Zero Fighter NEXT

I happen to have a Zero Fighter NEXT, and I'm wondering how I should build it. It's currently level two, with only capa carts, and I'm using it with a Handy Zook/Viper Shield.

Seeing as the bot is using default parts, including the cart step BS, should I put melee on it, or should I continue using it for running and shooting? How should I tune it for each option?

Any help is appreciated! Thank you!

give it a buckler, use parts and tunes to achieve atleast 32 wlk, high tec levels, 12 or 16 tgh, give it hopping carts, and then hop away. Oh yea, tune the handy zook as well.

Alright, that sounds pretty damn fun. If I hop, what should I change change the BS to?

Cart Step would just be adding cost, and I'm going to need all of it I can get for tunes.

Cart Step is actually decent for getting out of sticky situations quickly, so I'd suggest keeping it if possible.

Alright, I can see how that would work...

And for the Handy Zook, should I Great Rapid + High Shooter + Great Rapid?

first 2 tunes are good, (make sure that great rapid is alpha) 3rd is really always your own personal preference. You can go more force, ammo, speed, or a para tune, w.e you think you need. Sometimes you don't even need to tune it if you want to keep your cost a little lower.

I think I'll go for not taking a third tune until I can work out something nice in cosmicalc.
Suggested hopper stats are 30 WLK, and 20ish FLY, right?

Nonono, much too high. Hopping will be fine as long as you have 1 of either walk or fly.