Which build is more fun?

[FouR_xFearlessX]

Hello,

I'm considering doing a new build since I'm about to finish the game for the second time and wanted some advice on which build you guys think would be more fun to play. The first build I'm considering is a high intelligence chemical pistol build and the second build I'm considering is a melee (probably fist weapons) psi build.

Feel free to throw in other builds you found especially fun, pretty much just looking for something new. (Last two builds were pure SMG and a sniper with though control).

Thanks!

[RewRatt]

Versatile Elemental Crossbow Trapper - https://underrail.info/build/?HgMHBwMQAwcAX8KgAAAAwqBMRUBLaGw2IloALQBGAABMfzkiMAImwqPCgCtLTGonwocWwrXCpMKFwp7CnMKtGuKijAPio7AC4qe-Ct-_
Wherever you can Ambush (even in Arena- you can move couple of tiles back to the wall) or Bear Trap, you will 1 tap most targets. Bosses can be shredded in a turn with bosted AP or CCed. And long range will be such a pleasant change. And versatility is there for robots/high mech resistance targets, as Energy Pistols will benefit from same feats (Crit, Crit Damage) and Versatile won't need Specialization points as those target's are non-evasive. For Nagas - EMP Grenade/Mine MKIII + Flare/Molotov + Acid Bolts. You will have such a high detection and stealth with a custom armor / Rathound Regalia, that you can quietily hunt and assasinate Death Stalkers on Dominating (it's an orgasmic feeling).

Thought Control - Temporal Manipulation Trapper - https://underrail.info/build/?HgMHBgMDEAgAWgAAAADCjEBGPzxLZTA3XsKgAADCoCAARDkoKz8wKgVkIyEWwockwr1mJ8K3wrvCneKitQLio7AC4qaGCuKsjAHfvw
Doing a Dominating run with this one. Unbelievable fun. Will post and link a vid to this post with me doing Arena at lvl14 on Dom (right after Depot A), and Carnifex begging to spare his life (Love you Styg for including such chatter from enemies XD) while his mind is being melted and is chased by his Doppleganger. Can do all content. Can kills snakes while they are submerged, can CC whole crowds. Has traps for even more CC and to eliminate low PER weakness of not being able to detect them. Included Pickpocket for more money on Dom, move points whenever otherwise.
For robots - EMP nades/traps, Bear Traps, Stasis as Temporal Distortion needs 2 turns. If you know in advance that you will verse robots, you can pop on a TM Circlet with boosted TD damage to wipe even Nagas easily. Grenadier included for AOE damage and EMP MKIII + Stasis + EMP MKIII = 6 turns of free damage on robots.

Chem Fist - https://underrail.info/build/?HgMQBwcDAwcjLwDCoCgAwqBLKzIAUmplK2YALQB0AABLTzkrwqMgEwZOB0sWwpFWwocvwrMxEsKewqDCn8Kcw4zCreKdjQrin4QB4rWuBN-_
Will be my next playthrough on Dominating. Fists with Pneumatic Hammer are some of the most fun tools out there - every 4th hit just target a full HP enemy and you either 1 tap or CC them. This build has it all - unreal damage vs soft targets and versatily for Chem Pistols on all Hard, Non-evasive enemies and Cooked Shot for evasive (like Carnifex). Once target is rooted and you can shoot and hide from them - they are done. Higher quality Acid pistols have 60%+ chance to root and that negates all evasion, so they are screwed. With Kinetic Imprint you have even more tools. Almost nothing resists acid, and what does, won't resist fire or being Ice Cubed and then punched to death.

[FouR_xFearlessX]

Versatile Elemental Crossbow Trapper - https://underrail.info/build/?HgMHBwMQAwcAX8KgAAAAwqBMRUBLaGw2IloALQBGAABMfzkiMAImwqPCgCtLTGonwocWwrXCpMKFwp7CnMKtGuKijAPio7AC4qe-Ct-_
Wherever you can Ambush (even in Arena- you can move couple of tiles back to the wall) or Bear Trap, you will 1 tap most targets. Bosses can be shredded in a turn with bosted AP or CCed. And long range will be such a pleasant change. And versatility is there for robots/high mech resistance targets, as Energy Pistols will benefit from same feats (Crit, Crit Damage) and Versatile won't need Specialization points as those target's are non-evasive. For Nagas - EMP Grenade/Mine MKIII + Flare/Molotov + Acid Bolts. You will have such a high detection and stealth with a custom armor / Rathound Regalia, that you can quietily hunt and assasinate Death Stalkers on Dominating (it's an orgasmic feeling).

