How Many Guns Does Borderlands 3 REALLY Have? Unpacking the Billion-Gun Myth
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The short answer, and perhaps a bit of a letdown, is that Borderlands 3 doesn’t have a literal one billion unique guns. Instead, the game boasts a staggering number of potential weapon combinations that can result in over one billion possible variations. This distinction is crucial. You won’t find a billion distinct items to add to your inventory, but the sheer depth of weapon customization means that the loot grind remains incredibly diverse. Gearbox achieved this astronomical number through a system of procedural generation, combining various parts and modifiers that result in millions, even billions, of possibilities. Let’s dive into how this works and what it means for you as a Vault Hunter.
Understanding Procedural Generation and the “Billion Gun” Claim
The claim of one billion guns in Borderlands 3 isn’t an arbitrary number pulled from thin air. It’s a mathematical outcome of the game’s sophisticated weapon generation system. Each gun in Borderlands 3 is constructed from several different parts: barrels, stocks, scopes, grips, and various other components. Each of these parts contributes to the weapon’s stats, handling, and special attributes. These components are then randomly assembled using the game’s algorithms, making each drop potentially unique.
When you consider the sheer number of available parts, the various rarities (Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, and Legendary), and the different elemental effects (fire, corrosive, shock, radiation, and cryo), the number of possible weapon combinations skyrockets exponentially. That is how the impressive “billion gun” figure comes into play.
So while you’re not going to find a billion individual weapons, the system ensures a ridiculous level of variety and customization. This creates the true Borderlands experience: a never-ending search for the perfect piece of gear that fits your play style and character build.
Borderlands 3 vs. Previous Titles
To put this into perspective, the original Borderlands had significantly fewer weapon variations, while Borderlands 2 had a whopping 17.75 million variations, a number which is not to be taken lightly. Borderlands 3 completely shattered those numbers, though by pushing a procedural method to an extreme.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Borderlands 3 Weapons
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to deepen your understanding of weapons in Borderlands 3:
1. Does Borderlands 3 have infinite guns?
No, Borderlands 3 does not have “infinite” unique guns, but rather an incredible amount of possible variations. However, some weapons, like the Infinity Pistol, do have infinite ammo, meaning you never have to reload.
2. What are the rarest guns in Borderlands 3?
Some of the rarest and most sought-after guns in Borderlands 3 include the Compressing Superball, The Duc, Moar Dayumned Wizzperer, and the Wagon Wheel. These legendary and rare weapons are often the most powerful and sought after by players.
3. How does the weapon rarity system work in Borderlands 3?
Borderlands 3 employs a color-coded weapon rarity system:
- White: Common
- Green: Uncommon
- Blue: Rare
- Purple: Epic
- Orange: Legendary
- Magenta: E-Tech (unconfirmed for Borderlands 3)
The higher the rarity, the more powerful and unique the weapon is likely to be.
4. Is Borderlands 3 loot random?
Yes, loot in Borderlands 3 is generated randomly from loot pools. This means that enemy drops are determined by chance, though certain enemies are more likely to drop specific types of loot.
5. Can you farm for specific weapons in Borderlands 3?
Absolutely. While loot is random, certain bosses and enemies have a higher chance to drop specific weapons, which allows for farming certain guns like the Infinity Pistol, which has a chance to drop from Troy Calypso.
6. How many guns does Moxxi give you?
Moxxi offers two guns that can be repeatedly earned with different elemental effects, unique prefixes, and weapon levels by spending in-game cash at her bar.
7. What is the fastest firing gun in Borderlands 3?
The Tizzy pistol is known for being one of the fastest firing guns, especially when it comes in its X2 or X3 variant. Be aware that this gun has a strong appetite for ammo.
8. Does Mayhem Mode affect weapon damage in Borderlands 3?
Yes, Mayhem Mode weapons do more damage. The higher the Mayhem level, the more powerful the weapons that drop will be. Weapons dropped in Mayhem Mode increase in power to offset the additional difficulty.
9. Which Borderlands 3 DLC has the best guns?
Some of the best guns added in DLC include the Clairvoyance which is available in the Guns, Love, and Tentacles DLC, along with the Free Radical, Complex Root, Monarch, Backburner, O.P.Q System, Blood Starved Beast, and Light Show.
10. What is the best gun company in Borderlands 3?
Different manufacturers have their own unique quirks. Jakobs is a highly regarded manufacturer, with guns like the Unforgiven, Maggie, King’s/Queen’s Call, and Hellwalker being some of the best in the game, known for high damage output. Torque is another high tier manufacturer.
11. Is Borderlands 3 bigger than Borderlands 2?
Yes, Borderlands 3 is larger than Borderlands 2, featuring more side missions, main story content, challenges, and rare enemy spawns, alongside increased variation in loot.
12. How long does it take to complete Borderlands 3 to 100%?
Completing Borderlands 3 to 100% can take around 75.5 hours, if you’re dedicated to seeing all the game has to offer.
13. What is the max level in Borderlands 3?
The max level for Vault Hunters in Borderlands 3 is level 72, matching the level cap of Borderlands 2.
14. How many years after Borderlands 2 is Borderlands 3 set?
Borderlands 3 takes place seven years after the events of Borderlands 2.
15. Who is the strongest playable character in Borderlands 3?
While each character has their own unique strengths, Moze is often considered to be one of the most versatile and powerful characters, excelling in both mobbing and boss encounters.
Conclusion
While the claim of “one billion guns” is not literal, the procedural generation system in Borderlands 3 offers an unparalleled level of weapon variety. The game’s system makes each loot drop have the potential to be something exciting and new, keeping the hunt for gear engaging for hundreds of hours. Understanding how the game creates its weapons and the different factors that go into their design can lead to a more enjoyable experience for anyone seeking the perfect loadout. So, go out there and explore the chaos, Vault Hunter, there are a billion potential guns just waiting to be discovered.