Are Any Borderlands 3 DLCs Worth It? A Deep Dive into the Vault Hunter’s Expansions
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Yes, absolutely! The Borderlands 3 DLCs are overwhelmingly worth the investment, dramatically expanding the game’s content with compelling stories, fresh gameplay mechanics, and, of course, mountains of loot. While the base game offered a solid foundation, the DLCs elevate the experience to a whole new level, arguably surpassing the original campaign in terms of narrative quality and sheer enjoyment. They address many of the criticisms levied against the base game, particularly the perceived weaknesses in the main storyline, by introducing memorable characters, engaging plots, and rewarding gameplay loops.
## Why You Should Consider Borderlands 3 DLCs
The Borderlands formula is built on a few core pillars: loot-driven progression, cooperative gameplay, and irreverent humor. The DLCs capitalize on these strengths, delivering content that feels both familiar and innovative. Whether you’re a solo player or prefer to team up with friends, the DLCs provide hours of entertainment and valuable additions to your Vault Hunter’s arsenal. Let’s break down what makes them so compelling:
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Story and Characters: Many players found the base game’s narrative lacking compared to previous Borderlands titles. The DLCs remedy this with significantly improved storylines and more likeable, well-developed characters. They delve into different themes and settings, offering a welcome change of pace from the main campaign.
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Gameplay Enhancements: Each DLC introduces new mechanics, environments, and enemy types, keeping the gameplay fresh and exciting. From exploring the wild west-themed planet of Gehenna in Bounty of Blood to navigating the surreal landscapes of Krieg’s mind in Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck, the DLCs offer unique and engaging experiences.
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Loot Galore: Of course, no Borderlands experience is complete without a constant stream of loot. The DLCs add a plethora of new weapons, gear, and cosmetics, many of which are incredibly powerful and can significantly enhance your Vault Hunter’s build. Dedicated drops mean you can target specific items by farming certain bosses and enemies.
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Endgame Content: While the base game has its share of endgame content, the DLCs provide even more options for players who want to continue progressing their characters and testing their skills. This includes new challenges, bosses, and difficulty levels.
Ranking the Borderlands 3 DLCs
While subjective, a general consensus has emerged regarding the quality and enjoyment factor of each Borderlands 3 DLC. Here’s a ranking of the DLCs, from best to worst (though even the “worst” is still worth playing):
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Bounty of Blood: Set on the dusty planet of Gehenna, this DLC draws inspiration from Westerns, offering a compelling story, memorable characters, and a fantastic new vehicle called the Jetbeast. The unique setting and engaging narrative make it a standout experience. It introduces a morality system with the narrator reacting to your choices, which is a novel addition.
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Guns, Love, and Tentacles: The Marriage of Wainwright & Hammerlock: This DLC takes players to the Lovecraftian-inspired planet of Xylourgos for the wedding of two beloved characters. With its creepy atmosphere, bizarre creatures, and compelling storyline, it’s a fan favorite.
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Mad Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot: This DLC offers a more lighthearted adventure, focusing on a heist of a derelict casino built by Handsome Jack. It’s full of humor, action, and plenty of opportunities to score some fantastic loot. It has a great self-contained story with interesting characters.
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Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck: While enjoyable, this DLC’s setting within the mind of Krieg can be a bit chaotic and overwhelming. However, it offers a unique perspective on the character and some interesting gameplay mechanics. It is the favorite for some players.
Content Drops
Borderlands 3 also received several free content drops that added new features and content to the game. While not as substantial as the DLCs, these drops are worth checking out.
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Takedown at the Maliwan Blacksite: A challenging endgame activity designed for cooperative play.
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Takedown at the Guardian Breach: Another challenging endgame activity with unique mechanics and rewards.
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Arms Race: A rogue-lite mode where players start with nothing and must scavenge for weapons and gear while surviving against the elements and enemies.
Deciding Which DLC to Buy
If you’re trying to decide which Borderlands 3 DLCs to buy, consider your preferences. Do you prioritize story, gameplay mechanics, or loot?
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For Story: Bounty of Blood and Guns, Love, and Tentacles are excellent choices.
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For Gameplay: Mad Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot and Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck offer unique gameplay experiences.
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For Loot: All the DLCs have great loot, but Bounty of Blood and Mad Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot are particularly known for their powerful weapons and gear.
Borderlands 3’s Enduring Appeal
Even with the release of Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, Borderlands 3 remains a compelling and enjoyable game. The DLCs not only enhance the core experience but also provide a wealth of content that can keep players engaged for hundreds of hours. If you’re a fan of the Borderlands franchise or simply enjoy loot-driven shooters, the Borderlands 3 DLCs are a must-have. The game has also incorporated many insights from educational games that can improve learning outcomes, which can also be found at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Should I play BL3 DLC in order?
There’s no strict chronological order to follow for the Borderlands 3 DLCs. They primarily expand on the universe and characters without directly impacting the main storyline or each other. However, playing them after completing the main campaign will avoid any potential story spoilers.
2. Is Borderlands 3 worth it without DLC?
Yes, Borderlands 3 is still worth playing without the DLCs, especially if you enjoy shooter RPGs with a wide variety of weapons. The base game offers a substantial amount of content, including multiple playthroughs and endgame activities.
3. Which Borderlands game has the best DLC?
The best DLC is subjective, but popular opinion leans towards Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck [BL3], Claptastic Voyage [TPS], and Tiny Tina’s Assault on Dragon Keep [BL2].
4. What is the max level in BL3 without DLC?
The max level in Borderlands 3 without any DLC is 72. Level cap increases are free updates.
5. Is there a 4th skill tree in Borderlands 3?
Yes, each Vault Hunter received a 4th skill tree as part of a DLC, offering new abilities and gameplay styles. For example, Moze’s 4th Skill Tree is Bear Mother.
6. Why is the max level in Borderlands 72?
The level cap is set at 72 to allow players to fully explore their characters’ abilities and continue progressing through multiple playthroughs with increasing difficulty and better loot.
7. What is the most fun DLC for Borderlands 3?
Many players find Bounty of Blood to be the most fun DLC, thanks to its unique setting, engaging story, and the addition of the Jetbeast vehicle.
8. What BL3 DLC has the best guns?
Bounty of Blood is known for having some of the best guns, including the Complex Root, Flipper, Gargoyle, and Robin’s Call.
9. What is the best DLC for BL3?
Bounty of Blood consistently ranks as the best DLC for Borderlands 3 due to its compelling narrative, unique setting, and strong loot.
10. Will there be a Borderlands 4?
While not officially announced, there are strong indications that Borderlands 4 is in development, with potential development timelines suggesting a future release.
11. Is Borderlands 3 fun without friends?
Yes, Borderlands 3 is still enjoyable solo. The gameplay and story provide a good time even without cooperative play.
12. Should I play Borderlands 3 before Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands?
Yes, playing Borderlands 3 before Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is recommended as it familiarizes you with the gameplay systems and the overall Borderlands universe.
13. How many hours is BL3 DLC?
The time to complete each Borderlands 3 DLC varies, but generally, you can expect to spend around 8-10 hours on each. For example, the estimated time to complete Guns, Love, and Tentacles is 8-10 hours.
14. Who is the best overall character in BL3?
Moze is often considered the best overall character in Borderlands 3 due to her versatility in both mobbing and bossing.
15. Is Mayhem 10 or 11 better in BL3?
Mayhem 11 is generally considered better than Mayhem 10, as it offers the same loot drop rates and difficulty without the added modifiers, unless you prefer to tailor the gameplay with specific modifiers. If you want to further research the effect video games have on players, consider visiting the Games Learning Society for scholarly articles.