[EndGame] Veteran Boltgun FTG Build | Auric Ready | Guide by Yobi
Build for Darktide

Changelog:
(I am trying to keep all my guides up to date. Upvote this guide to let me know I should keep updating them)

• 7-Jan-2024
  • Created the guide

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Build Concept:

This is a Bolter Build that revolves around Boltgun, Focus Target and Grenades.

The strength of this build lies in its ability to deal with every and all threats regardless of range, size or number.

• Hordes? You've got a high cleave Melee Weapon + Grenades
• Packs of Elites? You've got Boltgun + Grenades
• Boss? Boltgun
• Out of Ammo? Melee Weapon + Grenades

What does "FTG" even mean?

FTG stands for "Focus-Target, Grenadier"
In other words, this is a Boltgun/Grenadier Hybrid Build.

I've decided to call it this way to make it easy to remember which parts of the talent tree are chosen.

If you want a more "traditional Bolter" build you should ditch "Voice of Command" and all the Grenade Nodes and just go "Executioner's Stance" (left side) -- [Note: I will post that build too, in the near future]

However, I believe the FTG boltgun build is both more versatile and deadly.

Job Description:

Your job is to kill Elites, Specials and Bosses.

You should only kill trash and hordes if you absolutely have to or there's literally nothing else to do. It's better to do mission objectives than killing hordes, not because you can't but because that's a job for lesser beings. 

If they want to top the damage meters by killing trash, LET THEM! You wouldn't call a Space Marine to take care of Poxwalkers. That's a kid's errant. Boltgun should be handled by Adults.

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Why Bolgun (is better than you think)

1. You can shoot through team-mates; 3x Ogryns in your team? Boltgun doesn't care.
2. You can kill Elites through hordes.
3. You can shoot multiple enemies in a line; Shots can penetrate and kill multiple elites at once.
4. You can open up Bulwarks with a single shot.
5. You can kill almost every elite with a single shot, Reapers included (critical weakspot hit)
6. One Clip of Ammo can easily remove 50% Boss HP. 
   If you use stimms, buffs and hitting weakspot, one clip is enough to kill a Boss
7. Boltgun is better than you think for long range if you have a good aim.
   Pro tip; Put "mark" on "T" button, ADS at an elite and tap "T" followed by a single shot. For some reason this helps me tap elites at very long distances with ease.
8. Whenever you don't ADS, Boltgun is a pretty accurate weapon at short range as long as you tap it (don't spray and pray). Literally all you have to do is 3-bullet taps on each elite. That's 5 dead elites MINIMUM per ammo clip, more if they are packed together (your shots will kill multiple due to penetration and cleave)

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Main Build Synergies:

• Grenades
  • Frag Grenade: +6 Bleed AoE
  • Grenade Tinkerer: +25% Grenade Damage, +25% Grenade Explosion Radius
  • Twinned Blast: 20% Chance to throw 2 grenades while consuming only 1
  • Demolition Stockpile: +1 Grenade regenerated every 60s
  • Demolition Team: 5% Chance to regenerate 1 grenade whenever an elite dies
• Toughness
  • Voice of Command & Duty and Honor: Max Toughness +50 Toughness on top of max
  • Target Down: +5% Toughness when a marked target is killed
  • Iron Will: 50% Toughness Damage Reduction when Toughness is above 75%
  • Nodes: +40 Toughness
• Damage
  • Focus Target: 32% (8x +4%) Damage
  • Redirect Fire: +12% (8x 1.5%) Damage
  • Bring it Down: +20% Damage to Ogryn/Monstrosities
  • Superiority Complex: +15% BASE Damage to Elites
  • For the Emperor: +10% BASE Damage
    • tip: BASE damage is the best multiplier because it is multiplicative to all other damage multipliers; In other words your final damage will be calculated like this
      (Base Weapon damage) X (Base Damage Modifiers) X (All other Damage Modifiers)
  • Precision Strikes: +30% Weakspot (works with melee weapons too, that's why it's good)
  • Longshot: Up to +20% Ranged Damage based on distance from target
  • Nodes: +10% Ranged Damage
• Utility
  • Tactical Awareness: Combat Ability CD reduced by 6s on Special kill
  • Volley Adept: +30% Reload Speed on Elite Kill

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Alternative Talent Picks:

1. Field Improvisation
   - Ammo Crates provide Grenades
   - Health Packs heal Corruption
   - Health Packs replenish Toughness
2. Born Leader
   - Share 15% of the Toughness you generate with your Team-mates in Coherency 
3. Grenadier
   - Equip 4 Frag Grenades instead of 3
4. Close Order Drill
   - 33% Toughness Damage Reduction
5. Confirmed Kill
   - Total of +30% toughness regen on Elite/Special kill

What you can sacrifice (to pick the above)

• Target Down: +5% Toughness & Stamina when a marked enemy is killed
• Twinned Blast: 20% Chance to throw double grenades while only consuming one
• Determined: Immune to Suppression Fire
• Precision Strikes: +30% Weakspot Damage

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Ranged Weapon:

• Boltgun Mk IIb
  • Perks: Unyielding + Carapace
  • Blessings: 
    • Pinning Fire: +25% Power on Staggered Enemies
    • Shattering Impact: +20% Brittleness (Armor Penetration) per hit
    • Alternatives:
      • Pinning Fire + Cavalcade // I would use that
        - Not recommended because you are trying to reserve Ammo by using ADS
        - Cavalcade promotes non-ADS usage and therefore will be Ammo hungry
        - Cavalcade will fair better against groups of elites but you have Grenades for that.
        - Cavalcade might fair better against bosses (more testing needed)
      • Pinning Fire + Surgical // I would NOT use that
        - Better at ADS killing than Shattering Impact
        - Worse against Bosses and Crushers than Shattering Impact
        - Marked Elites should get 1-tapped with or without Surgical so it's kind of an overkill for ADS shots.
  • Dump Stat: Mobility
  • Tips:
    1. ADS: After each shot let the weapon relax.
    2. ADS: Don't dodge while shooting with ADS.
    3. Non ADS: Tap your shots (you should be spending 3 ammo per tap)

Melee Weapon:
Literally ANY melee weapon that can deal with hordes and kill specials fast if you have to

• Power Sword Mk IV
  • Perks: Flak + Maniac
  • Blessings: 
    • Rampage: +36% damage if attacking 3+ enemies
    • Power Cycle: +2 Energized hits
  • Dump Stat: Defense
• Alternative Picks:
  • Chainsword IV
  • Chainsword XIIIg
  • Shovel III
  • Shovel VII
  • Shovel Sapper

Curios:

• Blessings:
  • 3x (+HP%)
• Perks: 
  (for all 3x Curios)
  • +12% Stamina Regen
  • Anything you need the most. Personal favorites:
    • Combat Ability Regeneration (reduction)
    • Toughness %
    • Health %

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Author Notes:

If you made it this far, thank you for reading my guide.

I really hope it was helpful.

If you want to find more guides from me search for "guide by Yobi"

If you want me to continue writing and updating these guides consider Upvoting!