290 réponses à ce sujet

[mosor]

The soldier doesn't need the reverent or the widow. I floored everything on a NG+ insanity run using nothing but the vindicator, the viper and the occasional shotgun. Using heightened adrenaline rush and inferno rounds (heavy disruptor for geth) I kill most low level enemies with 3-5 shots (depending on my aim). The widow is usually overkill so if you can kill within 5 shots with the viper, thats like 1 shot with the widow and you don't have to waste time reloading, thus making it more ammo effecient. Harbringer goes down quickly with the viper+inferno (during the AR) once the shields are down (Taking out harbringers barrier with the vindicator doesn't take long). By alternating between the viper and the vindicator I never ran out of ammo for either weapon. Made me wish I took the claymore during my first play through to take deal some massive damage against enemies that get into your face like the geth hunter or a krogan. Even without the claymore though, the viper will take out krogan armor within 4 quick shots during the AR and you can just have a squadmate pull him away, freeze him or concussive shot him down.

Modifié par mosor, 31 mars 2010 - 11:29 .

[Orkchop]

wow, another really useful guide. thanks!

[rumination888]

No class needs anything, but you're forced to pick one anyways.
I'd rather choose what gives me a different playstyle from the other classes.

[swk3000]

My personal build, just for the hell of it.



Heightened Adrenaline Rush

Squad Disruptor Ammo

Squad Incendiary Ammo

Commando

Tungsten Ammo



Vindicator Battle Rifle

Widow Anti-Material Rifle

Eviscerator Shotgun

Carnifex Hand Cannon

Arc Projector



This particular build is based around the Commando idea: using minimal resources to maximum effect. This means doing as much damage as possible with each shot, in hopes of achieving the 'One Shot, One Kill' ideal. Squad Ammo powers give your team better damage that is more suited to the mission at hand, while Tungsten Ammo is for your use.



And before anyone asks, this build is a slightly modified version of the one Average Gatsby included in his first post, but has been modified in the weapon section for the Surgical Soldier described by Imploding Goat in the previous page of this thread. I just threw them together into a single build.

[iamdoingthat]

Does anyone have videos of completing the tower defense segment of Horizon on insanity?  (The last section until the Praetorian, which is straightforward.)

I got past that section with the adept by using Singularity to stop the husks and freeze Harbinger while I dealt with the rest.
I got past that section with the engineer by using Drone to keep the Scions and Harbinger busy while I dealt with the rest.

But with the soldier I just can't deal enough damage quickly enough (since I don't have the lock-down abilties) to not get overrun by the husks or Harbinger.

Thanks.

[swk3000]

The Husks aren't really a problem. As long as you keep running, you can take them out. The problem is the Scions. However, you can actually take one out and nearly kill the other before ever triggering the Husks. The tool you need is the Sniper Rifle. Look to the sides of the section of wall that the console you need to hack is on and you can see the back of one of the Scions, and the arm-cannon of the other. Start on the back of the one and you can kill it, then switch to the other one and have it mostly dead by the time you run out of bullets. Then, just bee-line towards it and finish it off. That leaves the Husks, and they're not really difficult.



As for the rest of the area, it's just another fight. Get up on the catwalk to the left of the area as you enter, and you've got a pretty solid vantage point.



The Praetorian is somewhat difficult, but you said you've pretty much got that covered, so I won't bore you with information you don't need.

[iamdoingthat]

swk3000 wrote...

The Husks aren't really a problem. As long as you keep running, you can take them out. The problem is the Scions. However, you can actually take one out and nearly kill the other before ever triggering the Husks. The tool you need is the Sniper Rifle. Look to the sides of the section of wall that the console you need to hack is on and you can see the back of one of the Scions, and the arm-cannon of the other. Start on the back of the one and you can kill it, then switch to the other one and have it mostly dead by the time you run out of bullets. Then, just bee-line towards it and finish it off. That leaves the Husks, and they're not really difficult.

