Looking for Build Ideas for a new Steele

[Zbearbear]

Pretty much the title. My main Steele is at a really good place customization wise and is always up to date on the story so I'm interested in finally taking a spin on the old alt character train. I was potentially interested in doing a melee character since my main Steele is already a ranged tech specialist with the combat drone and some save modded perks and whatnot, and I was just interested in seeing how viable melee builds were in the current state of the game or if I should probably run a ranged Merc or Smuggler. Also any input about those classes would be much appreciated.

I'm kind of interested in exploring the Bimbo options in the game as well, but really just need some input on the other classes since I"ve been committed to Tech specialist for so long lol

Thanks in advance!

 

[Theron]

Spoiler: Melee Advice

Ironically, the strongest Melee build in the game (and possibly the strongest build in general), is Melee Drone Tech. Charge Weapon got nerfed to 66% Intelligence instead of 100% (completely warranted, in my opinion), but now also buffs Tam-Wolf/Siegwulfe/Combat Tail. And Drones can crit now. I'm hoping this is either fixed soon, or declared 'Not a Bug'. I really don't want them making balance changes with on something like this in effect.

Melee Merc isn't as good as Ranged Merc because Ranged has much better synergies between it's Perks. That said, I found my Melee Merc perfectly viable, though I haven't gone through the latest Dungeon with it yet.

Melee Smuggler has better access to Stun Weapons than Ranged. 2 rounds of no incoming damage are useful for all characters, but Stun Chance is particularly useful for Smugglers because it enables Sneak Attack/Aimed Shot, which is the bulk of your damage. Ranged have the better Stat-Sticks. Also, maximum passive Evasion is 50%, which is really easy to reach as a Smuggler. Make sure you're not over-investing. Flash Grenade is Aim based, but it counts you as having 10 more Aim than you actually do.
*Stun/Trip chance is (Physique OR Aim) vs target's Physique. Keep it high, and you can get a Stun every other round.

You'll need a way to hit Flying enemies. Either certain kinds of Wings, the Light Jetpack or Lunge (Level 10 Mercenary Perk).

Spoiler: Like, Bimbo Advice

Most 'Bimbo' builds I'm aware of focus on getting Fuck Sense, which allows substituting Libido for Intelligence.
1. It only substitutes when Libido is higher, so it's never detrimental.
2. It can't go over your cap, no matter how high your Libido is.
3. As far as I know, it only works for Class Perks. Event-based Intelligence checks still run off of actual Intelligence.

If you dump Intelligence, you probably also want Sexy Thinking for the extra Sexiness. Or you can get Dumb4Cum. (increases Max Intelligence. but decreases it and grants Ditz Speech over time. Lost Intelligence is restored & Ditz Speech removed on drinking cum. Currently bugged, doesn't decrease Intelligence properly, leading to unbounded Intelligence gain. Still doesn't break the cap.) The interaction with Ditz Speech can be handy because you can't interact with Bianca or Submit to Lund with it.

Otherwise, it's a standard Tease build. Max Libido & Sexiness, grab as many Pheromone Perks as you can. You probably also want an alternative Tease Attack (Milk Squirt/Myr Venom/Dick Slap). You also probably want Energizing Libido (includes Amazonian Endurance's prevention of Energy loss on orgasm, doesn't require it or the Amazon Treatment in general). Maxing Inhuman Desire might be a good idea, since your passive Lust gain will be very high, but it's kind of involved. It's possible to get +90 with drawbacks. You have to do things in a specific order, though.

Smugglers & Tech Specialists are probably the best for Tease builds. Sexiness armor is generally high Evasion and Tech Specialists don't actually care much about their armor.

