I've been running the following build for general purpose gameplay and would like to get some advice / feedback on it along with some proposed changes.
None of the online posts (Reddit/Ubi-Forums/etc) seem to have any suitable comparisons for me to use, as they all seem to run either all-Red DPS Crit builds focused on pure damage output with 3x Providence or PvP focused hybrid builds.
I play exclusively PvE (mainly solo) and my current build works well enough on Challenging but but suffers a little on Heroic, so I was wondering if some changes could be made while still retaining survivability.
Note that my SHD watch perks are maxed out (SHD 4100+) and the Critical Hit Chance and Damage (CHC / CHD) buffs from it are already included in my listed calculations, while all my Gear stats are maxed out.
All my guns have Damage to Targets Out of Cover (DtTOoC) in their stats due to its higher general utility compared to Damage to Health / Armor (DTH / DTA).
My guns also use mainly Accuracy and Stability mods in order to maximise the ability to sustain shots on target.
Please also note that I already have a pure Skill build (Turret / Drone) and Tank Build so please refrain from suggesting those.
Also, please note that:
> Red Core = Weapon Damage
> Yellow Core = Skill Tier
> Blue Core = Armor
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BASIC INFO
Class: Gunner (10% Ammo Regen / Armor on Kill; i.e AoK / Weapon Handling when immobile)
Chest Talent: Unbreakable (95% armor refill on breakage every 60 sec)
Backpack Talent: Composure (+15% Total Weapon Damage when firing from cover)
Gun 1: Pestilence LMG (Used for extra damage over time from its talent and the large magazine size)
Gun 2: Usually AR, may be Rifle (Talent = Ranger / Preservation / Optimist depending on situation)
Skill 1: Healer Drone (Reviver Hive cooldown takes too long)
Skill 2: Assault Turret
Cores Mix: 5 Red / 1 Yellow
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GEAR BRANDS:
1x Coyote's Mask (Red Core)
1x Ceska Vyroba (Red Core) - Note: 1x stat = 8% Weapon Handling
1x Grupo Sombra (Red Core) - Note: 1x stat = 8% Weapon Handling
1x Belstone Armory (Yellow Core)
1x Walker Harris (Red Core)
1x Fox's Prayer (Red Core)
Crit Stats without weapon mods (Includes Brand + SHD Watch bonuses): 50% CHC / 144% CHD
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GENERAL PLAYSTYLE
> General exploration until random / scripted enemy encounters.
> Staying in cover at Mid / Long range and hammering enemies with the Pestilence LMG while the AR / Rifle assist at Closer / Longer Ranges as needed.
> SMG / Shotgun (Scorpio) useage as needed for some CQC situations.
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PERSONAL COMMENTS:
This build tends give me sufficient raw firepower and versatility to hit targets at most ranges hard (5x Red Core + Walker Harris additive 5% to all guns + Composure Talent multiplicative bonus).
Concerning the 50% CHC, I compensate with a 5% CHC gun mod where possible while Coyote's Mask has the CHC/CHD distance-based bonus.
The 16% Weapon Handling also helps with reload time and ability to keep shots on target at longer ranges.
The 1x Yellow Core allows my Assault Turret to function as a distraction sentry while still damaging targets without going down too fast (1x Yellow Core = +25% Skill Dmg / 50% Skill HP).
The Healer Drone also helps to keep my armor up when paired with Belstone's 1% Armor Regen, the Gunner Class' 10% AoK and Unbreakable's 2nd chance armor refill, allowing me to sustain damage output for a longer time and the chance to reposition if flanked / rushed.
I've tried the standard DPS builds and they just seem too high risk / specialised for me, while the Hybrid DPS builds seem too dependant on getting up close with SMGs.
Overall I prefer a slower and steady approach to hitting targets, using cover and terrain advantages where I can to best synergise with my build.
HOWEVER, as I mentioned earlier, while my current build works fine for Challenging, it suffers more in Heroic due to the high bullet-spongieness of enemies, especially at closer ranges if they swarm.
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REQUEST FOR FEEDBACK / ADVICE:
Should I swap out my 1x Walker Harris holster for a Makeshift armor piece to get 12% more CHD from the additional gear mod slot (CHD Total: 144+12= 156%)?
Just how much does the Walker Harris 5% damage to all guns compare with the potential 12% CHD from the Makeshift armor piece?
Also, should I then swap out my Fox's Prayer for a Makeshift armor piece as well for the extra CHD as well given that all my guns already have DtTOoC (CHD Total w/above: 144+12+12 = 168%)?
Similarly, how does Fox's Prayer 8% DtTOoc compare with the additional potential CHD as well?
Lastly, are there any other potential changes I could make to the build without sacrificing too much versatility and survivability?
Any useful feedback / advice would be most welcome, and I am also willing to entertain questions concering my existing build.
My thanks to you all.
