Volley Crossbow

Lore & Background

Forged in the shadowy workshops of Athel Loren, the Volley Crossbow is a weapon of elegant brutality, its design echoing the swift, precise strikes of the wood elf huntress. Unlike the slower, more deliberate longbows of her kin, this crossbow is built for the chaos of urban warfare, where a single bolt may not be enough to stop a charging Stormvermin or a tide of Skaven slaves. Its triple-shot mechanism is a testament to the Asrai's mastery of wood and metal, allowing a skilled wielder to deliver a storm of death that can clear a street in moments.

Kerillian herself has been known to favor this weapon when the vermin press too close, its rapid fire a grim counterpoint to her usual disdain for the 'lesser' races' reliance on gunpowder. The Volley Crossbow's bolts are often tipped with razor-sharp leaves or forged from the same star-metal as her daggers, each one a whispered prayer to Kurnous, the Hunter God. In the hands of the Waystalker, it becomes a tool of vengeance, a way to honor the fallen of Ubersreik with every Skaven life it takes.

Some say the weapon's design was inspired by the repeating crossbows of the Cathayan traders who occasionally visit the Grey Mountains, but the Asrai would never admit to such a debt. Instead, they claim it is a gift from the spirits of the deep woods, a weapon that sings with the fury of a storm of arrows. Whatever its origin, the Volley Crossbow has proven its worth in the tunnels and ruins of the Helmgart region, its bolts finding their mark in the hearts of countless ratmen and Chaos cultists.

In Their Own Story

The tunnel stank of warpstone and fear. Kerillian crouched behind a collapsed cart, her keen ears tracking the skittering of a dozen Skaven ahead. She nocked a bolt, then another, then a third, the Volley Crossbow's mechanism clicking softly. 'Come then, little rats,' she whispered, 'let me show you the mercy of the forest.' As the first clanrat rounded the corner, she pulled the trigger. Three bolts flew in a flat arc, punching through the first rat and into the second, pinning them to the wall. The rest of the pack squealed in panic, but Kerillian was already reloading, a cold smile on her lips. 'One volley, two kills. Not bad for a lumberfoot's weapon.'

Reader's Guide

The Volley Crossbow is a high-skill, high-reward weapon for the Waystalker, excelling at clearing hordes and staggering elites at mid-range. Its triple-shot mechanic allows for rapid burst damage, but consumes three ammunition per trigger pull, so ammo conservation is key. Pair it with a melee weapon that handles single targets—like the Sword and Dagger or the Spear—to cover your weaknesses. Aim for headshots to maximize bolt penetration; a well-placed volley can gut a Stormvermin patrol before they raise their halberds. Use Kerillian's career skill, 'Trueflight Volley,' to regenerate ammunition when you're running low, and never waste a shot on a lone slave rat—save your bolts for the dense clusters that clog chokepoints.

Did You Know?

• The Volley Crossbow is one of the few weapons in Vermintide 2 that can penetrate multiple enemies with a single bolt, making it devastating against dense hordes.
• Its triple-shot mechanic is unique to the Waystalker career, reflecting Kerillian's mastery of ranged combat.
• The weapon's design is inspired by the Asrai's connection to nature, with bolts often carved from the wood of the Oak of Ages.
• In the game's lore, the Volley Crossbow is said to be a gift from the spirits of Athel Loren, though Kerillian rarely acknowledges its origin.