As for the rest of the area, it's just another fight. Get up on the catwalk to the left of the area as you enter, and you've got a pretty solid vantage point.

The Praetorian is somewhat difficult, but you said you've pretty much got that covered, so I won't bore you with information you don't need.

1.  I'd rather not kill the Scions that way, although I will admit it's pretty damn handy.  (I did it before with just Miranda's Warp, although it took a good long time.)

2.  "Just another fight" hah.  That's exactly my problem I guess, Harbinger gives me serious issues until I get the Revenant.  Maybe my aim is just awful, but throughout Horizon I have to get out of cover and lay into him to try to kill him before he gets too close (at which point I'm toast), meanwhile his pals shoot me to hell.  Even the post-mechanic fight took almost an hour for me to complete the first time through because I just can't kill him fast enough.  I was hoping that a video would show me some good cover spots, perhaps?  To be honest I was hoping for a complete run-through of Horizon starting with the first Harbinger encounter, but I didn't want to ask for too much.

3.  Praetorian is certainly difficult, but I killed it with an adept just running scared from cover to cover, so I assume the tactics will translate.

[swk3000]

With your squaddies taking on the Praetorian and it focusing on you, it's just a matter of waiting for your squaddies to kill it. So yes, the tactics will translate.



As for Harbinger, I've never had any problems. If you're having trouble, consider bringing Miranda. She's the only person who can get Warp at that point in the game, and Warp deals extra damage to both Barriers and Armor, which are quite common on Horizon. Grunt makes a nice complement, as well.

[Shep309]

The praetorian is pretty simple really. There's a truck to the left of where you enter that zone, I send squaddies to take cover on the far right side of those two "low square" type platforms to your right, and then make sure the praetorian locks on to me. At this point I play ring-around-the-rosie with it and the truck. There is enough cover on/by the truck that you can dart between cover spots while the praetorian wastes it's "eyes of death" on trying to hit you behind cover. Don't actually take cover, just move behind it, use squad abilites to attack the praetorian and pop out of cover after it's done shooting the eye beams at you and take some pot shots at it. Works like a charm every time without fail.

Scions and husks when you first enter the area can be a pain, tell the squad to follow and just keep running around the perimeter, when you hear them shoot their shockwave that's when I hit sprint just to make sure I'm clear. Turn around on the run, fire a cpl ****s at any following husks and continue to run (I use pistol here cause it does good damage and strip armor pretty nice). Rinse and repeat and sooner or later you'll have the place cleared.

Harbinger and his cronies aren't so bad either. Once again the truck is key. I put my squaddies in front of the truck (where the driver windshield is) there they are flanked on either side by some boxes and have sufficent cover. I'll help them dispatch the few husks that come along, then I'll run over to the right and take cover at those low square platforms again and start taking out harbigners helpers then kill him last. It may take a few attempts but you'll get it. When/if the reinforcements come and land behind you or next to your squaddies, tell them to follow you and run to the far side of the area, there's a low wall there you can put the squaddies, and then just inch back up and dispatch the harbinger posse 1 at a time.

In case it's not obvious, I'm a rather conservative player. I don't try and set speed runs and I have no problem taking my time with a mission, so.. hope some of this helps, or made sense for that matter Good luck!

[Average Gatsby]

 So I've got 3 new videos (thought I'd post them all at once) on the weapon choices for the soldier:

Suppressive Fire Soldier (Revenant)

Sniper Soldier (Widow)

CQC Soldier (Claymore)

I took hardened AR for the revenant and Heightened for Widow/Claymore.

[mosor]

Put some cryo ammo on for your assault rifle, or better yet, take squad cryo if you can. An assault rifle with cryo mows down husks like grass.

[implodinggoat]

iamdoingthat wrote...

Does anyone have videos of completing the tower defense segment of Horizon on insanity?  (The last section until the Praetorian, which is straightforward.)

