Items for a Melee Merc

[Gingham]

I have a question about equipment. I'm using a melee merc character (might change around and make them ranged at some point) and I have been playing the game for a while but I never have had a solid load out apart from the one I use from Myrellion -> Zheng Shi and then I stop there (mostly because I am not satisfied with the outcome of my character). So TLDR; I want at least a good idea on items that I should use for them, mostly for a Melee Merc but ranged can help too.

 

[Theron]

Here's what I used.

Spoiler: Melee Weapons

FIRST-14: Grab an Arc Sledgehammer from the Salvagers. The small Electric damage is not to be underestimated.

Mhen'ga: You can farm Vanae for their Spears if you like. Either way, I equipped Dane's Electrified Shock Blade after defeating him.

Tarkus: No upgrade.

Myrellion: Could either buy a Vamp Blade, or go back to Mhen'ga for a Lightning Rod.

Uveto: No upgrade.

Somewhere in here, fight Shizuya for her Custom Shock Gear. She's very difficult, but I think CSG is worth it.

Zheng Shi: No upgrade.

Dhaal: Could trade out Custom Shock Gear for a Rough Leash, but I think Stun is overall better.

Spoiler: Ranged Weapons

FIRST-14: If you get an Ancient Laser Rifle, you may as well equip it. Probably not worth farming.

Mhen'ga: I picked up the ZK Rifle. On Mhen'ga, your stats don't matter as much, so a decent gun goes a long way.

Tarkus: Warden Shield from Kattom, especially if you want to ignore Aim.

Myrellion: No upgrades.

Uveto: Technically optional. If you're Training Aim, consider a Hirudo Devourer or NaN Deconstructor from Kattom. Vampiric is a good property, and there are a few enemies that can hit through Shields.

Zheng Shi: No upgrade.

Dhaal: No upgrade.

Spoiler: Armor

FIRST-14: The Steele Tech Hazard Suit is a decent upgrade, if you can get it.

Mhen'ga: Atma Armor. I used this all the way to Zheng Shi.

Tarkus: No upgrades.

Myrellion: If you're still using the Atma Armor, it trivializes the Princess.

Uveto: No upgrades.

Zheng Shi: Augment-Weave Armor. This also makes stat training much easier because if it's double Soreness recovery, so you should probably pick one up, even if you don't intend to wear it in combat.

Dhaal: Zaika-Style Gown is a strict upgrade to Augment-Weave. Cameleon Armor has more Shields but less Evasion, comparatively. You might consider the Linebreaker Universal Combat Kit.

Spoiler: Shields

FIRST-14: You could buy a Decent JoyCo Shield, but I didn't bother. It's only 4 Shields. Especially if you also get a Hazard Suit from the Salvagers.
Mhen'ga: Can also buy the Decent JoyCo here, but again, not necessary.

Tarkus: Definitely get a Hammer Shield from the Sex Bots. Once you have it, you're effectively invincible. If the Sex Bots are difficult, either buy some EMP Grenades from Anno or a Scrap Shield from Shekka.

Myrellion: If you get a Nova Shield from the Bothrioc, wear it, but I don't think it's worth farming. You can get the Reaper Mk 1 from the Princess or Taivra, unless you marry her. Even if you don't, Zheng Shi has an easy upgrade.

Uveto: No upgrade.

Zheng Shi: Ask Urbolg about his Shield. The Pirate Prototype is a big upgrade.

Dhaal: No upgrade.

Spoiler: Accessories

FIRST14: You might as well equip the Ballistic Underlayer.

Mhen'ga: I often buy a Pheromonal Jungle Lure to make farming easier, but it's not necessary.

Tarkus: No upgrade.

Myrellion: Salamander Defense System.

Uveto: No upgrade.

Zheng Shi: Can swap out the Defense System for Shield Aug Bracers.

Dhaal: No upgrade.

Spoiler: Notes

Stun Chance is extremely reliable if you keep your Physique up. 2 rounds without incoming damage is extremely powerful, and attacks always hit Stunned targets.

I prioritize Shields as a defense, but with Riposte giving 15% Evasion, you only need 35% in the Codex to hit the Evasion cap (50%). If you prioritize Evasion, remember to also increase Reflexes.

I find the Evasion penalty on Power Armors to not be worth it, unless you want the Light Jetpack anyway.

Another build I've been toying with is Crit Fisher. Mercs get +10 innately, so adding the Witch's Robe, Reaper's Cloak and a high Crit Weapon (Plasma Katana or XTR-8 Peer), you can get up to 40% Bonus Crit. Probably best for Ranged, since I don't think Power Strike can Crit, where Rapid Fire gets up to 4 chances.

Low Tech Solutions & Heavy Weapons +20% applies only to the base weapon damage, so don't feel too bad about using an Energy weapon.

Spoiler: Ranged Mercs

Ranged Mercs want a Bonus Hit Rate weapon. Most people say the Saurmorian Rail Gun is extremely good. It also Cannot Crit, so I think Ice Cappers are probably better once you get to Dhaal.

Stun is just as useful for Ranged*, but the selection is much more limited. I hear Heavy Slut Ray is hilarious with Rapid Fire. In fact, that's the only way to take advantage of it's Bonus Hit Rate. It's extremely good even with one shot/round.
*Chance is based off Aim for Ranged weapons.

Ranged also has the better Stat Sticks. Rouser has +10 Evasion. Trick Bracer has +5 Evasion, but 20 Shields and 3 Shield Defense.

 

[Gingham]

Here's what I used.

