Leveling Melee Zealot
 Zealot Build - Warhammer 40k: Darktide 

DISCLAIMER: This is a beginner build by me for my personal friends learning the Zealot class and subsequently the game. While everyone can build their character however they want, and other weapons and talents are more effective, this build provides instant satisfaction with the tools and talents at hand for one not familar with Darktide. Once comfortable, feel free to tear apart the build and play how you want. THIS IS BY NO MEANS AN IDEAL ZEALOT BUILD FOR HIGH DIFFCULTY.

Build path: I would recommend building the most direct path to the bottom of the above build. Once you unlock Blazing Piety on the bottom left, I would take the upgrades for Fury of the Faithful then finish the build from the bottom up.

Rashad Mk III Combat Axe is a powerful melee tool for all enemies. Pushing, push attacking, and swinging for headshots are the strengths with the Brutal Momentum Blessing, which allows you to cleave more enemies per swing. When facing beefier foes, opt for repeated Heavy attacks until dead. Make sure to use your ability, Fury of the Faithful, to close gaps and get one really devastating hit in. 

Crucis Mk XI Combat Shotty is a good instant delete gun for anything intimidating coming your way. Be it Ragers, Mauler, or just a wave of armored Bruisers. It even does a number on the flesh of Ogryn enemies and always staggers them. The range is not terrible either, meaning both shots can take out most Gunners within a reasonable range. Since this build is typically rushing enemies, I figure a strong close ranged option was in order.      

Other weapons to try learning while here on Zealot: 

1. Munitorum Mk X Relic Blade; Blessings: Cranial Grounding + Rampage. This is the Zealot's gold standard melee weapon. It hits hard, it mobs extremely well, and it works for any build. There is discourse to not take Rampage and use Heatsink, but for learning the weapon, Rampage is fine. The weapon has a powered up mode that is activated with a special keybind (I believe it is R3 on controller). The empowered mode makes the weapon phenomenonal.

2. Zarona Mk IIa Quickdraw Stub Revolver; Blessing: Surgical + Hand cannon. This is your instant sniper weapon. Quick to swap into, easy to aim, easy to snipe. With these blessings, the longer you aim down sights, the stronger the shot, and the shot will have Rending (think of it like armor pierce for now). This should eliminate any Gunners and non-Carapce armored Elites with ease. Due to poor ammo, don't bother using it against trash mob enemies.

3. Kantrael Mk II or Mk X Laspistol; Blessings for Mk II: Infernus + Concentrated Fire; Blessings for Mk X: Ghost + Desperado. These two pistols are great all rounder guns any class that can get them. The Mk II Laspistol is more of a spammy, trigger happy gun. In comparison, lets call the Mk X more of a Laser magnum. Generally, the Mk II is great when you need to whip it out and just blindly shoot into Elites you can't reach. Just shoot, shoot, shoot, trying to hit their head. Eventually, the Blessings have them catch fire and they will burn to death. Easy. The Mk X is more refined. For when you need to counter-fire enemy shooters. The Blessings on this one will let you safely shoot at ranged enemies and take ZERO damage. Just skeet shooting. Not the best build for Zealot, but an option for a Zealot desiring mid-long range options. If you ever try a shoot Veteran build, give either of these a try.  

4. Artemia Mk III Purgation Flamer; Blessings: Blaze Away + Penetrating Flame. This is the end all, be all Zealot ranged option. A flamethrower. It slaps. Instant horde delete when you aim and spray. With these blessings, literally everything dies in one fuel tank (save for bosses). A great panic tool, oppressive damage, and it suppresses enemies. Literally does it all.... except kill Snipers and far off Gunners. Most Zealots ditch the grenades for Throwing Knives (Blades of Faith blitz) to make up for it. This is the ranged weapon to use, but I would not recommend you get cozy learning it first. Learn enemy AI and behavior first, then you may start learning to use it.  

There are many other viable and/or fun options for Zealot, such as the Combat Blade, Crusher Maul, Thunder Hammer, Chain Axe (my fave), Bolt pistol, etc. But these are the weapons I recommend getting used to first. Most of these weapons have a drawback in either lack of armor penetration, slow to swing, hard to master, so on.