Back 4 Blood Hoffman, Another Ultimate Core Deck Building Guide

Pre-Collapse Awkwardness

A hard working father who provided well taking lengthy business trips, it crated a vacuum in his son's relationship. Where affection was replaced with buying whatever toys or hobby interest for the week was desired. His constant return to music, different instruments in class, to his many failed attempts at being a heavy metal star. Posters of metal bands, girls in Satanic themed bikinis, and amps and electric guitars collecting dust in display cases for years.

This created a sad little boy whose mother over compensated with sweets that packed on pounds, and T.V. time while being allowed to sit too close, leading to need glasses.

H.R. wasn't all that smart, so dad couldn't even have that satisfaction of his outcast bullied son packing on a good GPA and getting into prestigious schools so he could brag about it at the office. Everyone else at the office had athletes or egg heads.

So all those weekend trips and summer vacations dad did something fun, like hunting or fishing on the lake; or any number of other things; his dad tried to motivate H.R. by saying as soon as he made a sports team or an academic team that competed around other schools, he could come along.

This only put pressure on H.R. to impress his dad, and ultimately caused him to fail even worse, refusing his self esteem and making him even more of a target of bullies. As the wedge between father and son grew, mom just focused on more pampering and sweets making H.R. very spoiled, anti-social and heavy.

H.R. then learning the way to show affection and make friends is to give things away. And this stuck after highschool(going stag to Prom dressed as Rob Zombie, and still a virgin), when he joined a local gun club.

Firing on the range, laughing with beers after, and feeling like he was accepted for the first time in his life. He found bringing extra smoke bombs for sniper firing drills, or extra ammo, really softened the blow for the other members on a limited budget due to a spouse and kids.

It was a habit that stuck, even after the collapse. Having extra bullets and bombs for every one makes them like you more, and if not? At least seem more useful and not left behind. ( +1 Offensive Inventory) (+15% Team Ammo Capacity)

But before or after Gun Club, while others were busy with dates, or family or having a life in general, H.R. needed to find ways to pass time. And that there trusty internet seemed like a great place to hang out where he could be anyone and anonymous and say and do or learn anything he wanted in chatrooms and forums.

And before long he learned about, and laughed at "Conspiracies", "Deep Governments", "Aliens", "Lizard People", "Mole People", and many other things. Then he met "her". He never knew what she looked like, or even if it was a woman, she was just easy to talk to. And listened when he shared about his life and current issues or situations.

She also wasn't pushy about all the other stuff people in the forum went on about, and when he asked her, she simply said she saw it for herself, and most don't believe, and that's okay. And that she hoped no one ever saw what she saw because that meant they were safe.

Even if H.R. DIDN'T have a huge crush on her, everything she said made sense, and she has some really good evidence to back it up.

Then one day she just stopped showing up, and with no way to ever track her down, H.R. became obsessed with anything Cryptid, Alien or Conspiracy, hoping to one day run into her again..Especially on the Subject of Mole people, which she swears she saw and had compelling photos and video for from her trail cams. And overtime, not hearing back from her, convinced she learned too much and the government, OR THE MOLE PEOPLE, silenced her.

If the Mole People were real, then the rest of it has to be real, and it's just professionals trained to launch hoaxes, discredit witnesses and add misinformation to delude the masses that none of it was real.

No one listened to him then, and even AFTER the obviously government snafu of releasing a biological weapon creating the zombie apocalypse, no one believes him now. But that doesn't stop him from protecting Fort Hope from the threat that took StarJammer489 out of his life.

Every night volunteering for watch, would check all the area around base regularly. And one night hit pay dirt. He saw shadowy figures casing Fort Hope, staying out of sight, and out of lights. These were no ridden, and when they started to leave he trailed them to a place they entered fresh dug holes.

MOLE PEOPLE!

But they could have a spy among the others at Fort Hope and he couldn't alert them until he knew if there were, and who they are! Masters of disguise kits or the arcane arts of illusion!

And after a few fruitless nights of the shadows just watching, a lone figure leaves Fort Hope! Smart to keep distance but watch everything, this spy talks to them in some Asian Language. Probably to disguise the double layer of membrane to better breath underground, and sharp teeth that affect speech sounds, to better blend with humans.

And when the spy was back in the light, it was the biggest surprise, HENG WAS THE SPY!

