This is basically just version control for the [Cernos Prime] build I like to use. Use it if you got lucky with a riven like me or for inspiration with your own build.

I use [Primed Shred] as a flex slot for either Primed Bane or [Galvanized Scope] depending on if I want to do bonus damage or want to see red crits while ADS.

That said, for the sheer DPS junkie build, you would probably also want to consider dropping [Galvanized Aptitude] and adding another V polarity to dedicate a slot for a primed faction damage mod or [Galvanized Scope] in addition to the flex slot. Theoretical maximum DPS would be to drop [Shred] and replace with [Hellfire] or [Thermite Rounds] (moving polarities as needed), swap Galvanized Aptitude for a faction damage mod and exploit heat inherit with a sentinel/MOA that has a weapon modded with another faction damage mod, and Primary Deadhead and go for headshots. Not many things in the game live this anyway unless they have damage attenuation of some sort or status immunity in general. Personally, I prefer [Primed Shred] for the punch through. I also usually run [Galvanized Aptitude] since I have a sentinel weapon primer running and it's easier to play with than swapping out for banes constantly even though it would produce max damage, and usually the base damage is enough for most of the game content anyway with Hunter Munitions.

For a riven-less build, I basically use the same sort of flex slot system and swap out the riven for Malignant Force. The riven-less build is a bit more ambiguous since there are more potential options with their own, not-so-obvious sets of tradeoffs and benefits. Besides the two flex slot choices I recommended above, I've tried two other builds before: [Bladed Rounds] and Thermite Rounds. Bladed Rounds is also not a bad flex slot choice, although I personally dislike the ADS requirement. Re-arranging a couple mods should also let you slot Thermite Rounds in the flex slot for a high status viral/heat build which is also pretty nice.

Note that arcane choice is somewhat important since we rely heavily on the Steel Path primary flat damage arcanes (Primary Merciless/Primary Deadhead/Primary Dexterity) to offload a whole mod slot.

Further fun fact is that the damage calculation does not account for the [Cernos Prime] and its unique trait which is a headshot multiplier that multiplies with the Primary Deadhead bonus, which is actually a very significant portion of missing potential damage.

EDIT [Jade] SHADOWS

Testing [Rifle Elementalist] over [Cryo Rounds] and Slash + Toxin combination.