Is Money Important in Borderlands 3? A Vault Hunter’s Guide to Riches

Yes, money is indeed important in Borderlands 3, though its significance has shifted compared to earlier installments. While you won’t be buying top-tier weapons directly from vendors constantly, cash remains crucial for several key aspects of your Vault Hunter’s survival and progression. It fuels your ammunition needs, funds Storage Deck Upgrades for carrying more loot, and covers the increasingly steep reconstruction fees upon death. While skilled players can minimize their reliance on vendor gear, a healthy bank account provides a safety net and allows you to experiment with different builds and strategies more freely. Let’s delve deeper into the role of cash in the Borderlands 3 universe.

The Multifaceted Role of Money in Borderlands 3

Money, often represented by the familiar symbol of a dollar sign ($), serves as the primary in-game currency in Borderlands 3. While legendary weapons and powerful gear often drop from enemies and bosses, understanding how to manage your finances is key to thriving in Pandora and beyond.

Essential Expenditures

• Ammunition: A constant need, especially with the game’s emphasis on frantic gunplay and diverse weapon types. Running out of ammo mid-fight can be a death sentence.
• Storage Deck Upgrades (SDUs): Arguably the most impactful use of money. SDUs increase your inventory capacity for weapons, grenades, mods, and other essential items. More inventory means fewer trips back to Sanctuary to sell loot, allowing you to stay in the action longer.
• Reconstruction Fees: Death comes frequently in Borderlands 3. Each time you go down and choose to respawn, you’ll need money to get back to the action.
• Vending Machines: While not the primary source of god-tier loot, vending machines offer reliable access to health items, grenades, and occasionally, a surprisingly powerful weapon or shield, especially early in the game.
• Tipping Moxxi: For those seeking unique rewards, tipping Moxxi generously can earn you a special SMG, Miss Moxxi’s Bad Touch. It is a random reward and you need to tip a lot of money to get it.
• Earl’s Shop on Sanctuary: Allows you to buy cosmetics with Eridium (different currency).

Money Management Strategies

• Sell, Sell, Sell: Regularly visit vending machines to offload unwanted weapons and gear. Prioritize selling items with higher value tags.
• Loot Everything: Break open every container, chest, and locker you encounter. They often contain cash or valuable items.
• Complete Side Missions: Many side quests offer significant cash rewards, in addition to experience points and unique items.
• Consider Farming: If you’re truly strapped for cash, consider farming easier bosses or areas for loot to sell.
• Use the Bank Wisely: Don’t hoard excessive amounts of cash if you’re constantly dying. Invest in SDUs to maximize your loot-carrying potential.

Understanding the Economy of Borderlands 3

Borderlands 3, as a looter shooter, heavily relies on the principles of supply and demand. The game’s economy is intricately linked to the availability of loot and the player’s ability to manage their resources effectively.

The Loot Cycle

The core gameplay loop of Borderlands 3 revolves around obtaining loot, which consists of weapons, shields, grenades, class mods, and artifacts. These items can be obtained through various means, including:

• Enemy Drops: Enemies, especially bosses and mini-bosses, have a chance to drop loot upon death.
• Chests and Containers: Chests and containers scattered throughout the game world often contain loot.
• Vending Machines: Vending machines offer a selection of weapons and gear for purchase, which change over time.
• Quest Rewards: Completing quests and challenges often rewards players with unique items.

Supply and Demand

The economy of Borderlands 3 operates on the principles of supply and demand. The availability of loot, particularly legendary weapons, influences the prices of items in vending machines and the overall value of the loot.

• Supply: The supply of loot is determined by the drop rates of enemies and bosses, the frequency of chest spawns, and the availability of items in vending machines.
• Demand: The demand for loot is driven by players’ desire for better gear and the need to upgrade their characters’ abilities.

The Role of Vending Machines

Vending machines play a crucial role in the economy of Borderlands 3. They offer a reliable source of items for purchase, including:

• Weapons: Vending machines sell a variety of weapons, including common, uncommon, rare, and epic weapons.
• Shields: Vending machines offer shields that provide additional protection for players.
• Grenades: Vending machines sell grenades that can be used to deal area-of-effect damage.
• Health Items: Vending machines offer health items that can be used to restore players’ health.

The Importance of Loot Management

Effective loot management is essential for thriving in Borderlands 3. Players should prioritize selling unwanted items to vending machines to generate income. Additionally, players should consider investing in Storage Deck Upgrades (SDUs) to increase their inventory capacity and reduce the need to return to Sanctuary frequently.

The Significance of Coop Mode

In coop mode, money pickups are shared among all players in the session. This encourages teamwork and allows players to pool their resources to purchase better gear.

Borderlands 3 FAQs: Money Matters

Is money shared in Borderlands 3’s co-op mode?

Yes! Money and Eridium pickups are shared among all players in a co-op session. Ammo, however, is not shared, so be mindful of your own supply.

Should I buy weapons from vending machines in Borderlands 3?

Generally, it’s best to avoid buying weapons, especially early on. You’ll find better weapons by defeating enemies, completing quests, and exploring. Use vending machines for ammo and health items primarily.

How much money do I need to tip Moxxi to get her weapon?

Tipping Moxxi requires a substantial investment, usually over $10,000. The Miss Moxxi’s Bad Touch SMG is awarded randomly, so keep tipping until you receive it.

What are Storage Deck Upgrades (SDUs) and why are they important?

SDUs increase your inventory size. They are purchased throughout the game and are essential for carrying more loot, reducing trips to Sanctuary, and maximizing your efficiency.

Is it better to sell weapons or discard them in Borderlands 3?

Always sell weapons at vending machines rather than discarding them. Every little bit of cash helps.

How does the death penalty work in Borderlands 3?

Dying incurs a cash penalty, taking 10% of your current money in Borderlands 3.

Can I farm money in Borderlands 3?

Yes, you can farm bosses and areas with high loot drops to sell items for cash. Some players find this is an efficient way to make money.

Is Borderlands 3 better than Borderlands 2?

Whether Borderlands 3 is better than Borderlands 2 is subjective. BL3 has improved graphics, gameplay, and movement. BL2 has a more engaging story. It depends on what you prioritize in a game.

Does Borderlands 3 have infinite guns?

Borderlands 3 has the Infinity Pistol, which has infinite ammo, so you never need to stop firing.

What is the max level in Borderlands 3?

The max level in Borderlands 3 without any of the DLCs is capped at level 72. Level Cap Increases are FREE updates that only require the latest patch and therefore work independently from the Borderlands 3 DLCs.

Is the loot random in Borderlands 3?

Yes, Borderlands 3 utilizes a random loot system where enemies drop items from pre-determined “loot pools”. The quality and type of loot are randomly generated.

Which character is best for solo play in Borderlands 3?

Many players recommend Moze for solo play due to the power of her Iron Bear ability, which acts as a panic button and can clear entire areas.

What are the best places to farm for legendary items in Borderlands 3?

Popular farming locations include Graveward, Captain Traunt, and the Proving Grounds Trials.

Why did Borderlands 3 make so much money?

Borderlands 3 combined engaging gameplay, a popular franchise, and improvements over its predecessors, which resulted in its massive financial success.

Where can I learn more about the educational aspects of gaming?

You can explore the Games Learning Society, GamesLearningSociety.org, for resources on how games impact learning and development.