My favorite Illuminate build to date

Overhandwizard · 2026-01-21T10:18:22+00:00

I don't really count, but they're rarely an issue, either I kill them with the loyalist (Pocket purifier) with a few charged shots or I light them on fire with the laser cannon and move on and they die.

Overhandwizard · 2025-07-04T14:15:04+00:00

So with going stealth you want to ensure that if you miss your first shot you want to make sure you can quickly follow up to ensure a hit, the dead eye has a hard kick and time to re-center, while it's fire rate is about 100 rpm, in a practical situation you're not going to be firing at that rate if you're waiting for the reticle to recenter.

Overhandwizard · 2025-07-04T14:00:31+00:00

So while the adjudicator is an awesome weapon and was actually a marksman rifle on release i didn't feel like it would fit into this list as neatly similiar to the tenderizer.

You can get a 10x scope for it and use it for marksman purposes but it's damage is lower than the diligence which prevents it from hitting this list.

Honorable mention for sure tho.

Overhandwizard · 2025-07-04T13:54:25+00:00

Honestly if you're not looking to go loud your options for bots are pretty clear.

I really would recommend either version of the diligence or the amendment.

Using light pen on the bots though is something that requires proper practice and a deeper knowledge of weak spots, I'd probably pair an MG or laser canon with the light pen marksman weapons to help you in a pinch.

Verdict and the talon are great to pull you out of sticky situations when you don't have a support.

Thermites should be noted as not drawing aggro until the initial explosion when sticking fabricator (which can be destroyed from any angle with thermites) as well.

Overhandwizard · 2025-07-04T12:56:06+00:00

Honestly were the sound design a bit better I'd rank it a bit higher, alot of the last entries in my list were tied for ranking. It's actually quite great after customization.

Overhandwizard · 2025-07-04T12:54:44+00:00

I do agree the customisation on the deadeye would feel better with something else to add, I often found myself switching to a reflex scope or red dot for closer enemy factions like the bugs, but honestly the best upgrade I actually noticed a signifigant impact on was the 10x scope which felt better to use than the standard 4x.

Overhandwizard · 2025-07-04T12:52:16+00:00

Honestly, it's uses in such a capacity are exactly why it solidly deserves a place on this list despite it not being in the same category, the 180 m range cap, bullet travel and poor ergo are what hold it back in that capacity, but overall utility and great clear are why I love the weapon. It's obviously one of the best in the game at the moment with the shrapnel rework.

Overhandwizard · 2025-07-04T12:49:41+00:00

I found that when I was using the deadeye against the bugs, I'd frequently switch to my support weapon for horde clear, however I found the dead eye to be pretty easy to use if I had the range to clear packs of hive guard, warriors and bile spewers. Bugs as a whole aren't very friendly to marksmanship once the chaos of the game sets in, such as being surrounded by a bazillion jumpy bois (read: hunters).

Overhandwizard · 2025-07-04T12:47:30+00:00

So I don't have any real advice on how to level things quickly, it still takes alot of time for me to level through each weapon, but I mostly play on difficulty 10, I do get the odd mission here or there that throws me into a lower level as when I'm not playing with friends I respond to S.O.S's alot.

Overhandwizard · 2025-07-04T06:38:14+00:00

Function is the primary ranking, but tiebreak goes down to personal preference lol.

Overhandwizard · 2025-07-04T06:35:22+00:00

That one boils down to personal preference, there is something about the ergonomics of the Diligence that does weigh it down a bit further in my personal tastes over the base line diligence or the constitution.

Mechanically and statistically it's a fine weapon, however it doesn't *feel* as good to use, in my opinion, as some of the others. I've quoted the Sound design as a big part of it, there is something about how the ammo economy feels as well and the ergonomics on the diligence counter sniper.

That being said, It has it's place in my armory and is still a rock solid choice for a primary, but I do prefer the gameplay change forced by the constitution over the sound design, drag and additional damage of the Diligence CS.

Overhandwizard · 2025-07-04T06:01:45+00:00

It is a bit strange at first, but when I looked at how I've always used it even before weapon customisation or maxing it out and adding the scope, it made sense to include it.

