what's your favorite Explosives Deck Build for Hoffman??

[Mister Torgue Flexington]

had made a special Demolitionist Deck Build for Hoffman utilizing the Deck Cards that increases Grenade Damage (with "Bomb Squad" being the most important), as well as using both "Grenade Pouch" and "Double Grenade Pouch" for the extra carrying capacity. So while bullet damage may not be so great, he makes up for it in dealing heavy explosive damage (great for spamming Frags on Specials & Bosses)

Has anyone else made a similar build like this?

[JI06CT3P]

Nah, I have been playing usually without a scope only crosshair accuracy (kinda like in l4d) and cards on damage for weak spots and piercing damage most likely.

[Mister Torgue Flexington]

ah, fair enough. I've tweaked alot of my gun-based Deck Builds in a similar fashion, but the Demolitionist one here being discussed is something different I wanted to test out. Which actually brings up an interesting question.....

Since the melee weapon, The Tenderizer, deals Explosive Damage upon striking an enemy successfully, can't the "Bomb Squad" card inadvertently buff the damage even further??

[Highrule -1]

I see this from time to time on randoms. Don't know the exact deck composition, but it at the very least 3-shots an inner hive ogre on NM with frags.

[Mister Torgue Flexington]

Originally posted by Highrule -1:

I see this from time to time on randoms. Don't know the exact deck composition, but it at the very least 3-shots an inner hive ogre on NM with frags.

I think I can help with that....

I know that "Improvised Explosives" definitely works, because of the 75% Explosive Damage it dishes out, but at the cost of "-25% Swap Speed". And this is specifically the reason why I offset that negative with the "Grenade Pouch" card, along with the added benefit of a 5% discount on Offensive Accessories.

"Demolitions Expert" also works wonders here for the 50% Explosive Damage, but at the cost of 15% less ammo capacity. But because i'm testing this build on Hoffman, and his passive "15% Team Ammo Capacity" alone offsets that, but boosted that further with the "Ammo Belt" card for 50% more ammo and 15% Reload Speed (also paired "Cold Brew Coffee" with this for more Reload/Weapon Swap/Use Speed). And this why I save my AR/Sniper/Shotgun/SMG/LMG fire for hordes of trash enemies, and save the explosives for the bigger guys and Bosses.

you could use "Grenade Training" as part of the actual Deck, but because that only offers a flat 25% increase in explosive damage, and I use "Bomb Squad" for the 25% Team Explosive Damage and 25% Team Explosive Resistance instead, I would pick up the former card while in the field.

So with that said, since Hoffman already carries +1 Offensive Accessory as a passive, but when paired with both "Grenade Pouch" and "Double Grenade Pouch", you'll start off 5 Offensive Accessory carrying capacity right off the bat, more when purchasing "Team Offensive Slots" from the vendor while in the safehouse.

[Mister Torgue Flexington]

oh, and before I forget, using the "Pyro" card might yield some interesting results, especially when combined with the already mentioned cards above

[Zé Bostola]

It's probably not optimal, but I use it anyway because it's fun for me: I go with the highest amount of damage cards possible. It's super satisfying killing a boss with just 2 grenades

[Hyluxiao]

yup pyro, fire in the whole, pinata, magician's apprentice.. add confident killer as well since that damage applies to everything.

[Mister Torgue Flexington]

Originally posted by Calvo aos 20:

It's probably not optimal, but I use it anyway because it's fun for me: I go with the highest amount of damage cards possible. It's super satisfying killing a boss with just 2 grenades

or one-shotting it with a LAW rocket, once obtained from a Warped Chest

[Mister Torgue Flexington]

Originally posted by Hyluxiao:

yup pyro, fire in the whole, pinata, magician's apprentice.. add confident killer as well since that damage applies to everything.

as much as I like the "Fire In The Hole" card, which i've used quite a few times when purchased in the field, I find "Run Like Hell" to be a much better card!!! I say this, is because the effect says active no matter what, and that's until you start taking damage from enemies. while the effect from the former card only lasts for 5-seconds, giving you just barely enough time to toss out some Firecrackers or a Pipe Bomb (if equipped beforehand).

EDIT (as of 12:25pm EST): I also already have "Glass Cannon" in my Demolitionist Deck Build, but might swap-out "Cold Brew Coffee" for either "Confident Killer" or "Pyro" on the next go-around.

[inc]

A few tips and tricks.

1) Weakspot damage only works on direct hits, and since in most situations your goal is just to hit the target and not miss, it's better to take cards for general damage and accessory damage, One "Hyper-focused" for weakspot damage is quite enough.

2) Swap speed cards also affect the speed of using grenades. The higher your swap speed, the faster you switch to a grenade and back to a weapon. "Grenade Pouch" and "Coffee" are very good for every grenadier.

3) In the game settings enable "Quick Use Offensive Item" to instantly throw a grenade without equipping it. It will take time and a few fails to realize how useful it is. :)

[inc]

Originally posted by Mister Torgue Flexington:

Originally posted by Hyluxiao:

"fire in the whole"

I find "Run Like Hell" to be a much better card

+++

[Mister Torgue Flexington]

Originally posted by inc:

A few tips and tricks.

1) Weakspot damage only works on direct hits, and since in most situations your goal is just to hit the target and not miss, it's better to take cards for general damage and accessory damage, One "Hyper-focused" for weakspot damage is quite enough.

2) Swap speed cards also affect the speed of using grenades. The higher your swap speed, the faster you switch to a grenade and back to a weapon. "Grenade Pouch" and "Coffee" are very good for every grenadier.

3) In the game settings enable "Quick Use Offensive Item" to instantly throw a grenade without equipping it. It will take time and a few fails to realize how useful it is. :)

fair point in keeping "Cold Brew Coffee"!!! plus, I forgot to mention in my above response about why I specifically chosen "Double Grenade Pouch" on top of "Grenade Pouch", because if i'm not mistaken, isn't enemy health increased on Nightmare and No-Hope? If so, this is specifically the reason why, especially if you have a good amount of "Offensive Upgrade" cards to upgrade the rarity from white to purple.

And because the "Bomb Squad" card is equipped in my Deck Build and is Team-Based, more likely it has the same stacking effects if ALL 4 players are also equipped with it (similar to "On Your Mark" and "Amped Up") whether part of an actual build, or purchased in the field.

[Mister Torgue Flexington]

I know this thread is old, but I got something to add in that I forgot to mention previously......

it also helps to fully max-out the Offensive Items by using the Offensive Upgrade Burn Cards from the Skull Totem Store ASAP, so when fighting a random roaming Boss enemy on Nightmare and No Hope, you'll be somewhat prepared for it when it does pop up.