I got past that section with the adept by using Singularity to stop the husks and freeze Harbinger while I dealt with the rest.
I got past that section with the engineer by using Drone to keep the Scions and Harbinger busy while I dealt with the rest.

But with the soldier I just can't deal enough damage quickly enough (since I don't have the lock-down abilties) to not get overrun by the husks or Harbinger.

Thanks.

Bring Miranda and Grunt with you if possible.  Miranda's warp is effective on collector and praetorian barriers and Grunt can instakill any husk (armored or not) that gets close to him when he charges (occassionally he even takes down multiple husks if he runs over more than one) , plus he has an assault rifle and his concussive blast will instantly kill any unarmored husk.

For Collectors.

Have your squad take cover on the raised platform (with the two stairs leading to them) on the far left side of the map and pick the collector's off with your sniper rifle and your assault rifle (take the weaker one's out first so that Harbringer can't possess them) and if Harbringer starts to get close focus everything on him before he gets on the platform, if he does whip out the Eviscerator and blow his face off.   Also keep an eye out for Harbringer's black colored biotic attack since it can knock you out of cover, when you see it move right or left behind your cover to avoid it.

(note, between waves of enemies make sure to grab some ammo from the center of the map.)

For Husks and Scions.

Stay on the raised platform and start by using your sniper rifle on the Scions so you can handle the husks more easily and order your squad to focus their fire on the closest husk.  If the husks start getting really close focus on them; but keep your eye on the scions so they don't hit you and leave you open for a husk beatdown.  Also keep in mind that concussive blast will instantly kill any husk once their armor is down.   Occassionaly husks will crawl up onto the backside of the platform you're camping out on, when they do get out of cover so you can sidestep their attacks and shoot them in the face with your shotgun (you might also consider having Grunt equip his shotgun so he can take care of them for you).

(note, between waves of enemies make sure to grab some ammo from the
center of the map.)

For Praetorian.

Leave the platform and get ready to run.  Set your squad up in the back of the space pickup truck in the near left hand corner of the map (on the end closer to where you entered) so they can continually peck away at the Praetorian's barriers.   Meanwhile you need to be running from one piece of cover to the next staying far enough away from your squad that the Praetorian can't unleash its close range attack on them; but still close enough that they can hit the Praetorian.   Peck away at its barriers and when they go down unload on it with the big guns (heavy weapons, squad powers, etc.) since the barriers will regenerate; but the armor won't.   Keep running and pecking at it and eventually it will drop.

Alternatively you can take the easier, cheaper and less fun method if the thing is really pissing you off.   Namely, circle around the comm tower at the center of the map.  The comm tower is the only piece of cover high enough that the Praetorian can't float over it so it will have to chase you around it, which makes it much easier to avoid its laser while staying out of range of its close range attack.

[sickblaze]

You nailed it Gatsby. The IFF mission is a defining moment in a soldier's career; the weapon choice you make on the collector ship is critical and will determine how you play the rest of the game.

I understand your reasoning for not choosing the Revenant for the remainder of your guide. It is a workhorse of a weapon, and thus having it in your arsenal will decrease your weapon swaps. It is unfortunate though that in your soldier guide, you wont be showcasing our (we the soldiers) unique weapon

P.S. I'll watch the rest of your guide anyway.

Modifié par sickblaze, 01 avril 2010 - 11:43 .

[Average Gatsby]

sickblaze wrote...

You nailed it Gatsby. The IFF mission is a defining moment in a soldier's career; the weapon choice you make on the collector ship is critical and will determine how you play the rest of the game.

I understand your reasoning for not choosing the Revenant for the remainder of your guide. It is a workhorse of a weapon, and thus having it in your arsenal will decrease your weapon swaps. It is unfortunate though that in your soldier guide, you wont be showcasing our (we the soldiers) unique weapon

P.S. I'll watch the rest of your guide anyway.

I actually will be using more rev, just claymore more often. I used gibbs and made 2 saves of my soldier so I could use both. Like I said, the rev is actually my preferred playstyle weapon, but it isn't really the commando weapon.

