[ThePianoFairy's Whimsical Build] Hold the Karkin' Line!
 Veteran Build - Warhammer 40k: Darktide 

Weapons

Lasgun(s)

This build can be played with the MG LA or the IV, ideally a focus on higher rates of fire, but the IV is probably the stronger option for horde clear with its higher rate of fire. NOTE: I haven't tested the LA but I'm sure it can hold up just as well -- if anything we'll have to rely more so on our trusty shovel. With that being said, and by the Emperor, spray and pray with hordes, aim for heads when you can, thin the crowd from a distance, allowing our melee specialists to deal with the rest of the las-burnt heretics. 

The beauty about our lasguns is that it's highly reliable with a strong TTK on specials and elites. A 1-2 second volley can down Dreg Shotgunners with ease as long as you're going for weak spot crits, but body shots can do the trick just as well. Ragers will take require some weak spot focus fire. Additionally, as long as you're not playing with two-three other vets (an All Guardsman Party), you can skip 'Always Prepared' and 'Shock Trooper' since an simple ammo tin will provide just enough spirit when we're at half-reserves. 

Shovel

I've seen a few other builds choose the chain or power swords over the shovel, and tbh, I get why. However, with this build I've opted for the shovel as it provides us with a decent amount of stamina and defense potential once the blasted heretics inevitably break our ranks. It has great utility and I find that most VET-LAS builds, which don't consider it, usually fall flat when we resort to melee. We're not built as melee damage dealers with this build, rather a support. It's better for us to stay alive, aid our melee specialists in clearing trash mobs, and giving them some breathing room to kill the higher priority melee targets.    

Lasgun + Shovel Combo/Playstyle ~~ Keep this in mind ~~ 

Once the Unfaithful break our ranks and overwhelm us, it's ALWAYS better to stay up and fighting and providing our melee specialists with crowd control. 

So, that being said, we have two tactical options: 

1. Shove, and shove, and shove 
2. Block, shove, melee

You will eventually run out of stamina with either option. So, tactical retreat to a safer location, juggle lighting up the horde with our Emperor's glorified flashlight and sniping the higher priority targets. Then, return to the bloody melee, feed the Unclean ones with our shovel, and repeat. If you see the opportunity to support our specalists, go for it, but always prioritize maintenance of our battle formation and keeping the bloody melee on our terms. 

Talents

Krak Grenade 

Save for Bosses, Mini-bosses, Carapaced enemies (if overwhelmed), or when stuck in a pinch. We don't have 'Demolition Stockpile' so don't waste the kraks. They round out our build with tougher enemies.  

Survivalist

Pretty self-explanatory. Given that we're shooting down Elites and Specials before they become problems, this will synergize well. Yeah, we already have tons of ammo but we'll need something to passively fuel our belts in the long-run.

Executioner's Stance

Voice-of-Command is one karkin' hel of an ability, but let's be honest, the Zealot's Beacon of Faith acts just the same, if not, better as a crowd-control option. What Zealot ISN'T running it? Especially at higher levels of play. 

Yes, VoC is great for when we're stuck in melee, but what about those shooters and Gunners suppressing and breaking our additional toughness? Get your karkin' ass out of melee with your shovel, run for cover, pop Exec. Stance, pop their heads, and our lovely melee specialists will be forever indebted to us as they now no longer have bullets flying over their heads.

Once those shooters are cleared, we can jump back into the fray with our trusted Lasgun-Shovel combo. 

Grab Relentless and Counter-Fire to keep Exec. Stance up for as long as possible -- it usually ends after emptying your entire Las battery into the enemy back-line. 

Focus Target!

A really fun ability that you rarely ever run out of. Grab Redirect Fire! and we've rounded out as a ranged damage dealer and a general heavy support. Great for targeting enemies that our lasguns struggle to break through. Use as often as possible. 

Alt Passives:

Demolition Team, Get Back into the Fight! and Catch a Breath can be mixed and matched to your own playstyle/desires. 

If you're stingy with your Kraks, you can ditch Demolition Team for Get Back into the Fight! and a Catch a Breath combo. You'll be more rounded as a melee-ranged support hybrid, unlikely to be stuck in a bad situation you can't tactically retreat from. 

Alternatively, you can ditch Get Back into the Fight! if you're trying to avoid melee as often as possible; rather choosing to empty your lasgun.

Emperor's blessings Guardsman.

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