So, since you were all kind enough to lend me some friendly advice, I feel I should update you on my current progress:
OP8 (YAY) man what a slog. Anyway, I first tried the famous Hellborn build, I have both a Toast COM (Boosts Elemental Elation and Pain in Power) and a Legendary Torch, so I tried them both. I used several weapons including the more common “top gear” (Should mention that from my other character I have a LOT of OP8 gear) and quickly learned why the Butcher is such a common weapon on Krieg. Yes I had a FotF, Maliwan body and battery and Hyperion capacitor. Anyway, it took me a while to get the hang of it, and by the end when I found some success I decided that I don’t particularly like the mechanics and the build doesn’t suit my playstyle. I can play it acceptably well, but it’s not for me. I can see the potential for raiding however and doubt my current spec could kill Terra.
On to the Flesh Crunch and explosive relic combo. I found them to be almost TOO much overkill (which doesn’t sound possible with Krieg) and the worst thing was that I lost too much melee damage during RtB. They just didn’t feel necessary to me, and Bloodsplosion still chains just fine without them. This may be the go-to for 3-4P mobbing but in a 2P game I was still obliterating mobs with Fastballs and Bloodsplosion chains.
The Legendary Reaper. The only thing better than buffed kill skills is longer lasting kill skills. Wow, what a GREAT COM. But, the melee problem from the Flesh Crunch arises again. I like to melee, can you tell yet? When I go into RtB, I’m doing a lot less damage than I would find desirable, I want to kill as swiftly as possible to clear my path for when RtB ends or to regen health enough to survive for my next RtB. Outside of RtB this is THE COM, but as Krieg likes taking heavy fire sometimes RtB happens back-to-back and I prefer maximum melee damage for the duration.
So, the Legendary Sickle it is. In fact, my OP8 spec is identical to my OP0 spec with one change - I now understand why melee Kreigs use the Rough Rider at OP8. Aside from the increased health and damage reduction, the roid damage from a Hide of Terramorphous (2.1m) doesn’t add a whole lot on top of Krieg’s already insanely high melee damage. I like to hit hard, but you can’t hit ■■■■ if you’re dead.
In summary, thank you all for your advice, although I did end up reverting to my old spec and playstyle I took it all under advisement and tried every suggestion before settling. I will continue learning, and man do I LOVE Krieg. Everything Krieg is contrary to everything Borderlands, he’s like the exact opposite of the other five characters and his playstyle only really synergises with Maya, the other characters almost seem a detriment on the team or rather Krieg is a detriment to them, and I absolutely love that, how different he is to the rest of the cast. Currently my equal #1 favourite with my most played Maya and he may be #1 before the end of the week, plenty more playing to come! For now, I’m going to conquer the OP8 Magic Slaughter Badass Round then reset my playthrough and complete the entire game, including all side missions (again), on OP8 with my current spec, but I’ll respec to Hellborn for raids. Thank you all, I love this game, this community, and these forums!
Edit: Oh, and a shoutout to @ChemicalConundrum who I’ve played a LOT of BL2 with back on PS3 (we both main Maya) and who has been helping me out with tips and advice via inbox. Cheers mate, I can’t wait for you to get the Handsome Collection so we can Krieg together and double Maya raid like old times!