Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 Beginner's Guide | Tips and Tricks

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 is a fast-paced first-person shooter featuring two playable characters, Malum Caedo and Nyra Veyrath. Its branching campaign, varied weapons, and enemies from the four Chaos factions make movement and weapon selection essential to surviving tougher encounters.

The best beginner strategy is to keep moving, match your weapons to the enemies you face, and use the navigation guide to avoid wasting time searching for objectives.

Choose the Right Character

You can play as Malum Caedo or Nyra Veyrath, each with a different combat style. Try both early in the game to see which one suits you.

- Malum Caedo: A good starting choice if you prefer a tougher character and direct combat. His Chainsword Lunge helps close the distance to enemies, while his charge can damage and knock back opponents.

- Nyra Veyrath: Better suited to players who enjoy fast movement and aerial attacks. Her Fervent Slide can damage and knock back enemies, and jumping during the slide lets her launch into the air.

If you are new to the game, start with Malum to learn enemy attack patterns. Experiment with Nyra once you are comfortable moving around crowded arenas. 

Keep Moving During Combat

Standing still is one of the easiest ways to get overwhelmed in Boltgun 2. Enemies attack from different directions, and some close in quickly while others pressure you with ranged attacks.

• Move between attacks: Fire at enemies while repositioning instead of remaining in one spot.
• Keep an escape route open: Avoid backing into corners where several enemies can surround you.
• Change direction frequently: Moving laterally helps you avoid enemies closing in and gives you more room to react.
• Watch for reinforcements: Don't assume an encounter is over just because you defeated the first group.
• Avoid unnecessary damage: You don't need to eliminate every enemy immediately if moving to a safer position gives you a better chance to attack.

The key is to deal damage without sacrificing your ability to move away from danger.

Learn When to Use Each Weapon

Boltgun 2 features an arsenal of weapons, including the Boltgun, Shotgun, Chainsword, and Flamer. Each character has a different set of weapons and abilities, so learning when to switch is more useful than relying on one weapon throughout the campaign. 

Boltgun

Use the Boltgun as your dependable ranged weapon. It lets you engage enemies without approaching and deal with threats before they reach melee range.

Shotgun

The Shotgun is a strong choice for close-range encounters. Let enemies approach before firing, but avoid letting several opponents surround you while you try to land a powerful shot.

Chainsword

The Chainsword is useful when enemies close in. Malum's Chainsword Lunge also helps him close the distance. However, avoid lunging directly into a large group unless you have a plan for getting back out.

Flamer

Nyra's Flamer is useful against groups of enemies, especially swarms. Use it to clear a path through clustered opponents while remaining aware of enemies attacking from the sides.

Switch weapons according to the situation instead of using the same weapon for every encounter. Consider your target's distance, how many enemies are nearby, and how much room you have to retreat.

Take Advantage of Character Abilities

Your character's special movement abilities can help you escape danger and close in on enemies faster.

Malum Caedo's Abilities

Malum has two useful movement options:

- Chainsword Lunge: Closes the distance to a targeted enemy, allowing you to engage opponents who are farther away.

- Obliterating Charge: Sends Malum forward, damaging enemies along his path and knocking them back.

Use the Lunge against isolated targets rather than diving into the center of a group. Obliterating Charge is useful when enemies block your route, but make sure you know where you will end up before activating it.

Nyra Veyrath's Abilities

Nyra relies on speed and aerial movement to control encounters.

- Fervent Slide: Moves Nyra forward with her Power Sword, damaging and knocking back enemies in her path.

- Leap: Jumping during Fervent Slide launches her into the air. Holding jump during the Leap slows time, allowing you to aim and attack.

Practice these abilities in open areas before using them in crowded fights. Watch where you land, because moving past one group of enemies can leave you exposed to another.

Use Nyra's Bolt Pistol and Power Sword Together

Nyra's Bolt Pistol has eight rounds, and she can attack with her Power Sword while the pistol reloads.

Instead of waiting passively for the reload to finish, use the Power Sword against nearby enemies. Once the pistol is ready, switch back to ranged attacks.

This approach keeps offensive pressure up without wasting time standing still. However, don't force melee combat when enemies are too far away or when a group is closing in from multiple directions.

Learn Enemy Attack Patterns

Boltgun 2 features enemies associated with Nurgle, Tzeentch, Khorne, and Slaanesh. Different enemies create different problems, so pay attention to how they attack rather than treating every opponent the same way.

Bloodletters

Bloodletters rush toward you and attack with their Hellblades. Keep enough space to react, and avoid letting them corner you.

Daemonic Juggernauts

Juggernauts are dangerous charging enemies. Keep moving and don't let them approach along a predictable path. If a Bloodcrusher separates into its rider and mount, remember that both can remain dangerous.

Poxwalkers

Poxwalkers can appear in regenerating swarms. Avoid getting trapped in the middle of the group, and use weapons suited to dealing with multiple enemies when necessary.