[d3c0yBoY]

 I'm about to start a NG+ with my 30 soldier and I'm inquiring what are some the the suggestions in builds considering the first leg of the game you have no upgrades. I'm starting out of with the Revenant and hold no reservations about putting anything in a bonus skill since I feel the soldiers skill set is solid. So far these are mandatory unless somebody has the numbers to convince me otherwise.

Hardened AR 4 (I've played both and this one just feels right and it turns out the other decreases Revs dps)
Commando 4 (Found out that the 15% boost effects ammo types but not sure how it stacks up against duration)
Inferno ammo 4 (Its not as strong as AP and i know a few will argue this, but I love the area CC it provides. Won't leave home without it)
Squad Disruptor ammo 4 ( Anti geth and CC by gun overheating)

Now here is where I'm really divided. What is the benefit in expending 10 points on Concussive Blast vs Squad Cryo ammo. Normally I would pick Cryo because of the freeze effect rubs me the right way and often neglect CS. But before I pick what I normally go for, is there a secret that CS has that compliments the sodier vs CA. I have noticed that a well placed CS allows for Jack to go shockwave crazy, but 10 points is alot for a stagger over a freeze. Thanks for your inputs.

Modifié par d3c0yBoY, 02 avril 2010 - 12:54 .

[implodinggoat]

Average Gatsby wrote...

I actually will be using more rev, just claymore more often. I used gibbs and made 2 saves of my soldier so I could use both. Like I said, the rev is actually my preferred playstyle weapon, but it isn't really the commando weapon.

Claymore?  Over the Widow or the Revenant?  Madness, utter madness. 

Personally, I think the superior range of the Eviscerator makes it a better shotgun for a soldier anyway.  I suppose if you specced your soldier to be really tough (Hardened Adrenaline Rush, Shock Trooper, Geth Shield Boost) and used the quick reload trick it could be pretty devestating.   Personally though if I want to use the Claymore and bash people's heads in with melee hits, I'd prefer to play as a Vanguard.

PS:  I disagree with your appraisal that the Collector Rifle is the best compliment  to the Widow.   Since my preffered playstyle is as a Soldier with the Widow, I can honestly say that I find my personal favorite gun the Vindicator to be more effective.  Granted using the Widow and Vindicator does mean that ammo will become an issue; but so long as you bust out the shotgun when appropriate, you'll rarely run out and if you do you'll still have the Carnifex in your back pocket.   The upside though is that the Widow and the Vindicator both benefit immensly from Heightened Adrenaline Rush and Commando specializations (and the +10% headshot visor) since they both deal a lot of damage in few shots and they both suck up ammo and hence need to make every bullet count.  When I'm throwing down headshots with my Vindicator I can do nearly as much damage per second as a Revenant at close range; but I can do it at medium range (which is better since I don't want to get too close if I specialize with the Widow).    The Commando specializes in doing as much damage in as few shots as possible and no assault rifle does that better than the Vindicator.  

FYI:  I detailed this build pretty thoroughly back on page 5 if you're interested.  You might find yourself liking the Widow + Vindicator build I proposed since the extreme ammo limitations also forces you to use all your weapons in the same manner that your Claymore wielding soldier has to.


Aside from that I appreciated the advice on compensating for the Revenant's recoil lift.  As I said,  I love the Vindicator so dealing with recoil is somewhat of an alien concept to me.  This time I'm playing through with a soldier focused on using the Revenant (I actually picked it over the Widow the on my first play through the game and regretted it since I ended up using the Vindicator due to my innate bias towards accurate weapons), so I'm having to retrain myself to be more aggressive, compensate for recoil and stop worrying about ammo so damned much.  Hence I found your video very helpful and I have to admit I am having a ****load of fun mowing guys down with the Revenant.  I still prefer my surgical accuracy focused style of play; but going the shocktrooper route is pretty damn satisfying too.

