Blunderbuss

Lore & Background

Forged in the grim forges of the Empire, the Blunderbuss is a weapon of brutal simplicity. Its wide barrel and heavy stock are designed to withstand the pressures of blackpowder ignition, while the shot—a mix of lead pellets and scrap metal—spreads upon firing to hit multiple targets. Witch Hunters like Saltzpyre favor it for purging heretics and vermin in tight quarters, where precision matters less than sheer stopping power. The weapon's thunderous report serves as a warning to all who oppose Sigmar's will.

In Their Own Story

The alley reeked of blood and gunpowder. Victor Saltzpyre pressed his back against the damp stone, the Blunderbuss heavy in his hands. A chittering horde surged from the shadows, their red eyes gleaming. He pulled the trigger. The blast was a thunderclap, the flash illuminating twisted bodies as they crumpled. 'For Sigmar!' he roared, already reaching for a fresh powder charge. The Skaven hesitated—and that was all the time his comrades needed to strike.

Reader's Guide

The Blunderbuss excels at staggering and deleting hordes in a cone in front of Saltzpyre. Its high damage per shot and wide spread make it invaluable for clearing chokepoints or rescuing downed allies by knocking back enemies. However, its slow reload and low ammo capacity mean you must manage shots carefully—reload during safe moments or use Saltzpyre's passive to reduce downtime. Pair it with a melee weapon that handles armored targets, like the Flail or Rapier, to cover its weakness against shielded Stormvermin. In co-op, coordinate with your team: fire into the horde as they engage, then step back to reload while they hold the line. The Blunderbuss drops from chests and as mission rewards; its flavor text often references Sigmar's judgment or the Empire's faith in blackpowder.

Did You Know?

• The Blunderbuss's wide spread makes it one of the few weapons that can hit multiple specials at once, like a pack of Gutter Runners.
• Saltzpyre's Blunderbuss is modeled after historical 17th-century blunderbusses, but with Warhammer's signature grimdark decoration.
• In Vermintide 2, the Blunderbuss can be upgraded with traits like 'Scrounger' to regain ammo on critical hits.
• The weapon's loud report can alert distant patrols, so stealthy players may prefer the crossbow instead.