Diving Deep: Unveiling the Purpose of True Vault Hunter Mode in Borderlands 3
True Vault Hunter Mode (TVHM) in Borderlands 3 serves a distinct purpose: it’s your second playthrough, designed to offer a more challenging experience with better loot drops and faster leveling, allowing you to revisit the story with your developed Vault Hunter. Think of it as New Game+ for the Borderlands faithful. It provides an opportunity to refine your build, experiment with different gear, and tackle content with a greater emphasis on difficulty and reward. While Mayhem Mode focuses on endgame scaling, TVHM lets you re-experience the narrative with a powered-up character and tougher enemies right from the start.
Why Bother with True Vault Hunter Mode?
Many players initially question the need for TVHM, especially with the introduction of Mayhem Mode. After all, Mayhem Mode lets you crank up the difficulty on your first playthrough. However, TVHM offers several unique advantages:
- Enhanced Difficulty Curve: TVHM presents a naturally increased difficulty from the get-go. While Mayhem Mode layers on modifiers, TVHM’s core enemy strength is higher. This provides a consistent challenge that many players find more engaging than the sometimes unpredictable nature of Mayhem modifiers.
- Better Loot, More Often: TVHM boasts a higher spawn rate for Badass and Anointed enemies. These tougher foes have an increased chance of dropping legendary weapons and superior gear. If you’re chasing specific items, TVHM significantly increases your odds.
- Faster Leveling: TVHM grants an experience boost, making it faster to level up your character and prepare for endgame content, particularly when new level caps are introduced. This allows you to respec skills and optimize your Vault Hunter.
- Replaying the Story: Some players genuinely enjoy the story and characters of Borderlands 3. TVHM offers a chance to experience the narrative again with a different build or character, further immersing themselves in the world. You can also make different choices in side quests to see alternative outcomes.
- Prepping for Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode (UVHM): While not directly related to the base TVHM experience, completing TVHM is a prerequisite for unlocking the even harder UVHM (if you own the appropriate DLC).
TVHM vs. Mayhem Mode: A Head-to-Head
Understanding the difference between TVHM and Mayhem Mode is crucial. Here’s a simple breakdown:
| Feature | True Vault Hunter Mode (TVHM) | Mayhem Mode |
|---|---|---|
| :————- | :————————————————————————————————————- | :——————————————————————————————————– |
| Availability | Unlocked after completing the main story on Normal Mode. | Available after completing the main story on Normal Mode. |
| Difficulty | Base enemy difficulty is increased. | Applies modifiers that increase enemy health, damage, and grant special abilities. |
| Loot | Higher spawn rate of Badass and Anointed enemies, leading to better loot drops. | Increased loot drops and higher chances for Anointed gear, scaled with Mayhem level. |
| Story Reset | Resets the main story campaign, allowing you to replay it. | Does not reset the story. |
| Level Scaling | Enemies scale to your level up to the maximum level cap. | Enemies scale to your level up to the maximum level cap. |
| Purpose | Re-experience the story with a challenging difficulty and better loot. Prepares you for UVHM (with DLC). | Scales difficulty and loot for endgame content. Offers replayability without resetting the story. |
In essence, TVHM is a complete playthrough reset with inherent difficulty and loot enhancements, while Mayhem Mode is a scalable difficulty system overlaid on your current progress.
When Should You Start TVHM?
The ideal time to jump into TVHM depends on your play style and goals. However, a few guidelines can help:
- After Completing the Main Story: This is the obvious requirement. You must beat the main campaign on Normal Mode to unlock TVHM.
- Around Level 33-36: Many players find this level range a good starting point. You’ll have a decent build established and be ready for the increased challenge. This is often the time mentioned in guides, but is purely subjective.
- Consider DLC Completion in Normal Mode First: Completing DLC content in Normal Mode before starting TVHM can provide you with powerful gear to give you an edge. As the linked article mentions, the DLC has some really good loot that will help a lot in TVHM.
Maximizing Your TVHM Experience
To make the most of your TVHM playthrough, consider these tips:
- Plan Your Build: Before starting TVHM, research and plan your character build. Knowing which skills and gear you’re aiming for will streamline your progress.
- Focus on Key Side Quests: Some side quests offer unique and powerful rewards. Prioritize these quests to gain a significant advantage.
