So my group of four started out without a melee character and realized that not having a melee was not so great. So as I was one of the two soldiers on our group (my group also includes a exocortex mechanic and a particular combat adverse envoy) I build a new character to fill the gap. He's a goblin blitzarian currently level 3. I built him not with the best feats or weapons as far as combat goes, but he's been of great help.
He's got a tactical pike and coordinated shot. This has made my guy a great help. My guy has taken quite a few hits and has been nearly knock out a couple of times, but he's gotten several OoAs when the other soldier has not, and the bonus he provides has made the difference between a hit and a miss a couple of times. Also he's prevented my party from taking a lot of aggro which makes them better at putting down my enemies so I don't die.
All of this is to say I think that melee support, even if you don't have the best to hit bonus, seems to me as an effective role. I can even see a less combat oriented class making great use of the reach weapons increased effectiveness to great advantage.
Has anyone else seen this? or is my experience (it is limited) an anomaly?
I'm hoping for the same thing with a soldier I've built. A Hit and Run Kasatha who has a tactical pike (also a rifle!). It seems like being a melee specialist has a lot of benefits in a world that's mostly geared around ranged combat.
I think it will depend a lot on the maps. When you're in a space station or cave complex our similar melee in general shines. When it's an open field, or similar, you'd better have a plan to close the distance or a backup weapon, or best have both :)
Oh I didn't say I liked it...
Agreed. I've enjoyed it though, adds some extra tactical dimensions to combat.