Borderlands Walkthrough for Xbox 360 and PS3
By SENIORBILL
Version 1.0 December 21, 2009
Copyright 2009 by William Poneta
E-mail: bilpon1@yahoo.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 BORDERLANDS
2 GAME PLAY
3 STRATEGY
4 PLAYABLE CHARACTERS
Walkthrough (Prefix--M=Mandatory; O=Optional)
SECTION 1: FYRESTONE/THE ARID BADLANDS/SKAG GULLY
FRESH OFF THE BUS
THE DOCTOR IS IN
SKAGS AT THE GATE
CLAPTRAP RESCUE
FIX’ER UPPER
BLINDING NINE TOES
SECTION 2: FYRESTONE/THE ARID BADLANDS/SKAG GULLY
NINE-TOES: MEET T.K. BAHA
NINE-TOES: T.K.s FOOD
GOT GRENADES (action skill build for Roland in this section)
NINE-TOES: TAKE HIM DOWN
NINE-TOES: TIME TO COLLECT
JOB HUNTING
SECTION 3: FYRESTONE/THE ARID BADLANDS/SKAG GULLY
CATCH-A-RIDE
T.K. HAS MORE WORK
T.K.s LIFE AND LIMB
BY THE SEEDS OF YOUR PANTS
WHY ARE THEY HERE
BONE-HEAD’S THEFT
SECTION 4: FYRESTONE/THE ARID BADLANDS
THE PISS WASH HURDLE
HIDDEN JOURNAL: THE ARID BADLANDS
RETURN TO ZED
GET A LITTLE BLOOD ON YOUR TIRES
SLEDGE: MEET SHEP
GET THE FLOCK OUTTA HERE
SECTION 5: THE ARID HILLS/THE LOST CAVE
SLEDGE: THE MINE KEY
BRAKING WIND
SHOCK CRYSTAL HARVEST
CLAPTRAP RESCUE: THE LOST CAVE
THE LEGEND OF MOE AND MARLEY
SCAVENGER: SNIPER RIFLE
BADLANDS SECTION 6: SLEDGE’S SAFE HOUSE/THE ARID BADLANDS
SLEDGE: TO THE SAFE HOUSE
CLAPTRAP RESCUE: SLEDGE’S SAFE HOUSE
SLEDGE: BATTLE FOR THE BADLANDS
WHAT HIT THE FAN
SCAVENGER: COMBAT RIFLE
INSULT TO INJURY
SECTION 7: THE ARID BADLANDS
SCHEMIN’ THAT SABOTAGE
FIND BRUCE McCLONE
PRODUCT RECALL
CIRCLE OF DEATH: MEAT AND GREET
CIRCLE OF DEATH: ROUND 1
CIRCLE OF DEATH: ROUND 2
CIRCLE OF DEATH: FINAL ROUND
SECTION: 8 THE DAHL HEADLAND/NEW HAVEN
LEAVING FYRESTONE
GETTING LUCKY
POWERING THE FAST TRAVEL NETWORK
ROAD WARRIORS: HOT SHOTS
ROAD WARRIORS: BANDIT APOCALYPSE
POWER TO THE PEOPLE
CLAPTRAP RESCUE: NEW HAVEN
SECTION: 9 THE DAHL HEADLAND
FUEL FEUD
DEATH RACE PANDORA
WELL THERES YOUR PROBLEM RIGHT THERE
GHOSTS OF THE VAULT
SCAVENGER: REVOLVER
BIG GAME HUNTER
SECTION: 10: THE ARID BADLANDS/RUST COMMONS WEST
IS T.K. OKAY
LIKE A MOTH TO A FLAME
UP TO OUR EARS
SEEK OUT TANNIS
HIDDEN JOURNAL: RUST COMMONS WEST
SECTION 11: RUST COMMONS WEST/EARL’S SCRAPYARD
SCOOTER’S USED CAR PARTS
FIREPOWER: ALL SALES ARE FINAL
MEET CRAZY EARL
SCAVENGER: SUBMACHINE GUN
FIREPOWER: MARKET CORRECTION
GET OFF MY LAWN
CLAPTRAP RESCUE: EARL’S SCRAPYARD
TODAY’S LESSON: HIGH EXPLOSIVES
SECTION 12: TETANUS WARREN/SCRAPYARD/WEST COMMONS
CORROSIVE CRYSTAL HARVEST
CLAPTRAP RESCUE: TETANUS WARRENS
KING TOSSING
JACK’S OTHER EYE
FIREPOWER: PLIGHT OF THE MIDDLE MAN
HAIR OF THE DOG
SECTION 13: RUST COMMONS EAST
MISSING PERSONS
MIDDLE OF MOWHERE NO MORE: INVESTIGATE
MIDDLE OF NOWHERE NO MORE: FUSES
MIDDLE OF NOWHERE NO MORE: SMALL FAVOR
MIDDLE OF NOWHERE NO MORE: SCOOT ON BACK
ALTAR EGO: BURNING HERESY
HIDDEN JOURNAL: RUST COMMONS EAST
SCAVENGER: SHOTGUN
SECTION 14: KROM’S CANYON
THE NEXT PIECE
EARL NEEDS FOOD BADLY
CLAPTRAP RESCUE: KROM’S CANYON
TWO WRONGS MAKE A RIGHT
SECTION 15: RUST COMMONS EAST/NEW HAVEN
JAYNISTOWN: SECRET RENDEVOUS
GREEN THUMB
JAYNISTOWN: A BROTHERS LOVE
RELIGHT THE BEACONS
ALTAR EGO: THE NEW RELIGION
A BUG PROBLEM
JAYNISTOWN: UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES
JAYNISTOWN: SPREAD THE WORD
JAYNISTOWN: GETTING WHATS COMING TO YOU
DUMPSTER DIVING FOR GREAT JUSTICE
ALTAR EGO: GODLESS MONSTERS
SECTION 16: TREACHER’S LANDING/ JAYNISTOWN
WANTED FRESH FISH
IV’E GOT A SINKING FEELING
JAYNISTOWN: CLEANING UP YOUR MESS
SECTION 17: THE TRASH COAST
ANOTHER PIECE OF THE PUZZLE
HOUSE HUNTING
BAIT AND SWITCH
CLAPTRAP RESCUE: TRASH COAST
EARL’S BEST FRIEND
SECTION 18: OLD HAVEN/DAHL HEADLAND
SMOKE SIGNALS: INVESTIGATE OLD HAVEN
SMOKE SIGNALS: SHUT THEM DOWN
BANDIT TREASURE: THREE CORPSES
NOT WITHOUT MY CLAPTRAP
CLAPTRAP RESCUE: OLD HAVEN
BANDIT TREASURE: X MARKS THE SPOT
SECTION 19: RUST COMMONS WEST
CIRCLE OF SLAUGHTER: MEAT AND GREET
CIRCLE OF SLAUGHTER: ROUND 1
CIRCLE OF SLAUGHTER: ROUND 2
CIRCLE OF SLAUGHTER: FINAL ROUND
SECTION 20: THE SALT FLATS
THE FINAL PIECE
CLAPTRAP RESCUE: SALT FLATS
SCAVENGER: MACHINE GUN
SECTION 21: THE CRIMSON FASTNESS/CRIMSON ENCLAVE
GET SOME ANSWERS
CLAPTRAP RESCUE: CRIMSON FASTNESS
FIND THE ECHO COMM CONSOLE
ACTIVATE THE ECHO COMM SYSTEM
SECTION 22: DESCENT/THE ERIDEAN PROMOTORY/THE VAULT/WEST COMMONS
FIND STEELE
DESTROY THE DESTROYER
BRING THE VAULT KEY TO TANNIS
Update-Version: 1.1, January 10, 2010
I have added bookmarks to all 126 missions. Cleaned up the procedure
