Is melee viable

[Zehm]

I started a run as the challenger class and was quite enjoying the mix-up of a close range combatant. While running through the levels is enjoyable with this playstyle, it seems like the bosses aren't really designed with it in mind. Has anyone managed to do a run while relying on shotguns and melee for primary damage output?

[Xaelon]

Yes you can absolutely do a shotgun focused build. The base spread is pretty large and they have longer reload times but both of those problems are easily fixed via rings, - spread relic fragment and the tranquil font concoction. You could also just run gunslinger as your sub and use the 3rd skill. Shotguns are pretty strong honestly.

Melee has always been great for clearing trash but unless you're running one of the melee weapons with a ranged charge attack you'll have issues against bosses since a lot of them either fly, teleport away or otherwise simply cannot be hit with standard melee attacks. Using a shotgun too will remedy that problem though.

[Zehm]

Originally posted by Xaelon:

Yes you can absolutely do a shotgun focused build. The base spread is pretty large and they have longer reload times but both of those problems are easily fixed via rings, - spread relic fragment and the tranquil font concoction. You could also just run gunslinger as your sub and use the 3rd skill. Shotguns are pretty strong honestly.

Melee has always been great for clearing trash but unless you're running one of the melee weapons with a ranged charge attack you'll have issues against bosses since a lot of them either fly, teleport away or otherwise simply cannot be hit with standard melee attacks. Using a shotgun too will remedy that problem though.

Cool. I really like how the devs were able to add a second playstyle. Even though there's a ton of guns, it must be a challenge to implement something parallel to the core design. The unsung sonnet of the game developer I suppose :) I'm a bit worried about some of the bosses. Like, the final boss as a case in point. But hey, can always re-role the campaign and start over. Not exactly planning on the grind for the Archon class or anything.

Soryr if its a bit scrabbled, lol Christmas is upon us. I'm a bit drunk and stoned.

Merry Christmas! And hey hit me up and we can co-op sometime.

[Vexillarius]

Shotgun/melee is probably what i would call the meta in this game. Plasma sword is insanely OP, worlds edge isn't super far behind and krell is used in like half the builds on the web. Sparkfire shotgun is the DLC gun and it's pretty much hands down better than every gun in every situations. Mainly because it's the only primary weapon in the game with innate elemental damage. Pretty much 90% of my time i'm using melee or shotgun.

[Grizzly]

melee is too strong imo, ive done a melee only run and this comes from someone that only plays hardcore apocalypse

there are some melee weapons with ranged abilites

[Tigerhawk71]

Beat the game on veteran with a shotgun primary and a shotgun secondary. close up style is fun and viable. I'd also learn the value of neutral dodge and have fun with it.