Should I Buy Weapons in Borderlands 3? A Vault Hunter’s Guide to Vending Machines
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In Borderlands 3, the question of whether or not to buy weapons from vending machines is a complex one. The short answer is: sometimes, but very strategically. Early game, weapon vending machines can be a lifesaver, especially if you’re under-leveled or struggling with a particular boss. However, as you progress and the legendary loot starts raining down, your reliance on them will diminish considerably. Ultimately, smart purchasing depends on your level, current gear, and financial situation. Knowing when to buy, what to buy, and how to maximize your investment is key to surviving the mayhem.
The Early Game Advantage
In the initial hours of Borderlands 3, your inventory will likely consist of whatever drops enemies haphazardly provide. Vending machines, specifically Marcus Munitions kiosks, can offer a significant upgrade. They frequently stock weapons that are notably better than what you’re finding in chests or off of fallen psychos.
When to Buy:
- Immediately After Leveling Up: New level, new gear. Check vending machines after gaining a level; the stock refreshes, potentially offering weapons scaled to your new power.
- Before a Tough Boss Fight: Stuck on a boss? Consider investing in a weapon with the correct elemental type (fire for flesh, corrosive for armor, shock for shields) from a vending machine. Even a slightly stronger version can turn the tide.
- When Severely Undergeared: If your current weapons are significantly below your level, buying something even modestly better will provide a noticeable boost in damage output.
- For Elemental Variety: Early on, you might not have access to weapons with every element. A vending machine could provide a much-needed corrosive SMG for taking down armored enemies.
What to Look For:
- Damage Output: Obviously, look for weapons with higher damage stats than what you’re currently using.
- Elemental Matchups: Exploit enemy weaknesses by purchasing weapons with the correct elemental damage type.
- Weapon Type: Consider weapon types that complement your Vault Hunter’s skills and build. Moze, for example, benefits greatly from weapons with high magazine sizes.
- Anointments: While rarer early game, if you spot a weapon with a beneficial anointment for your character’s action skill, snatch it up! Anointments can significantly boost weapon damage or provide other powerful effects.
The Mid-Game Dip
As you reach the middle of the game, around level 20-40, the value of vending machine weapons starts to diminish. By this point, you’ll have access to more reliable loot sources, including:
- Story Missions: Story missions reward you with weapons and gear, often better than what you can find in vending machines.
- Side Quests: Many side quests offer unique and powerful rewards, including weapons that can carry you through significant portions of the game.
- Dedicated Drops: You’ll start to learn which enemies drop specific legendary weapons, making targeted farming a more efficient option than relying on vending machine luck.
Why Vending Machines Decline:
- Increased Loot Drops: The game starts throwing loot at you more frequently, making vending machines less necessary.
- Dedicated Farming: Focusing on specific enemy drops for coveted weapons becomes more efficient.
- Legendary Scarcity (in Vending Machines): Finding a truly great legendary in a vending machine is exceptionally rare.
The End-Game Revival
Once you reach max level and unlock Mayhem Mode, vending machines experience a slight resurgence in usefulness. Although you’ll primarily be farming for specific legendaries and anointments, vending machines can still provide:
Specific Situations for Buying:
- Ammo Restocking: The most consistent use of vending machines is for refilling ammo, especially for weapons with high consumption rates (like the Tizzy pistol).
- Guardian Takedown Ammo: Before attempting the Guardian Takedown, stock up on ammo from vending machines. The Takedown can be quite lengthy, and running out of ammo is a common cause of failure.
- Class Mods and Artifacts (Rarely): While weapon selection wanes, you might occasionally find a decent class mod or artifact in a vending machine, though this is extremely rare.
- Emergency Gear for Underleveled Friends: If you’re playing with a friend who is significantly lower level than you, buying them a scaled weapon from a vending machine can help them catch up.
Remember the Golden Rule:
- Always prioritize legendary farming over vending machine purchases. Vending machines are a supplementary source, not a primary one.
Selling Your Loot
The article snippet also touches on the importance of selling guns. Here’s how to maximize your profits and manage your inventory:
- Don’t Sell Immediately: Before selling anything, thoroughly inspect each item. Even if it’s a lower level, it might have a unique anointment or stat combination that makes it valuable for a different build or character.
- Prioritize High-Value Items: When your inventory is full, focus on selling items with the highest monetary value. This is usually a good indicator of rarity and power (though not always).