Plague Marines

Plague Marines can attack with weapons that leave hazardous slime on the ground. Move away from these dangerous areas rather than fighting while standing in them.

Khorne Berzerkers

Berzerkers become more dangerous when their health is low. Expect increased aggression, and don't assume a nearly defeated enemy is no longer a threat.

Scarab Occult Terminators

These enemies can reposition through phase-shifting. If a Terminator disappears or changes position during combat, locate it again before continuing your attack.

Use the Navigation Guide and Automap

You do not need to memorize every level to progress through the campaign. Boltgun 2 includes an optional Navigation Guide and an automap to help you find objectives.

• Use the Navigation Guide when lost: It displays a route toward your next objective.
• Check the automap after combat: Use it to understand the areas you have explored and locate outstanding objectives.
• Follow the route before exploring optional areas: This helps you understand the level's layout before searching for hidden items.
• Return to unexplored areas when appropriate: Check side passages and alternate paths for Secrets and Purity Seals.

These tools are especially helpful when a level contains several branching paths. Use them to avoid wandering through cleared rooms while searching for the next objective.

Explore Levels for Secrets and Purity Seals

Secrets and Purity Seals are worth looking for when you have time to explore. Many hidden collectibles are tucked away in side rooms, behind destructible walls, or inside concealed compartments.

Keep an eye out for:

• Skulls and switches: Shoot suspicious skulls or switches when you spot them, as some activate hidden doors.
• Destructible walls: Look for damaged or unusual wall sections that might conceal a passage.
• Elevated platforms: Check ledges and suspended platforms instead of sticking to the ground-level route.
• Side passages: Explore paths that branch away from the main objective.
• Hidden containers: Search inside open containers and nearby structures for pickups.

Don't spend too much time searching while enemies attack. Clear the immediate threats first, then explore the area safely.

Take Advantage of Accessibility Options

If you are struggling with a difficult encounter, check the game's accessibility options. Available gameplay options include Invulnerability, Infinite Ammo, Unlock All Weapons, and Undying Mode.

Undying Mode lets you take damage but saves you just before death, making it useful for practicing difficult encounters. Invulnerability and Infinite Ammo can also help you learn enemy patterns without worrying as much about survival or ammunition.

You do not need to use these options if you prefer the standard experience. However, they can be useful if a particular fight is preventing you from progressing or learning a character's abilities.

Make the Most of the Branching Campaign

Boltgun 2 has a branching single-player campaign, and different routes contain unique levels. This means you may not encounter every mission during a single playthrough.

When you're given a route choice, explore the path that interests you most. On a later run, try another branch instead of restarting whenever you discover a missed level.

If you want to revisit specific missions, Level Select lets you access completed content another way. Keep in mind that campaign progression and mission selection are separate, so load your campaign save when you want to continue your main playthrough.

Learn From Every Death

Dying is part of learning a fast-paced shooter. Instead of repeating the same approach, identify what went wrong and change your strategy.

• If enemies surround you, move toward open space earlier.
• If you keep taking ranged damage, reposition instead of standing in the same firing lane.
• If you run out of ammunition, switch weapons more often and avoid wasting powerful attacks on distant targets.
• If you miss objectives, use the Navigation Guide and automap more frequently.
• If your character's abilities feel hard to use, practice them in safer areas before relying on them during boss fights.

Small changes can make difficult encounters much easier. Focus on improving your positioning and timing rather than simply attacking faster.

Final Thoughts

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 rewards aggressive combat, quick movement, and smart weapon selection. Learning how Malum Caedo and Nyra Veyrath differ will help you find a playstyle that suits you, while understanding enemy attack patterns will make later encounters easier to manage.

Keep moving, switch weapons when the situation changes, use character abilities strategically, and explore side paths for hidden collectibles. Most importantly, do not hesitate to use the navigation tools or accessibility options if they help you enjoy the campaign.

FAQ

Q. Which character should beginners choose in Boltgun 2?

A. Malum Caedo is a good starting choice if you prefer durability and direct combat—Nyra Veyrath suits players who enjoy fast movement and aerial attacks.

Q. What is the most important beginner tip?

A. Keep moving during combat. Standing still makes it easier for enemies to surround you or land repeated attacks.

Q. How do you find hidden Secrets and Purity Seals?

A. Explore side passages, inspect elevated platforms, shoot suspicious skulls, and check destructible walls and concealed compartments.

Q. Does Boltgun 2 have a map?

A. Yes. The game features an automap and an optional Navigation Guide that helps you find objectives.

Q. Can you replay missions in Boltgun 2?

A. Yes. Level Select lets you revisit missions, making it useful for exploring missed content and collecting overlooked items.

Q. Can you make Boltgun 2 easier?

A. Yes. Gameplay accessibility options include Invulnerability, Infinite Ammo, and Undying Mode, which can help you practice combat and progress through difficult encounters.