Modifié par implodinggoat, 02 avril 2010 - 02:26 .

[implodinggoat]

d3c0yBoY wrote...

 I'm about to start a NG+ with my 30 soldier and I'm inquiring what are some the the suggestions in builds considering the first leg of the game you have no upgrades. I'm starting out of with the Revenant and hold no reservations about putting anything in a bonus skill since I feel the soldiers skill set is solid. So far these are mandatory unless somebody has the numbers to convince me otherwise.

Hardened AR 4 (I've played both and this one just feels right and it turns out the other decreases Revs dps)
Commando 4 (Found out that the 15% boost effects ammo types but not sure how it stacks up against duration)
Inferno ammo 4 (Its not as strong as AP and i know a few will argue this, but I love the area CC it provides. Won't leave home without it)
Squad Disruptor ammo 4 ( Anti geth and CC by gun overheating)

Now here is where I'm really divided. What is the benefit in expending 10 points on Concussive Blast vs Squad Cryo ammo. Normally I would pick Cryo because of the freeze effect rubs me the right way and often neglect CS. But before I pick what I normally go for, is there a secret that CS has that compliments the sodier vs CA. I have noticed that a well placed CS allows for Jack to go shockwave crazy, but 10 points is alot for a stagger over a freeze. Thanks for your inputs.

RE:  Bonus Power.

I'd take Warp Ammo before I'd take Inferno since it's your best choice against collectors, praetorians and biotics.  I like that since it lets me use squad incendiary so that my squad always has an ammo that's effective against any enemy (incendiary still panics enemies with barriers like collectors and biotics once you drop their barriers).  Alternatively Geth Shield Boost is good for improving your toughness and weapon damage if you prefer charging in guns blazing. 

RE:  Commando Vs. Shocktrooper.

If you're using the Revenant Shocktrooper is a better specialization since it lets you take more damage and increases the time that adrenaline rush lasts (including its +100% weapon damage bonus).   Hardened Adrenaline Rush also compliments your improved toughness and combined with Shocktrooper its easier to get in close and unload with your Revenant.   If you want more details I made a post about Commando Vs. Shocktrooper builds on the last page.


RE: Concussive Vs. Cryo.

I'd spend the 10 points on a bonus power, before I took concussive shot or squad cryo.  I'd take concussive shot over squad cryo though since it's your best crowd control option as a soldier.  Cryo is good at incapacitating unprotected enemies too; but if you equip it that means you can't take advantage of Inferno, Disruptor, or my personal favorite Warp ammo while its active.

[implodinggoat]

Quick question for any committed Revenant users out there. What do you think is the best bonus power for a Revenant wielding soldier? Keep in mind I am philosophically opposed to having a non biotic Shepard take any biotic power.



I generally take Warp Ammo due to its versatility and since it allows me to evolve squad incendiary for my team. But with the Revenant, I'm going to be out in the open and taking more damage, so I'm wondering if I wouldn't be better off taking a defensive ability like Geth Shield Boost instead?

[TheBellTolls4Me]

implodinggoat wrote...

Quick question for any committed Revenant users out there. What do you think is the best bonus power for a Revenant wielding soldier? Keep in mind I am philosophically opposed to having a non biotic Shepard take any biotic power.

I generally take Warp Ammo due to its versatility and since it allows me to evolve squad incendiary for my team. But with the Revenant, I'm going to be out in the open and taking more damage, so I'm wondering if I wouldn't be better off taking a defensive ability like Geth Shield Boost instead?

Just asking - why is roleplaying a soldier that can use tech (which GSB is) any more valid than a soldier that can use biotics? Anyway, I'd say "don't use one," or use Energy drain. Energy drain's is heavily underappreciated, and since the soldier doesn't cast very often at all, it's useful. Plus it strips defenses, which allows Squad Cryo to be more useful on insanity.

[implodinggoat]

TheBellTolls4Me wrote...

