Grudge-Raker

Lore & Background

Forged in the smoky forges of Karak Kadrin, the Grudge-Raker is a weapon born of Dwarfen spite and practicality. Unlike the elegant handguns of the Empire, this firearm is crude, loud, and brutally effective—a tool for clearing tunnels and throngs of foes in the claustrophobic depths of the Under-Empire. Its name is a grim joke among Dwarf Rangers, who often say that every shot settles a personal grudge against the ratmen and heretics that plague the world.

Bardin himself favors the Grudge-Raker for its reliability in the tight corridors of Helmgart and the Blighted Reaches. The weapon's wide spread means it can hit multiple enemies with a single pull of the trigger, and its short barrel allows for quick handling in melee-heavy situations. Dwarf lore holds that the first Grudge-Rakers were forged during the War of Vengeance, though modern versions are simpler and more common among the Rangers of the Grey Mountains.

When Bardin yanks the trigger, the Grudge-Raker doesn't just fire—it roars. The blast kicks up a cloud of black-powder smoke thick enough to choke a Troll, and the shot tears through fur, flesh, and faith alike. Skaven caught in the cone are flung backward like rag dolls, their warpstone trinkets shattered. Chaos Marauders, for all their bravado, learn that their crude plate is no match for a faceful of Dwarfen lead. It's a weapon that respects no armor but fears no horde—a thunderous embodiment of the Dwarf creed: settle every grudge, one deafening blast at a time.

In Their Own Story

The tunnel reeked of warpstone and fear. Bardin pressed his back against the damp stone, the Grudge-Raker's stock warm against his shoulder. 'Come on, then,' he muttered, thumbing the hammer. A wave of Skaven burst from the darkness, their red eyes gleaming. He pulled the trigger. The blast was a thunderclap that shook the cave, and the first rank of ratmen simply ceased to exist—torn apart by a hundred pellets. The survivors faltered, and Bardin grinned, already reloading. 'That's one for the book,' he growled, and fired again.

Reader's Guide

The Grudge-Raker is Bardin's ultimate close-range crowd-control weapon. Its wide spread and high damage per pellet make it ideal for clearing hordes of infantry, especially Skaven slaves, Clanrats, and Marauders. Use it to stagger or delete groups that get too close, and pair it with a melee weapon that handles armor (like the Axe and Shield or the War Pick) to cover its weakness against armored targets. The Grudge-Raker shines in tight corridors and on maps with frequent ambushes, such as 'Against the Grain' or 'The War Camp.'

Its main drawback is limited range and slow reload speed. To maximize effectiveness, use Bardin's passive ability to reduce reload time and consider talents that boost damage against staggered enemies. The Grudge-Raker also benefits from the 'Scrounger' trait, which can restore ammunition on critical hits, keeping you in the fight longer. Avoid using it against distant specials or bosses—save those for your teammates or your melee weapon.

For a build, pair the Grudge-Raker with the 'Ranger Veteran' career for increased ammo sustain and damage bonuses while stealthed. Alternatively, the 'Ironbreaker' career makes you a near-immortal tank, letting you wade into hordes and blast them point-blank without fear. The weapon's flavor text often references Dwarf grudges, reinforcing its role as a tool of righteous fury.

Did You Know?

• The Grudge-Raker's name is a pun on 'grudge' and 'rake,' referencing both Dwarf culture and its ability to 'rake' enemies with shot.
• In earlier Vermintide 2 builds, the Grudge-Raker had a tighter spread, but it was later widened to improve crowd control.
• The weapon's reload animation shows Bardin pouring powder and shot from a horn, a detail that matches historical black powder loading.
• Some fans speculate the Grudge-Raker is based on the historical 'blunderbuss,' a short-barreled shotgun used by coach guards and naval crews.