by ML-Z on 25/03/2025

DRAK-25 Plasma Carbine
Conductive Thermals
Nishanka Boltshark X-80
Cryo Bolt
Grappling Hook
Flare Gun
Light Scouting Suit
Pickaxe
Inhibitor-Field Generator
Loadout Guide
Preface:
Tested on Hazard 5.
Let me get this out of the way first: picking this build means you won't be doing a lot of killing.
I don’t recommend this build outside Eliminations unless you really trust your team as your main role will be to shut Dreadnoughts down and make them easier to kill to the point your team feels like they're bullying them.
Short(er) Version:
Weapon | Upgrades | Overclock |
---|---|---|
DRAK-25 Plasma Carbine | X-1-X-2-2 | Conductive Thermals |
Nishanka Boltshark X-80 | 1-2-3-X-1 | Cryo/Fire Bolts |
Weapon | Notes |
---|---|
DRAK-25 Plasma Carbine | Upgrades are set to have ammo and Plasma Splash so it'll trigger even if it hits invulnerable armor. |
Nishanka Boltshark X-80 | Upgrades set for more regular ammo so you can trigger their Cryo/Fire Bolts with Conductive Thermals. Pheromone Bolts should be used to lure Sentinels to the Hiveguard, besides their usual role of aggroing mobs to Praetorians/Oppressors and whatnot. |
Tool | Upgrades | Notes |
---|---|---|
Grappling Hook | X-1-X-X | Personal preference. I go with longer reach upgrades. |
Flare Gun | X-X-X | Again, personal preference. 1-2-3 has a good balance between ammo and flare duration for me. |
Throwable | None | IFG and Cryo Grenades are my choices for this build. |
Light Scouting Suit | X-X-1-3 | Breathing Room is always a safe choice. |
Detailed Explanation:
DRAK-25 Plasma Carbine
- Weapon built with Plasma Splash so even if it hits an invulnerable part of a Dreadnought it'll still proc the overclock's effect and reduce their elemental resistance.
- Always make sure to keep Conductive Thermals debuff on Dreadnoughts. Even a single stack is enough to considerably make them more vulnerable to Fire or Cryo damage.
- Plasma Splash (T4B) is choosen instead of Overcharged PCF (T4A) as your main role is to make Dreadnoughts vulnerable, not deal damage to them.
- Needless to say, this will really help any Driller with Cryo Cannon or Flamethrower, or anyone with Fire damage, really.
Nishanka Boltshark X-80
- Weapon built with more normal ammo as you’ll be using them to deal with Dreadnoughts. Whether you pick Cryo Bolts or Fire Bolts is up to you or your team's choice. Even with randoms I usually go with Cryo Bolts.
- At max, or nearly maxed, Conductive Thermals debuff stacks two to three Cryo Bolts will Freeze even Dreadnoughts with ease even if someone is using Fire damage. If you can keep the debuff up it can freeze a Dreadnought more than once without needing to fire extra bolts at them.
- Reminder: IFG (30% extra damage from ALL sources) stacks with the Freeze vulnerability or make Burning do more damage on top of slowing Dreadnought movements by 75%.
- Pheromones Bolts will make the Hiveguard’s Sentinels almost a non-issue since they’ll flock to the boss saving your team some headache. Be warned that extra swarms spawned by certain Warnings (Swarmageddon, Exploder Infestation) can disrupt this strategy.
Throwables
- IFG is a safe pick since an universal 30% extra damage from everyone is never a bad idea. It's also good to capitalize on the vulnerability spread by Conductive Thermals either with Fire or Cryo damage.
- Cryo Grenade is never bad either, but always remember you carry only four of them and Dreadnoughts unfreeze very fast.