Unleashing the Powerhouse: A Deep Dive into State of Decay 2’s Melee Mastery
The Powerhouse skill in State of Decay 2 is a significant asset for any survivor focused on melee combat. It’s not just about hitting harder; it’s about gaining an edge in resource management and combat efficiency. Specifically, a character with the Powerhouse skill enjoys a higher chance of landing critical hits in melee fights. Beyond raw damage, Powerhouse allows survivors to carry an additional 10 lbs of weight, and they can hold stacks of four items instead of the standard three. This combination of increased combat potential and enhanced carry capacity makes the Powerhouse skill a highly sought-after trait among players who prefer a more hands-on, up-close-and-personal fighting style.
Understanding the Benefits of Powerhouse
Critical Hits & Damage Output
The primary allure of the Powerhouse skill lies in its impact on melee combat. The increased critical hit chance translates to a more consistent and substantial damage output. This can be the difference between quickly dispatching a single zombie and being overwhelmed in a horde. Melee fighters are always in the thick of the action, making a higher critical chance essential for survival. While the exact percentage increase is not explicitly stated in-game, it is noticeable and impactful in regular gameplay, leading to quicker fights and reduced risk of injury.
Increased Carry Capacity
Beyond combat, the additional 10 lbs of carry weight is incredibly useful for scavengers. Players can carry more resources, meaning fewer trips back to base, and more items brought back in a single scavenging run. This is particularly beneficial when tackling challenging missions or clearing out large buildings. Combined with the fact that Powerhouse users can stack four of an item instead of three, the player can significantly optimize inventory management, making looting more efficient and less tedious.
Acquiring the Powerhouse Skill
The Path to Powerhouse
Unlike some skills that can be gained from skill books or pre-existing traits, the Powerhouse skill is trained through melee combat. The more zombies you take down using melee weapons, the faster you will acquire this skill. It’s a grind, but it’s an active process that allows you to directly shape your survivor’s combat prowess. Each zombie kill in melee combat will grant 10 points to Powerhouse, and this skill’s XP gain rate is unaffected by other traits or facility bonuses.
No Shortcuts or Specializations
It’s crucial to note that unlike the Fighting skill (which benefits from the “Slaughter” feat), Powerhouse does not gain any XP boost from any specialization. This means that regardless of which melee fighting style you adopt, the rate at which you gain Powerhouse experience will remain consistent, ensuring a level playing field for all melee enthusiasts.
Powerhouse & Other Combat Skills: Synergies and Interactions
Powerhouse & Close Combat
While Powerhouse focuses on raw striking power and carrying capacity, the Close Combat skill enhances melee effectiveness in a different way. Close Combat allows instant executions on enemies. When both skills are maxed, the execution animation takes precedence. It’s the combination of these two combat styles that transforms a survivor into an incredibly efficient melee killing machine. Powerhouse allows the character to grapple zombies from the front, and Close Combat allows the survivor to instantly execute them.
The Value of Melee Builds
Both Powerhouse and Close Combat are invaluable for a well-rounded melee build, providing a deadly combination of increased damage output, carrying capacity, and instant kills. These skills work in tandem to make the character an extremely proficient and dangerous force to be reckoned with in any close combat scenario.
Powerhouse in the Grand Scheme
Why It Matters
The Powerhouse skill isn’t just a nice bonus; it’s a cornerstone skill for a combat-focused survivor. The enhanced critical hit chance means more consistent damage output, while the extra carry weight allows players to collect more resources and stay out on the field for longer periods of time. This combination of fighting efficiency and resource management puts Powerhouse high on the list for essential skills.
Not Just a Melee Skill
While the combat benefit is obvious, the increased item stacking and carry capacity benefits are universally helpful for any survivor. This makes the Powerhouse skill useful in diverse situations, not only for combat but also for scavenging and managing resources.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does Powerhouse affect firearms?
No, the Powerhouse skill only affects melee combat. It has no impact on firearms or ranged weapons.
2. Can you lose the Powerhouse skill?
No, once your survivor acquires the Powerhouse skill, it is a permanent part of their skill set. There is no way to lose it through injury or any other means.
3. Does Powerhouse stack with other melee combat bonuses?
Yes, Powerhouse stacks with other melee combat bonuses. It works in synergy with other traits, skills, and weapons that enhance melee effectiveness, making your character even more powerful in close quarters.
4. Is Powerhouse the best melee skill?
Powerhouse is a great skill for melee, but it is dependent on player preference. Other skills like Close Combat offer different benefits, and the ideal skill choice depends on the player’s particular play style and needs.
5. How much does critical hit rate increase with Powerhouse?
The exact percentage increase of critical hit rate is not given in game, however it is a noticeable increase.
6. How do you quickly level up the Powerhouse skill?
The fastest way to level up the Powerhouse skill is to engage in melee combat with as many zombies as possible. There are no tricks or shortcuts; consistent fighting is the key.
7. Can other survivors benefit from Powerhouse?
Only the survivor with the Powerhouse skill benefits from its effects. Other survivors in the same community will not gain any of its benefits.
8. Does Powerhouse work with any melee weapon type?
Yes, the Powerhouse skill is not specific to any melee weapon. It is effective with all melee weapons, from small knives to large axes.
9. Is the extra carry weight noticeable?
Yes, the extra 10 lbs of carry weight is quite noticeable, especially during extended scavenging runs, allowing survivors to collect more resources before having to return to base.
10. What happens if a Powerhouse character is injured?
The Powerhouse skill remains active even when a character is injured, but the injury may negatively impact their effectiveness.
11. How is Powerhouse different from the Fighting skill?
While the Fighting skill is a base skill that increases damage and unlocks specializations like Close Combat, Powerhouse is a separate skill focused on critical hits and carrying capacity.
12. Can you get Powerhouse multiple times in a single play-through?
You can have multiple survivors with the Powerhouse skill in your community, but a single survivor can only have the skill once.
13. Can you teach the Powerhouse skill?
No, the Powerhouse skill is gained through melee combat and cannot be taught through skill books or any other means.
14. Does Powerhouse affect stealth kills?
No, the Powerhouse skill only applies to direct melee combat. It does not affect stealth kills.
15. Can a Powerhouse character carry more than four of the same item?
No, a character with Powerhouse can stack four of the same item but cannot stack more than four.