Zealot - Combat Knife (Auric Maelstrom Ready) (Post UnL update Meta Build)
 Zealot Build - Warhammer 40k: Darktide 

Link to the original video and build by @Scrungo, please support his channel too!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0o92T0mp7x0

Zealot Meta Build with Combat Knife (Post Lock and Loaded Update)
note I mostly play public Auric Maelstrom games, so I can't say how good this holds up against Solo Auric Maelstrom Missions.
 

Clear mixed hordes with ease, as you literally become a human lawnmower, and you get to deal a decent amount of damage to bosses. You will also dodge bullets (and melee attacks) to gain toughness, and gain toughness with inspiring barrage in tight situations, snipe specials with your throwing knife, run with haste to revive or respawn your teammates if you plan your path correctly!

Key Difference from most meta builds:

- Removal of Keystone Modifier Righteous Warrior

- Removal of 10% Health

+ Added Melee Damage Boost (+5% damage always)
+ Sustained Assault (+20% damage after hitting enemies 5 times (stack) using melee weopon)

This was the part of the build I contemplated the most.

Want to highlight that 10% crit chance from Righteous Warrior would not be worth compared to +5% melee damage (which is always 100% chance if you think about it) as well as Sustained Assault (4% on hitting enemies with melee attack, stacking up to 5 times = +20% damage). Also didn't choose Desperation (+20% melee damage when all stamina is used up) as Combat Mk VI Knife Benefit does not really benefit from the push attack sequence, as well as making you vulnerable when you run out of Stamina. Even with Combat Mk III Knife it is very situational, maybe useful for boss fights but not comparable to constant 5% damage and easily up to +25% melee damage.

Personally I prefer Combat MK VI Knife as it is better at mixed hordes, with good horizontal attack pattern. Playing with Mk III for most of my gameplays, I feel that MK VI is much more useful (providing good mobility, dodge with good horde clear). Although Single Target Damage is reduced, my priority is staying alive and to get the team back up when suitable to revive. You can actually utilise special attack (which is the silly punch) followed by a light attack to quickly initiate Heavy Attack which is more effective against single target (e.g. boss, Crushers). Or you can mixed in with push (i.e. hold right click, hold left click) attack occasionally to get more single target attack.

Blades of Faith is really something that I can always rely on when there are specials, or even the occasional sniping of snipers (have to admit my aim is bad, but if you are pro you can easily take advantage of that).

Best picks for secondary weopon (at present)

1) Zarona Revolver with Handcannon + Surgical (up to 100% crit chance)
Sniping Specials and Elites (penetrate through thick crowds)
I'd prefer this than Spearhead Boltgun cause it provides "better mobility", more fitting with the "pace" of the build. But again any weapon you are comfortable with should do :)

2) Spearhead Boltgun with

a) For Bosses
Puncture + Shattering Impact

b) For Mixed Horde / Carapace e.g. Crushers
Pinning Fire + Fire Frenzy/Puncture

Alternate Secondary Weapon

I the past, I used Autopistol mainly for inspiring barrage, but I find it much more stable than the Braced Autogun, and it can be used quickly in order to provide Toughness. But once you are more comfortable using your ability and dodge to regain toughness, you should definitely consider Zarona Revolver, Botgun, or even the Infantry Autogun (though I haven't used it before cause I haven't got the mastery for it XD, but I saw some videos which make it seems quite good!)
 

Main thing about staying alive would be to avoid being trapped by specials (e.g. trapper, dogs) mostly with a good timed doge or push, and maintain your toughness with Fury of Faithful or Inspiring Barrage. If all fails, when Until Death is activated get as much melee damage to close enemies or ranged damage if further from enemies (no need to kill them necessarily) and return back to your team, in which you will need to wait 2 mins before you are safe again. And please stick with your team and don't wonder off, you are not invulnerable, just able to deal a whole lot of damage to support your team!

Don't worry too much about curios you should pick what suits you best (so you don't have to follow exact). You can either pick for more health, more toughness, more stamina (if you find it hard to manage your stamina) and see which works for you! The essential ones you should bring is Gunner Resistance (hence in all my 3 slots)
 

An example gameplay of this build can be seen below (sorry for the cheese exit and entry again but had to keep the team alive!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJmljvJETtE
 

Also uploaded a more recent one below :)