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The Definitive Guide to Borderlands 3 DLC: Finding Your Perfect Pandora Adventure

So, you’re staring down the barrel of Borderlands 3’s DLC offerings, wondering which one is worth your hard-earned cash and precious gaming time? The answer, as with most things in Pandora, isn’t a simple one. But if I had to pick one as the “best” overall, it would be Bounty of Blood.

While personal preference will always reign supreme, Bounty of Blood manages to strike a near-perfect balance of compelling story, interesting characters, meaningful gameplay additions, and rewarding loot. It’s a high bar that the other DLCs strive for, and while some come close in certain aspects, Bounty of Blood generally edges them out. Let’s dive deeper into why, and then explore the merits of the other DLCs, so you can make the most informed decision for your Vault Hunter experience.

Why Bounty of Blood Stands Out

Bounty of Blood transports you to the dusty, Western-inspired planet of Gehenna, a far cry from the familiar landscapes of Pandora. This fresh setting is immediately captivating, and the story follows a motley crew of outlaws as they defend the town of Vestige from the brutal Devil Riders.

Here’s what makes Bounty of Blood truly shine:

Compelling Narrative: The story isn’t just a simple “go here, shoot this” affair. It delves into themes of redemption, community, and the complexities of morality in a lawless land. The characters are well-developed and engaging, and the narrative choices you make actually have an impact on the world around you. This level of narrative depth is a significant step up from some of the base game’s storylines.
The Jetbeast Vehicle: This is arguably the best vehicle introduced in any Borderlands 3 DLC. It’s fast, versatile, and packs a serious punch. The Jetbeast makes traversing the expansive landscapes of Gehenna a joy, and its customization options are plentiful.
Innovative Gameplay Mechanics: The introduction of interactive world objects, like bridges and explosive barrels, adds a new layer of tactical depth to combat encounters. These environmental elements encourage players to think creatively and utilize their surroundings to their advantage.
Rewarding Loot: The DLC introduces a plethora of powerful new weapons and gear, many of which have become staples in endgame builds. The dedicated drops are relatively easy to farm, making it easier to acquire the specific items you’re looking for.

While Bounty of Blood is my pick for the best overall, the other DLCs certainly have their own strengths and appeal to different tastes.

A Look at the Other Borderlands 3 DLCs

Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot: This DLC is all about the loot. You infiltrate a massive, abandoned space station casino owned by Handsome Jack, and the sheer amount of loot you can acquire is staggering. The setting is visually stunning, and the enemies are challenging. However, the story is relatively simple, and the characters aren’t as memorable as those in Bounty of Blood.
Guns, Love, and Tentacles: The Marriage of Wainwright & Hammerlock: This Lovecraftian-themed DLC is a visual feast, with creepy environments and grotesque enemies. The story is entertaining, and the new legendary weapons are powerful. However, some players may find the dark and unsettling atmosphere to be a bit off-putting. As the article mentions, the Clairvoyance is a top weapon, found in this DLC.
Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck: This DLC takes you inside the fractured mind of Krieg, the Psycho Vault Hunter from Borderlands 2. The visuals are surreal and mind-bending, and the gameplay is chaotic and over-the-top. This is a must-play for fans of Krieg, but the unconventional structure and lack of a coherent narrative may not appeal to everyone.
Designer’s Cut (Season Pass 2): This DLC introduces the Arms Race mode, a roguelike experience where you start with nothing and must scavenge for gear to survive. It also adds a new skill tree for each of the four Vault Hunters, significantly expanding their build options.
Director’s Cut (Season Pass 2): This DLC adds a series of challenging raid bosses and a new storyline featuring Ava, a controversial character from the base game. It also includes behind-the-scenes content and concept art.

Making Your Choice: Which DLC is Right for You?

Ultimately, the “best” Borderlands 3 DLC is the one that best suits your personal preferences.

For the Story Buff: Bounty of Blood offers the most compelling and well-developed narrative.
For the Loot Goblin: Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot is a treasure trove of legendary weapons and gear.
For the Horror Enthusiast: Guns, Love, and Tentacles delivers a creepy and unsettling Lovecraftian experience.
For the Krieg Fanatic: Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck is a wild ride through the mind of a fan-favorite character.
For the Build Optimizer: The Designer’s Cut DLC, particularly the extra skill trees, dramatically expands build options.
For the Endgame Challenger: The Director’s Cut DLC provides formidable raid bosses that will test your skills and gear.

Before making your final decision, consider watching gameplay videos and reading reviews of each DLC to get a better sense of what they offer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which Borderlands 3 DLC is the most visually stunning?

