Powerfist kind of hot garbage?

[Yaltiaj]

Anyone find a way to use this thing effectively?

After one swing enemies will have backed up beyond it's reach while you're charging up your next swing, and it's damage including light attacks don't hit very hard. Even on the lowest difficulty with a green tier powerfist it hardly does anything.

Love the execution animations though, some of the best.

[Draescan]

Interesting, I haven't experienced this. I use it a bit on my bulwark and it comes in handy for clearing out hordes when I get tired of using the power sword and chainsword. It has a chunky amount of cleave and is great for dealing with the swarm specifically. I agree the charge up time can be a bit brutal. Maybe it's better on assault as I think they get faster charge times? Maybe I'm thinking of a perk that's actually on the weapon itself. I can't remember XD

[Draescan]

If you aren't already, might I suggest making more use of the dash and sprinting attacks as openers? It does a good job of staggering enemies long enough for you to start your combos. I typically open with it, then do (light -> light -> heavy, light -> heavy ) then hit staggered light attacks to prepare for parries or unblockables because generally at this point the AI tries to break out of it and you can't stagger them anymore.

[Nokturnal]

Lots of Bulwarks actually prefer Powerfist once leveled. It's speed and parry timing are what make it good once leveled.

Melee weapons come in 3 variations, Balanced, Block and Fencing. Fencing > Balanced > Block when it comes to how easy it is to defend yourself with them.

[Plank]

has almost the same amount of cleave as the hammer, I noticed usually charging for most hit or doing heavy attacks was the way to go.

[Draescan]

Although block is just.....blech. Don't use it. Not worth. On assault you might be able to get away with it, IF you're good at using dodge rather than parrying.

[McDinglefart]

It is not good.

[PartiallyHarmful]

I use it exclusively because I'm all about the aesthetic. And as above, dash/sprint to close the distance and slap them around before you dip out again. I only play Bulwark so I can't speak for Assault, but heavy attack charge makes you immune to pushback/stagger, so you can use that to your advantage too. As long as you have the armour/health to take it, of course.

Most Bulwarks have probably already taught themselves to just VERY quickly tap block so you get a parry instead of accidentally flexing your shield arm and subsequently taking a claw to the face, but using the shield as a shield does work. And unless the last patch "fixed" it, you can shield-cancel your attacks so you're not left flailing at the air instead of the enemy. Works a treat for winding up another superman punch, because since you're dodging anyway you should be throwing a punch afterwards. Hell, I use it to break ammo crates open in style.