1-4 Bleed Stacks on non-Weak Spot Hits.
5-8 Bleed Stacks on Critical Hit.
14-20% Ranged Critical Chance after Melee Kill for 3.5 seconds.
70-100% Critical Weak Spot Damage.
First and foremost:
The Bolt Pistol, is it some sleeper pick? Probably not. What it is though is very potent. A fast reload, massive damage, good AP, and clean sights. All this together means you can quickdraw this thing faster than the revolver, and put important opponents down in less shots. What is this means, is that you have something Zealot sometimes can lack. Coverage and range. The Zarona was really the only viable option for most of the games life cycle for this type of build. Our perks and blessings only reinforce the BPs role in the flow of gameplay. With Maniac and Flak damage buffs, devastating Elites and Specials (excluding dogs) in two shots max. Point Blank and Deadly Accurate compliment each other as well, as crit chance is needed to have Deadly Accurate proc. Which also only makes the weapon more potent at killing its preferred targets.
Okay, but what about the mellee?
Excellent question internet user! We're using the MK III blade instead of the VI for the combos it has. Light attacks come out with wide sweeps at very quick speeds, the block attack comes out at a great angle, and not only that, but the heavy attacks hit surprisingly hard. This thing is your Swiss Army Knife (Pun intended). Hordes of Groaners and Pox Walkers knocking at your rear end? Turn and just sweep them out with light attacks. A shotguner turned the corner and you don't have time to pull your pistol? Stab him in the head. Perks are the same as the BP just to make things easier to play around. Carapace is also an option instead of flak, but that is for niche cases we will get to later. We take both Lacerate and Flesh Tearer to enhance our DoT for both heavies and light enemies. It only takes two swipes and a second of bleed to gib an entire line of poxwalkers. And it only takes a few heavies to knock even a Crusher out of the game.
This perk tree looks like a mess! Why no Loner?
I am a firm believe in the co-op part of this co-op shooter. Loner encourages an unhealthy playstyle unless you're in a last man standing scenario. Which, if you as a Stealot is last man, something has gone horribly wrong. We take Benediction for toughness DR. Which is needed for high level play. You are a vanguard, but you should still be with your team. A buffed up shroudfield is there for taking out Ogyrns and Maulers. Pop invis, stab them in the back a few times, and they die. You can also use it to rezz downed strike team members, it's really a general use "get off me" as well, don't be afraid to use it as you have so much crit chance that Invocation of Death will get it back for you in no time at all. Knives are a proxy pick because we're spending a lot of points on crossing trees. However, don't be afraid to use them. They're quiet and instantly kill most Specialists and Elites if you hit the head. Ragers particularly dislike the knives due to having no ranged options. You hit them in their big head before they even touch you. Faithful Frenzy is our 30th perk, but it really isn't needed to be Faithful Frenzy, it helps with horde clear with your knife. You can pick whatever else on the tree you think would be better for you. Disdain and Sustained Assault are other good picks.
In conclusion:
This build is for an aggressive player that wants to remove threats before they can harm your team. And you do it quickly and effciently. I didn't touch on Curios because it's different strokes for different folks. I take two toughness and one health with gunner and sniper resisence because they're the ones I have trouble with. It's entirely up to you on what you take. Ave Imperitor, reject. Go now and spread the Emperor's light to these heretics!
