Darktide's Depths of the Damned Update Adds Spillway Mission
Fatshark's free Depths of the Damned update for Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is now live, introducing the large Spillway mission and six new weapons.
The free Depths of the Damned update for Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is now live across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. Released on September 29, 2026, this is the game's largest content expansion since the Skitarii update, headlined by the new Spillway mission and six fresh weapons.
Spillway takes players into a previously unseen section of Tertium controlled by the Water Cartel. The mission navigates a labyrinth of tunnels, waterways, and forgotten passages, all leading deeper into the Hive. Some paths carry greater risks than others. The environment is a grotesque water treatment facility where fetid green liquid rushes through caverns and dark moss covers cages. "The pipe network, meanwhile, is so thickly coated that it starts resembling a badly diseased intestinal tract," the author said.
New mission: Spillway
Structurally, Spillway is a conventional oscillation of fierce wave combat and quieter traversal, offering a full-length, bumper-sized challenge. It includes a light memory-puzzle element where players must recall gang graffiti to identify a safer path, though the graffiti's spawn is not guaranteed. During the quieter sections, players might face unexpected threats like a traitor Captain, an enemy type usually reserved for final encounters in other missions.
The mission culminates in a multi-phase final boss fight against the Prophet of Decay, a monstrously corrupted psyker located in the Hive's deepest recesses. This boss advances through phases, throws ruinous area-of-effect attacks, and has periods of invulnerability while cackling like a mad space wizard.
New weapons and player experience
The update introduces six new weapons, comprising three new weapon families and three new weapon marks.
In hands-on experience, the Thugshot and the Cruncher were found to be slightly overtuned but satisfying. The Thugshot is a slug-firing breachloader that can slice through shambling enemies with brutal efficiency. The Cruncher is a sledgehammer capable of swatting lesser foes off ledges with satisfying sideswipes. Both weapons deal heavy damage slowly, encouraging a deliberate rhythm in combat.
Accompanying the new gear are balance and talent tree updates. These refinements remove minor stat boosts from class trees, allowing for more impactful ability investments. A full breakdown of these changes is available on the Fatshark Forum.
Context and live events
Spillway follows the pattern of major post-launch updates but differs in scale from previous, tighter operations. The 2024 Rolling Steel update was a unique runaway train caper, while the Hive Scum update's No Man's Land mission swapped metal corridors for WW1-inspired trenches. Both were comparatively short-form jaunts next to this new, expansive challenge.
The update launches alongside the ongoing monthly Allies and Adversaries Live Event. This event features Interrogator Rannick aiding Grendyl’s allies over three missions in the Torrent to assist the Ragged King. It continues Darktide's commitment to monthly engagement.
New premium cosmetics based on the Cadian 512th and Krieg 158th regiments are also available for purchase through Commodore’s Vestures.
