Hmmm...interesting. Perhaps since it's technically losing a core mechanic of the base clase(capping) they feel it isn't technically a p2w(plus the somewhat bad state melee is in haha).

Kommandos lose capping and are still build-a-boy. Think its more they want to insist on strapping a fist to it for claw looks otherwise you're gonna have possessed running around with NCSs for some reason.

He needs some unique mechanics for him to be interesting, all he is at the moment is a Vet with a powerfist.

Give him a Rage ability that allows him to attack faster and deal more damage when injured.

Or a taunt that adds some suppression to the enemy's since they are scared or something.

An ability that increases his Max Hp by 5% for every kill that caps at around 25%

Right now he is just another Vet with a unique skin on.

Seems the logical choice to replace the key with a possessed "token" and it be only available on a ground assault for the free version.
As for the 25k version...when they stick the spikes on his backpack.. (yeh I know he's spose to have a rending claw)... I'll buy me a pony.

Figure if they were to do it, its take up your mark Slot. Mark of Possession or something depending on what makes it special. Kommando had a distinct special ability (shoddy) cloaking. Speed with no armor delay? Toughness with no stam delay? Ability to mix two marks with no downsides? Ok scratch that last idea sounds a little broken.

More like pay to lose. The fist is more of a detriment in its current state than a benefit. Cant cap. No grenades or support gear or spells or anything really. Not even a pistol. Literally just a fist. An impotent bullet sponge, and thats about it.

He definitly need more than just that. Even the most hardcore LSM matt-ward lover would give you that a possessed is no small threat.
Some are capable to jump high enough to travel through 15 meters and crush enemies while landing, others can lift a predator still firing and moving and just throw it back to his enemies. They are absolute beasts, and in no way should they just be a veteran with a powerfist. If you are going to make them full melee, at least give them the way for it, I don't know like giving them a jump mechanic like the raptor jump and even sticking to a wall, Prototype-style, something like that.

Any particular reason you're taking the +2 stamina wargear instead of armour regen delay?

It wont be available for free for that exact reason. A custom built possessed build would be insanely broken.

Possessed have 4 stamina bars.