Is the Eridian Fabricator Worth It in Borderlands 3? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, the Eridian Fabricator, affectionately known as the Gun Gun, can be worth it, but its value is highly situational and depends heavily on your endgame goals, resource management, and tolerance for RNG (Random Number Generation). While it offers a unique way to spend your accumulated Eridium, the potential rewards—legendary weapons—come at a steep price and with a low probability, making it a gamble rather than a reliable farming method for specific gear. This guide dives deep into the Fabricator, exploring its pros, cons, and optimal usage scenarios.
Understanding the Eridian Fabricator
The Eridian Fabricator, located on Sanctuary III, is a device that allows you to “fabricate” weapons using Eridium. There are two firing modes:
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Normal Mode: Costs 250 Eridium and has a very low chance of dispensing a legendary weapon. The majority of the time, it will dispense weapons of lower rarity, like greens, blues, and purples.
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Legendary Mode: Costs 2500 Eridium and guarantees a legendary weapon. However, the legendary weapon is completely random, drawing from the entire pool of possible legendaries in the game, regardless of DLC ownership.
The allure of the Fabricator lies in the potential to acquire powerful legendary weapons without having to grind specific bosses or locations. However, the cost of Eridium and the randomness of the outcome are significant factors to consider.
The Pros and Cons of Using the Eridian Fabricator
Pros:
- Potential for Endgame Gear: The most obvious benefit is the chance to obtain legendary weapons, some of which can be incredibly powerful and valuable for endgame builds.
- Convenience: No need to travel to specific locations or fight challenging bosses. The Fabricator is readily available on Sanctuary III.
- Alternative Eridium Sink: Provides a use for accumulated Eridium, especially for players who have already purchased all the cosmetic items and storage upgrades.
- Accessibility: Available from the start of the game, though its value increases significantly in the endgame.
- “Free” Legendaries in Legendary Mode: Guarantees a legendary weapon, albeit a random one.
Cons:
- High Eridium Cost: The 2500 Eridium cost for Legendary mode is substantial, especially for players who haven’t optimized their Eridium farming.
- Extreme RNG: The legendary weapon you receive is completely random. You might get something amazing, or something completely useless for your character and build.
- Inefficient for Targeted Farming: If you’re looking for a specific legendary weapon, the Fabricator is an incredibly inefficient method compared to farming the boss or location that drops it.
- Normal Mode is Almost Always a Waste: The incredibly low legendary drop rate in normal mode makes it almost always a bad investment. The Eridium is better saved for Legendary mode or other purposes.
- DLC Ownership Doesn’t Guarantee DLC Legendaries: Even if you own all the DLCs, there’s no guarantee that the Fabricator will dispense DLC-specific legendaries.
When is the Eridian Fabricator Worth Using?
The Eridian Fabricator becomes more worthwhile in specific situations:
- Late Game Resource Surplus: When you’ve reached the endgame, completed most of the content, and have a large surplus of Eridium, using the Fabricator can be a fun way to gamble and potentially acquire some new toys.
- Experimentation and Build Diversification: If you’re not looking for a specific weapon but rather want to experiment with different legendaries and explore new build possibilities, the Fabricator can provide a wide range of options.
- “Completionist” Mentality: For players who want to collect every legendary weapon in the game, the Fabricator can be a (very expensive) way to fill out their collection.
- Looking for Anointments: Sometimes, you are just looking for a specific anointment, and the gun’s specific stats or build is not a concern. This makes the Fabricator a slightly more viable choice in such cases.
- Boosting a New Character: While the Eridium cost might be prohibitive early on, farming Eridium on a high-level character and then using the Fabricator to potentially get powerful gear for a lower-level character can give them a significant boost.
Alternatives to Using the Eridian Fabricator
Before you start burning through your Eridium, consider these alternatives:
- Targeted Farming: Research which boss or location drops the legendary weapon you want and farm it repeatedly. This is generally the most efficient way to obtain specific gear.
- World Drops: Legendary weapons can randomly drop from any enemy or container in the game. While the chances are low, it’s a passive way to acquire new gear while playing normally.
- Golden Keys: Using Golden Keys from SHiFT codes can provide access to a chest that contains guaranteed high-rarity gear, including legendaries.
