Frost Axe Melta Vanguard (from First Tour Guardsman's video)
Vanguard build by munkrej, made for Hotfix 15.1.
Based on a video by First Tour Guardsman. Posted with credit and not endorsed by First Tour Guardsman.
First Tour Guardsman's Patch 15 Vanguard: Heroic Frost Axe whirl slashes with the buffed ammo Melta Rifle and Tenacity diving kicks.
Class perks
Upper Hand, Conviction, Consecutive Execution, Inner Fire, Collateral Damage, Tenacity, Grim Determination, Adrenaline Rush
Prestige perks
Battlefield Awareness, Fortitude, Launch Restoration, Restoration
Wargear
- Primary: Melta Rifle (Ophelian Liberation - Alpha) - Decisive Reload, Rapid Health, Great Might, Trick Shot, Divine Might, Extended Magazine, First Shot, Retaliation, Perpetual Fire
- Secondary: Bolt Pistol (Ophelian Liberation - Beta) - Perpetual Precision, Head Hunter, Gun Strike Reload, Increased Capacity, Head Hunter, Elite Hunter, Head Hunter, Extended Magazine, Divine Might
- Melee: Power Axe (Frost Axe) - Perpetual Strength, Coup de Grâce, Perpetual Strength, Perpetual Strength, Counterattack, Riposte, Hard Target, Power Wave, Tactical Retreat, Cleaver
Loadout variants
- Marksman Carbine: Bolt Carbine, Bolt Pistol, Power Axe - Relic marksman Bolt Carbine with the tree he gives in the video. He rates the carbines at least as strong as the Melta.
Guide
## Credit
Build by First Tour Guardsman from his video "So Vanguard's New Strongest Build is NOT What I Expected in Space Marine 2 Patch 15": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Esk81CF0MY
Weapons and perks are explained in the first 11 minutes and an Operation showcase follows. Watch the video for his full reasoning and support the creator: https://www.twitch.tv/firsttourguardsman
## How it works
The Frost Axe finally gives the Vanguard real melee clear. Its tree takes Perpetual Strength, Coup de Grace and both Perpetual Strength nodes then the lower lane to Cleaver with Tactical Retreat, Power Wave and Riposte. Endless Slash is not needed because the axe has it built in.
Patch 15 gave melta rifles a big base damage buff. The ammo reserve variant opens with Decisive Reload for ammo on Majoris finishers, takes Rapid Health and Trick Shot then the top lane through Divine Might, Extended Magazine, First Shot, Retaliation and Perpetual Fire. Retaliation rewards perfect dodges. Keep the Melta equipped when you execute or Decisive Reload does not trigger.
Upper Hand keeps you on your feet during whirl slashes. Conviction is essential for survival and Consecutive Execution brings equipment back.
Inner Fire refunds ability charge for the whole team on Majoris finishers. That he rates above the healing team perk.
Collateral Damage and Tenacity make the grapple kick hit hard after a ranged kill. Grim Determination adds weapon damage while the grapple is on cooldown and Adrenaline Rush heals on Majoris kills.
The Firepower Bolt Pistol takes the top lane to Elite Hunter then Head Hunter, Extended Magazine and Divine Might.
## Choices he mentions
- Marksman Bolt Carbine or Combi-Flamer as the primary (Marksman Carbine loadout). On the carbine he also allows Gun Strike Reload, Adamantine Grip and Divine Might or Increased Capacity instead of part of the damage line.
- Rebound and Discharge can replace Riposte or a Perpetual Strength node on the axe.
- Neo-Volkite or Inferno Pistol instead of the Bolt Pistol.
- Melee Mastery instead of Upper Hand. Unmatched Zeal instead of Inner Fire.
- Shock Wave instead of Collateral Damage for area kicks. Zone of Impact with Tactical Prowess has more damage on paper but he finds it buggy.
- Combat Readiness or Thrill of the Fight instead of Grim Determination.
Build by First Tour Guardsman from his video "So Vanguard's New Strongest Build is NOT What I Expected in Space Marine 2 Patch 15": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Esk81CF0MY
Weapons and perks are explained in the first 11 minutes and an Operation showcase follows. Watch the video for his full reasoning and support the creator: https://www.twitch.tv/firsttourguardsman
## How it works
The Frost Axe finally gives the Vanguard real melee clear. Its tree takes Perpetual Strength, Coup de Grace and both Perpetual Strength nodes then the lower lane to Cleaver with Tactical Retreat, Power Wave and Riposte. Endless Slash is not needed because the axe has it built in.
Patch 15 gave melta rifles a big base damage buff. The ammo reserve variant opens with Decisive Reload for ammo on Majoris finishers, takes Rapid Health and Trick Shot then the top lane through Divine Might, Extended Magazine, First Shot, Retaliation and Perpetual Fire. Retaliation rewards perfect dodges. Keep the Melta equipped when you execute or Decisive Reload does not trigger.
Upper Hand keeps you on your feet during whirl slashes. Conviction is essential for survival and Consecutive Execution brings equipment back.
Inner Fire refunds ability charge for the whole team on Majoris finishers. That he rates above the healing team perk.
Collateral Damage and Tenacity make the grapple kick hit hard after a ranged kill. Grim Determination adds weapon damage while the grapple is on cooldown and Adrenaline Rush heals on Majoris kills.
The Firepower Bolt Pistol takes the top lane to Elite Hunter then Head Hunter, Extended Magazine and Divine Might.
## Choices he mentions
- Marksman Bolt Carbine or Combi-Flamer as the primary (Marksman Carbine loadout). On the carbine he also allows Gun Strike Reload, Adamantine Grip and Divine Might or Increased Capacity instead of part of the damage line.
- Rebound and Discharge can replace Riposte or a Perpetual Strength node on the axe.
- Neo-Volkite or Inferno Pistol instead of the Bolt Pistol.
- Melee Mastery instead of Upper Hand. Unmatched Zeal instead of Inner Fire.
- Shock Wave instead of Collateral Damage for area kicks. Zone of Impact with Tactical Prowess has more damage on paper but he finds it buggy.
- Combat Readiness or Thrill of the Fight instead of Grim Determination.