First of all I can’t really recommend playing Brauto Vet, I haven’t found anything that makes it feel good or strong even before Survivalist nerf. Vet’s tree doesn’t give it anything special outside rending (which apart from my personal distaste doesn’t feel all that special) and better spread with Exa (which is just… really bad).
Now after the nerf you have to scavenge a whole lot more for ammo (that’s the game now, just search for ammo whole game), and events (and after) are prime situations to run low or out. It got hurt bad, but it’s still playable, as you can complete missions with it.
If you get lucky and get 3 people who doesn’t take pickups (double psyker + melee only Zealot for example) you can even shoot the whole game, but prepare to run around for pickups a lot. If you have 2 other guys who need pickups you’re going to have a bad time.
Veteran
Best on the weapon is Flak+Maniac and Deathspitter+Firefrenzy (I know it’s bugged, but can kinda help). On @BongoSkaggs’s weapon… I’d just roll a new weapon. Replace +stam with +maniacs and H&R with TB if you can’t roll a new one.
Focus Target+Redirect fire so you have enough damage, and a choice between ExStance (you’ll actually deal damage) or VoC (you have a single safety net). I’d personally go for ExStance and just accept death when it comes (silent ragers and all that). VoC is stronger on Vet it isn’t even a contest, but we are trying to enjoy a weapon here.
Tree Example:
- Relentless and Counter-fire are both optional.
- You can pick Duck & Dive instead of CQK because it’s great… but that 15% damage really helps.
- You can pick up Precision Strike. It can be good for your melee.
- Out for blood is great, but it costs 2 points.
- Fully loaded helps with ammo, but I generally find that points are better spent elsewhere.
- Krak vs Shredder is based on preference. Obviously go for Krak if your melee can’t deal with Crushers fast (Catachan).
Basically a lot of things are based on preference.
Zealot
For the weapon on Zealot I really like +Infected (and what I’m usually running), but Flak is a close second (especially for FtoF Crushers kills), of course you always want +Maniacs. Blessing are whatever you fancy. I used to run Stripped Down for +MS, but it’s still good. TB, H&R are both good defensively (I have a preference for TB, but currently run H&R). Damage perks are less required on Zealot and in their bugged state they are meh. Speedload is bad.
For @BongoSkaggs’s weapon I’d reroll +Groaners/Poxwalkers to +Maniacs and Speedload to anything else. It’s a really good base even with the low Stability.
Zealot tree is much simpler. Just pick AiB, PtU and it will be good. If you also pick up IJ it will be great. As @alsozara said DoD feels great, and since you already want “cannot be stunned+” (Thy Wrath be Swift) on all builds it’s free.
Tree example:
I played the build with the above skill tree with Crusher (the weapon) a lot and it’s basically invincible in good hands.
You can easily just swap IJ for BP on it and/or at start go for throwing knives/Crit Bleed based on what your melee needs, and the Brauto will still serve you well.