Spoiler: Melee Weapons

FIRST-14: Grab an Arc Sledgehammer from the Salvagers. The small Electric damage is not to be underestimated.

Mhen'ga: You can farm Vanae for their Spears if you like. Either way, I equipped Dane's Electrified Shock Blade after defeating him.

Tarkus: No upgrade.

Myrellion: Could either buy a Vamp Blade, or go back to Mhen'ga for a Lightning Rod.

Uveto: No upgrade.

Somewhere in here, fight Shizuya for her Custom Shock Gear. She's very difficult, but I think CSG is worth it.

Zheng Shi: No upgrade.

Dhaal: Could trade out Custom Shock Gear for a Rough Leash, but I think Stun is overall better.

Spoiler: Ranged Weapons

FIRST-14: If you get an Ancient Laser Rifle, you may as well equip it. Probably not worth farming.

Mhen'ga: I picked up the ZK Rifle. On Mhen'ga, your stats don't matter as much, so a decent gun goes a long way.

Tarkus: Warden Shield from Kattom, especially if you want to ignore Aim.

Myrellion: No upgrades.

Uveto: Technically optional. If you're Training Aim, consider a Hirudo Devourer or NaN Deconstructor from Kattom. Vampiric is a good property, and there are a few enemies that can hit through Shields.

Zheng Shi: No upgrade.

Dhaal: No upgrade.

Spoiler: Armor

FIRST-14: The Steele Tech Hazard Suit is a decent upgrade, if you can get it.

Mhen'ga: Atma Armor. I used this all the way to Zheng Shi.

Tarkus: No upgrades.

Myrellion: If you're still using the Atma Armor, it trivializes the Princess.

Uveto: No upgrades.

Zheng Shi: Augment-Weave Armor. This also makes stat training much easier because if it's double Soreness recovery, so you should probably pick one up, even if you don't intend to wear it in combat.

Dhaal: Zaika-Style Gown is a strict upgrade to Augment-Weave. Cameleon Armor has more Shields but less Evasion, comparatively. You might consider the Linebreaker Universal Combat Kit.

Spoiler: Shields

FIRST-14: You could buy a Decent JoyCo Shield, but I didn't bother. It's only 4 Shields. Especially if you also get a Hazard Suit from the Salvagers.
Mhen'ga: Can also buy the Decent JoyCo here, but again, not necessary.

Tarkus: Definitely get a Hammer Shield from the Sex Bots. Once you have it, you're effectively invincible. If the Sex Bots are difficult, either buy some EMP Grenades from Anno or a Scrap Shield from Shekka.

Myrellion: If you get a Nova Shield from the Bothrioc, wear it, but I don't think it's worth farming. You can get the Reaper Mk 1 from the Princess or Taivra, unless you marry her. Even if you don't, Zheng Shi has an easy upgrade.

Uveto: No upgrade.

Zheng Shi: Ask Urbolg about his Shield. The Pirate Prototype is a big upgrade.

Dhaal: No upgrade.

Spoiler: Accessories

FIRST14: You might as well equip the Ballistic Underlayer.

Mhen'ga: I often buy a Pheromonal Jungle Lure to make farming easier, but it's not necessary.

Tarkus: No upgrade.

Myrellion: Salamander Defense System.

Uveto: No upgrade.

Zheng Shi: Can swap out the Defense System for Shield Aug Bracers.

Dhaal: No upgrade.

Spoiler: Notes

Stun Chance is extremely reliable if you keep your Physique up. 2 rounds without incoming damage is extremely powerful, and attacks always hit Stunned targets.

I prioritize Shields as a defense, but with Riposte giving 15% Evasion, you only need 35% in the Codex to hit the Evasion cap (50%). If you prioritize Evasion, remember to also increase Reflexes.

I find the Evasion penalty on Power Armors to not be worth it, unless you want the Light Jetpack anyway.

Another build I've been toying with is Crit Fisher. Mercs get +10 innately, so adding the Witch's Robe, Reaper's Cloak and a high Crit Weapon (Plasma Katana or XTR-8 Peer), you can get up to 40% Bonus Crit. Probably best for Ranged, since I don't think Power Strike can Crit, where Rapid Fire gets up to 4 chances.

Low Tech Solutions & Heavy Weapons +20% applies only to the base weapon damage, so don't feel too bad about using an Energy weapon.

Spoiler: Ranged Mercs

Ranged Mercs want a Bonus Hit Rate weapon. Most people say the Saurmorian Rail Gun is extremely good. It also Cannot Crit, so I think Ice Cappers are probably better once you get to Dhaal.

Stun is just as useful for Ranged*, but the selection is much more limited. I hear Heavy Slut Ray is hilarious with Rapid Fire. In fact, that's the only way to take advantage of it's Bonus Hit Rate. It's extremely good even with one shot/round.
*Chance is based off Aim for Ranged weapons.

Ranged also has the better Stat Sticks. Rouser has +10 Evasion. Trick Bracer has +5 Evasion, but 20 Shields and 3 Shield Defense.

Thanks! Also, by the way, for some reason Myrellion keeps getting destroyed in my runs and I have not a clue why. Do you have any idea what I'm doing wrong? I thought that since it kept getting nuked I thought that maybe it was because of the Munitions Factory quest and did it, but it still got nuked. Now I don't know what I keep doing wrong or if I am just missing something or maybe i just didn't do a quest correctly..?

 

[Theron]

You pressed the Self Destruct button during Kara's 2nd Quest.

 

[Gingham]

You pressed the Self Destruct button during Kara's 2nd Quest.

Well shit.