Scout builds

[Doctor]

I want to be better at scout, but every time I try him I feel like I'm not contributing enough, or at least not as good as the other scouts I see, I've seen some really good ones pop off, and I wonder what they're running. So basically I'm wondering what weapons and mods/OC's you guys are running.

[JeanneOskoure]

If you use your flare gun, you'll be contributing more than 80% of scouts I see.

[Chibbity]

Originally posted by JeanneOskoure:

If you use your flare gun, you'll be contributing more than 80% of scouts I see.

You mean 80% of the Scouts you DON'T see.

Because you're in the dark.....get it? Lol.

[Chibbity]

In all seriousness OP, Scout is more of a priority target damage dealer than a wave clear master, don't expect to kill as many bugs as the other classes; but focus on killing the right bugs at the right time.

[Tyyne]

Depends a bit on the mission you're doing, I usually go with either

GK2 AI Stability Engine 11121
Boomstick Double Barrel 12313
with Stun Sweeper
For a generalist build

or

DRAK 25 Aggressive Venting 12111
Nishanka Cryo Bolts 12221
with Pheromones
For crowd control temp shock shenanigans.

[That Goddamn Scout™]

11222 Bullets of Mercy GK2
32113 Cryo Bolts Boltshark
IFG
My "namesake" build. Good mix of single target for quick HVT killing (high value target) and just enough safety with Banshee Cryo Bolts to scout ahead of the team without too much risk, while having the means to deal with stationnaries (Spitballers, Brood Nexi, Breeders, etc) on your own by freezing them and finishing them off with BoM GK2.

32112 Thermal Exhaust Feedback Drak
11323 Shaped Shells Boomstick
Cryo Grenades
All-purpose build, works well in just about any mission (except Eliminations, that's the next build). TEF Drak deals really good damage, provided you can "feather the trigger" correctly.
Armor Break on Boomstick is to deal with Brundles and Shellbacks.
Cryo grenades round up the build nicely and provide an answer to mactera swarms.

21122 Conductive Thermals Drak
11213 or 11313 Jumbo Shells Boomstick
Cryo Grenades
The definitive Elimination build. Conductive Thermals cuts down the time to kill a Dreadnought drastically by simply removing their elemental resistances. Bring a gunner with Volatile Bullets and you have a recipe for a quick and easy mission.

23211 Electrocuting Focus Shots M1K
11232 Embedded Detonators Zhukovs
Voltaic Stun Sweeper
Sabotage build, and the only one where I'd bring boomerangs, just to deal with shredders.
M1K for HVTs and caretaker vents, Emb Dets for Caretaker damage phase.

23112 Minimal Clips M1K
12233 Double Barrel Boomstick
IFG/Pheromone Canisters
True Solo build. M1K is quite flexible in that configuration, capable of removing any threat pretty quickly.
DB Boomstick provides an instant delete button for grunts and the likes, especially paired with Pheromones.

21222 AISE GK2
21313 Compact Shells Boomstick
IFG
Another well-rounded build, albeit slightly more generic and comfortable than the aforementioned TEF Drak build.

Perks are as follow:
- Passive: Sweet Tooth, Resupplier, Born Ready
- Active: Field Medic, Iron Will

[RUCKUS RELOADED]

it's not really about builds, it's about mindset

scout is not a waveclear class. ignore anyone telling you to build him as such. his job is to kill HVTs (wardens, menaces, goo bombers, etc) and projectile enemies (web/acidspitters, mactera/trijaws, septics etc)

shooting at (or building for) grunts is not your concern. you should only kill them in an emergency if there's no other option. instead, use your infinite-ammo grappling hook to get away from grunts and reposition yourself. luring grunts around for teammates to kill is a much better use of your skills than wasting ammo on them

as for weapons:
the GK2 does good damage and is easy to use thanks to its large mag size/ammo pool. it's best for dumping ammo into HVTs but it's generally ok against everything
the M1K is capable of oneshotting most projectile enemies when built correctly but its low ammo and high skill curve means it takes some practice to get good with
the DRAK exists

boomstick offers high spike damage and has a lot of cool facets like ignition, stun and blast wave. the boltshark is a utility machine that sacrifices damage output for tons of combo setups and synergies. don't use zhukovs, they are terrible

[Doctor]

Originally posted by Chibbity:

In all seriousness OP, Scout is more of a priority target damage dealer than a wave clear master, don't expect to kill as many bugs as the other classes; but focus on killing the right bugs at the right time.

That makes me feel a bit better, thanks! I'll try and keep that in mind.

