Plasma blade and pilebunker left hand. Laser rifle and vertical missile launcher right side. Reverse joint feets.
I feel I did not "get" this boss. The only reason I was able to win was because pilebunker charged damage output was insane. Everything else felt like it was tickling the guy.
I made the commitment to play exclusively midrange weapons (effective range 130-260) without melee on my first playthrough.
This boss felt like bullshit. Balseus was a challenge, this was simply a matter completely changing your build/playstyle, or you're gonna hit a wall.
After ~12 tries, I google a build: tank base (which I swore to never touch in my first playthrough) 2 gatling guns and two songbirds.
With that, completely melted the boss on the first try. It was trivial, just hit it with the songbirds and continue building up stagger with the gatling guns. It felt like bullshit.
I know that maybe you're supposed to adapt and slightly change my build, but everything should be viable and fun.
If anyone with a mid-range built (no melee, only bipedal) was able to kill it, would really like to know how.
I just beat it with what I would consider mid range, I did use the starting blade for critical hits though. Mostly being in the air a lot is what helped, full blowing the altitude to avoid the claw attacks really helps.