I'm looking for a new character build to play with, by this this I mean more a set of consistent character traits and dialogue choices rather than loadouts and SPECIAL points. Has anyone got any particularly memorable or unique character builds that they could play through the main quest with?

Well first and foremost, are you going to be doing a playthrough with Hardcore on or not?

I like to yeah as a sort of last of us kind of survivor thing but I've found that it doesn't really given much reasoning to risk your life doing optional quests if that makes sense?

Works for me. I created my DUST character to be the ultimate survivor, and I believe this build will work just fine for a normal hardcore playthrough

Logan Hunt:

S.P.E.C.I.A.L.s
Strength: 8 (Strength determines how much you carry. Very important since ammo has weight)
Perception: 6 (Somewhat important for spotting enemies on the mini map eariler)
Endurance: 7 (Decides how much starting health you have. Pretty damn useful)
Charisma: 3 (In a survival playthrough, chances are you aren't going to be doing a whole lot of talking)
Intelligence: 4 (Not as vital as other skills, but determines how many skill points you get per level up)
Agility: 7 (Agility affects loads of skill that you need to survive like AP, Guns, and Sneak)
Luck: 5 (I never really saw the use in getting a high luck skill, so I just keep it at 5)

TAG Skills:
Repair (You need plenty of weapons in good condition)
Lockpick (There are few times a high lockpick skill wont come in handy)
Guns (Because of course guns)

Traits:
Kamikaze (You may not decide to get this as it lowers your DT, but the extra AP makes up for it to me)
Trigger Discipline (Accuracy is key to get the other guy dead before you, even if you do shoot a little slower)

Weapon Prefrence:
Lever Action Rifles (The rifles use pistol ammunition, which is easy enough to find, and has superior range)
A few grenades (One of those items you wish you had if you didn't in the heat of a battle)

And there's the perfect character build for a Hardcore playthrough. Good luck out there, and I hope it helps.

Thanks for that! I think I may start a very similar build on dust after my current character. I appreciate that!

You're very welcome. As a side note, if you get the "Tag!" Perk (Allows you to have a 4th Tag Skill), you probably want to choose the Survival skill so that you can stat making your own food rather than scrounge it off corpses and abandoned buildings