for SCOOTER’S USED CAR PARTS. Additional details have been added to the
weapons section; and I have added extensive details and alternate
strategies throughout the document.
Update-Version: 1.2, February 22, 2010
I have added a large section outlining the general strategy used for
the opening stages of this walkthrough. I have also added a brief
section on the merits of the four playable characters. I have also
added additional weapon detail and rather extensive details to many of
the missions, and notes detailing some of the more lucrative gear
harvesting areas. Also included is a list of the weapons acquired when
level 50 was reached on a second playthrough.
Update-Version: 1.3, October 10, 2010
Because of the large number of and varied points of origin for the
missions and their overlapping nature, causing them to be pursued
concurrently, I have added a “SOURCE” for each mission beneath the
“MISSION” portion. This is in response to the many E-mails inquiring
where missions, like GREEN THUMB or Marcus’ FIREPOWER missions, etc.
originate. I have also added a dozen SILVER and RED CHEST locations. I
have also greatly expanding the weapons section and added a suggested
“skill tree” section for all playable characters. I have also added
significant detail and/or alternate approaches to many of the missions-
most notably to m018, o027, m033, m048, m101, o104, o108 and m124.
BORDERLANDS
There is a legend, the legend of the “vault;” and it is rumored that it
exists somewhere in the Borderlands of the planet Pandora. It is of
alien construction, and is said to contain ancient artifacts of awesome
power and value. You, a Bounty Hunter, depart the bus in Fyrestone and
are immediately propelled into the quest. A disembodied voice, the
ephemeral Guardian Angel, will request your help; and she will offer
information and encouragement as you progress through the wasteland,
blazing your way toward the fabled vault.
The massive campaign takes place amid a backdrop resembling a post-
apocalyptic ramshackle wild west, but one with high-tech weapons; and
its missions will guarantee you days of addictive game play. This is an
awesome game with highly varied battlefields, a plethora of baddies,
human and alien, a truckload of loot and the most extensive and
spectacular array of weapons conceivable.
Borderlands, with its awesome arsenal, allows multiple approaches; but
the fact that you have four playable characters, each with a specific,
potent action skill, makes it more like four games in one. This
walkthrough chronicles the game as Roland, the soldier, whom I believe
has the best action skill for first-time solo play. The Scorpio Turret
is exactly as he says, “like havin’ another soldier on the field,” and
his class mods are awesome for solo play as well. That being said, most
of the approaches and game details will adapt to the other characters
as well.
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GAME PLAY: LOOT, WEAPONS, MODS AND SHIELDS
LOOT:
Acquiring loot like cash, weapons, shields, class modification and
grenade modules and health packs is accomplished during game play by
raiding weapons chests, lockers, safes, etc. and by enemy drops, and
there is a ton of them. This can be augmented by making judicious
purchases from Marcus or from Dr Zed’s vending machines, and by re-
starting the game and then revisiting the re-spawned “gimmes” like RED
and SILVER CHESTS. The game seems designed for this purpose, so exploit
it-or not.
You can often get the weapon you are looking for in this manner, and
can raise huge sums of cash by selling what you don’t require. Opening
a chest, especially in the game’s final stages, is much like rolling
the bars on a slot machine-sometimes you get red sevens, like a 4X
incendiary Volcano sniper with 350 firepower, a 2.4 scope and an
extended magazine-you never know. This can be an addictive pursuit.
ACTION SKILLS:
The action skill is available when you reach level five and is
activated by selecting it on the skills screen. Roland’s Scorpio Turret
is an excellent perk, and as you upgrade the firepower and then the
cool down time it becomes highly effective, especially when you acquire
elemental artifacts during game play. The first tier of skills is
available as soon as the action skill is unlocked and the next tier
when five action points are spent in the prior tier, etc. For a
percentage of your cash you can also have the points refunded at any
New-U station, allowing you to reallocate them however you wish.
