Borderlands 4 bursts onto the gaming scene as a massive and thrilling adventure that promises hours of exploration and chaotic fun. If you’re a newcomer or returning after a long hiatus, the initial scope can feel overwhelming. With over 10 billion guns and a sprawling open world waiting for you, where should you begin? Don’t fret—I’m here to break down some essential tips that will help you hit the ground running without spoiling your experience.
Focus on the Main Story Initially
First things first: It’s easy to get sidetracked by the multitude of side quests available in Borderlands 4, but I recommend prioritizing the main storyline until you get your hoverbike. This won’t take long—around two hours at most—and once you unlock this nifty mode of transport, the vast world becomes far more navigable. If you jump into every side quest right away, you might find yourself walking long distances in a game that’s all about speedy action and exploration.
Avoid Over-Commitment to Side Quests
For players like me, who often find joy in clearing every inch of a map in open-world games, resisting the urge to complete every side quest before finishing the main story can be challenging. However, doing so might be detrimental to your progression. Upon completing the main questline, you gain access to “Specializations,” offering new passive bonuses that require experience points (XP) to level up. It’s more efficient to finish the story first and then go back to mop up those side activities—trust me on this one.
Get Those SDU Credits
While it’s advisable to focus on the main story, don’t neglect activities that grant you SDU credits. These credits allow you to upgrade your backpack space, crucial in a game where inventory management can become a headache. You’ll be hauling plenty of loot throughout your journey, and maxing out your carrying capacity early will save time and frustration later.
Master the Loot as Junk Feature
One of the game’s fantastic additions is the “Loot as Junk” feature. This allows you to easily discard unwanted items, selling everything marked as junk at a vending machine with just a press of a button. It’s a fantastic quality-of-life improvement that streamlines inventory management, and using it often will save you time on your loot runs.
Pay Attention to Elemental Weapons
When hunting for the next best gun, keep in mind that it’s not always about bigger damage numbers. Each enemy type has specific elemental vulnerabilities—enemies with red health bars combust quickly under fire, blue health bars are sensitive to shock, and those with yellow bar suffer against acid. So before swapping out that slightly weaker weapon, check its elemental damage. It can make all the difference in turnarounds during a fight.
Diversify Your Arsenal
One common mistake is equipping too many of the same weapon type, such as shotguns or assault rifles. This can lead to rapid ammo depletion and limit your tactical options in encounters. Instead, vary your loadout with different weapon types to maintain a steady supply of ammunition and versatility in combat. As they say, variety is the spice of life.
Plan Your Skill Tree
Before you start investing in skill upgrades for your character, take a moment to examine the skill tree. This simple step is vital for ensuring that you focus on skills you actually want to use. Identifying which skills align with your playstyle will provide a better experience overall. Respeccing is possible, but it can be time-consuming; a little planning can save you that hassle.
Utilize Co-op Fast Travel
If you’re playing co-op, make the most of your buddies by using them as fast travel points. This feature allows you to teleport directly to your friends, saving time and eliminating the need to slog back through challenging areas. No one likes to retrace their steps after an exhausting fight, so lean on your teammates to optimize your gameplay.
Use Your Rep Kits
Don’t overlook the newly introduced Rep Kits, which offer an excellent means of healing during tough battles. Many players may forget about this feature; however, employing a Rep Kit can transform a challenging skirmish into a manageable encounter. Keep them handy and use them liberally when your health begins to dwindle.
Consult Echo 4 for Direction
Should you find yourself lost—especially in intricately designed areas—don’t hesitate to call on your robot companion, Echo 4. By simply pressing up on the D-pad, you can summon a holographic line guiding you directly to your quest objective. This is an invaluable tool for navigating the game’s vast environments and keeps the action flowing smoothly.
Grab Contracts in Hub Areas
Whenever you return to a hub or town area, take a minute to check the bounty board for new contracts. These are often easy to complete and can give you extra XP and rewards for activities you’re likely doing anyway. It’s a win-win situation that rewards you for playing the game as intended.
Hold Onto Gold Keys
Resist the temptation to use your gold keys immediately upon encountering your first gold chest. If you’re below level 40, the loot you receive will likely become obsolete quite fast, leaving you with a less-than-stellar reward for your excitement. Instead, save these keys for when you’re at a higher level and can truly capitalize on the loot’s potential.
Using these tips as a foundation will help you enjoy everything that Borderlands 4 has to offer while minimizing frustration. Whether you’re blasting your way through enemies solo or teaming up with friends, each of these pointers is aimed at maximizing your experience in this chaotic, loot-laden world. Happy looting!