New player here, what are some decent gun/melee builds?

[TheDwellerInDarkness]

I plan to play on Easy or Normal difficulty, and I'd like to figure out my starting stats/skills/feats and the general combat style I want to go with. I'm leaning towards ranged combat, maybe hacking/lockpicking, and something like Persuasion.

[PaposikG6]

Perception and Guns are your damage stat when using ranged weapons. If you use pistols and sniper rifles, aimed shot feat is your bread and butter and if you take SMGs or ARs you use burst attack.
Hacking/lockpicking and Persuasion are out of combat skills so you are free to take them if you can afford the points.

Is there any weapon in particular you want to use?

As an example I recommend Turbodevil's pistol build: https://stygiansoftware.com/forums/index.php?topic=7737.0

[Hinz]

Howdy, thought I'd drop a couple builds for ya bre.

Dominating viable xbow build by Kiruha (I used this build when I was new, tons of fun.) https://underrail.info/build/?HgMGBwMQAwgAasKgAADCoMKgQjIAIUJRKjNZAC0ARgAARSsifzEWKgI4wodLwoBqwrXCpBptw5zDgsKdwp7Cn8Kt4qe-CuKstAXfvw

https://stygiansoftware.com/forums/index.php?topic=8727.0

Dominating viable SMG build by Sheepherder https://underrail.info/build/?HgcQBgMGAwVQwqAAwqAAAMKgAAAAAFl1Dy1mAAAAwqAAAF8rwqM7JjEVN8KHOUnCg09Rwog_wrNywoXip6oD4qi7A-K1rgnfvw

Probably not Dominating viable but this is what I'm currently having fun with (Machete, high mobility, stealth, grenades, good amount of Flurry per turn if you don't miss. Eats up extra movement points with Blitz to get a Stasis out, or some other action for less than 20 AP.
https://underrail.info/build/?HgYOCgMDAwcAwqAAwqA_P19YNwAAX3QgRXAAAABGAABLJCYxwowTBisSwodLABY-PEfCt1zinY0F4p-EAeKfjgTip74F378

[TheDwellerInDarkness]

Howdy, thought I'd drop a couple builds for ya bre.

Dominating viable xbow build by Kiruha (I used this build when I was new, tons of fun.)

I think the Kiruha xbow build is the most comprehensive for me, is there anything I would or should adjust for lower difficulties?

[Hinz]

The build is crafted well and has min/maxed crafting. With various drugs and crafting benches you'll be able to make the best gear (although, the best gear won't entirely be necessary for normal/easy). There's also a few unselected feats, I'd consider Pack Rathound, (there is a waistpack that gives +50 carry weight though), Sprint, Future Orientation, or Evasive Maneuvers. Players' choice, really.

To start I would allocate like this https://underrail.info/build/?AQMGBwMKAwgADw8AAA8PDA0ABQ8AAAAPAAAAAAAAAH8i378

Every level up I would +5 Crossbows, Throwing (to a point, 30 points is fine then can slow down a bit), Stealth, Evasion. Allocate points into crafting as needed depending on what quality parts you have picked up; I'd look into crafting a Taser fairly early! Around 10 to 11 or whatever level you are when you have access to Rail Crossing, is when I would pick up Psi Empathy from Pasquale (can be done earlier if you want to utilize TK punch early). Level hacking and lockpicking as needed. Every attribute point you get is spent on Perception. Hope you have a blast! 

[TheDwellerInDarkness]

So, I've been a bit indecisive about which builds I'd like to do a full playthrough with, but are there some decent and comprehensive unarmed/fist weapon builds worth trying? Maybe something tanky and involving Persuasion?

[Krigor]

So, I've been a bit indecisive about which builds I'd like to do a full playthrough with, but are there some decent and comprehensive unarmed/fist weapon builds worth trying? Maybe something tanky and involving Persuasion?

Unarmed and fist weapons require a bit more effort to make a build than your standard melee build. I would post a link with a build i played on hard some time ago, but for some reason I'm not allowed to post external links.

But being honest to you, just go and play, try not to worry too much.
Strong builds are only necessary on Domination.
Have fun.