Just asking - why is roleplaying a soldier that can use tech (which GSB is) any more valid than a soldier that can use biotics? Anyway, I'd say "don't use one," or use Energy drain. Energy drain's is heavily underappreciated, and since the soldier doesn't cast very often at all, it's useful. Plus it strips defenses, which allows Squad Cryo to be more useful on insanity.

Tech is something you can learn, biotics aren't you're either born a biotic or your not.  My favorite ability for a soldier, warp ammo is technically a biotic power (something to do with focusing biotic energy into the rounds); but since it's also an ammo power I can rationalize it on my own by simply ignoring the in game description in a way that I couldn't for Slam or Reave or to a lesser extent Dominate.

I'm definitely considering Energy drain more now since I tested out the defensive abilites and I really hate the way all of them make me glow like a damned christmas tree.   I am very fond of warp ammo; but I've used it so much that I'm thinking about mixing things up and giving inferno ammo a try.  At this point if I pass on Warp Ammo, my top canidates would probably be...

#1:  Dominate:  Because it is pretty fun even if I do have to rationalize how my soldier could possibly use it.
(Update:  Trying it out and it's fun; but ridiculously powerful when combined with the Viper.)
#2:  Energy Drain:  For the boost to my shields and for the anti shield/synthetic damage.
#3:  Inferno Grenade:  Not that powerful; but it's cool and it definitely seems appropriate for a soldier.

Modifié par implodinggoat, 02 avril 2010 - 03:12 .

[mosor]

TheBellTolls4Me wrote...

Tech is something you can learn, biotics aren't you're either born a biotic or your not.  My favorite ability for a soldier, warp ammo is technically a biotic power (something to do with focusing biotic energy into the rounds); but since it's also an ammo power I can rationalize it on my own by simply ignoring the in game description in a way that I couldn't for Slam or Reave or to a lesser extent Dominate.

I'm definitely considering Energy drain more now since I tested out the defensive abilites and I really hate the way all of them make me glow like a damned christmas tree.   I am very fond of warp ammo; but I've used it so much that I'm thinking about mixing things up and giving inferno ammo a try.  At this point if I pass on Warp Ammo, my top canidates would probably be...

#1:  Dominate:  Because it is pretty fun even if I do have to rationalize how my soldier could possibly use it.
#2:  Energy Drain:  For the boost to my shields and for the anti shield/synthetic damage.
#3:  Inferno Grenade:  Not that powerful; but it's cool and it definitely seems appropriate for a soldier.


-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You won't regret trading warp ammo for inferno. You'll think why did I bother with that to begin with. Energy drain is a pretty kick ass skill for most missions because it can be used for offence and defence at the same time. As for not taking biotics, whose to say a Sheppard soldier wasn't born with biotic potential that was just never developed? To be honest though, a soldier doesn't need a bonus power. They're pretty over powered as they are. If I use them at all, it's just to change things up out of boredom.

Modifié par mosor, 02 avril 2010 - 03:17 .

[Average Gatsby]

implodinggoat wrote...

Average Gatsby wrote...

I actually will be using more rev, just claymore more often. I used gibbs and made 2 saves of my soldier so I could use both. Like I said, the rev is actually my preferred playstyle weapon, but it isn't really the commando weapon.

Claymore?  Over the Widow or the Revenant?  Madness, utter madness. 

Personally, I think the superior range of the Eviscerator makes it a better shotgun for a soldier anyway.  I suppose if you specced your soldier to be really tough (Hardened Adrenaline Rush, Shock Trooper, Geth Shield Boost) and used the quick reload trick it could be pretty devestating.   Personally though if I want to use the Claymore and bash people's heads in with melee hits, I'd prefer to play as a Vanguard.......

