by biossauro on 17/12/2024
M1000 Classic
Nishanka Boltshark X-80
Grappling Hook
Flare Gun
Light Scouting Suit
Pickaxe
Loadout Guide
Scout in Hazard 5+ [Still WIP]
Afraid of the dark? No need, you got me!
This guide is focused on playing on Hazard 5+ difficulties, the most challenging difficulties in vanilla Deep Rock Galactic. The ideas presented here are intended for this difficulty but can be effective on lower Hazard levels as well.
Disclaimer
This guide is not intended for use on modded Custom Difficulties. If you want to play modded difficulties, check out the Buildonomicon from the Practical DRG Discord server instead.
Scout's Role
Scout excels in mobility, support, and single-target damage; however, his fast-paced playstyle requires greater map awareness compared to the average dwarf. Prioritize lighting up the caves, targeting high-value targets, and gathering resources efficiently to keep the team moving smoothly.
Lighting up the Caves
Use your Flare Gun to light up key areas of the cave, but be mindful of ammo consumption. A well-lit cave helps prevent ambushes and reveals threats lurking in the dark, like Cave Leeches.
Collecting Minerals and Other Resources
Use your Grappling Hook to quickly access hard-to-reach resources, like crafting materials and gold.
Nitra
In this game, Nitra is probably the most important resource, and as the Scout, your job is to ensure that your team always has at least 80 of it to call a (https://deeprockgalactic.wiki.gg/wiki/Resupply_Pod), allowing everyone to replenish ammunition and health in times of need.
Speeding Up Secondary Objectives
Your exceptional mobility allows you to quickly complete secondary objectives, like gathering Alien Fossils or killing Bha Barmacles, for example. This helps the team stay focused on surviving and completing core tasks.
Killing High-Value Targets
You're responsible for quickly eliminating High-Value Targets (HVT) and, if you have any freezing sources equipped, stationary enemies. These enemies are often disruptive, deal heavy damage, or control key areas, so eliminating them is top priority.
High-Value Targets (HVT)
HVT is a broad term used to describe enemies that pose an immediate threat to you or your team. For example, a large slow target (LST) like a Bulk Detonator is less of a threat when far away compared to a nearby Septic Spreader attacking from behind a wall or a Cave Leech about to grab a dwarf. The proximity, disruptive capabilities, and potential damage of the enemy determine its priority, not just its size or strength.
Spotting Stationary Enemies
Thanks to Scout's mobility and , it's easier for him to spot stationary threats before the rest of the team even notices.
Stationary Enemies
Stationary enemies spawn only during the cave generation, These enemies make traversal or resource gathering more dangerous. As the Scout, your role is to quickly neutralize these threats with precision to ensure safe passage for your team.
Naedocyte Breeders and Glyphid Brood Nexii: These enemies spawn swarms of smaller enemies, which can quickly overwhelm your team if left unchecked. Take them out early to prevent an endless flood of annoying little guys.
Spitballers, Barrage Infectors, and Vartok Scalebrambles: These stationary turrets dish out heavy damage from a distance, presenting great danger for your team.
Cave Leeches: Though technically stationary enemies, they are incredibly dangerous to be less than a HVT. Illuminate the ceiling and kill them on sight. No need to freeze them, because they're very frail, so simply pull down the trigger and shoot.
If your team’s Gunner is equipped with Volatile Bullets and there are decent ignition sources available at long ranges, you can delegate the task of killing Breeders, Nexii and Infectors (Spitball Infectors and Barrage Infectors) to them.
