m 30s

0.5 seconds

0.5 seconds / hit point

Abilities

Ability

Type

Effect

Morale Boost

Active

When activated, Kruber lets out a shout that applies a stack of Stagger to enemies, causing them to flinch. This can interrupt their action, and during the Stagger animation, the enemies take twenty percent more damage from attacks. Additionally, Morale Boost grants 25 temporary hit points to nearby allies. These will be replaced by any healing done, so be sure to let your teammates know if you're about to shout - if they drink a Healing Draft, part of your effort will be wasted.

Paced Strikes

Passive

If Kruber hits three or more enemies with a single melee attack, he gains a boost to his attack speed for six seconds. This helps the Mercenary overcome the slower speed of the bulky weapons the Career prefers.

Hitting the Sweet Spot

Passive

Kruber's melee attacks can Cleave through more enemies than they otherwise would. The game calculates Cleave based on the melee weapon's traits and the mass of the hit enemy; this ability causes enemies to count as though they were only three-quarters of their actual mass.

No More Laughin' Now!

Passive

As a Mercenary, Kruber's critical hit chance is increased by five percent. The base critical chance for most characters is itself five percent, so No More Laughin' Now effectively doubles your rate.

Level 5 Talents

Talent

Effect

Drillmaster

If Kruber hits more than one enemy with a melee attack, he gains temporary hit points; the more hits, the more HP gained. The bonus caps at five enemies per swing.

Mercenary's Pride

If Kruber gets the killing blow on an enemy with a melee attack, he gains temporary hit points based on the max health of the slain enemy.

Captain's Command

Whenever Kruber drinks a Healing Draught or uses Medical Supplies, he also heals nearby allies for twenty percent of their maximum HP. Additionally, Healing Draughts remove Kruber's wounds, allowing him to be downed and revived more times before being killed.

Level 10 Talents

Talent

Effect

The More the Merrier!

Kruber's Hero Power increases by five percent for each nearby enemy, to a maximum of five enemies.

Limb-Splitter

Kruber's melee attacks Cleave with additional fifty-percent efficiency, allowing him to hit more enemies with a single swing.

Helborg's Tutelage

Kruber can no longer randomly make critical hits, but every fifth attack he makes is automatically a critical hit. This gives him an effective crit rate of twenty percent, double the Mercenary's normal average and four times that of most other Careers.

Level 15 Talents

Talent

Effect

Mainstay

This Talent grants Kruber an additional forty-percent damage bonus against Staggered enemies. This bonus is increased to sixty percent against enemies that have multiple stacks of Stagger applied simultaneously. Additionally, hitting a Staggered enemy Staggers them again.

Smiter

With this Talent equipped, Kruber always Staggers the first enemy he hits with every attack. Additionally, he gains an additional twenty-percent damage bonus against Staggered enemies, and hitting a Staggered enemy Staggers them again. Against enemies affected by multiple stacks of Stagger, Kruber's damage bonus increases to forty percent.

Enhanced Power

This Talent increases Kruber's Hero Power by 7.5 percent before taking buffs into account. This translates to a direct increase in his offensive capabilities.

Level 20 Talents

Talent

Effect

Reikland Reaper

While benefitting from the attack speed boost granted by Paced Strikes (activated whenever Kruber hits three or more enemies in a single strike), the Mercenary's Hero Power is increased by fifteen percent.

Enhanced Training

Paced Strikes now requires four hits with a single attack to activate, but the speed boost it grants is doubled.

Strike Together

Whenever Kruber triggers Paced Strikes, the speed bonus is conferred on nearby allies as well.

Level 25 Talents

Talent

Effect

Stand Clear

The distance Kruber moves while dodging is increased by twenty percent. Dodging is performed by jumping while moving during an enemy's attack.

Blade Barrier

While Paced Strikes is active, Kruber takes only three-quarters of damage from enemy attacks.

Black Market Supplies

This Talent increases the maximum ammunition Kruber can carry by thirty percent.

Level 30 Talents

Talent

Effect

Walk It Off

In addition to its normal effects, Morale Boost also grants allies a buff causing them to take only three-quarters damage from enemy attacks for ten seconds.

Ready For Action

This Talent reduces the base cooldown time for Morale Boost from 90 seconds to 72 seconds.

On Yer Feet, Mates!

In addition to its normal effects, Morale Boost also revives downed allies within range.

