How do you deal with heavily armored enemies as a melee character?

[Threeeightnine]

Right now I'm playing an psi/unarmed build and I struggle against machines, burrowers, etc. I want to play sword and spear builds in the future, but how do I get around this problem?

[harperfan7]

Expose weakness helps.  Focusing on crit chance/damage, using toxic gas grenades, applying opportunist, taste for blood; lots of options.  For fists in particular you want to use heavy punch with combo and pneumatic gloves.

[Sat]

Energy edge emitters partly solve the issue of high mechanical resistance enemies, you can insert it on knife, spear and machete if you have crafting abilities.

If your character is max dex, I tend to prefer versatility over expose weakness especially if you are facing multiple enemies. You can then be deadly with an energy pistol (especially if you craft an amplified one).