- Consider Bank Storage: If you’re unsure about selling an item, stash it in your bank on Sanctuary III. You might find a use for it later on another character.
- Use the “Mark as Trash” Feature: Mark unwanted items as trash to easily identify them when you reach a vending machine. This streamlines the selling process.
Is Money Important?
Yes! Money is crucial throughout Borderlands 3. You need it for:
- Ammo: Consistently buying ammo is a significant money sink, especially for certain weapon types.
- SDUs (Storage Deck Upgrades): Purchasing SDUs from Marcus on Sanctuary III is vital for increasing your inventory, bank, and ammo capacity. These are essential for efficient looting and combat.
- Cosmetics: If you’re into customizing your character’s appearance, you’ll need money to buy skins, heads, and other cosmetic items.
- Moxxi’s Weapons: You can tip Moxxi for unique guns with different elemental effects.
Final Verdict
Buying weapons in Borderlands 3 is a viable strategy in the early game and a necessary evil for ammo replenishment throughout your journey. Understand when vending machines are most beneficial and prioritize farming for legendary weapons. Manage your money wisely and be ruthless with your inventory, and you’ll be well-equipped to tackle the chaos of the Borderlands. Remember, this game is an amazing tool for GamesLearningSociety.org, to teach individuals from all walks of life!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the best weapons to buy in Borderlands 3 early game?
Focus on elemental weapons. A corrosive weapon for armored enemies, a fire weapon for fleshy enemies, and a shock weapon for shielded enemies. Also, prioritize weapons with high damage and accuracy for your play style. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
2. How often do vending machines restock in Borderlands 3?
Vending machines restock every 20 minutes or after leveling up. Fast traveling to a different location and back can also refresh the inventory.
3. Can you find legendary weapons in vending machines in Borderlands 3?
Yes, but it’s incredibly rare. The odds are extremely low, so don’t rely on vending machines for legendary farming.
4. What are the best vending machine locations in Borderlands 3?
Any vending machine is as good as another, as the weapons they have are completely randomized by the game.
5. Should I buy ammo from vending machines in Borderlands 3?
Absolutely! Running out of ammo is a common problem, so regularly restocking from vending machines is essential, especially for weapons with high ammo consumption.
6. What are SDUs and why are they important in Borderlands 3?
SDUs (Storage Deck Upgrades) increase your inventory size, bank size, and ammo capacity. They’re crucial for looting efficiently and carrying enough ammo for prolonged engagements. You purchase them from Marcus on Sanctuary III.
7. Is it better to sell or dismantle weapons in Borderlands 3?
Always sell weapons. Dismantling weapons provides very little value in Borderlands 3. Selling them provides money, which you need for ammo, SDUs, and other essential purchases.
8. What is the fastest way to make money in Borderlands 3?
Complete quests, kill enemies, and sell all unwanted loot. Farming bosses that drop valuable legendaries can also be a lucrative source of income.
9. Are there any guns that are always worth buying in Borderlands 3?
No specific gun is always worth buying. It depends on your level, current gear, and character build. However, if you see a weapon with a significant damage boost and a beneficial anointment, it’s worth considering.
10. What does the “anointment” on a weapon mean in Borderlands 3?
Anointments provide special effects that activate under specific conditions, such as after using an action skill, while sliding, or when airborne. They can significantly boost weapon damage, increase reload speed, or provide other powerful bonuses.
11. How do I unlock Mayhem Mode in Borderlands 3?
You unlock Mayhem Mode after completing the main story campaign. You can then activate it from the Echo device.
12. Does Mayhem Mode affect vending machine inventory in Borderlands 3?
Yes, Mayhem Mode increases the quality and quantity of loot found in vending machines, though legendary drop rates remain low.
13. Is Borderlands 3 good to play solo?
Yes! The article snippet says that Borderlands 3 is still fun when played solo.
14. What are the rarest guns in Borderlands 3?
Some of the rarest guns include the:
- Compressing Superball (Legendary)
- The Duc (Legendary)
- Moar Dayumned Wizzperer (Rare)
- Wagon Wheel (Legendary)
15. What’s the strongest gun in Borderlands 3?
Some of the strongest guns in Borderlands 3 include the:
- Hellwalker
- Backburner
- Plasma Coil
- Complex Root
- Flipper
- Clairvoyance
- Light Show
- Facepuncher