Just BLOCK (Shield Build)
 Arbites Build - Warhammer 40k: Darktide 

Scope: 

This is a fun and viable build. I feel like I can't die when playing it. It leans into the shield and block aspect of play (which is uncommon). The range weapon option is your choice! It's certainly not min-maxed yet for the sweaty try-hard standards. (you most likely have way to much stamina and can tailor is back some as you see fit, you might also feel a little low in dmg)

General Guidance to play:

Essentially, everything triggers and revolves around blocks, block/pushes, and staggering. Get to the front line, get to the mob, and face tank anything. Get in the phone booth with them! Narrow, crowded areas are your friend. Get in train cars, narrow hallways, and door frames, staircases, night maps ect. You want to be where the mixed mob is at all times. Fear nothing, the Emperor wills it, you are the LEX! Go to the rager mob, go to the maulers mob, go to the crushers mob, BLOCK THEM and your set. Ideally, you want them in front of you, having your back against a wall is normally a death sentence, but I find with all the staggering, stragglers will get behind you a little and so having a back wall can actually be helpful with a shield and max stamina. 

Key aspects to understand when playing:

Perfect blocking- A perfect block is a blocking action that is executed within 0.3s before an incoming attack hits.

Your shield blessing(lightening reflexes) means a perfect block = stun that enemy & 20%str 3s. The enemy stunning is HUGE. This is why you can just face tank anything with no fear. Block often, block early, and try to perfect block. Understand what you can get out of that mechanic. And remember you have tons of block efficiency, stamina, and stamina regen, so you can just keep doing it. Block, block/push attack, reset.  

Shield Special attack- The weapon’s special recharges through blocking or time, using it disables enemies(counts as stagger) and the stagger counts to proc things in this build.

General Combat loops/game play flows:

Flow 1--

Block (Perfect block if possible), then Push attack , then Heavily attack 1 to hit 3 targets,  then go ham on light attacks with insane 30-40% attack speed. (Most things are staggered at this point. Shield push alone, staggers and knocks down chaff).  The horizontal sweeping attack from the push attack can also hit 3 enemies. Your shield heavy 1 is also a horizontal sweeping attack that can hit 3 easily. 

Flow 2--

Use shield special attack or your ability special, (this gives you a window of time from things getting knocked down), then heavy attack 1 to hit 3 enemies, then push someone, and now go ham with insane 30-40% attack speed & cleave while everything is staggered. 

Flow 3--

Getting chipped down, lost toughness. Use ability special on as many specialist/elites/enemies as possible, instantly get that toughness back up.

 Flow 4--

Use ranged weapon to hit something and proc movement speed, use ability special and movement speed to close the gaps and/or RUN AWAY.  Blocking shooters will generate toughness if you get stuck in no mans land with a shield.  On this build I widely regard the ranged weapon choice as a means to mobility and movement tech. (sprinting with a shield option is slow and stamina draining) So the shield pistol is slow, but you can just block. The revolver is fast, and helps pick off backline specialists, but reload sucks. The columnus is pretty fast, and all rounder. I rotate between those three mainly, BUT, the shoguns are sweet too. It's dealers choice really. Pick what feels good as you impose the LEX! 

Remember, you have SO much stamina, you can sprint for DAYS, between talents 'Rapid Movement' or 'March', you can REALLY get around with some movement tech if you want to. Just shoot something and GTFO!

Flow 5--

Get caught out by gunners or shooters. Quickly swap to shield and block. (Hopefully survive to safety,  while your stamina drains and also proc some toughness regen).

Understanding mechanics:

These are the actions that you need to focus on doing to trigger things from your talent tree:

Block = 15% toughness 3s regen

Block = regenerate shield special

Perfect block = 10%attackspeed & 15%dmg 8s

Perfect block = 10% instant toughness regen

3 hits 1swing = 10%attack speed 3sec

3 hits 1swing = 20% TDR 5s (toughness dmg reduction)

1 stamina use(Push/sprint/block) = 15%toughness 3s  regen

Push = 75% cleave 5s

Lone wolf= 10% attack speed permanent

Block & stagger = builds forceful stacks

Forceful/target acquired = 10% attack speed & 50% cleave at 10 stacks. (Easily up all the time) 

+ tons of stagger bonus stuff and bonus damage and damage to staggered enemies.

Ability = Break The Line, stagger & gap closer & 20-100% instant toughness regen

Shield special attack= AOE stagger 

Weapons:

Melee Weapon: Branx Mk VI Shock Maul and Suppression Shield

Shield blessings:

Slot 1 = Lightening Reflexes. perfect block = stun that enemy& 20%str 3s

Slot 2 = High Voltage or Counter Attack.   Look, your shield attacks apply electricity status, so High Voltage is just more damage all the time and it's probably better over all. (a min/max'r will probably prove that out).  BUT, the theme of this build is perfect block, and proc'ing Counter attack's attack speed FEELS GOOD. Massive attack speed buffs and stagger is fun and safe from a defensive aspect too.

Ranged Weapon: ??? Columnus

Whatever suits your fancy! Shield Pistol, revolver, or columnist infantry auto gun are my go to.   (...and sometimes the BOLTER because I'm feeling like a SPACE MARINE and this 40K yall! You can always solve your problems with a BOLTER) 

Columnus Auto Gun (or braced gun)- With this much stamina,  making use of the Stripped Down blessing is awesome. You can just run through shooters, snipers, and gunners, get to them, and then switch weapons (you can just switch weapons and run away too). ITS AMAZING. 
 

Alternatives:

Curios wise: Start with max stamina choices and then dial it back with health or toughness choices as you see fit. 

Weapon perks wise: Start with max stamina choices and then dial it back with damage choices as you see fit.

Talent tree wise, I float 3 points to the movement tech options: Rapid Movement or March Talents.  You can also float choices on how much dmg you need between all the bottom right stuff: Emperors fists and Stike Down.    Weight of the lex- if you don't want to integrate heavies in your combat loops as much, then you could opt off it as well. 

CONS:

Staggering enemies arn't dead enemies, and so having to clean them up off the floor can feel annoying at times. If that starts to occur, play a different build! Time to get the Atrox Axe out.