User:EsDee

This is my personal favorite build (including DLC2/3) that works particularly well with Scavenger and Sniper Class Mods. With enough Sniper Rifle proficiency, combat effectiveness while solo'ing with an SR is off the charts. Take, for example, level 50 proficiency with a 660 Sniper Class Mod, total bonuses:
 * Up to +130% crit damage (30 from Deadly, 100 from class mod)
 * Up to +124-129% accuracy and -80-90% sway (5 Focus +3-4 Focus from class mod)
 * Up to +84% sniper rifle damage (5 Caliber +4 Caliber from COM, +48% from proficiency)
 * Up to +204% sniper rifle stability (proficiency, accurate firing while TAKING damage is still possible)
 * Additional +145% damage from the combined effects of Trespass, Killer, and Relentless--combined with a Jakobs Bessie, you're looking at +229% damage +630% crit damage. Works well with a Dahl Penetrator, as the extreme accuracy/sway bonuses nearly negate the already minuscule recoil--plus with the effect of Killer, Relentless, Fast Hands and proficiency, +70% reload speed with +142% rof makes this effectively a highly accurate overpowered machinegun.

When combined with level 50 proficiency and a 660 Scavenger Class Mod, the "Skill" bonuses only influence Ransack. However, the skillset gives a strong solo-base for utilizing the effects of Ransack, +4 scavenge items, and +2 find rare items. Works even better in a group.


 * Particularly recommend carrying a Maliwan Volcano for this setup/COM and setting the Bloodwing Effect Artifact to Corrosive for taking out groups quickly. I also personally carried a Hyperion Crimson Thunder for accurate individual shooting--with maxed out Trespass, there's no real need for lightning damage outside of Crawmerax, in which case you can use Bloodwing as a lightning distraction and line up a shot--or surround him with lightning proximity mines and force him to expose his back; either way, having a Volcano or even a Torgue Cobra makes splashing the boss extremely easy. I used this COM/skill setup for my playthrough with a Siren ally, and never ran into any trouble we couldn't take out methodically.

Can also be combined with the Sharpshooter/Hyperion Loyalty COM for devastating damage with a Hyperion Invader--can manage at least two crits of the burst, particularly with a Liquid or Crimson variant; otherwise a Crimson Thunder will also serve well for this purpose.

Overall Pros: Overall Cons:
 * Massive Damage Boosts all around for sniping
 * Extremely accurate, especially good for crits and solo play
 * Very sustainable and good for individual farming
 * Focuses almost entirely on sniping, however slow firing/close range weapons like revolvers and shotguns benefit if given enough dedication
 * Does not make much use of Bloodwing's abilities; even with maxed Swift Strike and Predator, Bloodwing is only useful as a distraction
 * Relies upon good weapons, good class mods, and overall ability to snipe/crit for challenging stages of gameplay

Alternatives...


 * There may be better skill allocation particularly to solve the Bloodwing issues; maxing out Loaded isn't necessary with the reload bonuses of Killer and Fast Hands. Ransack would never have to be higher than level 2 with a 660 Scavenger Mod. With these 6 points freed, Swipe could be maxed and a point put into Bird of Prey. This would also allow for more effective use of a 660 Ranger Mod, 660 Survivor Mod, or even a 660 Assassin Mod with Corrosive Bloodwing. Unchanged, however, this setup truly maximizes the effectiveness of sniping as an artform.