A couple notes on the shotguns. I used to think that the Evi was the best choice for the soldier, and I thought it would actually be superior to the claymore during actual play, but I found that wasn't the case. The evi is strong, but it doesn't have the all enemy 1 shot killing power like the claymore. What I mean by that is that when the claymore hits an medium/heavy enemy, like a blue suns legionairre or commando, or collector guardian or assassin, the claymore can one shot them with the proper ammo type or near one shot them, to the point where a single melee hit will kill them off. The Evi will get fairly close, but you'll have to use 2-3 melee hits to finish them off, which is too long when you have to deal with the low fire rate. The close spread is actually somewhat of a disadvantage at close range because you have to make your shots more accurate to be effective. The claymore has more killing force and is a bit more forgiving on the accuracy front.

Both shotguns actually have good range. The per bullet damage of the claymore is so high that it makes up for its larger spread.

If you decide not to take the claymore, i think the best shotgun is actually the Scimitar coupled with Inferno Ammo. Since basically every scimitar shot will cause the Inferno explosion, you can repeatedly cc a group of enemies while laying into them with shotgun blasts. I think the claymore still is better because of its raw killing power, but if one doesn't want to take the claymore then the scimitar seems like the best choice. I'm going to have a shotgun comparison video soon.

[implodinggoat]

a08m08 wrote...

I think the Commando soldier as defined in the OP is all about using the right weapon for the right situation. In that regard your build, though it may be fun and effective, doesn't really fit that bill. 3 of your 4 total weapons are used for mid to long range so you're though you might be switching to all of your weapons because of ammo issues you're performing the same basic role which is that of a sniper. The commando, as per my understanding, doesn't need to use every weapon in every level, just the one that best fits the situation. Because of this the Claymore actually fits the commando style better than the others because it can't adopt a role for you. The revenant essentially renders your shotgun obsolete and the intrinsic playstyle shift of picking up the widow means you will rarely be close enough to use the shotgun. The claymore requires more weapon versatility and battlefield movement because you will still have the "snipe from a distance, assault rifle from mid, shotgun when close" attack plan and your movement will be a steady advance so you can get those Claymore one-shots

Personally I enjoy the challenge of having to use all my weapons in most missions.  I also think you don't really understand the power of the Vindicator if you think it's just a secondary sniper rifle.  Since the Vindicator lacks a scope it allows you to rapidly switch between targets in a manner than no sniper rifle (including the Viper) can match and when you pulse the trigger you can lay down damage far faster than the Viper

RE:  A More Balanced Build

Claymore Commando
To use the Claymore to full effect you need to be at very close range.  The Claymore Commando (with heightened Adrenaline Rush) is if anything the least balanced soldier build since it strongly encourages an extremely aggressive style.  A Claymore wielding Commando can be devestating; but to use it to it's full potential you need to constantly advance on your enemy.  Granted you can use your other weapons to deal with enemies at medium or long range; but this is true of any soldier build.  If you're not adapting your tactics to fit your weapon then you're Soldier isn't living up to his/her potential.  

On a side note, if I were playing as a Claymore Commando, I'd still take the Vindicator to go along side it since heightened adrenaline rush and commando compliment the Vindicator's extreme accuracy and mitigate it's limited ammo (the Collector Rifle, Geth Pulse Rifle or Avenger make the build more balanced; but they can't touch the raw power of the Vindicator).  This would leave you without a fully automatic weapon; but if your enemies are close enough that the Vindicator isn't effective shouldn't you be charging at them with the Claymore anyway?  

Revenant Shocktrooper
The Revenant Shocktrooper (with hardened adrenaline rush) is probably the most balanced of the highly specialized builds since it encourages agression; but not to the extreme that the Claymore Commando does.  Furthermore a Revenant Shock Trooper can actually be quite effective with a less agressive style as well since the Viper can deal with anything at long or medium/long range and is still fairly effective at medium range, so that by the time the Viper ceases to be effective you only need to advance slightly to fully exploit the Revenant.  Its more balanced; but it's also less varied since you'll be rarely find occasion to use anything other than the Revenant or the Viper.

