Markus Kruber

Lore & Background

Markus Kruber was born in the town of Ubersreik, a settlement in the Reikland province of the Empire. He grew up amidst the constant threat of beastmen and greenskins, which forged him into a hardened soldier. He enlisted in the Imperial Army, where he served with distinction in campaigns against the likes of the Beastmen warherds of the Drakwald and the Chaos warbands of the northern wastes. His experience in the army taught him the rhythm of a shield wall, the economy of a well-placed thrust, and the grim arithmetic of holding a line against impossible odds—skills he would later rely on heavily when the Skaven came scratching at Ubersreik's walls.

In Their Own Story

The rain fell in sheets over the Helmgart keep, turning the cobblestones into a slick mirror of torchlight. Kruber wiped the blood from his greatsword, the familiar weight of the hilt grounding him. 'Just another day in the Empire,' he muttered, watching the Skaven swarm below. He remembered a time when his biggest worry was a goblin raid on the farm. Now, it was a tide of ratmen that seemed endless. He took a deep breath, the scent of wet stone and gunpowder filling his lungs, and readied himself for the next wave. For Ubersreik, for the Empire, for the simple hope of a quiet night—and for the chance to one day drink a cold ale in a tavern that still had its roof.

Reader's Guide

Markus Kruber is the quintessential soldier in Vermintide 2, offering a balanced and accessible playstyle for newcomers and veterans alike. As a melee-focused character, he excels at holding the line and dealing consistent damage, with his Mercenary career path providing excellent crowd control and team support through his passive ability to boost attack speed. His ranged options, from the handgun to the repeater rifle, allow him to pick off specials and elites, making him a versatile asset. His relationships with the other heroes are grounded in military camaraderie—he respects Saltzpyre's authority, banters with Bardin like a fellow soldier, and shows a protective, if gruff, concern for Sienna and Kerillian. What distinguishes Kruber from a generic Imperial soldier is his personal history with Ubersreik and his deep-seated loyalty, which drives him to fight not just for the Empire, but for the people he left behind. His voice lines and interactions reveal a man who is weary but never broken, a true survivor in a world of endless war.

Did You Know?

• Kruber's signature weapon, the greatsword, is a nod to his time in the Imperial Army, where such weapons were used by elite state troops.
• He is the only member of the Ubersreik Five who was born and raised in Ubersreik itself, giving him a personal stake in the defense of the region.
• His Mercenary career path in Vermintide 2 is a direct reference to his past as a soldier for hire after leaving the army, before joining the heroes.
• Kruber's voice actor, David Rintoul, also provided the voice for several other characters in the Warhammer Fantasy universe, including the narrator in Total War: Warhammer.