Halberd

Lore & Background

Forged in the smithies of the Empire, the halberd is a staple of state troop regiments, its design refined over centuries of war against beastmen, greenskins, and the forces of Chaos. For Markus Kruber, a man who rose from common soldier to a hero of Ubersreik, the halberd is more than a weapon—it is a symbol of discipline and survival. Its long haft, often reinforced with steel bands, allows him to keep enemies at bay while delivering punishing blows, a technique drilled into every Imperial recruit. In the vermin-infested streets of Helmgart and the shadowy depths of the Reikland, Kruber's halberd has become a legend, its blade stained with the blood of countless ratmen and heretics.

In Their Own Story

The rain hammered the cobblestones as Kruber planted the butt of his halberd into a Skaven corpse, using it as a lever to pry his boot free from the muck. 'Steady now,' he muttered, the haft slick in his grip. A chittering erupted from the alley ahead—a pack of Clanrats, their red eyes gleaming. He set his feet, the halberd angled low. The first one lunged, and he met it with a swift thrust, the point punching through its rusted armor. As the others surged forward, he swung wide, the blade shearing through fur and bone. For a moment, there was silence, save for the drip of water from a broken gutter. Kruber spat, wiped the blade on a rag, and moved on, the halberd a trusted companion in the endless night.

Reader's Guide

The halberd is a top-tier choice for Kruber, offering a balance of crowd control and single-target damage. Its light attacks are horizontal sweeps, ideal for staggering and thinning hordes, while heavy attacks deliver a powerful overhead strike that can break shields and decapitate armored Stormvermin. The weapon's reach gives you a safe distance against most enemies, but its slow swing speed requires careful timing—don't get surrounded. In co-op play, pair the halberd with a handgun or repeater to handle specials at range. It shines when you're holding a choke point, as its sweeps can cover a wide arc, letting your teammates focus on flanking threats. The halberd drops from chests and as mission rewards in Vermintide 2, often with bonuses to attack speed or critical chance. Its flavor text hints at its military origins: 'A soldier's tool, forged for war, not glory.'

Did You Know?

• The halberd's design in Vermintide 2 is based on historical Swiss and German polearms from the 15th century.
• Kruber's halberd is one of the few weapons that can stagger Chaos Warriors with a charged heavy attack.
• In the game's files, the halberd has a hidden 'armor piercing' tag that makes it effective against armored enemies.
• The weapon's push attack is a quick stab, useful for interrupting enemy attacks without losing positioning.