Widow Commando (My Build)

My build encourages a more ranged strategy since it renders you incredibly lethal at long and medium range.  Contrary to your analysis my build equips you with an extremely
effective weapon for any range.  The Widow is the ultimate weapon at
long range, the Vindicator is the ultimate weapon at medium range, and
the Eviscerator is damned lethal at close range.   Granted once your
enemies start to get close the Vindicator becomes less effective; but if
you're using the Vindicator to its full potential enemies rarely get
close (aside from Husks) and if they get close enough that the
Vindicator becomes ineffective then they are entering the effective
range of the Eviscerator (or my favorite heavy weapon, the Firestorm). 
The greater accuracy of the Eviscerator also benefits from the extreme
slowdown of Heightened Adrenaline Rush since it makes scoring a headshot
with the Eviscerator rather simple.

Unlike the other builds I mentioned my build doesn't just allow you to use the best weapon for the best situation, it demands it.  Due to the extreme ammo consumption of the Widow and Vindicator you can't waste ammo trying to force a weapon to operate contrary to its strengths.   This is a weakness of the build; but I also think it makes it more fun since it makes me think about what weapon I need to use and if I start to run out of ammo it forces me to adapt (No Vindicator ammo?  Charge with the Eviscerator.  Enemies too far off for the Eviscerator? Bust out the Hand Cannon, etc.).  The build's biggest weakness is it's lack of a fully automatic weapon (pisses me off that I can't equip an SMG); but since spray and pray is mainly used against charging swarms you can compensate for this weakness very effectively by equiping the Firestorm which can burn down numerous Husks, Varren and FENRIS mechs with ease.

Equipping the Collector Rifle, Geth Pulse Rifle or Avenger in place of the Vindicator would eliminate the build's only weaknesses (limited ammo, and lack of a fully automatic) and make it an even more balance build than the Revenant Shocktrooper; but it wouldn't be as lethal or as fun.   I do wish I could equip a Tempest SMG (high ammo reserve and fully automatic) in place of my Carnifex Pistol though cause that would both eliminate my build's only weaknesses and add even more variety since the Tempest is radically different from any of my preffered weapons, while the Carnifex is essentially just a poor man's Vindicator.

[rt604]

Kaorunandrak wrote...

rt604 wrote...
Can you clarify on sustain fire without SPing?  What is SPing,  I have become pretty good with the Revenant but until I get the accuracy upgrade I'm ok with the weapon up close or mid-range, if it gets to far mid range like in horizon i resort to the Hand Cannon.  Like I'm on the scaffolding on the side where the beacon is located; the last part, the side with a med kit on it.  I can hit Collectors within the first line of cover closest to that side but anything farther becomes just a waste of ammo for me, so I went to pistol, but once I get the accuracy boost my effective distance probably doubles.  Also, when you say Evis, do you mean eviscerator?  Thanks.

Sorry I forget that I make up alot of acronyms and such when I type trying to condense the book reports I type up constantly. Sping in Kaoru speak >;p means Spraying and Praying. And yes when I say Evis I do mean the eviscerator. If you check my build/guide either in my sig or in AG's OP then you can see my load out I take on missions, no matter the difficulty, and I use every single one of them.  I admit freely that I find myself to be a 75% Revanant + Viper soldier for most of the mishes but there is always a time for the shotty. The handcannon Eviscerator combo for me is a must on certain mishes. If your fighting husk or dogs or even any enemy that swarms on you you bet that those guns pop out of my pack I fire AR and plant a round or two in there face along with an elbow for good measure. 

The greatest tip I think for any soldier is remember to do the "Double Tap"

If you dont get that quote watch Zombieland 

Thanks for the tips.  I've been dying quite a bit on insanity, but haven't gotten stuck in a tough place, most of the time I was just a little careless and got knocked out of my cover, or I was too impatient, rushed in without thinking things through and got caught.  Had a couple of close calls too, Grunt's heavy concussive shot, saved my ass on numerous occasions when I was about to bite the bullet.