I am planning on making a Gorn Melee specialist when the new Gorn customization comes out. I now that they get Reptilian Strength (+18% melee damage and knock back strength) and I plan on taking Aggressive (+5% Melee damage strength and threat generation). Is there any real difference with these bonuses? Does it have any noticeable difference in damage?

Also what kind of skills affect melee damage (specifically with a weapon), most of the tactical skills I see say that they boost martial arts damage and make no mention of using weapons (like the Bat'leth).

Thanks,
Quiiliitiila

if you want one, make one now and find out, its already been said that the new skin will be an option in customization cos if you wait for it to come out you could be waiting a very very very very very long time.

Martial Arts, Close Combat, etc are the skills you want. They boost melee damage in general. My two picks for melee fighters are either Gorn (big, brutish, lots of up-front damage) or Nausiccans (they have a stealth boost in their inherent traits). Go Tactical, naturally, and use kits that give you Lunge and Leg Sweep (Stealth Module and Movement Accelerator are also good, especially for a Nausiccan) and keep your Bat'leth updated ... with some of the new craftable ones, there are some very nice options available.

Another thing to consider on a melee heavy Gorn is taking the Bite attack power rather than Aggressive as it gives you some more options in close combat.

Does bite level with you? Or will it be outdated as I get to higher levels? Also does the Gorn's Reptilian strength actually make a noticeable difference in melee damage?

Would tacking on aggressive make it any better?

How about resistance skills like stubborn and sturdy? Do they make much of a difference?

Thanks,
Quiiliitiila

I thought the Gorn stuff was coming out somewhat soon...

Did you hear otherwise?

Quiiliitiila

Yes and it is the most powerful melee attack.

Gorn updates are currently scheduled for the launch of Season 4, which means June or July.

If you don't want the new look, you'll need to make your Gorn now, because once the new look comes out the old look wont be an option. And if you go to the tailor with a Gorn who has the old look, he'll automatically be updated with the new look.

This thread is relevant to my interests.

Sweeeet. The first thing I thought about when looking at the Klingon species selector was "Gorn Melee Monster." I had no idea Bite leveled with you though, or that it was that good. I'm going right now to make that big lizard.

I don't know how much good they are on their own, but I have a Tellarite engi with Subborn, Sturdy, Sure Footed, and Pig Headed. In PvE at least, he almost never gets knocked back, is never disabled, and gets held fairly seldom, even when all my BOs are stumbling around like idiots and flying across the room from the grenade spam. With the Gorn though, since you're already using up two traits on damage, I'd just max all the way out with any other physical or all damage traits available. Aggressive seems like a good choice. Lucky might not be bad, although melee doesn't seem like the best route for getting crits. I forget what other ones boost melee or all damage output.