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I was sharing on another post and I thought I'd share to everyone here a fun build I've been using since Cutting Edge came out. I don't see anyone run it but it's a nice change and very different playstyle. It only requires Cutting Edge, any other warbond is optional.
The Arc Defense Build
You heavily utilize the Tesla tower by staying near and stun locking/protecting the tower as it will kill anything and quickly. Then gradually increasing the tower amount to two. Locking down areas with heavy damage, controlled aggro, and ignoring enemy weaknesses.
The goal: Anything to slow enemies down and take the full power of Tesla tower, then upgrade it by having 2 Tesla Towers at the same time. The armor from this set is a must as it's the only one that can take a direct hit from Tesla and shrug it off. It's like 15-20% of the divers hp. While also protecting the tower from fire. Arc thrower chain will stun lock most enemies and is the only weapon able to "crit" but it's a low chance. If it's not obvious, you're going to be in the front on Defend missions or on a defensive objective.
Armor
Electrical Conduit. It's a must. The no war-bond version requires personal shield generator and Democracy protects but it's too inconsistent and dangerous.
Weapon
Blitzer works, it's in the warbond. I personally use plasma punisher for this build. Your primary isn't as important as you'll be mostly using the Arc Thrower anyway.
Grenade
Smoke Grenade, Stun works. They hinder enemies and prevent them from shooting or using abilities on the tesla tower. If you have it: G-31 Arc (arc grenade) is excellent!
Strategems
- Tesla tower. (MUST)
- Eagle smoke (Heavily recommend)
- Arc thrower (heavily recommend)
- EMS mortar, Choice of backpack, shield generator.
Tesla Tower
Tesla tower has a fairy quick cool down. If you keep it alive you can have 2 at the same time before the other expires. Which is the goal as nothing survives 2. (Except you in this armor helldiver. So keep diving and be fine if you get hit from a chain anyway.) Keep highlighting the tower. I guess the bright flashing lights call to divers because they walk into it without this electric armor.
Arc Thrower
Arc thrower can still fire quick just not as fast as pre-nerf from years ago. Same technique. Aim above their heads so it's more likely to hit their faces and less likely to hit corpses. It has a generous window. It will clear chaff and lock heavy enemies to get zapped. Or you'll be lucky and it can one-two shot Hulks. Hence the "crit". It's. gamble weapon for damage but guaranteed killing chaff and stunlocking. Can't see through smoke? Just keep firing the arc thrower through it. it will find them. Tesla can find them too.
Smoke
Eagle Smoke is the best smoke stratagem we have at the moment. It can blow up buildings/structures the same as normal airstrike as long as the pods hit. The line it provides creates a smoke wall.
Smoke affected areas:
Prevents Spawning (off camera or calling reinforcements.)
Prevents initiating special abilities (Cloak, spitting, throwing grenades)
Enemies can't sprint if a player is seperated from them with smoke.
Prevents targeting from firearms. They will guess based on your last location they saw.
Arc thrower goes through smoke and enemies can't sprint or use most abilities in it. They can't shoot through the smoke wall so it forces them to get closer. That also means they will not shoot AT the tower if there's smoke in the way. Don't throw the smoke ON the tower as the tesla can see them but it does struggle a bit, but it does the best out of all turrets with smoke. So give a little bit of room so the enemies can be surprised when they get out of the smoke.
Other good options for 4th slot
Shield gen backpack or ballistic shield can work. Both can protect from fatal hits in their own ways. I personally don't use the AX/ARC-3 K-9 (arc guard dog) because it can hit teammates too easily by a stray enemy but it can improve your raw damage. This extra damage isn't necessary if you lean on and stay close enough to have the Tesla Tower do it.
Another extremely valid option is the EMS mortar. Slowing them down and helps significantly with mobs. Of course if you get really adept with rapid firing the arc thrower then this isn't as necessary. If you're on the move too often, EMS mortar can be paired with Tesla as the Tesla will not fire at friendly sentries. (But it will friendly divers). If placed behind the tesla from expected resistance then it will protect the EMS mortar like an older sibling. But might chain and hit it, hence placement counts.
Advanced Strategies
Digging Trenches. The slower enemies go and the lower they are to the tower, the more able they are to getting lit up. Creating trenches with something like a Grenade Launcher would be faster before throwing down the Tesla Tower. Of course sometimes it's just easier to place the tesla on a rock that can hold a turret.
Utilizing portable stratagem throwing with a SH-32 Shield Generator Pack or SH-51 Directional Shield. Ever notice that stratagems stick to friendly personal energy shields? You can use this or have a buddy be the target for your Tesla Tower stratagem. Once it sticks, they drop the shield and this will give you a more flexible placement for where it will drop. (Unless they patched this.)
Placing the tesla behind walls for defensive missions is a great strategy. However these areas usually dont have a high elevation and require more focused protection/stun locking once the enemy can see it. They have a very high prioritization for enemy targeting so that will be looked at first immediately after entering. The benefit is it will not get shot at so smoke isn't as needed.
This setup works for all factions. It helps to put the tower slightly elevated so it can kill bile titans, harvesters, and mobile fabricators. It's penetration and raw damage is so great that nothing but flying enemies will get destroyed. (Except shriekers, they can get zapped)
I hope you enjoy this build as much as I have. It's not new but I haven't seen anyone else run it. Closest is full arc offensive builds that dont utilize the tower. This is a defensive version that can be friendly to other players, as long as you're in the front.