- Vault Card Farming: Vault Cards offer targeted legendary weapons with dedicated challenges that provide an easier, less RNG-dependent farming experience.
Tips for Using the Eridian Fabricator Effectively
If you decide to use the Eridian Fabricator, keep these tips in mind:
- Farm Eridium Efficiently: Use Eridium relics and farm areas known for high Eridium spawns, such as Mayhem Mode arenas.
- Prioritize Legendary Mode: Avoid using Normal mode unless you have an extremely large surplus of Eridium. The legendary drop rate is far too low to justify the cost.
- Manage Your Expectations: Don’t expect to get the perfect weapon for your build every time. The Fabricator is a gamble, so be prepared to receive weapons that are not ideal.
- Consider Trading: If you get a legendary weapon that’s not useful to you, consider trading it with other players for something you need.
- Watch for Events: Gearbox sometimes hosts events that increase the legendary drop rate of the Fabricator. Take advantage of these events to improve your chances of getting something good.
Conclusion: The Eridian Fabricator is a Gamble
The Eridian Fabricator is a unique and potentially rewarding feature in Borderlands 3, but it’s important to approach it with realistic expectations. Its high cost and reliance on RNG make it an inefficient method for targeted farming. However, if you have a surplus of Eridium, enjoy gambling, and are open to experimenting with different weapons, the Fabricator can be a fun way to potentially acquire some powerful gear. Ultimately, its worth depends on your individual preferences and endgame goals.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Eridium Fabricator, and where is it located?
The Eridium Fabricator, also known as the Gun Gun, is a device on Sanctuary III that dispenses weapons in exchange for Eridium. It has two modes: Normal (250 Eridium) and Legendary (2500 Eridium).
2. How do I unlock the Eridian Fabricator?
The Eridian Fabricator is available from the start of the game after you gain access to Sanctuary III.
3. How much Eridium does it cost to use the Fabricator?
It costs 250 Eridium for Normal mode and 2500 Eridium for Legendary mode.
4. What is the drop rate for legendary weapons in Normal mode?
The drop rate for legendary weapons in Normal mode is extremely low, making it generally not worth the cost.
5. Does the Legendary mode guarantee a legendary weapon?
Yes, Legendary mode guarantees that the Fabricator will dispense a legendary weapon.
6. Can I get any legendary weapon from the Fabricator, including DLC weapons?
Yes, the Fabricator can dispense any legendary weapon in the game, regardless of whether you own the DLC that originally introduced it. However, there’s no increased chance of getting DLC-specific weapons.
7. Is it more efficient to farm bosses for specific legendaries or use the Fabricator?
Farming bosses for specific legendaries is almost always more efficient than using the Fabricator due to the targeted nature of boss drops.
8. What’s the best way to farm Eridium in Borderlands 3?
Equip an Eridium relic and farm areas with high Eridium spawn rates, such as Mayhem Mode arenas, or by completing the Maliwan Takedown.
9. Can I get anointments on weapons from the Fabricator?
Yes, weapons dispensed by the Fabricator can have anointments, just like weapons obtained from other sources.
10. Does Mayhem Mode affect the legendary drop rate of the Fabricator?
The base legendary rate of the Fabricator is not affected by Mayhem Mode. However, increased Eridium drops from Mayhem Mode allows you to fire the Fabricator with more frequency.
11. Are there any events that affect the Eridian Fabricator?
Yes, Gearbox sometimes hosts events that increase the legendary drop rate of the Fabricator.
12. Is the Eridian Fabricator useful for obtaining class mods?
Yes, the Fabricator can dispense class mods if you are running it in Legendary mode.
13. Can I use the Fabricator to get weapons for a specific character class?
No, the Eridian Fabricator dispenses weapons randomly, regardless of your character class.
14. Is it worth using the Fabricator early in the game?
Generally, no. Early in the game, Eridium is better spent on storage upgrades and Earl’s cosmetic items. Its worth increases in the endgame, where you have a surplus of Eridium.
15. Does the Fabricator dispense anointed gear?
Yes, the Fabricator dispenses anointed gear in either Normal or Legendary mode. However, the chances of receiving an anointed item are subject to the standard anointment drop rates of the game.