Weapons

Weapon

Type

Crafting Requirement

Two-Handed Sword

Melee

Level 1

Halberd

Melee

Level 2

Mace

Melee

Level 6

Mace & Shield

Melee

Level 8

Sword

Melee

Level 8

Executioner Sword

Melee

Level 9

Two-Handed Hammer

Melee

Level 11

Sword & Shield

Melee

Level 12

Sword & Mace

Melee

Back to Ubersreik DLC

Spear & Shield

Melee

Forgotten Relics DLC

Tuskgor Spear

Melee

Winds of Magic DLC

Bretonnian Longsword

Melee

Grail Knight DLC

Blunderbuss

Ranged

Level 1

Repeater Handgun

Ranged

Level 4

Handgun

Ranged

Level 7

Huntsman

Art of a battle in a forest

Upon reaching Level 7, Kruber can adopt the Huntsman Career, trading in melee prowess for specialization in ranged combat. He can still handle himself up close, but the Huntsman truly shines from afar - ideally out of reach for enemy retaliation. In addition to his usual firearms, the Kruber gains the use of Longbows when he becomes a Huntsman. You'll probably want to switch off of the clumsy Blunderbusses that Kruber starts with when adopting this Career.

Hit Points

Active Ability Cooldown

Cooldown Reduction per Enemy Hit

Cooldown Reduction per Damage Taken

100

1m 30s

0.3 seconds

0.4 seconds / hit point

Abilities

Ability

Type

Effect

Hunter's Prowl

Active

Upon using Hunter's Prowl, Kruber becomes invisible to enemies for six seconds. His ranged weapon is automatically reloaded and gains a damage bonus, and he can zoom in further while aiming. While Hunter's Prowl is active, Kruber's movement is slowed slightly. Damaging an enemy removes the invisibility effect, but all other effects, including slowed movement, remain active for the full six seconds.

Waste Not, Want Not

Passive

Whenever Kruber pulls off a headshot with his ranged weapon, he regains one ammunition.

Call Out Weakness

Passive

Kruber and nearby allies have their critical hit chance increased by five percent. Most characters have a base crit chance of five percent, so this effectively doubles their rate.

Poacher's Mark

Passive

The range of Kruber's ranged weapon is doubled.

Deep Pockets

Passive

Kruber can carry fifty percent more ammunition than normal.

Level 5 Talents

Talent

Effect

Taste of Victory

When Kruber Staggers an enemy with a melee attack, he gains temporary hit points based on the strength of the Stagger.

Huntsman's Tally

When Kruber strikes the killing blow on an enemy with a melee attack, he gains temporary hit points based on the maximum health of the slain enemy.

Taal's Bounty

Whenever Kruber drinks a Healing Draught or uses Medical Supplies, he also heals nearby allies for twenty percent of their maximum HP. Additionally, Healing Draughts remove Kruber's wounds, allowing him to be downed and revived more times before being killed.

Level 10 Talents

Talent

Effect

Keep It Coming

Every third hit that Kruber lands with a ranged attack causes the following shot to cost no ammunition.

Make 'Em Bleed

When Kruber scores a critical hit, the target takes an additional twenty percent damage for the next fifteen seconds.

One In The Eye

The bonus damage for landing a headshot is increased by fifty percent.

Level 15 Talents

Talent

Effect

Bulwark

Whenever Kruber Staggers an enemy, that enemy takes an additional ten percent damage from all melee attacks for five seconds, in addition to the damage bonus from the Stagger. He also gains an additional twenty-percent damage bonus against Staggered enemies, and hitting a Staggered enemy Staggers them again. Against enemies affected by multiple stacks of Stagger, Kruber's damage bonus increases to forty percent.

Smiter

With this Talent equipped, Kruber always Staggers the first enemy he hits with every attack. Additionally, he gains an additional twenty-percent damage bonus against Staggered enemies, and hitting a Staggered enemy Staggers them again. Against enemies affected by multiple stacks of Stagger, Kruber's damage bonus increases to forty percent.

Enhanced Power

This Talent increases Kruber's Hero Power by 7.5 percent before taking buffs into account. This translates to a direct increase in his offensive capabilities.

Level 20 Talents

Talent

Effect

Thrill of the Hunt

Every time Kruber lands a headshot with a ranged attack, his reload speed increases by twenty percent for five seconds.

Makin' It Look Easy

Landing a headshot with a ranged attack grants Kruber a temporary twenty-five percent increase to his critical hit chance.

Burst of Enthusiasm

Successfully landing a headshot or critical hit grants Kruber 2 temporary hit points (and yes, a critical headshot counts twice).

Level 25 Talents

Talent

Effect

Shot Crafter

Killing a special enemy such as a Warpfire Thrower or Gutter Runner gives Kruber ammunition equal to ten percent of his carrying capacity.