CLASS MODIFICATION MODULES:
Class modules (mods) are specific to your character, and are given as
bounty, found in chests or even skag piles; and random mods are offered
and may be purchased from Dr. Zed’s health vending machines. They are
equipped in your class module slot by clicking on the desired mod in
your inventory. Only one can be equipped at a time, but they can be
very significant items. The soldier, for example, has mods that
regenerate ammo, sometimes at prodigious rates. Mods that increase the
XP you gain for eliminating hostiles by over 20 percent are also common
and allow rapid leveling up. Others regenerate health and/or shields at
varying rates, or increase weapon damage, magazine size, lessen weapon
recoil, or improve sniper stability, etc. Do not discount these items.
As mods become available, and your inventory slots grow, mods should
claim some of those slots. A good health regeneration module, for
example, will allow you to not carry health packs in inventory; or you
won’t need to carry a weak shield because it has health regeneration
capabilities. The ammo regeneration mods become readily available as
the game progresses; and keep an eye out for the electrocute and
electrocute resistance mods later in the game to help with the
Guardians.
SHIELDS:
Shields are also an immensely important item and can be purchased,
picked-up off the ground and found in containers and skag piles. Get
the highest you can with the fastest recharge rate, but perks like auto
health regeneration, health boosts and elemental resistance are also
important considerations. As the game progresses shields of all types
and strengths are available quite frequently. Again you can maintain as
many as you wish in inventory but can equip only one at a time.
MISSIONS:
Missions are most often acquired at the local bounty boards or from
individuals whom you will be directed to. Oftentimes the voice of a
local Claptrap will announce new missions. You can have as many
missions in your queue as are available. While some missions are
mandatory, others are user choice, but not pursuing most of the
optional missions will leave you grossly under-leveled. The level of
each mission is displayed when highlighted but is not always a good
indication of its difficulty. Some missions are procedural like,
SLEDGE: MEET SHEP, which is simply a vehicle to dole out additional
missions. At other times your present level, if above the level of the
highlighted mission, may assign it a trivial level when, in fact, it
isn’t trivial at all. One thing, however, is certain; tackling a
mission that is several levels above your current level will be
exceedingly difficult, if not impossible. There are 126 missions, but
only about a third are mandatory. I will list whether the mission is
optional or not, but failure to pursue most of the optional missions
will leave you at a much lower level that the available missions.
WEAPONS:
With over 15,000,00 weapons possible, no one can tell you what you’ll
have let alone what to use; but a good mix is essential to success. A
good array of snipers, with a gradually improving incendiary-the first
elemental available-leading the way is essential. A fast firing
incendiary SMG or combat rifle, or even two, one scoped and one not, is
an awesome combo. The same can be said for a caustic SMG or combat
rifle, scoped and not. A well-aimed burst from a good elemental will
allow an enemy to bleed down while you wait under cover, your shield
recharging, to finish him of. Conventional weapons will dominate early
play and they progress rapidly in strength and, even with the advent of
the elementals, they will remain a key part of your arsenal. They are
essential for certain boss battles and against other foes impervious to
elementals as well. Against spiderants they are likely the best choice.
Without getting into a long expose on weapon capabilities I will give
some general things to consider. Firepower, accuracy, speed, magazine
size, elemental properties, or not, and an array of other extras like
recoil reduction, critical hit damage and burst fire count, etc., are
displayed when a weapon is acquired and can be compared to those you
have. High is almost always good-high accuracy, high firepower, high
elemental properties, large magazines; but you must sometimes do a
balancing act since all of these qualities will not be high. A 400
firepower sniper with a poor scope and small critical hit bonus, for
example, may not be in the league with one with 300 firepower, a 200%
critical hit bonus and a 2.4 scope. Elementals, for all weapons, are
tricky because a very low firepower weapon at 4X may not be as good as
a higher-powered weapon at 1X. This applies for all the weapon types,
and not all 4X weapons, for example, show the same elemental effect.
Although not always a definitive indicator of a weapons utility, a
weapon’s color rating is an excellent starting point for evaluating a
weapon. The least rare weapons are white, followed by green, blue,
purple and golden orange. The latter, golden orange, are the Legendary
weapons and with few exceptions they are the best of the best. The
super-rare Pearlescent weapons are a cut above, but are so rare you
likely won’t see one if you play the game ten times over.
Initially you can equip two weapons in the quick access weapon slots,
but this will be expanded automatically through slot awards during game
play. You can, however, simply pause the game at anytime to access your
full inventory of weapons, switching to anything you have in your
possession. You start with two weapon slots and twelve inventory slots
and this can be expanded by accepting any or all of the ten Claptrap
repair missions offered during game play. Each repair mission completed
will yield three new inventory slots.
SHOTGUNS:
Shotguns should be evaluated by the two types they come in-low-
accuracy, high firepower models like Sweepers, Shredders and Matadors
and higher accuracy types, firing a lesser number of projectiles but
with accuracies as high as 80% or more. These are the guns prefixed
with Hunters, and Death among others. A shotgun, like a Matador,
Shredder or Sweeper, with high firepower and added projectiles, but
painfully low accuracy, can only be used in close-quarter combat; and,
a scoped one, a point and shoot weapon, is a nuisance. Small magazine
size is also a major handicap on some of the models with very high
firepower. The higher accuracy models like the Death and Hunters models
are the ones I prefer, and a scope on a good conventional or elemental
can be quite effective at mid-range. These high accuracy types have
fewer projectiles but if you want to hit what you aim for rather than
just spray lead, they are the best choice. That said, a potent Matador
with decent accuracy can be useful in tight quarters, and keeping one
for close encounters isn’t a bad idea.
