Teach me how to use short-ranged Soldiers

[drspendlove]

Ok, so there are three (primary) ranges for Soldiers:

Range 6 -- the long-range guns. Gives lesser damage with low penetration but at an exceptional range.
Range 5 -- the default range for soldiers. Gives good damage/penetration with very reasonable Overwatch distance.
Range 4 -- A single relic (iirc) has this range on the gun. It is a powerful relic for a low cost so it is often worth the limited range.
Range 3 -- Plasma and short-ranged guns go here. They deal incredible damage and may make better use of already limited range talents but it seems like OW is limited here.

It seems like range 3 Soldiers need to follow a totally different build and definitely a different strategy to be used effectively. It also seems like they need a different set of RP spending to use well. How do I use this type of Soldier well on Hard or later? Do I use more than one of them?

Please advise.

[fallen]

drspendlove - stack damage and penetration and learn Grenades too.

[En1gma]

If I were to use one, it would certainly never be my first string Soldier.

Relliar's Gauntlet is a must for the auto-block, then as Andrew said go all in on damage and penetration, as well as Grenades.

In the alpha, I used to use them as VIP escorts and mobile cover for objectives... For my play style, however, they're simply too dangerous to use. I'm incredibly uncomfortable with allowing enemies to close range with anything but my Captain, my Paladins, and sometimes my Hydra (high deflection and HP). While they completely shred things apart, they just aren't able to do anything that my 5 range crew can't do almost as well, while staying 100% safer in the process.

Low difficulties, go for it, rush up, toss Grenades, fire away, then set up OW and crush things. High difficulties, consider heavily if they're someone you are ok with losing in a fight, especially against humans and ranged enemies.

[mushroom]

I don't even consider plasma weapons until I can respec into Shredding Fire 8. At that point, the plasma soldier can lay waste on any difficulty. Especially with the recent artifact that increases plasma damage.

Points to consider... First, those are low accuracy weapons and talents, so you need to build for accuracy. Second, low range means that movement is extra useful. And Overwatch is still king, both increases effective range and helps to stack up the baddies for next round.

Lockdown is a synergistic talent. High level Rallying Charge will come from the main soldier.

I also have a lot of fun with a grapple soldier in the midgame, but he usually runs out of steam and gets turned into the plasmateer.

[fusei]

Plasmadier is an all time favorite of mine but it does require a lot of req point and is limited to one as you need that neptune relic. Best used at the end of first playthrough or new game+, dont rush for him.

As said before you need 8 shreding (max it though) but the rest is up to you.
I am not a big fan of investing heavily in nades as you cannot carry more than 3.
I would rather get charge 4, as I tend to give this fellow heavy armor. Defensive buffs can be good but may require more investment so probably better for very advanced battleforce.

Equipment wise dont get tricked with the relic gauntlet plasma damage, the pen is way too low you will very rarely use the 2× plasma dmg from the neptune relic.
I would really go for auto block instead, parry is fine too but your main concern will be ranged ennemies.


As for gameplay you really dont want to use ow too much, emergencies only. Shred twice a turn if possible and support the plasmadier with regular soldier/neptunes/tanks. I had my best results by treating him as a melee unit.
Used this way the plasmadier is easily one of the most damaging unit: incredible damage, very good aoe range but obviously beware of plasma resistant enemies!

Edit: As far as your build goes you will want to put some points into str/gunnery since shredding fire doesnt give any acc boost.
Again a regular soldier as support with acc buff and ow pairs very well with a plasmadier.

[Brutus Aurelius]

I like to use Plasma Soldiers as early heavy hitters. Put extra points into Overwatch to make up for the short range, invest in grenades and Shredding Fire. As for Attributes/Skills, put points into Warrior, Fortitude, and Strength and use Heavy Soldier armor.

[ntsheep]

As others here have pointed out, and I can say with my own testing done during the Alpha and while writing the guide, plasma weapons and Shredding Fire are the match made in heaven.

[Cory Trese]

I beat Nightmare with only Plasma rifles a few times. Great for 'zerk-pal teams.

[drspendlove]

As in, only plasma rifles on your soldiers, or literally only using those weapons to attack? One is way impressive, the other is bafflingly insane!

[fallen]

Don't knock it until you try it. Plasma Soldiers are sooo good.

[Cory Trese]

Yeah putting Plasma Rifles on every Soldier and using Shredding Fire all the time. Combine with Berserks and Paladins for max fun.

You'll want to really buff up the Paladin and Berserker attacks debuffs that reduce enemy accuracy. Any Talent that does that fits in with SF builds for me.

[En1gma]

Good thoughts here, I'm going to try using them more often

[hissrad]

I usually use them to play bodyguard to my captain or engineer. For example if there's a switch or objective and I gotta hold a point I'll send them and the captain. They make great close range support for turrets or Overwatch soldiers too, mopping up what gets through or survives the round