Advanced Tech for Bulwark in PvP
By Praxedes.
Right now, power sword animation canceling is not possible the way it used to be done in PVP, as far as I know, but you have a couple of options like rolling away and going into block.
For power whirl, it helps to start it slightly early because the later two hits can usually kill people outright, so the first one doesn’t matter as much. You are more likely to take damage trying to get it off by initiating it right in front of someone’s face.
Fighting other Bulwarks: shield bash/parry and dropping grenades in front of you while blocking are solid ways to get them out of your hair, if not using a power whirl.
Speed style is better in most circumstances because you get mobility from the running thrust attack, and you can use it infinitely with rolling to catch fleeing enemies.
It can also be helpful for trying to evade an Assault’s first slam, but versus Assaults, you are usually going to die in a 1v1 unless they are already low on health or you hit them a lot with your gun while they are in the air. Three out of five times I can kill them with a grenade after they first slam me though, so I’d hold onto one if you can for them.
Otherwise, my general strategy for PVP on Bulwark is using block when enemies are really clustered up so your teammates can shoot at them, but immediately being willing to rush in with power stance on so you can AOE slash them all and make them scatter, or use speed if there’s a high-value target like a Heavy or Assault.
When blocking isn’t important, staying mobile and kiting is more important. Since you can block all ranged fire, you can keep flushing them out of cover for your team to shoot if they are paying attention, but also try not to get swarmed.
A good technique is using a power whirl or fully charged powerfist attack from around corners if you have to run out of fire, because usually they will chase if you do, and you can usually get like two power attacks off if they dodge the first one and you retreat back again a short distance.
Also, you can kill most Vanguards that try to grapple you if you just use power whirl or a couple of speed style attacks as they zoom towards you.
Keep a glance on the ground since snipers like to flank Bulwarks specifically with their SMG, so watching for their shadows helps there too.
Finally, chain sword will let you just straight up win most 1v1s because you can light attack + heavy kick combo repeatedly to stagger people, so it definitely has its uses.