Tough Hide

Killing a special or elite enemy reduces the damage Kruber takes by ten percent. Tough Hide can stack up to four times, but each time he takes damage one stack is removed.

Longshanks

This Talent increases the Huntsman's movement speed by ten percent.

Level 30 Talents

Talent

Effect

Blend In

This Talent reduces the cooldown time of Hunter's Prowl from 90 seconds to 63 seconds.

Concealed Strikes

Attacking during Hunter's Prowl no longer removes the Ability's invisibility effect.

Head Down and Hidden

This Talent increases the duration of Hunter's Prowl from 6 seconds to 10 seconds. All other aspects of the Ability remain the same.

Weapons

Weapon

Type

Crafting Requirement

Two-Handed Sword

Melee

Level 1

Halberd

Melee

Level 2

Mace

Melee

Level 6

Mace & Shield

Melee

Level 8

Sword

Melee

Level 8

Executioner Sword

Melee

Level 9

Two-Handed Hammer

Melee

Level 11

Sword & Shield

Melee

Level 12

Sword & Mace

Melee

Back to Ubersreik DLC

Spear & Shield

Melee

Forgotten Relics DLC

Tuskgor Spear

Melee

Winds of Magic DLC

Bretonnian Longsword

Melee

Grail Knight DLC

Blunderbuss

Ranged

Level 1

Repeater Handgun

Ranged

Level 4

Handgun

Ranged

Level 7

Longbow

Ranged

Level 11

Related: Late-Game Tips for Warhammer - Vermintide 2

Foot Knight

Knight standing on a foggy battlefield

Upon reaching Level 12, Kruber receives a knighthood for his service to the Empire. Clad in heavy armor, he gains access to a powerful charge attack and becomes an implacable stalwart in battle. Unlike his previous Careers, the Foot Knight can no longer wield the Tuskgor Spears of the Beastmen or the Huntsman's Longbow, but his loadout otherwise remains unchanged.

Hit Points

Active Ability Cooldown

Cooldown Reduction per Enemy Hit

Cooldown Reduction per Damage Taken

150

30 seconds

0.25 seconds

0.5 seconds / hit point

Abilities

Ability

Type

Effect

Valiant Charge

Active

Upon using this Ability Kruber charges forward, knocking back any enemies he runs into. Items and weapons can be swapped and used during the charge, but blocking halts it. If Kruber is blocking (holding down the right mouse button by default) when he begins his Valiant Charge he maintains the block so long as the button remains pressed.

Protective Presence

Passive

Kruber and nearby allies take fifteen percent less damage from enemy attacks.

Taal's Fortitude

Passive

The Foot Knight has additional Stamina, represented by shields on the player's HUD, allowing him to block and push enemies more frequently.

No Guts, No Glory

Passive

Kruber takes ten percent less damage from enemy attacks. This stacks with the damage reduction from Protective Presence, but does not extend to allies.

Level 5 Talents

Talent

Effect

Back Off, Ugly!

When Kruber Staggers an enemy with a melee attack, he gains temporary hit points based on the strength of the Stagger.

Bloody Unstoppable!

If Kruber hits more than one enemy with a melee attack, he gains temporary hit points; the more hits, the more HP gained. The bonus caps at five enemies per swing.

Templar's Rally

Whenever Kruber drinks a Healing Draught or uses Medical Supplies, he also heals nearby allies for twenty percent of their maximum HP. Additionally, Healing Draughts remove Kruber's wounds, allowing him to be downed and revived more times before being killed.

Level 10 Talents

Talent

Effect

Staggering Force

This Talent increases Kruber's Stagger power by thirty-five percent, allowing him to Stagger enemies more reliably.

Have At Thee!

If Kruber successfully staggers an elite enemy, his Hero Power increases by fifteen percent for ten seconds.

Crowd Clearer

Whenever Kruber pushes an enemy, his attack speed increases by fifteen percent for three seconds.

Tip

You can push an enemy by pressing the attack button while blocking.

Level 15 Talents

Talent

Effect

Bulwark

Whenever Kruber Staggers an enemy, that enemy takes an additional ten percent damage from all melee attacks for five seconds, in addition to the damage bonus from the Stagger. He also gains an additional twenty-percent damage bonus against Staggered enemies, and hitting a Staggered enemy Staggers them again. Against enemies affected by multiple stacks of Stagger, Kruber's damage bonus increases to forty percent.

Mainstay

This Talent grants Kruber an additional forty-percent damage bonus against Staggered enemies. This bonus is increased to sixty percent against enemies that have multiple stacks of Stagger applied simultaneously. Additionally, hitting a Staggered enemy Staggers them again.