Quick Builds
Recommended Builds
Generalist Builds
Weapon | Slot | Modifications | Overclock | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Deepcore GK2 | Primary | 21222 | AI Stability Engine (AISE) | |
M1000 Classic | Primary | 23121 23112 |
Active Stability System Hoverclock Minimal Clips |
|
M1000 Classic | Primary | 23221 | Hipster | |
M1000 Classic | Primary | 13111 23211 |
Electrifying Focus Shots (EFS) | |
DRAK-25 Plasma Carbine | Primary | 3X112 | Thermal Exhaust Feedback (TEF) | |
Jury-Rigged Boomstick | Secondary | X1313 | Special Powder (SP) | |
Jury-Rigged Boomstick | Secondary | 11313 11323 |
Shaped Shells (ShSh) | |
Nishanka Boltshark X-80 | Secondary | 131X1 121X1 |
Cryo Bolt (CB) |
Elimination Builds
Bullets of Mercy (Cryo Comp)
Weapon | Slot | Modifications | Overclock | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Deepcore GK2 | Primary | 21222 | Bullets of Mercy (BoM) | |
Nishanka Boltshark X-80 | Secondary | 32111 | Cryo Bolt (CB) |
Conductive Thermals (Fire Comp)
Weapon | Slot | Modifications | Overclock | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
DRAK-25 Plasma Carbine | Primary | 2X222 1X222 |
Conductive Thermals (CT) | |
Nishanka Boltshark X-80 | Secondary | 32111 33111 |
Fire Bolt (FB) |
Experimental Builds (WIP)
Not all builds here have been thoroughly tested on Hazard 5+, so take this subsection with a grain of salt.
NOTE: This subsection will likely remain a work in progress (WIP).
Solo/Carry Builds
Weapon | Slot | Modifications | Overclock | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Deepcore GK2 | Primary | 1X2X3 | Electrifying Reload (ER) | |
DRAK-25 Plasma Carbine | Primary | 1X311 | Aggressive Venting (AV) | Probably the best solo/carry Scout primary build. |
Jury-Rigged Boomstick | Secondary | 12233 | Double Barrel (DB) | |
Jury-Rigged Boomstick | Secondary | 11213 | Jumbo Shells (JS) | |
Zhukov NUK17 | Secondary | 1123X 1121X |
Embedded Detonators (ED) | |
Nishanka Boltshark X-80 | Secondary | 131X1 | Fire Bolt (FB) |
Off-Meta Builds
Weapon | Slot | Modifications | Overclock | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Deepcore GK2 | Primary | 112X1 | Overclocked Firing Mechanism (OFM) | Decent with CM. |
M1000 Classic | Primary | 22221 | Marked for Death (MfD) | Consider pairing it with ED in Elim/IS. |
M1000 Classic | Primary | 11222 | Supercooling Chamber (SCC) | Potential pick in Elim/IS missions. |
Zhukov NUK17 | Secondary | X121X | Cryo Minelets (CM) | See this guide. |
Zhukov NUK17 | Secondary | XX211 | Gas Recycling (GR) | |
Nishanka Boltshark X-80 | Secondary | 11111 | Bodkin Points (BP) | |
Nishanka Boltshark X-80 | Secondary | 31112 | Trifork Volley | Potential pick in Elim/IS missions. |
Legacy/Outdated Builds
Weapon | Slot | Modifications | Overclock | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
DRAK-25 Plasma Carbine | Primary | 1X112 | Impact Deflection (ID) | |
Jury-Rigged Boomstick | Secondary | 21313 | Compact Shells | |
Jury-Rigged Boomstick | Secondary | X1313 | Stuffed Shells |
Gameplay Tips
- Stay slightly ahead of your team to spot potential threats and collect resources, but don't stray too far, or you risk getting downed in a hard-to-reach location.
- Maintain mobility by constantly using your Grappling Hook to reposition.
- If you are using the Special Powder OC, use it in combination to the Grappling Hook to quickly escape danger, such as groups of bugs and fall damage, or to simply reach places you wouldn't be able to reach otherwise.
- Hoverclock is another solid option for kiting bugs and avoiding fall damage. It's a lifesaver when you need to reposition quickly or handle swarms more effectively.
- It's always good to balance your team for single-target and area damage sources. However, area damage is usually better covered by other dwarves than Scout, especially by the Driller.