How to Scale Enemies to Your Level in Borderlands 3: A Comprehensive Guide

In Borderlands 3, enemy scaling is a core mechanic that significantly impacts gameplay. Unlike some games where enemies have fixed levels, Borderlands 3 offers several ways to ensure that enemies are always a suitable challenge, no matter your character’s progression. Understanding these methods is crucial for optimizing your loot, experience, and overall enjoyment of the game. Simply put, to scale enemies to your level in Borderlands 3, you have to either engage in True Vault Hunter Mode (TVHM) or activate Mayhem Mode. These are the primary methods the game provides to ensure enemies match your level.

Understanding Enemy Scaling in Borderlands 3

Borderlands 3 doesn’t have a universal level scaling system across all its modes. It uses different approaches depending on whether you’re in your first playthrough, replaying the game in TVHM, or utilizing Mayhem Mode. Here’s a breakdown of how it works:

Normal Mode

In your first playthrough, also known as Normal Mode, enemies generally have fixed levels in each area. For instance, the enemies in the early areas will always be lower than those in later areas. This means that if you out-level an area, you’ll find enemies relatively easy to defeat. It is important to note that in normal mode, crew challenge enemies and rare spawns scale to your level, giving you a chance to fight more worthy opponents. This mechanic helps you if you have out-leveled your first playthrough and want some enemies that are a good level for experience and loot. However, if you want all enemies to be scaling to your level, you’ll need to utilize True Vault Hunter Mode or some Mayhem level.

True Vault Hunter Mode (TVHM)

Once you complete the main story campaign, you unlock True Vault Hunter Mode (TVHM). In this mode, all enemies scale to your level, ensuring a consistent challenge no matter where you travel in the game world. This mode is intended for players who want a tougher experience and increased rewards. TVHM is the classic scaling that players may remember from previous Borderlands titles. It gives you a reason to revisit the planets and bosses while providing you the right level of challenge.

Mayhem Mode

Mayhem Mode is another way to achieve universal level scaling. You can activate Mayhem Mode at any time once you’ve completed the main campaign. When enabled, this mode scales all enemies to your level even in Normal Mode, and also offers various modifiers, which are meant to increase difficulty and loot quality. Mayhem Mode ranges from level 1 to 11, each one increasing the amount of scaled enemies and loot that you can find. Mayhem Mode and TVHM are not mutually exclusive, and you are able to use them both together for a greater challenge with even better rewards.

Multiplayer Considerations

Enemy scaling in multiplayer introduces a unique twist. In coopetition mode, enemy levels scale to the level of the host player. This means that if the host is level 20 and you are level 40, you will see level 20 enemies. This can make the game significantly easier for higher-level players. It can be an easy method for low-level players to power level through the game, as higher-level players can easily clear rooms.

Why Level Scaling Matters

Level scaling in Borderlands 3 isn’t just about difficulty; it’s also about keeping the game engaging and rewarding:

• Consistent Challenge: Ensures enemies remain a threat, preventing the game from becoming too easy as you progress.
• Optimized Loot: Enemies of your level drop loot that is also scaled to your level, making them much more useful.
• Experience Gain: Fighting enemies of your level provides the most experience, speeding up your level progression.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the maximum level in Borderlands 3?

The current level cap in Borderlands 3 is level 72.

2. Do bosses scale to my level in my first playthrough?

No, bosses do not scale to your level in your first playthrough. Their levels are fixed for that mode. However, they will scale to your level in TVHM or with Mayhem Mode enabled.

3. Can I change the Mayhem level after activating it?

Yes, you can change the Mayhem level at any time after you have completed the main campaign.

4. What is the easiest way to power level in Borderlands 3?

Power leveling is easiest through playing with a higher-level player and using the coopetition mode. The higher level player can easily clear rooms of enemies, letting you gain levels without having to do the brunt of the fighting.

5. Does weapon score matter in Borderlands 3?

While weapons have an item score, it is often unreliable. A higher score does not always mean a better weapon, as there are many other things to consider, such as the weapon’s bonuses and stats.

6. How do you unlock TVHM in Borderlands 3?

You unlock True Vault Hunter Mode (TVHM) by completing the main story campaign in Normal Mode.

7. What happens if I start a new character after completing TVHM?

If you start a new character, you’ll start in Normal Mode. You will then unlock TVHM for that new character once you’ve completed the main campaign with that new character.

8. What are some of the best builds for each character?

Some of the most overpowered builds in Borderlands 3 include: Iron Maiden Moze, Khaos Queen Amara, and Chain Zane.

9. Is it better to play in Mayhem mode or True Vault Hunter Mode for scaling?

Both are viable methods for scaling, and both provide unique rewards. TVHM is the classic approach, and Mayhem Mode allows for added challenge and the best loot. You can even play with both modes enabled.

10. What is the easiest boss to farm in Borderlands 3?

Graveward is considered one of the easiest and most efficient bosses to farm due to his location near a fast travel point and his relatively easy fight mechanics.

11. Who is the strongest playable character in Borderlands 3?

Moze the Gunner is often considered the strongest playable character due to her versatility in both boss fights and mobbing situations.

12. What are some of the best ways to level up quickly?

The fastest ways to level up in Borderlands 3 include farming bosses, completing the story, using proper gear, playing in Mayhem Mode, and completing side quests and crew challenges.

13. How does level scaling work with friends in multiplayer?

In multiplayer, the enemies will scale to the level of the host. Meaning, if the host is level 30, any players joining will also face enemies of level 30 regardless of their own level.

14. Do rare spawns scale to your level?

Yes, rare spawns scale to your level even in your first playthrough of the game.

15. What is the best shield in Borderlands 3?

The Transformer is considered one of the best shields due to its ability to convert shock damage into shield capacity and grant bullet absorption.

Conclusion

Understanding enemy scaling is essential for enjoying Borderlands 3 to its fullest. Whether you’re engaging in the classic challenge of True Vault Hunter Mode or diving into the modifier-driven chaos of Mayhem Mode, these features allow players to customize their experience and ensure that combat always feels challenging and rewarding. Knowing how these systems work and how to use them is key to mastering the game.