Enhanced Power

This Talent increases Kruber's Hero Power by 7.5 percent before taking buffs into account. This translates to a direct increase in his offensive capabilities.

Level 20 Talents

Talent

Effect

Rock of the Reikland

The aura granted by the Protective Presence Ability doubles in size. Additionally, allies in the aura (including Kruber himself) get a twenty-percent reduction to the amount of Stamina used when Blocking.

Defensive Formation

Protective Presence confers an additional five percent damage reduction for each ally it affects. If all three of Kruber's allies are nearby, this effectively doubles the protection afforded by the Ability.

Tag Team

Kruber loses the Protective Presence Ability. In its place, both Kruber and the nearest ally to him gain a ten percent increase to their Hero Power. Additionally, all damage taken by the affected ally is halved.

Level 25 Talents

Talent

Effect

It's Hero Time

Whenever an ally is incapacitated, the cooldown for Valiant Charge immediately ends, allowing Kruber to use the Ability right away.

Counter-Punch

Any time Kruber successfully blocks an attack, he can push enemies without spending Stamina for one second.

Inspire Action

For one-half of a second after Kruber successfully Staggers an elite enemy, the cooldown reduction nearby allies gain from landing hits or taking damage is doubled.

Level 30 Talents

Talent

Effect

Numb to Pain

This Talent makes Kruber invulnerable for three seconds upon activating Valiant Charge.

Battering Ram

This Talent doubles the area in front of Kruber in which enemies are knocked back during Valiant Charge and allows Kruber to charge through large enemies.

Bull of Ostland

For each enemy Kruber hits with his Valiant Charge, he gains a three percent boost to his attack speed for ten seconds, up to a maximum thirty percent bonus.

Weapons

Weapon

Type

Crafting Requirement

Two-Handed Sword

Melee

Level 1

Halberd

Melee

Level 2

Mace

Melee

Level 6

Mace & Shield

Melee

Level 8

Sword

Melee

Level 8

Executioner Sword

Melee

Level 9

Two-Handed Hammer

Melee

Level 11

Sword & Shield

Melee

Level 12

Sword & Mace

Melee

Back to Ubersreik DLC

Spear & Shield

Melee

Forgotten Relics DLC

Bretonnian Longsword

Melee

Grail Knight DLC

Blunderbuss

Ranged

Level 1

Repeater Handgun

Ranged

Level 4

Handgun

Ranged

Level 7

Grail Knight

Vermintide 2 Grail Knight

Only available through the Grail Knight DLC, this Career unlocks Kruber's full potential as the sole living heir of the Bretonnian noble Foricarl de Mandelot. While it makes the former Mercenary a true force to be reckoned with in melee, it prohibits him from using ranged weapons at all; to do so would violate the oath that empowers him and cause Kruber to lose the Blessing of the Lady.

Hit Points

Active Ability Cooldown

Cooldown Reduction per Enemy Hit

Cooldown Reduction per Damage Taken

150

40 seconds

0.25 seconds

0.25 seconds / hit point

Abilities

Ability

Type

Effect

Blessed Blade

Active

When Blessed Blade is activated, Kruber makes a downward slash imbued with holy power. This attack deals massive damage to any foe unfortunate enough to be targeted by it.

The Lady's Duty

Passive

At the beginning of each mission, the party is assigned two randomly-selected tasks to complete called Duties. Each Duty fulfilled grants a powerful boon called a Benison that lasts for the remainder of the mission. See below for information on each Duty and its associated Benison.

Knight's Challenge

Passive

The first enemy hit by a given attack takes an additional twenty-five percent damage.

Thirst for Glory

Passive

This Ability increases Kruber's movement speed by ten percent.

Bastion of Bretonnia

Passive

When equipped with a shield, this Ability allows Kruber to block the jet of green flame from Warpfire Throwers.

Duties

There are five Duties available to the party when the Grail Knight is present, with a sixth becoming available if he has the Virtue of the Penitent Talent. Of the available Duties, two are randomly selected at the beginning of each mission. Except for Slay Enemies, each Duty can only be completed once in a mission, but the rewards remain in place until the party returns to the Keep.

Duty

Target (Recruit / Veteran)

Target (Champion / Legend)

Target (Cataclysm)

Benison

Find Tomes

1

1

1

All heroes reduce incoming damage by ten percent for the remainder of the mission.

Find Grimoires

1

1

1

All heroes gain health regeneration for the remainder of the mission.

Slay Special Enemies

10

15

20

All heroes have their attack speed increased by five percent for the remainder of the mission.

Slay Elite Enemies

15

20

30

All heroes have their Hero Power increased by ten percent for the remainder of the mission.

