Close-Combat Combos

**Bommando** · 11-23-2007, 10:21 AM

I've been messing with some combos while soloing to see if I can maximise damage and experience gathering against larger numbers of mobs and came up with a very handy little combo which seems to be working wonders with my lvl 15 Ranger.

Firearms Pump 5: Shotgun knockback + Damage.
Shrapnel Pump 1: The consensus is that you don't need more than 1.
Rage Pump 2: Until I find out what they intend to do with the nerf, I'm hesitant to pump any more into Rage.

So, what I do is Rage before entering battle and throw an incendiary grenade against Thrax if handy (they are weak against fire). Change selection to Shrapnel as I close the distance. Use the Shotgun to knock them back. With Pump 5 Firearms, likelihood is most of them will hit the floor. I charge into the middle of the guys lying down and throw down a Shrapnel, which is fast-deploying, usually finishing them off before they even have a chance. Then clean up if needed.

This has proven a really rapid way to dispose of a large number of mobs and generate quick XP bonuses. Once you kill one cluster, you pull out your rifle and keep fire on the next closest target to keep the bonus active until you close range. Top up Rage and repeat the process. I have maintained 250% bonus for a good few minutes on CP Assault and Defence without running into too much trouble.

Shield Drones are also good targets for this, except I lead in with an EMP Shotgun instead. The EMP takes down the shields fast and prepares you for a Shrapnel finish. Rush into the middle of the shield and throw down the shrapnel. You'll likely finish off the drone and most of the enemies huddling inside it.

**Zoopy** · 11-23-2007, 01:53 PM

From what I read, Rage gives you 100% damage increase now regardless of the level, they are fixing it so it gives the correct damage boost at the correct levels as noted by the tooltips (with Pump 5 being 100%).

**Bommando** · 11-23-2007, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoopy

From what I read, Rage gives you 100% damage increase now regardless of the level, they are fixing it so it gives the correct damage boost at the correct levels as noted by the tooltips (with Pump 5 being 100%).

Ah, OK. That makes sense. I didn't realise it was giving 100% even on the lower pumps. Lucky I saved up some points.

**Zoopy** · 11-23-2007, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bommando

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoopy

From what I read, Rage gives you 100% damage increase now regardless of the level, they are fixing it so it gives the correct damage boost at the correct levels as noted by the tooltips (with Pump 5 being 100%).

Ah, OK. That makes sense. I didn't realise it was giving 100% even on the lower pumps. Lucky I saved up some points.

Either that or pump 5 is cut down 25%. One or the other.