The Carnage model shotguns-Holy crap! They shoot rockets! -are good for
nothing except raising cash at the nearest weapons vendor, unless you
get a Legendary Defender model, in which case it is good for
regenerating ammo. The high level models like the Crux, Bulldog,
Butcher, Striker, Friendly Fire, Defender, etc. can be awesome weapons,
but not always and must be evaluated when acquired-some will regenerate
ammo but not offer utility in the field. Most of these high level
models will not become available until well into the game. The ultimate
scoped shotgun is the Jakob’s Striker. It has the accuracy and range of
many combat rifles and should never be passed up; but they are
extremely rare.
Shotguns to look for:
Jakob’s Striker-High accuracy, mid-field range capability and a high
critical hit bonus. An awesome weapon! But it is exceedingly rare.
(Legendary)
Maliwan Crux-This is a highly elemental caustic shotgun. A scoped one
with good accuracy is an excellent weapon at range and one without is
good for close quarters. (Legendary)
S&S Crux-This is a highly elemental explosive weapon. High accuracy
models with a scope are good at mid-rang and un-scoped models can
replace an all-purpose conventional. (Legendary)
Butcher-Its burst fire of 5 rounds is devastating in close quarters.
(Legendary)
Bulldog-These have a huge magazine of 20 rounds and generally have good
firepower. (Legendary)
Hunter’s or Death-I like these weapons because I like to hit what I
shoot at. They offer good firepower with accuracies as high as 75%.
They are common items and are frequently available fairly early on. A
potent scopeless Hunter’s Defender(ammo regen) can be your go to
shotgun. (Non-Legendary and Legendary)
COMBAT RIFLES:
Combat rifles come in a wide variety of types. The best will combine
high firepower with a high rate of fire and will have decent accuracy
and greatly reduced recoil. Such a weapon in Roland’s hands, with the
right class mod equipped, can be an awesome weapon. Highly elemental
combat rifles, meaning greater than 1X, are somewhat rare and can be
devastating when coupled with high firepower and much reduced recoil.
As the game progresses, potent combat rifles become common and one with
good accuracy, recoil reduction and an extended magazine can be
formidable; and when putting a lot of lead on target is required they
are a good choice. Incendiary combat rifles are also available very
early in the game and can be used as early as level 4. Incendiary and
conventional combat rifles in the 12 to 15-firepower range can be
found, or can be purchased at the store during the game’s opening
stages. These can be one the best weapons available in the game’s early
stages, especially prior to achieving level 7. These weapons, however,
are usually outclassed by the SMGs as the game progresses.
I usually keep a potent scoped combat rifle with good recoil reduction
and an un-scoped model with a very large magazine. When the high-end
types begin to show they must be evaluated for what they offer. The
Raven is a semi-auto type; the Bastard offers very high damage and
others offer ammo regeneration, etc.
Combat rifles to look for:
Combat rifle-look for good firepower and a fast firing rate with good
recoil reduction. A scope is also recommended. (Coming in all colors-
judge on merit)
Raven-These weapons fire 5 round bursts. (Legendary)
Destroyer-This weapon is fully automatic, emptying the magazine with a
single trigger pull. (Legendary)
Bastard-It yields extremely high damage, usually with a good rate of
fire. (Legendary)
Ogre-This is a rare, highly elemental explosive weapon. (Legendary)
REVOLVERS:
Revolvers won’t make an appearance until level 13, but when they do
they are among the most versatile weapons in the game. A scoped
revolver makes an excellent mid-long and mid-range weapon and the
elemental effects for all elemental revolvers are outstanding. The
conventional revolvers can also be very potent, and if you find a
Masher pistol you have what amounts to a mini-shotgun but one with
great range. They fire 7 projectiles with each shot and are available,
if you get lucky, around level 13. The Unforgiven revolver, a
Legendary, is among the game’s best all around weapons, especially if
it is a Masher. Never pass on a good Masher, or on a Pestilent Defiler.
The Defilers are 4X caustic death dealers. A good incendiary and blast
revolver are also prime weapons. A good scoped static revolver can be
very effective against the flying Sera Guardians near the game’s end
and a un-scoped static model is also excellent against the ground
Guardians, both close-up and mid-range. Try to pick up both weapons
before facing the Guardians during the games final missions.
Revolvers to look for:
Pestilent Defiler-These are 4X caustic and are devastating weapons-
easily the best of the caustic weapons in the game. They come in both
scoped and un-scoped models. They will become available at level 25.
(Legendary)
Unforgiven-These come in scoped and un-scoped models and can show as
early as level 19. If you get a Masher, you have a mini-sniper-
revolver-mid-range shotgun, all in one. These are a treasure and are
fun to use. They also carry a high critical hit bonus. (Legendary)
Chimera-This weapon fires all 4 elements in a random manner. They can
be fun if unpredictable weapons. (Legendary)
Masher-This is a weapon type, available in various colors. They all
offer revolver accuracy and a tight spread of 7 projectiles. These can
replace a shotgun in many situations and a sniper in others. They can
show up as early as level 13. (Non-Legendary and Legendary)
Elemental and conventional revolvers, like the Viper, Justice and Law
are all excellent weapons and are among the game’s finest Non-Legendary
weapons. They offer high firepower, accuracy and the elemental ones
show striking elemental effects.
REPEATERS:
Repeaters will be useful early on in the game, but in the later stages
only the highly elemental ones are worth the trouble. The machine
pistols have a high rate of fire and a potent elemental one can be
useful. I generally keep a high-level incendiary or caustic repeater or
machine pistol with a good scope to take advantage of the ammo slot.
The scoped Swatter that you find in the RED CHEST that Claptrap
admonishes you to open during the game’s opening sequence can be an
excellent survival tool during those early stages, especially if you
have only a weak SMG or shotgun.
