Tox Commando
 Hive Scum Build - Warhammer 40k: Darktide 

General Description

This Hive Scum can kill anything in the room, slide like slippery lightning, survive tougher than many of his ghetto siblings, and keep the whole team buffed w toughness, damage, and cooldown. He or she is not only a stone cold killer, but the whole team will be glad to have the Cartel Special boosts at the very moments they are most needed.

Credit Where It Is Due

Many of us test-driving Scum have struggled to keep them alive. Thanks to YToober Reginald, this build was inspired by his tested foundation for much sturdier scum that keeps them strong through Auric. Since this build is close to his pattern for Havoc, I assume it will play well there also (but I don't Havoc much).

First Key: Deathless Dodging

The first key to this Scum's toughness is the magic dodge diamond near the top of the tree, beginning w Gang Tough and including Nimble , Tis but a Scratch , and Slippery Customer . We don't have the points to afford Regained Posture but consider it of less value, and wishing we could take Untouchable , but having no cheap and easy way to get it. It should be mentioned that there is a secret player in the Dodge Diamond coming from the bottom of the center line, Like the Wind , making the Scum's dodges the key to near invincibility as they were meant to be.

Second Key: Deadly Chops

The second key to reginald's deadly scum is the hefty package at the base of the center tree, but omitting the perks less useful for our chosen weapons. While reginald likes all 6 perks in the lower center diamond, we take the left half: Melee Damage Boost , Punching Above One's Weight , as mentioned earlier, Like the Wind , and the ever-helpful Hive City Brawler . We are omitting reginald faves Cheap Shots and Battering Strikes because this Scum's powerful weapons--showed in the psykanium--have little to offer either in stagger or cleave, and barely benefit from these when they are used.

Tox Killer

This Scum finds better living (and killing) from modern chemistry, by choosing the whole Stimm Supply package and most of the perks near Chemical Dependency. The Branx MKII Needle Pistol is deadly against everything, w 1 shot for lightweight goons, 2 shots for heavier goons, 3 for all ogryn enemies except Crushers, and four for them. Two mags, 12 shots, will melt monsters in short order, and if you have trouble keeping ammo, change your aura to Gunslinger Improved. 

Toughness Regen in the Stimm package depends on coherency, so we take Loose Formation , we add tox to the shivs with Coated Weaponry , and the benefit of reducing damage against the whole team by inflicting tox on toughies with Targeted Toxin is too good to miss. Extra Pouches and Sample Collector are nearly essential on most builds, increasing grenade pickups by a third and reducing time on all stimms. How do you keep 4 stacks of stimm up? Easy. Check the Tactical Tips below.

Stimm Package

Designing your Cartel Special is always a balancing act. This one is customized for near continuous use, benefit to the team, and strong bonuses to toughness (60%, -12% DR), strength bonus exceeding most strength perks (=12%), a dash of speed (only 4% but w +25% swap weapon), and splendid cooldown reduction (18%+). Could we go higher in anything? Sure. Your call. But that will always reduce frequency of availbility. 

Tactical Tips w the Tox Commando

1. Very important -- Stimm Supply built like this will come back on its own reduced cooldown, but will also come back when your personal stimm does. One interesting mechanic, using Stimm Supply consumes your stimm but using your stimm does NOT reset Stimm Supply . So use your stimms as often as possible, letting their timers run separately, and drop your Stimm Supply right at your front liners' feet when they're facing opposition. This kind of play will keep you stimmed almost all the time, and your team when they need it most. You'll be impressed how often a 53 second stim package is available.

When you use a stim and then drop Stimm Supply , you will have two stacks of Chemical Dependency . Do it again, you're at four. Even with a one-minute expiration on your stacks, you'll have little trouble staying at four all the time. That's constant toughness, DR, and +20% critical chance. 

2. The Improvised Mk I Shivs have been proven to be the fastest horde clearers of the Hive Scum's weapons, bar none (except Chem Grenade ). They will carve anything smaller than ogryn enemies and monsters quicly. One pro tip: when facing a crusher, throw two chem knives at it (using the shiv special attack), and then heavy stab. You will immediately get both thrown blades back.

3. The Branx MKII Needle Pistol is the infectious version of the needler, spreading its poison to nearby goons in proximity to one another. I've chosen this version because it can also help clear hordes. The Branx MkVI Needle Pistol is more efficient w ammo, killing larger creatures w one less needle but not being infectious like the Branx MKII Needle Pistol . I believe the help in horde clearing is the better option. 

4. Dodging -- dodge always! It is life to you. Darktide loves to attack you from behing when you're facing only two goons in front, and those 1-3 guys behind you can cut you to nothing in a hurry. So dodge, dodge, dodge... even when you feel you may not need it.

5. Play like Scum -- this is not an honorable Arbites, back row Veteran, furious front-line zealot or Ogryn. Play like a coward, Hide behind a post when you reload. Slide out of range when you start to get surrounded. Melt hordes w your Chem Grenade when you need to pick up a downed ally. 

Modifications

There are so many other perks that would be useful in this build. Please experiment as you choose but it will always cost you. Much of the talent top would be useful, including the reloads and Sticky Hands which would keep our Branx MKII Needle Pistol accuracy even tighter. As mentioned, I would love to add Untouchable to this build as well as the two stimm perks, Long Lasting and Blessed Stimms . On the bottom left, only The Sweet Spot , Ammo Jack and the famous Pickpocket are worth coveting because of the weapons on this scum. It's all a matter of trading perks for others you prefer.

But this version is a sturdy killer. I am not the most talented Darktider player, but if I can run Auric with this thing, most of you can too.