- Experiment with Gear: TVHM is an excellent opportunity to experiment with different weapons, mods, and artifacts. Don’t be afraid to try new combinations and find what works best for your play style.
- Utilize Mayhem Mode: Once you unlock Mayhem Mode in TVHM, use it to further increase the difficulty and loot rewards. Experiment with different Mayhem levels to find a balance between challenge and reward.
Understanding Level Scaling in TVHM
Enemies in TVHM will scale to your level, up to the maximum level cap. This means that even if you’re significantly overleveled at the start, enemies will eventually catch up. This ensures a consistent challenge throughout the playthrough. Remember, though, that the scaling only applies to areas you haven’t yet visited in TVHM. If you return to an area you’ve already cleared, the enemies will remain at the level they were when you first encountered them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help you navigate True Vault Hunter Mode in Borderlands 3:
1. Does TVHM reset my character?
No, TVHM does not reset your character’s level, skills, or inventory. You start TVHM with the same Vault Hunter you used to complete Normal Mode, retaining all your progress.
2. Is TVHM harder than Normal Mode with Mayhem?
Generally, yes. TVHM offers a base difficulty increase, while Mayhem Mode adds modifiers. While Mayhem can potentially make Normal Mode more difficult than TVHM, the inherent challenge of TVHM combined with Mayhem typically results in a more demanding experience.
3. Can I switch back to Normal Mode after starting TVHM?
Yes, you can switch between Normal Mode and TVHM at any time through the main menu. Your progress is saved independently in each mode. Nothing in normal will be reset
4. Do I need to complete all side quests in TVHM?
No, completing all side quests is not mandatory. However, some side quests offer valuable rewards, and completing them can help you level up faster and acquire better gear.
5. Does TVHM affect DLC content?
Yes, DLC content is also affected by TVHM. Enemies in DLC areas will be tougher, and loot drops will be better. You can play DLC in either Normal Mode or TVHM. I recommend doing any of the DLC when you get bored or want to gain a few levels before moving on.
6. How does co-op work in TVHM?
In co-op, enemies scale to the level of the group leader, but there are other scaling options. This allows players of different levels to play together.
7. What level should I be for Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode (UVHM)?
Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode is unlocked for a character once they have completed the main story missions in True Vault Hunter Mode and reached level 50.
8. Can I get OP levels in TVHM?
No, you can only get OP levels in Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode (UVHM).
9. Does completing TVHM unlock anything significant?
Completing TVHM unlocks Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode (UVHM) if you own the required DLC. It also allows you to further refine your character build and acquire high-level gear.
10. Does Mayhem Mode stack with TVHM?
Yes, Mayhem Mode can be activated in TVHM to further increase the difficulty and loot rewards.
11. Is there a level cap in TVHM?
Yes, the level cap in TVHM is the same as the overall level cap for Borderlands 3, which can be increased through updates and DLC. The max level of Borderlands 3 without any of the DLCs is capped at level 72.
12. What happens to quests I didn’t complete in Normal Mode when I start TVHM?
Quests you didn’t complete in Normal Mode remain available in Normal Mode. TVHM is a separate playthrough, so it doesn’t affect your Normal Mode progress.
13. Should I accept all side quests in TVHM immediately?
It’s generally recommended to save side quests with desirable rewards until you’ve reached a higher level in TVHM. This ensures that the rewards you receive are scaled to your level. Keep side quests that have desired rewards unaccepted until you beat the warrior to get level 50 gear.
14. Will my bank storage be reset in TVHM?
No, your bank storage is shared between Normal Mode and TVHM. Items stored in your bank will remain accessible in both modes.
15. How do I access Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode (UVHM)?
You can access Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode through the Character Select option. On the Main Menu, click Select Character to open the Character Selection menu. You must complete both Normal Mode and True Vault Hunter Mode, with the selected character, in order to access Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode.
Conclusion: Is TVHM Worth It?
Ultimately, the value of True Vault Hunter Mode depends on your personal preferences. If you enjoy a challenging gameplay experience, crave better loot, and want to revisit the story with a powered-up character, then TVHM is definitely worth your time. It provides a unique blend of difficulty, reward, and replayability that sets it apart from Normal Mode and Mayhem Mode. Understanding the nuances of TVHM and how it interacts with other gameplay elements allows you to maximize your enjoyment and get the most out of your Borderlands 3 experience.
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