The 4X Firehawk, an incendiary repeater, however, probably shows the
highest elemental effect of any weapon in the game, and is a treasure,
especially one with a scope. It hasn’t any “knock-back” power but it
will toast a Crimson Lance with a short burst while you watch in
safety-hoorah! One of the earliest Legendary weapons you may find is
the caustic repeater “Hornet.” They can appear as early as level 16
and, at that point, they are formidable weapons.
Repeaters to look for:
Firehawk-These are 4X incendiary and show amazing elemental damage.
While its relatively slow fire rate won’t yield much knock-back, its
incendiary effect will leave no survivors. They come in scoped and un-
scoped versions and appear as early as level 25. (Legendary)
Swatter-This lowly level 0 weapon-the one in the RED CHEST that
Claptrap points out to you before you reach Fyrestone-can be a very
welcome addition to Lilith’s pitifully weak, un-scoped SMG or to Bricks
charge-em without a shield shotgun.
There are numerous other Legendary repeaters, but none will be game-
changers. Evaluate any you find according to your style.
SNIPER RIFLES:
Sniper rifles, both elemental and conventional, are must-have weapons
as your inventory expands. They become available very early in the
game. Just assign a sniper to the down spot on your controller. These
will be primary killing machines throughout the game. An incendiary
sniper rifle is outstanding against flesh and is a must from the early
stages of the game. They become commonly available as level 7 weapons,
but you can occasionally find a level 5 incendiary or explosive sniper
rifle.
Acquire an incendiary sniper as soon as possible and update it as
better models become available. Explosive snipers will commonly begin
to show up around level 15, and, in the early stages, they may outclass
the incendiary snipers, especially if they have a high critical hit
bonus and a good scope. Caustic and Static snipers make their
appearance about the same time, but acquiring a Static sniper early on
is not a priority. The Caustic snipers are also very fine weapons.
The Volcano line of incendiary snipers begin to appear once you reach
New Haven and at bit of harvesting-if the New Haven REDS are still
there-can usually net you a Volcano. It is a devastating weapon, far
exceeding any other incendiary sniper. Don’t pass it up-it will likely
supplant any other sniper you find and is, hand’s down, among the top
weapons in the game-probably the best. A potent static sniper rifle,
like the Orion line is a good choice for the endgame versus the
Guardians; but a good scoped revolver can do the job as well. The
explosive and caustic types are also useful. High-end weapons like the
Invader and Penetrator models offer automatic or burst fire capability,
which eats up ammo but can be devastating, especially if you have ammo
regen. Another excellent sniper is the Skullmasher. These weapons have
a seemingly low firepower, but they fire 6 projectiles at that value,
causing them to perform like a highly accurate shotgun. With a critical
hit bonus of 200%, they are excellent weapons that require little
effort to get those criticals. Another rare Legendary sniper is the
explosive Cobra. Never pass one up. They can be used as early as level
17, and are devastating weapons against all comers. They alone offer a
challenge to the Volcano line as the best sniper in the game.
Sniper rifles to look for:
Volcano-This 4X incendiary sniper rifle is, hands-down, the best
incendiary sniper in the game. They appear as early as level 25 and
will be your go to sniper for the rest of the game. (Legendary)
Cobra-The 3X-4X Cobra sniper rifle is extremely rare, but can show up
at level 17. If it does you’re king of the hill at that level and well
beyond. With a good critical hit bonus and a good scope, these are the
Volcanoes only rival as the game’s best sniper. (Legendary)
Orion-These highly elemental static rifles are death to the Guardians.
(Legendary)
Invader-These rifles fire a burst of 5 rounds when zoomed in, much like
a combat rifle. If you don’t miss they are devastating. They also come
in elemental models. (Legendary)
Skullmasher-Generally these rifles display rather low firepower, but
they fire 6 rounds at that rate. This is the ultimate critical hit
machine and outperforms most other conventional sniper rifles.
(Legendary)
Cyclops-This rifle is painfully rare but is highly accurate and will
sport the most powerful scope of any of the sniper rifles. They come
with a high damage and critical hit bonus. (Legendary)
SUBMACHINE GUNS:
Submachine guns (SMGs) progress rapidly in quality from the game’s
start, and highly elemental ones, 4X incendiaries aren’t uncommon early
on. Incendiary and explosive SMGs become available at level 4-and their
kind will quickly rival the combat rifles as conventional weapons as
well. The other elementals become available around level 13 and should
be evaluated by firepower, fire rate and recoil reduction as should the
conventionals.
The 4X Combustion Hellfire SMGs are awesome incendiary weapons and one
with a good rate of fire will rival the Volcano sniper as the game’s
best weapon-especially in the hands of Lilith. The Double Anarchy
series are generally the best of the conventional SMGs and they will
start to appear before level 10. They fire four projectiles with each
shot, and even with rather low accuracy, they generally outshine most
other conventional SMGs. The Stinger classes are also excellent
weapons. A Caustic Stinger can be very useful, especially if you
haven’t located a Hellfire.
SMGs to look for:
Maliwan’s Combustion Hellfire- These 4X incendiary SMGs are, hand’s
down, the best SMG in the game. A short burst is enough to eliminate
any but the baddest of the bad. This may be the game’s best weapon.
They come in scoped and un-scoped models, fast firing and slow. Even a
Thumper will outperform any other SMG. Never pass one up. (Legendary)
Double Anarchy-Generally these will be among the top conventional SMGs
in the game. Don’t be fooled by the low accuracy-these put out enough
lead to compensate. They come in scoped and un-scoped models and have
variable fire rates. You may see one prior to reaching level 10.
(Purple)
Stinger-This is a type sporting very high fire rates. They come as
conventionals and elementals, scoped and not and should be judged by
its stats. They often outperform the Double Anarchies. A caustic
stinger is often the best of the caustic SMGs. (Purple)
ROCKET LAUNCHERS:
Rocket Launchers seem to lack the “punch” one associates with the type.