[Doctor]

Originally posted by MURDEROUS INTENT:

it's not really about builds, it's about mindset

scout is not a waveclear class. ignore anyone telling you to build him as such. his job is to kill HVTs (wardens, menaces, goo bombers, etc) and projectile enemies (web/acidspitters, mactera/trijaws, septics etc)

shooting at (or building for) grunts is not your concern. you should only kill them in an emergency if there's no other option. instead, use your infinite-ammo grappling hook to get away from grunts and reposition yourself. luring grunts around for teammates to kill is a much better use of your skills than wasting ammo on them

as for weapons:
the GK2 does good damage and is easy to use thanks to its large mag size/ammo pool. it's best for dumping ammo into HVTs but it's generally ok against everything
the M1K is capable of oneshotting most projectile enemies when built correctly but its low ammo and high skill curve means it takes some practice to get good with
the DRAK exists

boomstick offers high spike damage and has a lot of cool facets like ignition, stun and blast wave. the boltshark is a utility machine that sacrifices damage output for tons of combo setups and synergies. don't use zhukovs, they are terrible

This is a very in-depth response, thanks so much, this is exactly what I was looking for! I really like the M1K and the Boomstick the most, but are they okay to use together?

[Chibbity]

Originally posted by Doctor:

This is a very in-depth response, thanks so much, this is exactly what I was looking for! I really like the M1K and the Boomstick the most, but are they okay to use together?

I mean, you can make anything work really; so sure.

Personally I'd run Zhuks instead so you're not so pigeon holed into two slow firing/high damage weapons; but that's really personal preference.

[Doctor]

Originally posted by Chibbity:

Originally posted by Doctor:

This is a very in-depth response, thanks so much, this is exactly what I was looking for! I really like the M1K and the Boomstick the most, but are they okay to use together?

I mean, you can make anything work really; so sure.

Personally I'd run Zhuks instead so you're not so pigeon holed into two slow firing/high damage weapons; but that's really personal preference.

Alright thanks! I'll try 'em both and see.

[MrPurple33]

Originally posted by That ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Scout™:

That Godd amn Scout™ Is Really Just a DAMN GOOD Scout-

Excellent Multiple Setups- That Could All Be a Nice Mini-Guide

-Award Sent-

[MrPurple33]

Originally posted by Chibbity:

Originally posted by Doctor:

This is a very in-depth response, thanks so much, this is exactly what I was looking for! I really like the M1K and the Boomstick the most, but are they okay to use together?

I mean, you can make anything work really; so sure.

Personally I'd run Zhuks instead so you're not so pigeon holed into two slow firing/high damage weapons; but that's really personal preference.

I'd Also Say the 'Easier' and 'Safer' Combo Is the M1000 and Nuks,
BUT I Do Have Fun With 'The Big Game Hunter' M1000 and Boomstick Combo-

If You Like It, Use It, and Become An Expert With It, You'll Stand Out From Most Scouts-
Just Keep In Mind You'll Have To Watch Your Ammo Usage More- I Use 96 and 34 On Mine-
Then Again, Less Ammo Available Usually Translates Into Really Good, Accurate Shots,
So That Also Becomes Good Once You Become An Expert With a M1000/Boomstick Combo






Also I Have a Bunch Of Extra Points, So -Award Sent- Just Because

[Doctor]

Originally posted by That ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Scout™:

11222 Bullets of Mercy GK2...

Thanks for such a comprehensive list! I really appreciate it. <3

[Doctor]

Originally posted by MrPurple33:

I'd Also Say the 'Easier' and 'Safer' Combo Is the M1000 and Nuks...

Thanks for the tips and the award haha

[myxlmynx]

Here's another top tier generalist build using special powder for super high mobility:

Primary: Drak with Thermal Exhaust Feedback: 32112 (just a generally very powerful Drak build with long range accuracy and high damage (be sure to utilize its ridiculous damage at 75-99% weapon heat all the time)
Secondary: Boomstick with Special Powder: 12223 or 12313 (12313 pairs especially well with Phero if you want some AoE firepower. If you don't care about AoE, use 12223)
Flare Gun: 222 or 212 (both assuming you won't remain long in one place)
Grappling Hook: 1113 or 1123 (cooldown reduction usually more important than range or movement speed. To extend range, use special powder. T3A or T3B is always up to personal preference. T3A if you prefer to grapple away quickly and directly towards where you're going, T3B if you prefer swinging around like Tarzan. Both are good and cater to different playing styles. Personally I prefer T3A because it allows you to grapple away faster from dangerous positions)
Pickaxe: 13 or 11 (non-Scout classes should pick 11 but Scout can also use 13 for even faster mining and more pickaxe-grappling into walls)
Armor: 1213 (the best for any class)
Grenade: Phero or Cryo
Perks: Resupplier, Born Ready, Sweet Tooth, Iron Will, Heightened Senses (Heightened Senses can be changed to Field Medic if you want the additional teamplay value it provides. I choose HS because I'm more often away from the team and don't want to die to an unlucky leech grab while away from the team and flying near the ceiling)


For other variants or more specialized builds, see That ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ Scout™'s post above.

(Terminology explanation: e.g. "32112" means 3rd option in 1st row, 2nd option in 2nd row, 1st option in 3rd row, 1st option in 4th row, 2nd option in 5th row. "T5A" means 5th row 1st option)