Suggestions for MaliwanZerker?

Borderlands 2 Salvador the Gunzerker
#1

Recently started up a Maliwan Salvador character as part of the allegiance run set that I plan on completing (i.e. all characters with all manufacturers), but began running into trouble around level 20 or so with damage output and survivability. The planned build had been to focus on Brawn and the middle tree (can’t remember the name) to avoid using the Grog Nozzle/Rubi as much as possible, though I found myself to be incredibly fragile during fire fights, with second winds being tough due to the lowered damage of maliwan weapons.

Any suggestions on spec/Maliwan/Anshin gear that would be good for this run? As a point of reference, I’d like to be able to kill TVHM (or higher) Terramorphous.

Planned lvl 50 spec:
http://bl2skills.com/gunzerker.html#500000000005050013000055005104051

#2

Buddy any characters need some form of healing, be it moxxxi, skills, or grenades.
So before we go into the mali build, what do you intend to use for healing?

#3

http://bl2skills.com/gunzerker.html#500000000005000000000055055054051
I’ve never really gone beyond All Out Of Bubblegum in the Brawn tree so take this for what it’s worth but why not take advantage of the fact that your shields will go down? AOoB will help negate the fact that you do less damage by making you fire faster, thereby getting more lead downrange on target while I’m The Juggernaut will help (hopefully) keep you alive long enough to get second winds. As for class mods you can use this to find something you prefer:

#4

You are going to need Money Shot. Norfleet, Hellfire, Bad Touch, thunder Fists maybe?

#5

Get some Pimpernels. Preferably one in every flavor, if possible, but you’re definitely going to want slag, fire and corrosive versions.

You won’t have to worry about your damage output after getting those.

As for the skill tree, I hardly ever use the Brawn tree unless I want to use Bus Taht Can’t Slow Down, but if that’s really want to try and use, go for it. I’d advise going middle tree first so you can take full advantage of Gunzerking.

#6

I suggest you have a look at @Sljm’s stuff, his use of Grog, Pimpernel and FOTF seems to be just what you’re looking for. And as a bonus: he made this build without any self imposed restrictions based on manufacturer… So the choices he made were performance based… They just happen to be Maliwan.

Otherwise, Dual Rubi worked pretty well for me :slight_smile:

Are you also restricting yourself to Maliwan COMs ?
Hard times ahead if so…

Forget about Brawn past level 50 though… It doesn’t cut it anymore.

#7

@kenet_550111
The intention had been to combine Brawn’s regen with Good/Bad Touches (possibly a Chere-Amie, if I can beat the Ore Chasm) for healing. Transfusions were used more on the side of a panic button while I navigated my way to cover.

@Carlton_Slayer
So would you recommend investing more heavily into Brawn for OoBG and I’m the Juggernaut and skipping other skill trees or just shifting points around (e.g. Bus) to get at them?

@Chuck80
I’m not restricting myself to Maliwan COMs for Salvador given that he has none. Tried doing a COM-less run and do not feel like putting myself through that pain again.

Also, though I wanted to run Brawn for normal/TVHM, I do understand it scales horribly in UVHM and up, so what would your suggestion be for some possible alternative builds?

#8

Until UVHM, you can totally go full Brawn, That’s what I would do if I was running an allegiance build other than Maliwan. Running all Maliwan gives you the option to either do that, of rely on off-hand Moxxi weapons for survival.

If you go full Brawn, I would go like this: http://bl2skills.com/gunzerker.html#000000000000000000000055005104051
Then spend the other points into Rampage.

If you plan on off-handing a Moxxie weapon, I would go like this instead: http://bl2skills.com/gunzerker.html#550001501005055010515100000000000

Using a Moxxi gun gives you more options and makes you better at both dealing and taking damage, but it restricts your gun choice a bit.

Forget about the Chère Amie, it’s not as good as the other options for Moxxi guns. The Rubi, Grog, Bad/Good touche are all better.

For your loadout, assuming you use a rubi in your off-hand, or something similar, I think a great mix would be a Snider Sniper rifle (or a Pimpernel if you bother to farmfor one) and a Berserker or War Dog COM. (If you use the War Dog, use this spec instead: http://bl2skills.com/gunzerker.html#550001401005105015515100000000000 )

Otherwise, like I said, Dual Rubi is also a nice setup
Spec: http://bl2skills.com/gunzerker.html#505001501005045010515101000000000
Combined with a Monk (Chaotic evil, Money shot) or Renegade COM (Blue, suave prefix, Incite as a second skill)

SMGs can also work, but not as well as the previous 2 suggestions IMO, though you get to pick any slag SMG in your off-hand as your Moxxi weapon will be in your main hand, so points for versatility.

If you plan on going with Brawn, I suggest you find a good Titan or Beast COM to supplement your tanking abilities.

For your shield, it’s a no-brainer: the FOTF has Sal’s name written on it (well, it also has Krieg’s in bigger, but Sal is there as well)
If you’re using a Brawn build however, an Adaptive shield would be a wiser choice, especially since the novas will not heal you as when you have a Moxxi gun.

Relic is Sheriff’s badge if using pistols, then Vitality if using Brawn, then Either a BOTA or Maliwan Allegiance relic.

As for Brawn in UVHM… forget it :frowning:
Some VERY skillful players have managed it at level 72 (yes, it’s easier at 72 than at 50 in UVHM) but it’s not something I would recommend.

Sal’s survivability in UVHM goes through Moxxi weapons.

the only skills worth specing into in the Brawn tree for the average build are Hard to Kill and Incite… past that you will have to waste a lot of points to get to anything else that’s worth it, and those points are usually better spent elsewhere.

(On another note, the Brawn tree is just ONE redesigned skill away from being perfectly viable in UVHM… not gonna happen though)

1 Like
#9

I actually haven’t used the Rubi in a long time (either due to personal choices or the GN being available), so how’s it in the damage department? I was under the impression it suffered noticeably reduced damage, more so than normal Maliwan weapons, though I might be remembering it incorrectly.

Also, as a quick question regarding dual wielding Rubis: the health effect does not stack, correct? I don’t see any reason why it would given that it’s not an explicit weapon stat like crit damage.

#10

The rubi’s damage is comparable to a normal Maliwan pistol (about 10% less damage), You’re thinking of the Grog Nozzle.
Yes, the healing effect stack, but even if it didn’t it would still be enough to keep you afloat
As an added bonus, the Rubi also has a small hidden multiplicative crit damage bonus :wink:

Though using a single rubi and a purple Maliwan pistol is also a good combo.

…

it works, even at OP8 :wink:

#11

That’s great to know. Thanks for the suggestion!