While certainly useful, they are not game-changers-even the 4X
elementals. With Roland’s ammo regeneration mods the launcher can be
used to saturate heavily defended facilities but targeting individual
enemies is difficult unless your positioning is perfect. I usually keep
a potent one with a good scope to take advantage of the ammo slot, but
it gets little use. The Legendary Redemption is the best of the bunch.
Redemption-Each shots fires 4 rockets, causing a very wide spread of
damage. With ammo regeneration, this can be a powerful weapon. It is
the very best of a meager lot. (Legendary)
ERIDEAN:
The Eridean weapons (alien) that you will eventually acquire are, in my
opinion, woefully lacking. While useful in some circumstances, they
seldom equal the conventional weapons in that same situation. They
require frequent recharging, lack good scopes for distant work, some
have extremely slow projectiles and they will generally sit idle
because of it, all the time hogging an inventory slot, where something
more useful can reside.
The Eridian Thunder Storm is an exception. While weak against Bandits
and useless against the local fauna, it is devastating against the
Guardians. A single blast aimed at the head of a Principal or Arch
Guardian is death and even the Badass Guardians succumb to a short
volley. Its shortfall is its small magazine, so have a back up.
Similarly, the other Eridian weapons are effective versus the
Guardians-if you can hit them.
Eridean weapons to look for:
Thunder Storm-This Eridean weapon is very effective against the shields
of the Guardians. Its big shortfall is its low magazine size. (Green)
GRENADES:
Grenades start off weak, but when grenade mods become available they
become much more powerful and expand to include specialized and
elemental types and will become a major part of your arsenal as various
mods become available. The incendiary Bouncing Betties are awesome
against personnel. The author’s preferences are explosive and
incendiary Bouncing Betties but other types are excellent as well.
Contact grenades, Sticky grenades and Proximity Mines can also be very
useful.
ELEMENTALS and CONVENTIONALS:
You will quickly see in this document that I prefer elemental weapons
to the conventional weapons; but both are necessary to success in
Borderlands. I find the incendiary weapons to be, by far, the best in
the game. Since most of your targets will be “flesh” and since
incendiary is designed for defeating flesh, it is your best choice for
most enemies. A single burst from a good incendiary weapon will begin
to burn down your victim, and, as he burns, you can duck into cover
only to pop out and finish him off. These weapons are offered early in
the game, oftentimes as soon as Marcus’ store re-opens. If you don’t
harvest them, buy an incendiary sniper and an incendiary SMG or combat
rifle as soon as you have the funds to do so. They work equally well on
both humans and on skags and other native fauna. These weapons continue
to improve throughout the game, and if a Combustion Hellfire SMG and a
Volcano sniper rifle become available, don’t pass them up.
Like any weapon, however, you must continuously upgrade to keep pace
with the enemy. A level 7 incendiary sniper rifle, for example, will
not fare well against level 20 enemies. The ultimate incendiary snipers
appear as level 25 weapons-the Volcano line by Maliwan-“get you one.”
How much non-elemental damage an elemental weapon deals is a bit of a
mystery. You can take out an elemental hostile, a Burning Psycho, for
example, with an incendiary weapon but it will take more ammo that with
a conventional weapon of similar power; but how much damage is dealt
seems to vary with each weapon. If there is a formula for this it must
be a doozy. In the same vein, elemental damage is also a bit of a
mystery. A 4X volcano sniper at 250 FP, for example, deals far more
damage than the next best 4X 250 FP sniper-the Incendiary Wrath. So-
there is no cast-in-iron rule. Each weapon varies and you must be the
judge.
Caustic weapons are also good against most enemies, working much like
an incendiary; but they will not start to appear until well into the
game, with an occasional caustic weapon showing up just prior to
exiting to the Dahl Headland. The “Pestilent Defilers” are potent
caustic revolvers, and one with high firepower is an awesome weapon. A
caustic sniper is also a useful weapon, and the SMGs and caustic
revolvers are also excellent.
Static weapons will mostly lie idle in your inventory; but whenever
facing the Guardians or certain heavily shielded bosses, like Sledge,
they are an absolute must. The endgame would be quite difficult without
a good static sniper, SMG, static shotgun or other static weapon.
Acquire a long range and short-range static weapon for those
encounters. An Eridian Thunder Storm is also an excellent choice
against the Guardians. The highly elemental Orion static snipers become
available for use around level 22 and one with a good zoom is
invaluable against the Guardians. Watch out for the enemy with static
weapons-while they seem to do a poor job against the Bandits in your
hands, they are very effective against you.
Explosive weapons do not show the “bleed” effect of the other
elementals. These weapons require you to stand and deliver as you would
with conventional weapons. For this reason they generally play second
fiddle to the incendiary or caustic types, but one with the right
attributes can be very good. Brick’s class mods and his skill
enhancements make these weapons perform best in his hands.
The best of the explosive weapons are probably the sniper rifle, if you
get the right one, and the revolver. If you find a good explosive
sniper it can be a very fine weapon, especially one with a good
critical hit bonus. The Cobra sniper rifle is an awesome but rare
weapon, and it is among the best weapons available in Borderlands. The
explosive revolvers are excellent weapons and make crabmeat of the Crab
Worms in the Lost Cave. Shotguns also seem to benefit from the
explosive element. Explosive SMGs and combat rifles make you stand and
deliver, like the conventionals, and lack the bleed effect of the other
elementals. That said, they are good weapons, oftentimes outstanding. I
find myself using explosive weapons in lieu of conventionals. Watch out
for the enemy wielding explosive weapons-they will work quite well
against you.
For general purposes the Explosive Artifact works well on the Scorpio
Turret, Brick’s Berserk and for Bloodwing. It even works well versus
the Guardians.
