MENACE Lim Build: Close-Range Perks, Gear, and Tactics

Core MENACE Lim Build: Mobile Close-Range Assault

A strong MENACE Lim build turns a short advance into a burst of fire and a kill that keeps the attack moving. That matters because Lim’s offensive strength comes from spending action points efficiently and firing repeatedly. Build your MENACE Lim build around movement, close-range weapons, and Berserk, then add enough protection to survive the position you finish in.

Lim is a flexible, offensively focused two-star Marine with solid growth potential. He can handle assault weapons, midrange rifles, or vehicle-supported infantry, but close combat puts his AP economy to particularly direct use.

This setup targets v0.7.17. The preceding v0.7.16 balancing update replaced Lim’s Zig Zag with Sprint. Hotfix #13 restored Zig-Zag by removing Solid Grouping, leaving Sprint in his perk selection. His promotions were reset and refunded with that hotfix, so reassign them before deploying.

Prioritize the perks that sustain attacks

Use these priorities as a build plan, rather than a mandatory unlock sequence.

Perk	Relevant effect	How to use it
Athletic	Improves movement and deployment AP efficiency	Close the gap while preserving actions
Run & Gun	Reduces firing cost by 10 AP after moving	Combine repositioning with attacks
Counterstrike	Returns fire with the squad weapon when attacked	Equip a weapon suited to frontline engagements
Berserk	Restores 30 AP after a kill	Finish vulnerable enemies to extend the turn
Zig-Zag	Grants defense through movement	Move between useful firing positions

Athletic supports the approach, while Run & Gun pays off once movement and shooting happen together. Berserk supplies the follow-through: killing an enemy can fund another action instead of leaving Lim stranded after his opening attack.

Counterstrike adds retaliation to that package. Return fire can kill enemy elements or apply suppression during an exchange, reducing the pressure coming back at Lim. Still, keep cover and armor in the plan.

For your MENACE Lim build, make the core attack cycle reliable before spending promotions on situational extras. Point Fire helps compensate for early accuracy limitations, while Bags and Belts makes room for more accessories.

Official page: MENACE (menacegame.com)

Shotgun Build: Stoneclad CS185 Assault

The Stoneclad CS185 gives Lim a weapon built for the distances he wants to fight at. Its short reach demands careful positioning, but its close-range performance fits Run & Gun and Berserk.

Use this version to push through nearby infantry positions with smoke support. Bring another squad to cover longer approaches, and avoid spending turns exchanging ineffective shots outside the shotgun’s useful range.

Equipment	Build purpose	Relevant detail
Stoneclad CS185	Close-range squad weapon	Rebalanced in v0.7.16
Armor Piercing ammunition	Improve performance against armor	Complements frequent squad-weapon attacks
Smoke Grenade	Screen an approach or withdrawal	Supply cost increased to 15 in v0.7.16
Ammo Pouches	Support repeated shooting	Useful when Lim consumes ammunition quickly
Protective armor	Improve frontline durability	Balance protection against movement penalties

Adjust to the current shotgun stats

Version v0.7.16 changed the Stoneclad substantially. Base damage increased from 10 to 20, but its accuracy bonus dropped from 20 to 10. Suppression increased from 4 to 6, while damage falloff became steeper.

Other reductions matter against tougher targets: armor durability damage fell from 30 to 20, element hit percentage dropped from 40% to 30%, and maximum-hitpoint damage decreased from 15% to 10%.

Those changes reinforce the need to close deliberately. Move into a useful firing position before committing the attack, and check the shot rather than assuming an older shotgun setup will perform identically.

Build the approach around smoke. Block hostile vision, move into the screened area, then attack from it on the following turn when the position is favorable. Preserve AP for the smoke action; spending everything on movement defeats the escape plan.

For a shotgun-focused MENACE Lim build, pair Armor Piercing ammunition with dependable armor before chasing additional utility. Add Buff when the armor you choose would otherwise impose encumbrance.

Avoid chasing an isolated kill into several fresh firing lanes. Berserk rewards a successful attack, but the position after that attack still determines whether Lim survives the enemy response.

SMG Build: Kruger CTMP 45 Firepower

Switch to an SMG when you want close-range volume of fire. The Kruger CTMP 45 fits that approach, and v0.7.16 increased its damage while reducing its supply cost.

Equip Armor Piercing ammunition to strengthen the pairing against armored opposition. Keep dedicated anti-tank support available for heavy targets; Lim’s assault weapon should not carry your entire vehicle response.

Kruger CTMP 45 stat	Before v0.7.16	From v0.7.16
Damage	18	25
Armor durability damage	18	22
Supply cost	20	18
Trade value	130	90

The lower supply cost helps with fitting equipment into the mission budget. Check the full squad’s cost before adding accessories, especially when another unit needs an anti-tank weapon or other essential equipment.

Choose targets that keep Berserk useful

Prioritize exposed enemies Lim can finish within the current turn. Damaging a durable target without killing it leaves Berserk out of the exchange, which can cut the attack short.

Use the rest of your force to prepare those opportunities:

• Suppress enemies covering Lim’s approach.
• Scout beyond the immediate target before advancing.
• Damage a tough enemy before committing Lim to the finish.
• Cover the route back with smoke when the push becomes unsafe.

