Can You Max Out All Skills in Borderlands 1?
The simple answer is no, you cannot max out all skills in Borderlands 1. While the game offers a robust skill tree system, the available skill points are not sufficient to fully populate every branch. This limitation encourages players to specialize their builds, focusing on specific skills and playstyles rather than attempting to become a jack-of-all-trades. Let’s delve deeper into why this is the case and what it means for your Borderlands 1 experience.
The Skill Point Economy
In Borderlands 1, you earn skill points primarily through leveling up. However, not every level grants a skill point. Specifically, levels 1 through 4 do not award any skill points, but each level from 5 onwards provides one point. The maximum level achievable in the game is 69 with the The Secret Armory of General Knoxx DLC installed. Without this DLC, the level cap is 58. Reaching level 69 earns you 65 skill points. That’s already less than what you’d need to completely max out even a single character’s entire tree, let alone more than one.
Additional Skill Points
To further complicate matters, there are a limited number of bonus skill points available beyond level ups. Specifically:
- Moxxi’s Underdome: You can earn three extra skill points by completing all three different arena challenges on the bounty board in Mad Moxxi’s Underdome DLC.
- Claptrap’s Robot Revolution: You can also earn an additional one skill point by finishing the Claptrap DLC, though many misremember this as two skill points.
These extra skill points can help further customize your character, but still fall far short of what’s needed to acquire all of the skills across a character’s three skill trees.
The maximum number of skill points possible is 69 (65 from leveling + 3 from Moxxi’s Underdome + 1 from Claptrap’s Revolution), plus 4 possible skill points for beating those DLCs in the second playthrough. Therefore, the maximum possible is 73.
Strategic Skill Allocation
Due to the limited skill points, strategic skill allocation becomes crucial. Players must carefully consider their desired playstyle and invest points accordingly. It’s important to decide which skills offer the most impactful benefits for your chosen build. Do you favor sniping, close-quarters combat, elemental attacks, or support? These are all key factors in deciding how to spend each skill point.
The Importance of Specialization
The design of Borderlands 1 encourages specialization rather than the “master of all” approach. It’s impossible to become the ultimate hybrid character by maxing every single ability. This limitation pushes players to understand each character’s strengths and weaknesses, optimizing their builds to synergize with their playstyle. Experimenting with different skill combinations is crucial for maximizing your combat effectiveness.
Capstone Skills
Despite not being able to acquire every skill in the game, players are often able to get their hands on multiple capstone skills of the tree. Capstones are the most powerful skills in the tree and are located at the bottom of each tree.
Frequently Asked Questions
To further clarify the skill system and other relevant game mechanics in Borderlands 1, here are 15 frequently asked questions.
How many skill trees are there per character in Borderlands 1?
Each playable character in Borderlands 1 has three distinct skill trees. These trees allow players to customize their character’s abilities and playstyle.
Can I respec my character in Borderlands 1?
Yes, you can respec your character in Borderlands 1. This allows you to redistribute your skill points and try different builds.
How do I respec my character in Borderlands 1?
You can reset your skill points at any Fast Travel station. Change the mode at the top of the window from “Fast Travel” to “Character Customization” to reset your skills.
What is the cost to respec in Borderlands 1?
The cost of respec’ing is 10% of the money you have on hand. So, if you have $10,000, the respec will cost $1,000.
What is the maximum level in Borderlands 1 without DLC?
The maximum level achievable in Borderlands 1 without any DLC is 58, resulting in fewer skill points.
What is the maximum level in Borderlands 1 with all DLC?
With all DLC installed, the maximum level in Borderlands 1 is 69. The extra level cap comes from The Secret Armory of General Knoxx DLC.
Does Borderlands 1 scale with level?
Yes, in Borderlands 1, enemies scale with your level. Specifically, the scaling is primarily seen in Playthrough 2.5. After completing the second playthrough, most enemies will scale to within 0-2 levels of your own.
What is the “Killer” skill in Borderlands 1?
Killer is a Tier 2 skill in Mordecai’s Sniper skill tree. It increases damage and reload speed with all guns for a few seconds after killing an enemy.
What is considered “100%” completion in Borderlands 1?
100% completion in Borderlands 1 generally includes finishing all main and side quests, completing all challenges, and exploring all areas. It takes players around 62.5 hours to complete this.
Is Borderlands 1 soloable?
Yes, Borderlands 1 is entirely soloable. While playing solo might be more difficult than playing with a team, it is entirely viable.
Did Borderlands 1 have SHiFT codes?
The original release of Borderlands 1 did not have SHiFT Codes. However, the ‘Enhanced Edition’ added SHiFT Code functionality.
At what level do you typically beat Borderlands 1?
The first playthrough of Borderlands 1 is meant to end around level 35. Players are then intended to continue leveling through the second playthrough.
What DLCs are available in Borderlands 1?
The four main DLC packs for Borderlands 1 are:
- The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned
- Mad Moxxi’s Underdome Riot
- The Secret Armory of General Knoxx
- Claptrap’s Robot Revolution
Does weapon level matter in Borderlands 1?
Yes, weapon levels matter significantly in Borderlands 1. Weapons quickly become ineffective as you and enemies level up, and it’s important to replace gear that’s become too weak.
What is the rarest gun in Borderlands 1?
One of the rarest guns in Borderlands 1 is the Hyperion Reaper. It is known for its unique character healing effect that only activates with blade attacks.
Conclusion
While it might be tempting to want all skills maxed out, Borderlands 1 is designed with the intent that you can’t do it. The skill system promotes thoughtful builds and specialized playstyles. By understanding the skill system and resource limitations, you can create powerful and optimized characters to take on the dangers of Pandora. So, while you can’t max out every skill, you can definitely make the most of the points you earn.