Conventional weapons will dominate early in the game and are absolutely
essential in defeating foes that are impervious to elemental effects.
Sledge, for example, is best taken down using static fire to break his
shield and a fast firing conventional to take him out. They can be used
against all enemies and against boss types like the Destroyer or the
Rakk Hive, they are your best option. A powerful conventional shotgun
is a staple, especially early in the game play, and will occupy a slot
most of the time. Keeping a pair of potent combat rifles and a pair of
potent SMGs, scoped and not, is recommended and fundamental for
success. Conventional weapons also work well against the spiderants and
are most often the best option for targeting their weak abdomens. You
can, in fact, complete the game using only conventional weapons.
STRATEGY:
The opening stages of Borderlands can be challenging, but can be made
far less painful by properly preparing for the action. This will
require both looting, gear harvesting and completing challenges during
the opening stages in order to improve your arsenal and to gain cash
and the experience points (XP) that will allow you to rapidly level up.
When you step off the bus near Fyrestone you will have a single low-
powered weapon in your possession. As Roland this will be a weak combat
rifle and similarly low-powered weapons is the order of the day for the
other characters as well-an SMG for Lilith, a shotgun for Brick and a
sniper rifle for Mordecai. For the rest of the game your task will not
only be finding the fabled vault, but improving your gear-weapons,
shields and mods-to be able to continue the quest against an endless
parade of assorted hostiles.
The Borderlands of Pandora is a looters paradise; and the game play is
designed to allow you to exploit the bounty. It even awards experience
points for opening loot containers, weapons chests and for acquiring
cash. All lootable items, with only a few exceptions, will re-spawn
when you quit game play and then re-start. This allows endless
harvesting of the myriad of lootable containers.
The toughness of the enemy is roughly tied to the games 50 levels of
play, approximately 35 of which you will attain on a first playthrough
by gaining experience points. These experience points are gained by
completing missions, killing enemies, who yield a broad range of points
depending on their difficulty, and by completing challenges. This later
item-challenges-will play an important role during the initial stages
of the game. Staying even or ahead of your enemies level is crucial
during the games opening stages because your weapons are rather weak.
This leveling up will also allow you to use weapons requiring a level 7
status. Challenges can be viewed on the HUD of your ECHO device.
This walkthrough advocates the following procedure. The mission: NINE-
TOES TAKE HIM DOWN is a level 4 mission, but taking down Nine-Toes and
his two tough skags is a real challenge at level 4; and the missions
that follow will all be well above your level if you manage to take out
Nine-Toes at that point, thus continuing the pain. It is quite easy to
level up to level 7 prior to taking him on. This will allow you to
remain near the level of the following missions and will allow you to
use level 7 weapons, which include the use of a wide variety of
incendiary weapons, the first elementary weapons available, and more
potent shotguns, combat rifles and other conventional weapons. Spending
a little extra effort and time early on will be rewarded for the rest
of the game-so spend the time and make your quest more enjoyable.
You will need 13,886 experience points to attain level 7. Some of these
points will be awarded for completing the opening tutorial missions and
some will come from killing hostiles. The lion’s share of these,
however, will come from completing “challenges.” These can be seen on
the HUD of your ECHO device. Most of the following challenges,
depending on what weapons you use, can be achieved by looting, killing
hostiles and re-starting the game to repeat the process. These would
occur over time as the game play unfolds, but forcing the issue is the
key to success during the opening stages.
The following challenges are within easy reach:
“What’s in there” Open 50 lootable items for 1,000 XP
“Relentless” Kill 5 enemies (skags at this point) with no more than 7
seconds between each kill for 500 XP (exploit the five skags just south
of the Fyrestone gate to easily complete this quest)
“Ooo! Shiney!” Loot 5 weapons chests for 1,000 XP
“Treasure Hunter” Open 25 weapons chests for 2,000 XP (perhaps a
stretch for the impatient among us)
“Rat a Tat” Make 50 kills with SMGs for 1,000 XP
“Skag Slayer” Kill 50 skags for 1,000 XP
“Scavenger” Open 250 lootable containers for 2,000 XP
“One Shot, One Kill” make 50 kills with sniper rifles for 1,000 XP
“Headhunter” Make 50 human kills for 1,000 XP
“Impulse Buyer” Buy 5 items for 1,000 XP
“Draw!” Make 50 pistol kills for 1,000 XP
“Spray and Pray” Make 50 kills with combat rifles for 1,000 XP
“Hot! Too Hot!”  Make 25 incendiary kills (you can use an incendiary
combat rifle, SMG or repeater as early as level 2) for 1,000 XP
“Pocket Change” Earn 10,000 dollars for 1,000 XP
“Get off my lawn!” Make 50 kills with shotguns for 1,000 XP
After exiting the bus, simply follow the game play walkthrough, looting
the approximately 40 available item containers prior to Fyrestone, then
the twenty or so containers in Fyrestone as you continue the initial
missions. The walkthrough will then take you to the Bandit camp to the
southwest of the Fyrestone gate. Loot the eight containers there,
including the RED CHEST. Continue a counterclockwise loop out the south
gate of the Bandit camp, killing the 7 skags there, and then the six
west of there. Complete the loop eastward, past T.K.s place and then
back north into Fyrestone.
This initial circuit will net approximately 25 human kills, 20 or more
skag kills and approximately 75 lootables, including 1,500 to 2,500 in
cash and six weapons. Re-start and repeat the circuit to achieve as
many challenges as possible, to acquire weapons-the Bandit camp
hostiles don’t re-spawn but the RED CHEST does, and oftentimes yields
good weapons-and to acquire cash for purchasing a better shield and any
weapons that you covet at Marcus’ shop.
