Variable Speed Blender/Soup Maker
 Skitarii Build - Warhammer 40k: Darktide 

**Preface:

Not a meta build, in fact, specifically designed as such. There are definitely ways you could crank the damage and survivability of you and your squad using the Arc Maul/Arc Rifle, but I honestly found them a little too easy-cheesy, though I can appreciate the power of Arc builds. Likewise chordclaw,  sure it can kill everything no problem, but I prefer boss fights to be fights, not executions.

**

This build is designed to be Offensively Defensive, and Defensively Offensive, and it is built to be adaptable. It can be fast or precise or hard hitting . Most importantly however, you have multiple ways of dealing with each threat, be it hordes, mixed hordes and/or bosses. You are not reliant on a single tactic or resource for each scenario or enemy type. 

Melee:

I prefer the mk7 devils claw for its push attack -a fast pinpoint thrust- which, on a weakspot hit, is able to stagger up to Maulers with zero buffs, and with buffs it is able to stagger Crushers long enough for Skull Crusher to be applied. When you combine electrocution brittleness, phosphor debuffs and skullcrusher, an enemy is suddenly a big squishy pinata for the whole squad to enjoy.

Useful combos are:

▪︎ Light -> Heavy ->Light ->Light -> Heavy-> Light -> Light -> Heavy ...

Single Light attack to prime the combo, then heavy light light repeating. Useful against single targets or small groups of elites/specialists.

Alternatively 

▪︎ Push stab attack  -> Light ->Light -> Heavy -> Push attack ...

Used mostly for Maulers, Crushers, Bulwarks, Reapers when in melee. Effective against all elites and specialists. Push attack triggers Channeled Motive Force and allows Skullcrusher application. For a group of crushers for example, this combo can be repeated or after each combo cycle dodge away and finish the target with the pistol, then re-engage melee and repeat as needed. 

▪︎ Heavy -> Light -> Repeating (Block push as needed)

Non Scab elite horde clear. It may stagger some elites but is best used for trash mob clearing. Generally effective against Dreg faction elites & specialists.

▪︎ Parry -> Parry -> Parry -> Parry -> Parry -> Parry....

If at full stacks of attack speed buffs this can be effective in short bursts when in mixed hordes with Ragers. *No guarantee you won't get clipped.* It does make Demonhosts a relaxing fight, avoid using it on Pack Master as his attacks apply stamina/dodge regen debuffs even if you block/parry. Pogryn, Burgle and Chaos Spawn are good fun here but be mindful of stamina, aggro and especially your footwork.

Ranged:

Phosphor Pistol is the one I settled on here. It is a great all-rounder with respectable damage into armor, applies DoT and hit mass debuffs. It is also quick on the draw with decent sprint speed. Reloading is often unnecessary, and in high intensity fights inefficient if not dangerous. Gunsmith will keep you topped up if you control the tempo of a fight.

Additional Tactics:

If you need to turn on "The Blender", Voltaic Motivator will give up to +20% attack speed, and if at 3 charges Voltaic Emitter will Electrocute anything you touch.

If you're out of charges in a horde and need some leverage, activating Integrated Refraction Emitter will Electrocute everything within 5m.

If you're out of shield charges, Voltaic Emitter will silence gunners within 30m. The gunners will object to this. 

Celerity Stims are very effective in melee and ranged combat. I most often use them in melee or boss fights.   

Weaknesses:

Being a premium model Blender, this unit finds tox gas particularly offensive.

Ammunition availability can become a problem. Either for you, or for everyone else if they are too slow.

Groups of Crushers/Maulers should not be parried unless you are supremely confident in your parry timing skills or the situation leaves you with little choice. 

I'm sure there are things I've forgotten to mention but this is enough to get the gist.

Enjoy.

- Crunchen-Binks-mk9