Bioelectric Ward

I tried the Close Quarters Momentum build with my Avenger, but found that after using Avenger Strike, I would get downed by those enemies outside of the Disrupting Strike radius. Can't benefit from the 65% melee boost if you're downed. So, I went back to using Bioelectric Ward. That along with a bulwark weapon seems to give my melee Avenger more survivability. 

I'm experimenting with the melee build again after many months of grenade spamming. Just 3 points in Stealth Grid (I do miss that speed boost) and 5 in Stickies this time around. 

It's excellent and very noticeable imo (although it really should have a visual effect as well). It cuts your and your teammates' incoming damage by nearly half (assuming 0 other DR) for a large chunk of time all by itself.

A must-take on every Angaran and one of the best fitness passives IMO.

I always take it.
The talents leading up to it are quite worthwhile (40%increased health cap/regen, power cell count or power recharge, bioelectric ward), and 80 DR amounts to a 45% reduction in damage.

Consider these two situations:
75% Health and 80 DR
35% Health and 0 DR
... who will die faster?
Obviously, siphon weapons weaken health regen cap's impact, but it still does its job 1/2 to 1/3 of the time.

On the insurgent and avenger, if I die I did something stupid usually. My exemplar is so low rank that I don't play him.

Exemplar makes mincemeat out of Remnant and they are probably the easiest faction to fight now, so that's a good way to level him up.

IMO the best rank one build is to max both passives and put the rest in energy drain.