Thought Control - Temporal Manipulation Trapper - https://underrail.info/build/?HgMHBgMDEAgAWgAAAADCjEBGPzxLZTA3XsKgAADCoCAARDkoKz8wKgVkIyEWwockwr1mJ8K3wrvCneKitQLio7AC4qaGCuKsjAHfvw
Doing a Dominating run with this one. Unbelievable fun. Will post and link a vid to this post with me doing Arena at lvl14 on Dom (right after Depot A), and Carnifex begging to spare his life (Love you Styg for including such chatter from enemies XD) while his mind is being melted and is chased by his Doppleganger. Can do all content. Can kills snakes while they are submerged, can CC whole crowds. Has traps for even more CC and to eliminate low PER weakness of not being able to detect them. Included Pickpocket for more money on Dom, move points whenever otherwise.
For robots - EMP nades/traps, Bear Traps, Stasis as Temporal Distortion needs 2 turns. If you know in advance that you will verse robots, you can pop on a TM Circlet with boosted TD damage to wipe even Nagas easily. Grenadier included for AOE damage and EMP MKIII + Stasis + EMP MKIII = 6 turns of free damage on robots.

Chem Fist - https://underrail.info/build/?HgMQBwcDAwcjLwDCoCgAwqBLKzIAUmplK2YALQB0AABLTzkrwqMgEwZOB0sWwpFWwocvwrMxEsKewqDCn8Kcw4zCreKdjQrin4QB4rWuBN-_
Will be my next playthrough on Dominating. Fists with Pneumatic Hammer are some of the most fun tools out there - every 4th hit just target a full HP enemy and you either 1 tap or CC them. This build has it all - unreal damage vs soft targets and versatily for Chem Pistols on all Hard, Non-evasive enemies and Cooked Shot for evasive (like Carnifex). Once target is rooted and you can shoot and hide from them - they are done. Higher quality Acid pistols have 60%+ chance to root and that negates all evasion, so they are screwed. With Kinetic Imprint you have even more tools. Almost nothing resists acid, and what does, won't resist fire or being Ice Cubed and then punched to death.

Thanks for the suggestions! If I may ask, how does the Chem Fist build work with strength at 3? Wouldn't the melee damage be too low to be a feasible combat option or does the high dexterity make up for the shortcomings in damage?

[RewRatt]

Thanks for the suggestions! If I may ask, how does the Chem Fist build work with strength at 3? Wouldn't the melee damage be too low to be a feasible combat option or does the high dexterity make up for the shortcomings in damage?

No, melee skill scales from STR or DEX and skill determines damage. There are of course STR bonuses, but only specific Brawler builds with Unarmed focus go there. Also, DEX increases crit chance.
As a side note, for Chem Fist, you can move points from CON to WILL and relocate skill points to Psychokinesis and grab Force User for even more Soft Target killing power with force emmisions.
This makes Early game much easier, but with loss of CON.. Just don't make any mistakes. Build like this here:
https://underrail.info/build/?HgMQBwMDBwcjLwDCoCgAwoJDKyQAUmpaK2AAwqAARgAAS085K8KjIBQTTgcGwpFLwodWEsKzFjHCnsKgwp_CnMOMwq3inY0K4p-EAeK1rgTfvw

Include a Universal or PK Psionic-Headband with Telekinetic Punch/Psychokinesis Filter and Psionic Muffler. Cast Proxy and wreck stuff.
For armor, I would go with either Siphoner-Infused Siphoner (not Greater) or Mutated Dog/Infused Leather Armor. I would lean more towards Siphoner as it gives Fire Threshold too, which will allow you to run on Molotovs, etc. And with Fire Field + Acid Puddles, you will deal so much passive damage, that a lot of enemies will be dying or getting to you at half-health.

[FouR_xFearlessX]

Thanks for the suggestions! If I may ask, how does the Chem Fist build work with strength at 3? Wouldn't the melee damage be too low to be a feasible combat option or does the high dexterity make up for the shortcomings in damage?

No, melee skill scales from STR or DEX and skill determines damage. There are of course STR bonuses, but only specific Brawler builds with Unarmed focus go there. Also, DEX increases crit chance.
As a side note, for Chem Fist, you can move points from CON to WILL and relocate skill points to Psychokinesis and grab Force User for even more Soft Target killing power with force emmisions.
This makes Early game much easier, but with loss of CON.. Just don't make any mistakes. Build like this here:
https://underrail.info/build/?HgMQBwMDBwcjLwDCoCgAwoJDKyQAUmpaK2AAwqAARgAAS085K8KjIBQTTgcGwpFLwodWEsKzFjHCnsKgwp_CnMOMwq3inY0K4p-EAeK1rgTfvw

Include a Universal or PK Psionic-Headband with Telekinetic Punch/Psychokinesis Filter and Psionic Muffler. Cast Proxy and wreck stuff.
For armor, I would go with either Siphoner-Infused Siphoner (not Greater) or Mutated Dog/Infused Leather Armor. I would lean more towards Siphoner as it gives Fire Threshold too, which will allow you to run on Molotovs, etc. And with Fire Field + Acid Puddles, you will deal so much passive damage, that a lot of enemies will be dying or getting to you at half-health.

Okay, thanks! I'll give it a shot

[RewRatt]

This is the Arena at lvl 14 vid I promised, for the TC-TM Trapper build on Dominating 😄 :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6HjEB8Exoo