During this walkthrough I purchased both an incendiary sniper and an
incendiary SMG-and they are level 7 weapons. Incendiary combat rifles
in the 11 to 15-firepower range, however, have a level requirement of
only 4 and are a dominant weapon in the initial stages and are
frequently available right after the store opens in Fyrestone. Repeat
this harvesting procedure three or four times and you will be level 7
and will be bristling with potent weapons. Cash is only important
during the initial game play, so don’t hesitate to spend early on. Soon
enough you will have more money than you will ever need. Harvesting
will continue to be an important part of the game, but never more
important than early on.
PLAYABLE CHARACTERS:
Roland:
For solo play, on an initial playthrough, I believe that Roland is the
best choice. The Scorpio Turret is, initially, the best action skill
for solo play. It is, indeed, “like havin’ another soldier on the
field.” It allows you to target the enemy while remaining under cover
and its shield can provide cover when none is available. Many enemies
will actually attack the active Turret rather than you, allowing you to
target them. Its one shortcoming, its long cooldown time, is greatly
alleviated when you apply action points to reducing the cooldown
period. It can target and eliminate multiple enemies even before adding
skill points and it can even single-handedly kill boss types like King
Pee Wee, the Guardians and many Badass types. Killing Sledge is made
easy, as it will eliminate his shield when equipped with the static
artifact, allowing you to target him with a potent conventional weapon.
This is typical of this action skill. His class mods are also among the
best. As early as level 15 you can employ an experience mod to more
rapidly level up, making subsequent missions much easier to tackle.
Some of these mods add over 20% XP to your kills. You can equip ammo
regeneration mods that can regenerate ammo at prodigious rates and
there are shield and health regeneration mods and others that improve
weapon damage, reduce recoil and increase magazine size, by as much as
60%. An electrocute class mod increasing static damage by up to 40% is
often coupled with an electrocution resistance perk, allowing you to
easily tackle the Guardians. Even though Roland’s expertise is with
shotguns and combat rifles, he has access to all other types of weapons
as well, as do all of the players. At both long range and short, Roland
and his Turret are death come calling.
Suggested initial skill point allocation: First 5 to “Sentry;” second 5
to “Defense” and “Stockpile;” third 5 to “Barrage;” or fill out
“Defense” or “Stockpile’ and the fourth 5 to “Deploy” The Scorpio
Turret is now maxed out. Assign the next skill points to whatever suits
your style of play.
Mordecai:
Mordecai’s expertise is with sniper rifles and pistols and since I
particularly enjoy sniping I’m inclined to say his character is next
best to Roland; but Lilith will contest the spot. The Bloodwing is
second only to Roland’s Turret for dealing damage to the enemy and
becomes very potent as it is upgraded, but it can’t equal the Turret
until you reach level 25 when you max out the “Bird of Prey” skill.
Even fully upgraded it struggles to kill higher-level hostiles on its
own. Even though the games hints say it is good against enemies under
cover, I find it more effective when an enemy is ahead and in line-of-
sight and not nearly as useful against those under cover. Mordecai’s
class mods are very good, with health regeneration mods outclassing all
of the other characters and his Bloodwing damage mods are excellent.
His mods for both sniper rifles and pistols are also good, but he comes
up short of Roland for solo play on a first playthrough because it
takes so long to upgrade Bloodwing’s Bird of Prey skill. But he is a
fun character to play, especially if you are cautious and calculating,
liking sniper play rather than brute force. This is my preference-
sniping-but Mordecai doesn’t measure up to Roland when direct
intervention is called for, as it frequently is early in the game play.
On a second playthrough, however, with Bloodwing’s “Bird of Prey” skill
maxed out and class mods further enhancing the number of enemies that
can be attacked, Mordecai becomes Roland’s equal-or better.
Suggested initial skill point allocation: First 5 to “Swift Strike;”
second 5 to “Swipe;” Third five to any of the available skills in the
“Rogue Tier” This will get you to “Bird of Prey” Allocate the next 5 to
this fabulous skill and the Bloodwing will now attack up to six targets
per flight. Bloodwing now rivals the Scorpio Turret as the most deadly
single action skill.
Lilith:
When you first play as Lilith you will wonder if her action skill is a
weak one-I did-but you will soon see that it is an awesome skill. While
I seldom kill anything with it, it is quite useful for getting out of
jams, dazing enemies and for bypassing hot spots and quickly
regenerating health. It allows you to choose your battle arena. A good
example of this action skills value is apparent in the The Lost Caves.
This can be a very difficult scenario, with multiple hostiles in large
groups, and you are likely to be under-leveled when you take on the
mission. First Crab Worms, then skags, then Bandits, then more skags
and yet more Bandits. Lilith can bypass the Bandit camp and the skags
and still get her XP by choosing a more advantageous sniping position.
She can even use a station to station approach to raid the two RED
CHESTS in the cave to get access to higher level weaponry without
firing a shot-if you know the correct route to take.
When she is phase walking the enemy will lose track of her, giving her
a huge advantage. She can oftentimes just run past the enemy, like the
Guardians during the final stages of the game. When your shield or
health is low, just phase walk to safety.
But Lilith’s strong suit isn’t her action skill alone. Her expertise is
SMGs and when her spark skill is fully upgraded and a class mod for 40%
ignite damage and a plus 3 spark skill is added, she is a fire-
breathing dragoness, especially if you can get your hands on a
Combustion Hellfire SMG, a Volcano sniper and other potent incendiaries
including incendiary grenade mods. These high-end weapons are
noticeably more potent when wielded by Lilith.
Other mods can increase SMG damage by up to 40%, making all SMGs
extremely potent and ammo regeneration mods for SMGs are oftentimes on
the same mod as SMG damage. Action skill cooldown mods, shield capacity
boosts up to 36% are easily acquired and the electrocute damage and
electrocute damage resistance mods also make alien meat out of any