Cadian Sergeant
 Veteran Build - Warhammer 40k: Darktide 

This is a high-skill Veteran build focused on weakspot damage and crits using the Infantry Lasgun. It rewards consistent headshots with strong elite and specialist removal, excellent ammo efficiency, and reliable toughness sustain. This build is designed around the Kantrael MG VII and MG IX, as both scale well with precision play. The MG IX hits harder but fires slower, favoring deliberate headshots and faster TTK, while the MG VII offers the best overall balance of damage, stability, and fire rate for sustained pressure. The MG IIb is not considered due to low damage output and excessive input strain for minimal payoff, however on PC if you use the automatic shooting mod, could be viable. Take +25% Damage to Flak and Manic as the perks and Headhunter + Deadly Accurate for blessings for reliable crit building and stronger crit damage.

Melee is handled by the Cadia Mark IV Assault Chainsword, chosen for its strong damage profile and lore consistency as standard Guardsman sergeant equipment, and because it can reliably one-shot most elites and specialists, especially Mutants with the special attack. Take +25% Damage to Flak and Manic as the perks and Wrath + Rampage for the blessings for horde clear.

Use the Fireteam Aura (7.5% damage to you and allies in coherency) or Survivalist (replenish 1% ammo for you and allies in coherency whenever any of you kill an Elite or Specialist, can occur every 5 seconds) depending on how you want to support the team. Fireteam Aura pairs well with aggressive precision play and faster elite/specialis deletion, while Survivalist gives your squad a steady ammo economy boost on longer missions or high-intensity runs. Both are strong options and depend on whether you want more raw damage for everyone or better sustain for the whole group.

Take these passives to increase crit chance and stamina upkeep:  

-Deadshot: +25% Critical Chance & +60% Sway Reduction while using your Ranged Weapon's alternate fire, but lose 0.75 Stamina per second and an additional 0.1 per shot.

-Reciprocity: +5% Critical Hit Chance for 8s on successful Dodge. Stacks 5 times.

-Duck and Dive: +30% Stamina on avoiding Ranged Attacks by Dodging, Sprinting or Sliding.

Finally, take the Keystone Target Priority for +20% extra damage to tagged enemies plus the keystone modifiers Target Down and Redirect Fire for toughness return, extra damage, and stamina regeneration.