When fighting for your survival inBack 4 Blood, the weapons and style of build you choose play a huge factor in your chances of success. Boasting several different perks and unique features, Hoffman is a wise choice for any player, regardless of their level of experience withBack 4 Blood or any of itshighly acclaimed predecessors. Newcomers and veterans alike will be able to make great use of him.

RELATED:Best Third Person Shooters

Hoffman is only available once you have completed thefirst four stages of Act 1. In the Crossing, and it’s recommended that you put him through his paces as soon as possible. He can wipe out the enemy and with aplomb, but he can also support your team and ensure everyone makes it to the next safe house. Here are the best cards and weapons for Hoffman, depending on the roles you want him to fulfil.

Why Choose Hoffman?

Hoffman brings a wise, advisor’s presence to the group, but he also has several other beneficial traits that his team members can take advantage of too.

The Ability To Find Ammo Whenever A Ridden Is Killed

This characteristic distinguishes Hoffman from the other cleaners. With the ability to scavenge ammo from defeated enemies, Hoffman is ideal for anyone who is trigger-happy and forgetful regarding ammo management.

An Additional Offensive Weapon Slot

The extra slot allows the player to equip another weapon while completing missions and tasks,making it ideal for someone who prefers to take the lead or assist their fellow cleaners.

The M1911 Pistol

The M1911 is Hoffman’s preference when it comes to side arms. This semi-automatic pistol inflicts moderate damage and ishighly versatile,dependable and useful in any scenario the player may face.

RELATED:Best Levels In Single-Player FPS Games

The Best Builds for Hoffman

In Back 4 Blood, there is no such thing as the perfect build, as every mission requirement (and the player’s wants and needs) will vary.

Even so, it is universally worthwhile to take advantage of Hoffman’s extra weapon slot and ability to scavenge additional ammo. It’s an excellent general purpose baseline to construct a range of builds around.

Back 4 Blood Character Selection Menu Screenshot

Here’s a variety of builds that are all well-rounded, perfect for a quick and straightforward loadout that’s sure to complete the task ahead of you and your fellow cleaners.

Bear a given mission’s requirements in mind, as some of these suggestions may be more fitting for that particular case than others.

Back 4 Blood Deck Manager Menu Screenshot

Card decks are the key to customizing builds in Back 4 Blood. Cards are divided into four categories:Offense, Defense, Utility, and Mobility.Using different combinations, you can construct some very powerful builds, with something for every player and scenario.

“Hard To Kill” Build

This is a perfect build for a new player or someone looking forextra health and stamina. Although this may not be the most powerful approach, you may be sure to be able to avoid all threats that are within range of harming you. With the newly added support inventory slot, players can easily add more hardware to be sure to see the mission through until the end. Defensive or tanky players, or those who tend to be less skilled at avoiding damage, should have great results with this build, but aiding teammates isn’t a focus here.

Card Effect

+30% Melee Stamina, +30% Melee Attack Speed, -5% Damage Resistance

+20% Healing Efficiency

+40% Health, -30% Stamina

Admin Reload

+1 Support Inventory

“Pyromaniac” Build

This build for Hoffman is leaning toward the offensive side of things.The ability to reload when weapons are stowed and a hefty increase of 100% fire damagecan Transform Hoffman into a necessary evil. The ability to burn many enemies and reload his gun while doing so will see you tear through waves of foes in a flash. You’ll be rather more vulnerable to damage, though, so be careful when leaping into the fray.

+45% Move Speed While Firing, +5% Move Speed While Not Firing

Back 4 Blood Deck Vendor Menu Screenshot

+100% Fire Damage, Kills Grant 3 Temporary Lives, Sense Flammable Objects

Reload Weapon When Stowed, -15% Ammo Capacity

“The Doctor” Build

The Doctor isperfect for supportive players seeking to give medical assistance to the rest of the Cleaners while carrying out their missions.This build also boasts a 20% accuracy increase, which is ideal for those who are more of a"spray and pray"kind of player (Hoffman’s passive ammo-finding abilities will be particularly useful here). This build also provides the player with two extra support inventory slots, but damage dealt is reduced somewhat as a result. In especially tricky missions, this Hoffman build should see you and your allies through.

Combat Medic

Teammates Healed With an Additional 20% Health When Revived, +50% Use Speed

Front Sight Focus

+20% Accuracy

Heavy Hitter

Melee Strikes at Weak spots deal +20% Damage

Shoulder Bag

+2 Support Inventory, -10% Damage Dealt

RELATED:Best PS1 Third-Person Shooter Games

Weapon Builds

Cards, as any Back 4 Blood player knows, are only part of the equation. When combined with one of the builds detailed above, a well-customized and built weapon and sidearm give the player an advantage when it comes to eliminating enemies and keeping the other Cleaners safe.

With the game’s range ofweapon customization and attachment choices, the player will never be short of options. There are a total offour slots available to mix and match from. This a critical factor in choosing the optimal build not just for Hoffman, but any other Cleaner in Back 4 Blood. These weapon options, perhaps the best in each category, will prove perfect complements to the deck builds discussed.

The M16 is arguably the best assault rifle any Cleaner can have in their arsenal, with well-rounded stability, accuracy, and damage rating. It makes perfect sense for Hoffman and his crew. When selecting the M16 for Hoffman’s loadout, keep the following attachments in mind:

The M249 is the tool for the job if you need alarge ammo capacityandheavy-hitting firepower. Its 80-round magazine and wide range of attachments make it thebestLMG on the market. Add these impressive attachments to make the most of this weapon:

Desert Eagle

This hand cannon has to be the top choice of handgun.With its 50 CAL roundsthat pack a mean punch, it’s guaranteed to stop any ridden that stands in front of it. Pair it with these attachments for optimal effectiveness:

If you’re looking for stopping power capable of eliminating hordes, look no further than the AA12 shotgun.With its 12 rounds and automatic fire, it’s perhaps the mostversatile and easy-to-use shotgunin the game. It will benefit even more from these customization options:

All of these build options, while highly effective and definitely recommended as starting points, are open to further customization. In Back 4 Blood, there is no definitive choice. Mix and match variousweapons, attachments and decksto find the perfect build that suits your needs best.

NEXT:Games You Should Play If You Love Left 4 Dead