Guns, Love, and Tentacles: The Marriage of Wainwright & Hammerlock is often cited as the most visually stunning, thanks to its Lovecraftian-inspired environments and detailed creature designs. The dark and gothic aesthetic is a significant departure from the more colorful and cartoony visuals of the base game.

2. What BL3 DLC has the best legendary weapons?

This is subjective and depends on your playstyle, but Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot and Guns, Love, and Tentacles are generally considered to have some of the most powerful and versatile legendary weapons. Bounty of Blood also has excellent options. As the article mentioned, the Clairvoyance is found in Guns, Love, and Tentacles DLC, and is one of the best weapons in the game.

3. Are the Season Pass 1 and Season Pass 2 DLCs worth it?

Yes, if you plan to play Borderlands 3 extensively. Season Pass 1 includes Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot, Guns, Love, and Tentacles, Bounty of Blood, and Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck. Season Pass 2 includes the Designer’s Cut and Director’s Cut. Purchasing the Season Passes is generally more cost-effective than buying the DLCs individually.

4. Which DLC should I play first in Borderlands 3?

There’s no strict chronological order to the DLCs, but playing them in the order of release is generally recommended:

Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot
Guns, Love, and Tentacles: The Marriage of Wainwright & Hammerlock
Bounty of Blood
Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck
Designer’s Cut
Director’s Cut

5. What level should I be before starting the Borderlands 3 DLCs?

It’s generally recommended to be at least level 50 before starting the DLCs. This will ensure that you can handle the challenging enemies and acquire the best gear. However, the DLCs scale to your level, so you can technically start them at any time, but it will be more difficult at lower levels.

6. Does the DLC content scale with my character level?

Yes, all the DLC content in Borderlands 3 scales with your character level, meaning that enemies and loot will always be appropriate for your current level.

7. Can I play the Borderlands 3 DLCs in True Vault Hunter Mode (TVHM)?

Yes, you can play the DLCs in both Normal Mode and True Vault Hunter Mode. TVHM offers a higher difficulty and better loot.

8. Are there any DLC-exclusive Vault Hunter skill trees?

Yes, the Designer’s Cut DLC adds a new skill tree for each of the four Vault Hunters. These skill trees significantly expand their build options and offer new ways to play.

9. What is Arms Race mode, and is it worth playing?

Arms Race mode, introduced in the Designer’s Cut DLC, is a roguelike experience where you start with nothing and must scavenge for gear to survive. It’s a challenging and rewarding mode that tests your skills and knowledge of the game. Whether it’s worth playing depends on your personal preferences. If you enjoy roguelike games and a challenging experience, you’ll likely enjoy Arms Race.

10. Does the Director’s Cut DLC include a new playable character?

No, the Director’s Cut DLC does not include a new playable character. It focuses on adding new storylines, raid bosses, and behind-the-scenes content.

11. Are the raid bosses in the Director’s Cut DLC very difficult?

Yes, the raid bosses in the Director’s Cut DLC are among the most challenging encounters in the game. They require well-optimized builds, coordinated teamwork (if playing with friends), and a deep understanding of the game’s mechanics.

12. How do I access the DLC content in Borderlands 3?

Once you’ve purchased and installed the DLC, you can access it by traveling to the new planets or areas via the map screen. Look for the “Travel” option and select the DLC location.

13. Do I need to complete the main Borderlands 3 story before playing the DLCs?

It’s generally recommended to complete the main story before playing the DLCs, as the DLCs often contain spoilers for the main story. However, it’s not strictly necessary. As the article mentioned, they “should spoil is the main story, which you completed so there’s no need to worry about that.”

14. Where can I find more information about Borderlands 3 and other games?

You can find more information about Borderlands 3 and other games on various gaming websites, forums, and YouTube channels. The Games Learning Society is a fantastic resource if you’re interested in the educational aspects of games. GamesLearningSociety.org offers valuable insights into game design and the ways games can be used for learning.

15. Will there be more Borderlands 3 DLC in the future?

While there’s been no official announcement of further Borderlands 3 DLC, the franchise is incredibly popular, and Gearbox Software has a history of supporting its games with post-launch content. So, while nothing is guaranteed, it’s certainly possible that we’ll see more Borderlands 3 DLC in the future. And as the article mentioned, the listing suggests a Borderlands 4 could see a potential release earlier.

Choosing the “best” Borderlands 3 DLC is a journey of discovery, tailored to your own gaming tastes. Explore Pandora, Vault Hunter, and find the adventure that calls to you!

What is the best DLC for Borderlands 3?