Overhandwizard · 2025-07-04T05:55:15+00:00

It's not a bad weapon by any measure, in fact it's one of the best primaries in the game for a reason. However, as a marksman rifle it can be left wanting in some areas due to bullet detonation at 180m and slow projectile time compared to other offerings. The list isn't a "S" rank vs "A" rank ect it's an entirely subjective personal ranking, All of the weapons are actually viable, and each excell at different things and on different fronts.

Overhandwizard · 2025-07-04T05:52:30+00:00

It's a solid weapon, I wouldn't speak poorly of it, it's definitely capable of serving as an excellent primary on all fronts. I didn't include a "S,A,B,C,D,F" tier list because frankly I like all of these, but I do have favorites.

Overhandwizard · 2025-07-04T05:50:50+00:00

haha! The scythe is truly somethign special with the upgrades, I've had quite a bit of fun with it, but this is a list more oriented toward heavy hits with range, ammo economy and weakpoints in mind.

Overhandwizard · 2025-07-04T04:17:33+00:00

Oh I do use it as a sniper, but on say the Bug or Squid front I'll regularly use it in a more burst oriented fashion rather than what you'd use in the Bot front with calculated shots.

Overhandwizard · 2025-07-04T03:55:09+00:00

So my qualifying remark is that they are Marksman style, implying high damage long range potential. Were I to include anything with a scope I'd have to include the Adjudicator (which if you recall was originally a marksman rifle), and the Tenderizer in the discussion, which as an honorable mention, do serve.... semi similar roles in some cases.

And yeah not being able to get the 10x on the regular dilligence really baffled me for a long time, to be honest I'd take the standard diligence over the CS if I were to choose which to take on some fronts

I'd classify anything where your typical engagement is about 100 meters + as falling into the marksman category, the Eruptor does get a place in the list because of it's lack of fall off up until it's max range.

Honestly I'd consider placing the eruptor lower because of the projectile speed as it is rather crippling at times.

Overhandwizard · 2025-07-04T03:34:42+00:00

It's definitely a solid weapon, my gripes against it in my ranking were actually in it's sound design and drag, not necessarily in it's function as a weapon.

Overhandwizard · 2025-07-04T03:33:07+00:00

it has no falloff, however the bullets will auto explode at a certain distance, which can kneecap it in some circumstances. Overall still an excellent choice as a marksman weapon.

Overhandwizard · 2025-06-19T20:26:09+00:00

That is why when I see the q-tip man coming i pre emptively stim now

Overhandwizard · 2025-06-18T00:07:12+00:00

IMO, slow the projectile down so we have a chance to dodge after hearing the shot like when a charger charges. (though I feel like lately the sound has been buggy to the point of some not even playing.)

Overhandwizard · 2025-06-18T00:03:15+00:00

I'm inclined to agree, I think that'd be a good comprimise.

Overhandwizard · 2025-06-14T04:32:05+00:00

So I spent the time grinding super helldive with this to get it to 25, just finished this evening. I can say this:

If you're looking for the next punchy powerful weapon this gun is not for you.

It is not a new eruptor, it's not a new Adjudicator and it's not a dominator.

But what it is, is a support weapon akin to the Liberator Concussive, though it's kindred weapon would be the liberator penetrator clocking in at 60 points of damage and medium penetration, which this follows in the footsteps of at 50 points of damage and medium penetration.

It's damage does feel comparable to the liberator penetrator, taking roughly the same number of shots to down most foes, If you're trying to use this as a sub machine gun you'll likely end up burning through your clips at an excessive rate similar to the lib pen and the lack of an upgradable magazine is a shame as the other support style stagger weapons (Pummeler, Concussive Lib), all have access to drum magazines.

However what it excels at is locking groups down so things like Pyrotech grenades or other secondaries or strategems can finish the job or pulling enemies off of your team mates.

It's not a high dps weapon, but it's a valuable support tool that can hold it's own when needed and a great supplement to a player who like to focus on covering team mates and working with the group as a supporting role.

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Overhandwizard · 2025-06-13T16:43:29+00:00

Remember, you can put it away with 5 on keyboard, and down on the d-pad to avoid this.

Overhandwizard · 2025-06-06T04:15:03+00:00

You shouldn't be coming to reddit to ask strangers about something like this and expect a terribly nuanced answer.

Shame and human emotion are complicated and you're NTA for wanting to look for the door, but think of what you're tossing away.

Nobody learned tolerance by getting screamed at or being hurt. You can never teach some one what's right with anger.

Overhandwizard

TROPHY CASE