Waiting for a chance to go on a supply run alone with Heng, H.R. waited for his chance to corner Heng and interrogate him. But Heng convinced him he was NOT a Mole Person. (By convince, Heng used some sort of Karate or Kung-Fu to spin around, disarm the Pistol H.R. had in his hand, twist his arm into a painful shoulder lock and place a VERY sharp Hatchet to his neck, giving him the choice of reporting back to Fort Hope Hoffman was eaten by ridden, or have a damn good explanation for this!)

Heng actually laughed and let Hoffman go when he said he thought he was a Mole Man! Heng having a spot spot for the truly unhinged, saw H.R. as a slightly delusional, but useful emotional child. And explains H.R. needs to keep it quiet but Heng is smuggling out supplies nobody would miss to old Chinese Triad contacts, to make new goods. And as a cut given finished products. And that all those things Heng "finds" in the field, are all smuggled and dropped sleight of hand style, so these items can be used, or brought back without suspicion of Heng's suddenly more wealthy lifestyle. All possibly incriminating him if supplies are discovered going missing.

H.R. thinks even though they are criminals, they are still human. And will be ready to join forces when the Mole People ACTUALLY do rise up and try to take over all the hard earned land reclaimed by humans form the ridden!

Not only does H.R. promise Heng he won't say anything to save his own skin, but actually wants to help Heng offload extra goods to get into the good graces of the Triad if they ever find out he knows and they want to eliminate him. Or to run loud interference or tell bad stories to help Heng misdirect with his sleight of hand.

Heng agrees, but that he doesn't do any of the supply lifting directly, but instead the bumbling idiot draw attention away so he can get more things and take his time more often. And with the higher output of supplies, the need to offload more things comes up, and since he always brings extra bullets and bombs anyway , that he handle more bullets and grenades to offload saving Heng too much goods and seem more suspicious. (Hoffman has a chance to find ammo or an offensive accessory when he kills a ridden.)

Post Collapse Hubris

Thousands of hours on the firing range make Hoffman feel superior to the average Cleaner. And no one compares to his hundreds of hours of fast draw practice since he was a kid, mimicking his favorite cowboy movies, acting tough in the mirror. And even as he joined the gun club imagining he was taking on an old bully. Or even now , when no one is looking, practicing to look cool and maybe get a girlfriend who is impressed.

But the thing is? On the firing range, the targets rarely move, never run at you, and aren't trying to try and eat your face. So it's harder to move while down sites and keep the steady focus. And of course when you DO get hit, it throws focus off balance and requires getting better footing or stance to be back on track like one practiced. Plus when you get hit, you don't look cool and probably won't get that date...

But the recorded 89% bullseye average, highest in the club? SO WORTH IT!

Cocky +75% Weapon Swap Speed When You Take Damage, Lose Accuracy For 3 Seconds

Steady Aim Every 0.75 Seconds Aiming Down Sights Gives 10% Recoil Control (Up to 3 Stacks), +80% Aim Speed -50% ADS Move Speed

Internet Browser History

After losing touch with StarJammer489, H.R. was convinced the Mole People would come after him next if he keep digging(pun intended) into her work and their doings. But he had a plan to save her, AND end the Mole People.

While most other guys his age were browsing porn sites, or watching stupid cat videos or playing videogames, he was soaking each bit of information he could find on bomb building, plastic explosives placement, and mine removal or arming. He even got on a few federal watch lists for his activity around 9/11.

All this in a fantasy he saves her, and blows close all the Mole People caves, killing them. Or cutting them off long enough to make an escape and start a new life, under an alias and get married.

Soon, getting materials to practice in small amounts, or convince his gun club in case of foreign invasion to have them ready as a milita able to tank bust.

Sure it took him 20 years to get as skilled and able if he had instead just gotten military trained. But that's too much running and being shot at. And dying is no fun, and if he was fighting a war manipulated by world government powers for economic gain anyway, he'd lose precious time to investigate StarJammer489's disapearance.

These self made bombs and explosives are bulkier, making it harder to switch between weapons. And they take up more space making less space for ammo. But hey, if guns run dry, just gunna ask the people who extra bullets were GIVEN to in the first place, to hand some over!

Demolitions Expert +50% Accessory Damage -15% Ammo Capacity

Improvised Explosives +75% Accessory Damage -25% Swap Speed

Sugary Justification

Sure, with less food it's hard not to lose weight. But food is comfort, and always a treat when you find an old candy bar box, or stale chips, flat and warm soda can, or anything with sugar or trans fat in it really. That sugar or junk food rush is just what the doctor ordered for that burst of energy when it really matters.