Slay Monsters

1

1

1

All heroes reduce the cooldown time of their active Abilities by ten percent for the remainder of the mission.

Slay Enemies

100 / 125

150 / 175

200

This Duty is only available if the Grail Knight has the Virtue of the Penitent. Each time the party reaches the target kill count, a Potion of Strength appears at Kruber's feet. Unlike other Duties, Slay Enemies can be completed multiple times during the same mission.

Level 5 Talents

Talent

Effect

Lady's Generosity

When Kruber Staggers an enemy with a melee attack, he gains temporary hit points based on the strength of the Stagger.

Lady's Wrath

If Kruber gets the killing blow on an enemy with a melee attack, he gains temporary hit points based on the max health of the slain enemy.

Gift of the Grail

Whenever Kruber drinks a Healing Draught or uses Medical Supplies, he also heals nearby allies for twenty percent of their maximum HP. Additionally, Healing Draughts remove Kruber's wounds, allowing him to be downed and revived more times before being killed.

Level 10 Talents

Talent

Effect

Virtue of the Ideal

Whenever Kruber kills an enemy, his Hero Power increases by ten percent for ten seconds. Virtue of the Ideal can stack up to three times simultaneously.

Virtue of Knightly Temper

Whenever Kruber lands a critical hit, the target is automatically slain if the attack's damage is at least one-quarter of the enemy's remaining health. Lords and monsters are only killed if the attack's damage is at least half their remaining health.

Virtue of Heroism

The effects of Kruber's heavy attacks (those made by holding and releasing the melee attack button) are calculated as though his Hero Power was twenty-five percent higher.

Level 15 Talents

Talent

Effect

Bulwark

Whenever Kruber Staggers an enemy, that enemy takes an additional ten percent damage from all melee attacks for five seconds, in addition to the damage bonus from the Stagger. He also gains an additional twenty-percent damage bonus against Staggered enemies, and hitting a Staggered enemy Staggers them again. Against enemies affected by multiple stacks of Stagger, Kruber's damage bonus increases to forty percent.

Smiter

With this Talent equipped, Kruber always Staggers the first enemy he hits with every attack. Additionally, he gains an additional twenty-percent damage bonus against Staggered enemies, and hitting a Staggered enemy Staggers them again. Against enemies affected by multiple stacks of Stagger, Kruber's damage bonus increases to forty percent.

Enhanced Power

This Talent increases Kruber's Hero Power by 7.5 percent before taking buffs into account. This translates to a direct increase in his offensive capabilities.

Level 20 Talents

Talent

Effect

Virtue of Duty

The party receives an additional Duty at the beginning of the mission, potentially allowing them to earn three Benisons instead of two.

Virtue of Purity

The effects of Benisons received for completing a Duty are increased by fifty percent.

Virtue of the Penitent

The Slay Enemies Duty becomes available. Each mission's Duties are selected randomly, so taking this Talent does not guarantee that Slay Enemies will be assigned; it just enables the possibility that the party will receive that Duty.

Level 25 Talents

Talent

Effect

Virtue of Stoicism

Five seconds after taking damage, Kruber gains half the amount taken as temporary hit points. This does not apply if Kruber is down or dead - he needs to have at least one hit point left when the Talent triggers.

Virtue of Discipline

Successfully blocking at the exact moment an enemy attack lands increases Kruber's Hero Power by twenty percent for six seconds.

Virtue of the Joust

The width of Kruber's push increases by thirty percent, allowing him to push more enemies at once. Additionally, Kruber regains Stamina thirty percent faster, allowing him to block and push more often.

Level 30 Talents

Talent

Effect

Virtue of Audacity

When using Blessed Blade, Kruber adds a thrust after the overhead slash that is also empowered by the Ability.

Virtue of the Impetuous Knight

If Kruber successfully kills an enemy with Blessed Blade, his movement speed is increased by thirty-five percent for fifteen seconds.

Virtue of Confidence

Replaces the vertical slash of Blessed Blade with a horizontal slash, potentially allowing it to strike many more enemies at once.

Weapons

Weapon

Type

Crafting Requirement

Two-Handed Sword

Melee

Level 1

Mace

Melee

Level 6

Mace & Shield

Melee

Level 8

Sword

Melee

Level 8

Executioner Sword

Melee

Level 9

Two-Handed Hammer

Melee

Level 11

Sword & Shield

Melee

Level 12

Sword & Mace

Melee

Back to Ubersreik DLC

Bretonnian Sword & Shield

Melee

Grail Knight DLC

Bretonnian Longsword

Melee

Grail Knight DLC

Next: What Are Vermintide 2's Expeditions?