Status matters now. Paralyzed & Tripped targets take 125% Tease damage, Stunned take 25%. While there is a 50% penalty for Teasing while Blind, there doesn't seem to be any malus for Teasing a Blind target. (Oversight?) Likewise, a Smuggler can Tease at full effectiveness with an active Stealth Field. Be the Sexiest Ghost Ever.
Interestingly, this means changing the Heavy Slut Ray to Psionic might have been a net buff; it doesn't reduce it's own damage.

Don't forget a means of attack for things that can't be Teased into submission!

 

[Zbearbear]

Spoiler: Melee Advice

Ironically, the strongest Melee build in the game (and possibly the strongest build in general), is Melee Drone Tech. Charge Weapon got nerfed to 66% Intelligence instead of 100% (completely warranted, in my opinion), but now also buffs Tam-Wolf/Siegwulfe/Combat Tail. And Drones can crit now. I'm hoping this is either fixed soon, or declared 'Not a Bug'. I really don't want them making balance changes with on something like this in effect.

Melee Merc isn't as good as Ranged Merc because Ranged has much better synergies between it's Perks. That said, I found my Melee Merc perfectly viable, though I haven't gone through the latest Dungeon with it yet.

Melee Smuggler has better access to Stun Weapons than Ranged. 2 rounds of no incoming damage are useful for all characters, but Stun Chance is particularly useful for Smugglers because it enables Sneak Attack/Aimed Shot, which is the bulk of your damage. Ranged have the better Stat-Sticks. Also, maximum passive Evasion is 50%, which is really easy to reach as a Smuggler. Make sure you're not over-investing. Flash Grenade is Aim based, but it counts you as having 10 more Aim than you actually do.
*Stun/Trip chance is (Physique OR Aim) vs target's Physique. Keep it high, and you can get a Stun every other round.

You'll need a way to hit Flying enemies. Either certain kinds of Wings, the Light Jetpack or Lunge (Level 10 Mercenary Perk).

Spoiler: Like, Bimbo Advice

Most 'Bimbo' builds I'm aware of focus on getting Fuck Sense, which allows substituting Libido for Intelligence.
1. It only substitutes when Libido is higher, so it's never detrimental.
2. It can't go over your cap, no matter how high your Libido is.
3. As far as I know, it only works for Class Perks. Event-based Intelligence checks still run off of actual Intelligence.

If you dump Intelligence, you probably also want Sexy Thinking for the extra Sexiness. Or you can get Dumb4Cum. (increases Max Intelligence. but decreases it and grants Ditz Speech over time. Lost Intelligence is restored & Ditz Speech removed on drinking cum. Currently bugged, doesn't decrease Intelligence properly, leading to unbounded Intelligence gain. Still doesn't break the cap.) The interaction with Ditz Speech can be handy because you can't interact with Bianca or Submit to Lund with it.

Otherwise, it's a standard Tease build. Max Libido & Sexiness, grab as many Pheromone Perks as you can. You probably also want an alternative Tease Attack (Milk Squirt/Myr Venom/Dick Slap). You also probably want Energizing Libido (includes Amazonian Endurance's prevention of Energy loss on orgasm, doesn't require it or the Amazon Treatment in general). Maxing Inhuman Desire might be a good idea, since your passive Lust gain will be very high, but it's kind of involved. It's possible to get +90 with drawbacks. You have to do things in a specific order, though.

Smugglers & Tech Specialists are probably the best for Tease builds. Sexiness armor is generally high Evasion and Tech Specialists don't actually care much about their armor.

Status matters now. Paralyzed & Tripped targets take 125% Tease damage, Stunned take 25%. While there is a 50% penalty for Teasing while Blind, there doesn't seem to be any malus for Teasing a Blind target. (Oversight?) Likewise, a Smuggler can Tease at full effectiveness with an active Stealth Field. Be the Sexiest Ghost Ever.
Interestingly, this means changing the Heavy Slut Ray to Psionic might have been a net buff; it doesn't reduce it's own damage.

Don't forget a means of attack for things that can't be Teased into submission!

Holy cow thanks for all the info. Much appreciated.