Diving Deep: When to Plunge into the Borderlands 3 DLC, According to Reddit and Beyond
The Borderlands universe, with its millions of guns, quirky characters, and over-the-top action, is a siren song to gamers. Once you’ve conquered the main story of Borderlands 3, the question inevitably arises: When should I dive into the DLC? Reddit, that bastion of gamer wisdom, has strong opinions, but let’s unpack the best strategy. The consensus leans heavily toward tackling the DLC after completing the main campaign. This ensures you experience the story as intended, avoid becoming overpowered early on, and maximize your enjoyment of the game’s progression.
Why Wait? The Case for Post-Campaign DLC
The key reason for playing the DLC after the main story is level scaling. While the DLC scales to your current level when you first access it, the main campaign does not dynamically adjust in the same way. If you jump into the DLC early, you risk becoming significantly over-leveled for the base game, making encounters trivial and diminishing the challenge. It’s like bringing a nuke to a water balloon fight – effective, sure, but hardly satisfying.
Furthermore, the DLC narratives generally follow the events of the main game. Playing them out of order could potentially spoil plot points or diminish the impact of certain story beats. Think of it like watching the sequel to a movie before the original – you might understand what’s happening, but you’ll miss out on the context and emotional resonance.
True Vault Hunter Mode (TVHM) and DLC
Many Borderlands veterans recommend playing the DLC a second time in True Vault Hunter Mode (TVHM). TVHM offers a significant increase in difficulty and loot quality, providing a fresh challenge and allowing you to further optimize your character build. Completing the DLC in the initial playthrough allows you to experience the story and unique loot once, then tackle it again with a more optimized character and increased difficulty. This strategy ensures you get the most out of each DLC offering.
The Exception to the Rule: Krieg’s DLC
While generally discouraged, there’s a niche perspective within the Reddit community suggesting playing the Krieg’s DLC (“Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck”) first, even if you don’t like the character. The rationale is that if it’s your least favorite, getting it out of the way early allows you to fully enjoy the other DLCs without lingering reluctance. This is a highly subjective strategy, and whether it works for you depends entirely on your personal preferences.
What Order Should I Play the DLCs?
The consensus on Reddit is that the order of the DLCs doesn’t drastically impact the overall experience, as they are largely self-contained stories. However, release order is always a solid choice:
- Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot
- Guns, Love, and Tentacles: The Marriage of Wainwright & Hammerlock
- Bounty of Blood
- Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck
Ultimately, the best order is the one that appeals most to you based on their themes or promised rewards.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into Borderlands 3 DLC
Here are some frequently asked questions, informed by the collective wisdom of Reddit and other Borderlands communities, to help you navigate the DLC landscape:
1. Does the Borderlands 3 DLC have a chronological order?
Not really. While the DLCs take place after the main story, their individual narratives are largely independent. Playing them in any order shouldn’t significantly impact your understanding of the overall Borderlands 3 storyline. The story order might be relevant, but it’s very minimal.
2. Do I need the DLC to reach the max level in Borderlands 3?
No, level cap increases are typically implemented as free updates alongside patches, and therefore don’t require you to purchase any DLC. The level cap has been increased several times since launch, independent of DLC releases.
3. Will the DLC spoil the main Borderlands 3 story?
Not at all. The DLCs are designed to be played after the main campaign, so they will assume you’re already familiar with the core plot and characters.
4. Is Borderlands 3 worth playing without the DLC?
Absolutely. The base game offers a substantial amount of content, including a lengthy campaign, numerous side quests, and the Mayhem Mode endgame. The DLCs enhance the experience, but the core game is still highly enjoyable on its own.
5. Which Borderlands 3 DLC has the best loot?
This is subjective and depends on your build and playstyle. However, the “Guns, Love, and Tentacles” DLC is often praised for its powerful weapons, such as the Clairvoyance shotgun. The “Bounty of Blood” DLC is well-regarded for providing a fun and cohesive experience.
6. Can I play the DLC in co-op?
Yes, you can play all of the Borderlands 3 DLC in co-op mode, just like the main campaign. This can make the experience even more enjoyable, especially on higher difficulty settings.
7. How long does it take to complete each Borderlands 3 DLC?
The length varies depending on your playstyle and completion goals. Generally, each DLC takes around 5-10 hours to complete the main story and significantly longer if you aim for 100% completion.
8. What is Mayhem Mode in Borderlands 3?
Mayhem Mode is an endgame system that increases the difficulty of the game and improves loot drops. It unlocks after completing the main story and can be further enhanced in TVHM.
9. When should I start True Vault Hunter Mode?
A good time to start TVHM is around level 33-36, or after you’ve completed all the DLC and side quests in your first playthrough. This ensures you’re well-equipped to handle the increased difficulty.
10. Does Borderlands 3 still get updates?
While major content updates are infrequent, Gearbox continues to release patches to address bugs, improve performance, and occasionally add minor content.
11. Who is the best character to start with in Borderlands 3?
Many players recommend Moze the Gunner for beginners. Her Iron Bear mech provides excellent survivability and firepower, making her forgiving and effective for solo play.
12. Do the DLCs scale with my level in Borderlands 3?
Yes, the DLCs scale to your level when you initially enter them. This means you can jump into them at any point after completing the main story without being significantly under-leveled.
13. Are there any new playable characters in the Borderlands 3 DLC?
No, unlike previous Borderlands games, Borderlands 3 does not feature any DLC characters. Gearbox opted to focus on expanding the existing character’s skill trees and providing new content through story expansions.
14. Where can I find a list of the best legendary weapons in Borderlands 3 DLC?
Numerous online resources, including gaming websites and Reddit threads, provide comprehensive lists of the best legendary weapons in each DLC. Search for “Borderlands 3 best DLC weapons” to find the most up-to-date information.
15. Is a Borderlands 4 in development?
Rumors and listings suggest that Borderlands 4 is in development, with a potential release window possibly earlier than initially expected.
Final Verdict
Borderlands 3 DLC is best enjoyed after finishing the main campaign to avoid being over-leveled, spoiling the story, and to experience the content as intended. Then, you can replay the DLC in TVHM for an even greater challenge and better loot. The Games Learning Society would undoubtedly agree that this approach provides the most pedagogically sound and engaging gaming experience, ensuring players grasp the game’s mechanics and narrative at an optimal pace. By following these guidelines, you can maximize your enjoyment of the Borderlands 3 DLC and continue your loot-filled adventure across the galaxy.