An EMP rifle offers another option against vehicles: disabling one for a turn buys time for another squad to attack it. Choose that utility when the mission demands it instead of expecting every problem to yield to squad-weapon fire.

The MP3A9 PPP provides another SMG route. Its base version received an armor durability damage increase from 9 to 11 and a supply cost reduction from 9 to 8 in v0.7.16. Use it to explore the close-range playstyle while working toward other equipment.

Rifle Build: Flexible Assault at Midrange

A MENACE Lim build can also work with assault rifles when the battlefield makes a dedicated shotgun or SMG awkward to use. Lim’s movement and firing perks still matter; the weapon simply gives you more flexibility over engagement distance.

Image: Steam / Overhype Studios

The R10A6 K-PAC is a general-purpose option, while the R14A2 ARC family offers alternatives with improved armor penetration after v0.7.16. Close-range variants let you retain an assault focus without committing entirely to an SMG.

Weapon	Relevant characteristics or changes	Build application
R10A6 K-PAC	General-purpose assault rifle	Flexible rifle squad
R14A2 ARC	Armor penetration increased from 20 to 25	Rifle alternative for closer engagements
R10A6 “CQB” K-PAC	Ideal range increased to 3; accuracy bonus increased to 10	Close-range rifle assault
BR3A3 Kr-BaR MOD2 Carbine	Ideal range increased to 4; Spray accuracy penalty reduced	Mobile carbine setup

Avoid choosing the standard Crowbar solely for its damage per shot. Its close-range accuracy limitations work against the point-blank fighting that supports Lim’s assault build. Cover that weakness with another squad if you use it.

Match ammunition to the job

Armor Piercing ammunition supports attacks against armor. Match Grade ammunition improves accuracy and range, making it another option for a rifle squad. Choose around the weapon and opponents rather than filling the accessory slot automatically.

Point Fire also deserves consideration when Lim’s accuracy is limiting his attacks. Moving frequently means he does not always benefit from deployment, and missed shots undermine the kill-driven AP cycle.

Use rifles to keep Lim contributing while approaching. Once an opening develops, move into a stronger attack position without abandoning support. Extra reach gives you options; it does not require staying at maximum distance.

Keep the distinction between the variants practical: use the shotgun or SMG setup for a deliberate close-combat role, and use the rifle setup when you want Lim to handle a broader range of firefights.

Keep Lim Protected and the Assault Moving

Every MENACE Lim build needs a defensive plan beyond killing the next target. Armor, movement-based defense, smoke, and suppression management address different threats.

Zig-Zag rewards movement with defense, making it a natural fit for an assault squad that repositions frequently. Armor adds protection when attacks connect. Neither replaces checking enemy angles before advancing.

Version v0.7.16 caps damage reduction at 90% and sets a minimum movement cost of 4 AP per tile. Plan around those limits when combining defensive effects or movement perks.

Spend accessory space deliberately

Smoke enables advances, withdrawals, and rescue attempts by blocking vision. Its increased supply cost makes budgeting more important, but keep a smoke option available across the assault team.

Haemocetan received an increase from 25% to 50% damage reduction and now has three uses. Consider it for dangerous frontline engagements, while keeping the damage-reduction cap in mind.

Bags and Belts supports an accessory-heavy MENACE Lim build. Use the extra capacity to accommodate the ammunition, smoke, and other tools your chosen role needs.

Other perk choices solve specific problems:

• Scout: Add information gathering to a squad operating near the front.
• Return of Serve: Address grenade pressure during close engagements.
• Buff: Remove encumbrance when using equipment that imposes it.
• Blaze of Glory: Recover from suppression and gain a burst of AP once per mission.

Pike complements the assault with AP support and Rally. Time suppression recovery after nearby enemies have acted when possible, so Lim can use the opening before incoming attacks pin him again.

Sprint offers another movement tool: it costs 40 AP, covers up to five tiles, and leaves the unit winded. Reserve it for movement that serves a clear purpose, such as reaching a useful position or escaping a poor one.

Before ending Lim’s action, check three things: which enemies can see him, whether he has support, and how he will leave if the next exchange goes badly. Those checks keep an aggressive build useful across the operation.

FAQ

What is the core MENACE Lim build?

Build around Athletic, Run & Gun, Counterstrike, and Berserk, then add Zig-Zag for movement-based defense. Equip a close-range squad weapon, protective armor, and accessories that support repeated attacks and safe positioning.

Does Lim have Zig-Zag after the balancing update?

Yes. Version v0.7.16 replaced Zig Zag with Sprint, but v0.7.17 restored Zig-Zag in place of Solid Grouping. Lim’s promotions were reset and refunded with the hotfix.

Should Lim use a shotgun, SMG, or assault rifle?

Use the Stoneclad CS185 for a dedicated shotgun assault role, or the Kruger CTMP 45 for close-range automatic fire. Choose an assault rifle when you want more flexibility across engagement distances.

Can Lim replace dedicated anti-tank support?

Keep dedicated anti-tank support in your force. Armor Piercing ammunition helps his squad weapon against armor, and an EMP rifle can disable a vehicle for a turn, but heavy vehicles still require an appropriate response.