So the habit of finding, acquisitioning through new secret Triad mob connections, and stowing multiple precollapse goodies is the best way to make it through that long Cleaner Run. Or at the very least a decent final meal instead of mystery meat stew form the hunters, canned surprise or the MRE's those less skilled, or connected, eat every day. And only once or twice a day? Can't have that.

And so what if a little extra husky? That's extra cushion and makes one harder to kill. So the running is a thing, but if you are good with a gun or explosives you can kill them before you have to run.

Besides that constant flow of goodies really keeps the morale up, and knowing you aren't going to starve, or worse, eat bland food the rest of your life in this miserable apocalypse. Keeps you pumped up and willing to find more stuff for the mob whose connections get you more goodies down the line. Well, that and those pills you hide form the others for the pain, for someone that can't stop the regular toothaches from all the sugar and no real dental care...

Energy Bar +30% Stamina Regen, +5 Health

Pumped Up Your Temp Health Decays 20% Slower, 1 Extra Pain Pills Spawns Each Map, +5% Health

Finishing Touches

The deck given here is based on an imagining of how Hoffman's life was like, and changed by the collapse, using various sources. The first in game Movie you see him in action, his banter with other Cleaners, his base starting abilities even before a deck is made, and even some artwok on different cards.

All of these came together to create a narrative so when using this deck build, you actually FEEL like Hoffman as you battle the ridden and fight for the survival of humanity. All while being an effective teammate that packs a wallop and keeps the team overall resupplied in extra bullets and other implements of destruction.

This play method brings to the fore how effective Hoffman can be more than just a resupply support build. But also a very effective explosive expert for those tougher mutations. Instead often you see builds that ultra focus on Ammo Capacity and resupply for Hoffman. Or ignore he can carry more grenades, so why not deal more damage with them?

But what Makes Hoffman different is his childhood trauma experiences that mould and motivate his delusions and broken heart into such an unlikely organized crime accomplice while getting the things he craves and loves most to be a more energetic, and tanky Cleaner. All while explaining the UNREALISTIC ability to make ammo and grenades appear otherwise out of seeming thin air.

But staying true to the Ultimate Core Deck Building Guide as the baseline, there are other ways to make Hoffman shine in other areas without losing the essence of who he is. Feel free to use any, or all, of these suggestions to tweak to your build preference, while still keeping the core of Hoffman overall.

1. Social awkwardness and misunderstandings can change a major aspect of someone's life. Maybe Hoffman made it weird when a lady friend showed kindness at the gun club and he mistook it for romance and had to leave because of embarassing himself. or getting kicked out for crossing a line. Or maybe he came off as too thirsty or weird always offering gifts of bullets, guns and grenades. Whatever the case , Hoffman spent less time at the gun range, and focused on other endeavors. Including his favorite thing that is super expensive, and with all the money he saved not dating, or giving gifts at the gun range, bought, and trained with, his own LMG. Learning ways to maneuver better, and hit more targets consistently in his own practices.

Replace Cocky and Steady Aim with

Meat Grinder When Crouching, Gain +30% Move Speed and Accuracy with LMG's

and

Tactical Vest +30% Rifle Ammo, +10% Assault Rifles and LMG Damage

2. Sometimes reality sets in. Instead of StarJammer489 disapearing and creating a fantasy it was the Mole People or government covering it up, he realizes 489 is an area code in Mesa, AZ.

Instead of taking his time researching explosives to blow the tunnels closed in a grand rescue, he spends his time looking for people who own trail cams and property in or around Mesa, after meeting some people in other forums based in Arizona that talk and act like StarJammer489 while using a new handle.

And instead of his old handle, Metal4Ever, using a new one and different way of typing and talking to fool her into thinking he was someone else. Gaining trust, and renting an apartment in Mesa outskirts cheap, and using clues gleaned from weeks of correspondence, H.R. finally finds a home that matches descriptions and events and property areas of SaltySweety's, StarJammer489's newest handle.

For a moment, on a stake out, Hoffman was stricken, she was beautiful, and about his age. But then a couple kids ran out to the front yard. No big deal, being a step dad can't be that hard, but then "HE" stepped out onto the porch and hugged her from behind and they kiss.

It was unfair, but H.R. felt cheated on and wanted answers. But he knew he couldn't blow his cover or he would never get them.

