What Happens When You Reach Level 72 in Borderlands 3?
Reaching level 72 in Borderlands 3 signifies the culmination of your character’s progression in terms of skill points and core stats. You will no longer gain experience points (XP) that count toward leveling, meaning no new skill points will be awarded. This achievement marks the effective end of character-level based growth, steering you towards the endgame content which focuses on gear farming, build optimization, and tackling higher Mayhem levels. However, reaching max level is just the start of your journey, not the end, as the real fun begins when you start pushing your character to their limit with the best possible gear!
Understanding the End Game
Hitting level 72 is a pivotal moment because it unlocks the full potential of your Vault Hunter. Now, the focus shifts from leveling to:
- Min-Maxing Your Build: Refining your skill tree choices, Guardian Rank perks, and gear to create a synergistic and powerful character.
- Farming for God Rolls: Acquiring the perfect version of your desired weapons, shields, class mods, and artifacts, with optimal stats and anointments.
- Conquering Mayhem Mode: Pushing your character to the highest Mayhem levels (1-11), where enemies are significantly tougher but the loot rewards are exponentially better.
- Taking on Endgame Challenges: Completing Takedowns (like the Takedown at the Maliwan Blacksite and the Takedown at Guardian Breach), the Slaughter Shaft, and other endgame content that requires highly optimized builds and skilled gameplay.
- Experimenting and Theorycrafting: Trying out new builds, weapon combinations, and strategies to discover the most effective ways to tackle the game’s challenges.
The Importance of Gear
Once you reach level 72, the stats on your gear will become the most important factor in determining your character’s power. Farming specific bosses, completing designated challenges, and pushing to higher Mayhem levels will provide you with the best legendary weapons, class mods, artifacts and shields available. These items offer a significant advantage that can drastically increase survivability, damage output, and overall effectiveness.
Mayhem Mode: The Key to Endless Progression
Mayhem Mode is a crucial mechanic in the endgame. Selecting a Mayhem level increases the difficulty by granting enemies higher health, armor, and damage. However, the increase in difficulty comes with an increase in loot quality and quantity. Leveling up your Mayhem is vital for getting that perfect loot roll.
Community and Resources
Don’t forget the power of the Borderlands 3 community. Online forums, Discord servers, and YouTube channels provide invaluable resources for build guides, farming strategies, and the latest information about the game. Engaging with the community can significantly enhance your endgame experience. Check out resources at the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is level 72 the absolute maximum level in Borderlands 3?
Yes, currently level 72 is the highest level achievable in Borderlands 3. There are no more levels to unlock, so the focus becomes enhancing your existing skills through gear.
2. Will there be future level cap increases in Borderlands 3?
As of the most recent information, Gearbox Software has not announced any further level cap increases for Borderlands 3. It’s always possible, but unlikely at this point.
3. What happens to experience points (XP) after reaching level 72?
After hitting level 72, any experience earned will no longer count toward character level progression. You will no longer receive level up notifications.
4. Can I still earn skill points after reaching level 72?
No, you will not earn any additional skill points once you hit level 72. The available skill points are capped according to the maximum level.
5. Does reaching level 72 affect Guardian Rank?
No, reaching level 72 does not affect Guardian Rank. You can continue to earn Guardian Rank experience and unlock Guardian Rank perks to further enhance your character.
6. Is it worth replaying the story after reaching level 72?
Replaying the story is not necessary to level up your character after level 72, but it can be a good way to farm specific legendary items or experience the story again with a fully realized build.
7. Does Mayhem level affect the stat values of weapons?
While Mayhem level doesn’t directly increase the stat values of weapons, it does increase the drop rate of higher level weapons. Which increases the chance of better stats and annointments.
8. What are the best activities to do after reaching level 72?
The best activities for reaching that perfect gear set, include boss farming, Takedowns, and completing the Proving Grounds on high Mayhem levels.
9. Are there any specific builds that are recommended for level 72 gameplay?
There are many viable builds for each Vault Hunter. It depends on your playstyle. Search online for updated Borderlands 3 builds. Look for popular content creators and community build guides.
10. How important are anointments at level 72?
Anointments are extremely important at level 72. They provide significant stat boosts and can dramatically improve your character’s damage output, survivability, and overall performance.
11. What is the difference between Mayhem 10 and Mayhem 11?
Mayhem 11 has the same difficulty and loot drop rate as Mayhem 10 but removes the Mayhem Modifiers.
12. Can I reset my skill points and change my build after reaching level 72?
Yes, you can reset your skill points at any time by visiting a Quick-Change Station. This allows you to experiment with different builds and adjust your character to suit your playstyle.
13. How long does it typically take to reach level 72 in Borderlands 3?
The time it takes to reach level 72 varies depending on your playstyle and how efficiently you farm experience. It can take anywhere from 20 to 50 hours or more.
14. Are there any offline methods for reaching level 72 faster?
Playing offline doesn’t significantly impact the leveling process. However, some players prefer offline mode to avoid online distractions and focus on specific farming methods.
15. What should I do if I feel like I’m not progressing after reaching level 72?
If you are struggling after reaching level 72, reassess your build, experiment with different gear combinations, and seek advice from the Borderlands 3 community. Sometimes, a small adjustment can make a big difference.