Warhammer Vermintide Codexery

Glaive

A sweeping blade that carves through hordes and armor alike.

The Glaive is a two-handed polearm weapon available to Kerillian, the Waystalker, Handmaiden, and Shade careers in Warhammer Vermintide 2. It is a long, curved blade mounted on a wooden shaft, designed for sweeping slashes and powerful overhead strikes that can cleave through multiple foes. As a versatile melee tool, it excels at crowd control and armor penetration, making it a favorite for players who want to balance horde clearing with elite killing.

Quick Facts

Character
Kerillian
Role
Two-handed melee weapon for crowd control and armor damage
Type
Polearm (Glaive)
First appears
Warhammer Vermintide 2 (base game)
Rarity
Common to Veteran (upgrades available)

Lore & Background

Forged in the forges of Athel Loren, the glaive is a weapon of the Asrai, the Wood Elves of the deep forests. Its design reflects the elven philosophy of grace and lethality, with a slender yet resilient blade that can slice through the thickest chaos armor. In the hands of Kerillian, it becomes an extension of her swift, predatory movements, allowing her to dance through battle while leaving a trail of broken enemies.

The glaive's long reach gives its wielder a tactical advantage against the Skaven and Chaos hordes that plague the Ubersreik region. It is particularly effective against the armored Stormvermin and Chaos Warriors, as its curved edge can find gaps in plate and chainmail. Among the Ubersreik Five, Kerillian's mastery of this weapon is unmatched, and she often uses it to deliver precise, devastating blows that turn the tide of combat.

Legends among the Asrai speak of glaives blessed by the spirits of the forest, imbued with the essence of ancient oaks and the sharpness of winter winds. While Kerillian's glaive may not be such a relic, it carries the same deadly potential, a reminder of her people's enduring war against the forces of darkness.

Reader's Guide

The Glaive is a hybrid weapon that balances horde clear and single-target damage. Its light attacks are wide sweeps ideal for thinning dense groups of Skaven slaves or Clanrats, while the heavy overhead strike deals high armor-piercing damage to Stormvermin, Chaos Warriors, or bosses. The weapon's range is its key strength—you can hit enemies before they reach you, making it safer than shorter weapons.

In co-op play, the Glaive shines when you need to control space. Use light attacks to stagger and thin hordes while your teammates focus on specials or elites. The heavy attack is excellent for interrupting enemy overhead strikes or finishing off wounded armor. Pair it with a ranged weapon like the Longbow for sniping specials, or the Hagbane Swift Bow for area denial. The Glaive's stamina is moderate, so block and push often to avoid being overwhelmed. It works well on all Kerillian careers, but Handmaiden benefits from the extra stamina and mobility—use her dash to reposition mid-swing, catching enemies off-guard. For Shade, the glaive's heavy attack can one-shot most elites when combined with her backstab bonus, making her a deadly assassin in the thick of battle.

Did You Know?

More in Skills, Relics & Gear

Elsewhere in Warhammer Vermintide

Spotted an error? Know more?

Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced

Comments

Loading…
Open in the interactive codex →