He was careful and gained more trust revealing he was a woman but that he had to pretend to be a man without saying so or every hard up Tom or Joe would horn up and think they were "in love". And how he felt so safe talking to SaltySweety because it's clear probably a woman too and would understand.

This caused SaltySweety to share she totally understood. Sometime last year her and her husband were having issues, because he wouldn't believe or get behind the Mole Man issue. No matter how much proof she had. Even wanted her to get help and that was the last straw. She moved out with the kids and stayed with her parents for awhile.

She joined a Cryptid and Conspiracy Forum and met some awesome people, but one guy got too close even though he was nice, and she thought about it, but after a couple weeks the hubby called and apologized because he saw the Mole People too!

So not having resolved all the emotional issues, it was just best to leave that forum and get back to life as normal, as one could. Either hubby saw the Mole People,or was willing to lie to make it work, either way the support was endearing.

And it just was easier to leave and never return, than to explain.

Enraged, but keeping his cool, said what a small world, used to be in the same forum but left because of some of the guys there because made the mistake of revealing a girl, and many guys kept flirting. Especially one guy that seemed super nice but a bit needy, a Metal4Ever.

SaltySweetie was surprised and said yup, same guy. Really nice but a bit pushy.

Something snapped in Hoffman, instead of needing to save StarJammer489 from the Mole People, but instead to take revenge and kill every one personally. Being blocked off or killed in an explosion was too easy. He wanted to look them in their beady eyes as he killed each one, or at least their leader, for ruining his chance with her. If they just waited a bit longer before appearing to her husband, or not at all, he could have won her and lived happily ever after.

Between this, and all the bullies all his life, a darkness welled up and needed to be let out. To feel the glee of truly hurting something, imagining it's his old bullies, or his dad, or that husband, or the mole person who revealed themselves ruining everything. Feeding that blood lust with every exploded head, or heart stabbed.

And all these whiners complaining about their life or how hard they have it, and secretly laughing inside every time they get hurt and feel real pain, getting a burst of adrenaline they got what they deserved for thinking they suffered anyway near as much as H.R.

Replace Demolitions Expert and Improvised Explosives with

Sadistic Every Precision Kill Gives+5% Weakspot Damage for 10 Seconds

and

Sadist When a Teammate Within 15 Meters Suffers 5 or More Damage, Gain 20% of That as Temp Health. Can Only Trigger Once Per Second

3. Maybe the crash after a sugar high isn't worth it, or the toothaches get to be too much. Either way Hoffman decides to try and be healthier, and a man still needs to eat. Using those Triad connections to get more food of the conventional variety. Sharing some with Fort Hope and "finding" the others in the field using sleight of hand like Heng for other gear he helps offload, like bullets and grenades, to redirect possible suspicion for the extra goods.

Replace Energy Bar and Pumped Up with

Well Fed +10 Team Health

and

Food Scavenger Adds a Moderate Amount of Food Items to the World. Food Items Restore an Additional 3 Health.

Disclaimers

1. It has been brought to my attention some players are ignoring the Ultimate Core Deck Building Guide suggestion of 9 base cards, and using the six cards I originally give. And instead of replacing with the other cards I suggest, adding them to the base 6 cards and making a 12 card deck.

This actually could work, but without the personal defense and team damage dealing and mitigation cards offered in the Ultimate Core Guide, there will be a struggle without economy upgrades. Ways to get more healing and copper to help make up for this fact. So with the remaining 3 cards do the following. Any choice given here for 3 cards of your Choice.

Any 1 weapon or attachment card, and/or any 1 Copper card at start of level and/or any 1 party wide affecting copper card, and/or any 1 Scavenger Card.

2. As always these are suggestions and the player is encouraged to build decks they have the most fun playing. However input is always welcome if you have found a build using this core formula, and the parent Ultimate Core Deck Building Guide, that works for you or is an improvement, please leave the formula in comments, and you might get a shout out or added as part of the guide with contributor credits!

3. The views and opinions of this Steam User do not reflect Steam, all Steam affiliates, or Turtle Rock or Warner Bros Games and affiliates. All images and likeness are property of Turtle Rock, and any sharing on other media must have express permission form this guides Creator, while being fully credited.

Guide Links

1.Karlee https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2862916758

2.Holly https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2863345403

3.Walker https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2863413257

4. Heng https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2863686632

5. Jim https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2864247205

6. Total Apocalypse https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2865197388

7. Hoffman https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2864390802

8. Little Death https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2872492384

Source: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2864390802

Hoffman, Another Ultimate Core Deck Building Guide