Which Borderlands 3 DLC is Truly the Best? A Deep Dive
Deciding which Borderlands 3 DLC reigns supreme is a common question among Vault Hunters. While personal preference plays a significant role, some DLCs consistently rise to the top due to their compelling narratives, unique mechanics, and valuable loot. Ultimately, Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck often takes the crown as the best Borderlands 3 DLC due to its inventive story, fascinating setting, and significant impact on character builds. However, each DLC offers a distinct experience, and other contenders like Bounty of Blood and Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot also provide exceptional gameplay. This article explores what makes each DLC special, allowing you to make an informed choice about which one to jump into first.
Analyzing the Contenders
Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck
This DLC throws you deep into the fractured psyche of Krieg, the iconic Psycho Bandit. The environments are imaginative, surreal, and often disturbing, perfectly capturing Krieg’s chaotic mental state. The story is emotionally resonant, offering insights into Krieg’s past and his internal struggles. The new skill trees added with this DLC are game-changers, introducing powerful new builds and ways to play your favorite Vault Hunters. For instance, Zane’s new ‘The Professional’ skill tree turns him into a cryo-focused powerhouse. This DLC isn’t just about shooting; it’s a journey into the depths of a beloved character, making it a standout in the Borderlands 3 lineup. It is often ranked among the best DLC across the entire Borderlands franchise.
Bounty of Blood
Bounty of Blood takes you to the dusty, Wild-West-inspired planet of Gehenna. This DLC features a unique narrative with a strong Western aesthetic and a cast of memorable characters. A standout feature is the “Jetbeast,” a new vehicle that adds a different dimension to exploration and combat. While its story isn’t as emotionally deep as Krieg’s, Bounty of Blood excels at delivering fun, action-packed gameplay with a distinctive setting. The loot in this DLC is also notable for its unique properties, adding significant depth to character customization. It’s often praised for its unique setting and enjoyable gameplay loop.
Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot
This DLC is a high-octane heist centered on Handsome Jack’s casino. The environments are lavish and dangerous, full of robotic enemies and traps. The story is lighter in tone compared to Krieg’s, focusing on heist tropes and classic Borderlands humor. It introduces new gear that is essential for many end-game builds, making it valuable for all players. It also expands on the lore surrounding Handsome Jack, providing even more of the villain we all love to hate. Though it might not have the emotional depth of Krieg’s DLC, it has a very enjoyable story and valuable loot.
Guns, Love, and Tentacles
Set on the icy planet of Xylourgos, Guns, Love, and Tentacles follows the wedding of Wainwright and Hammerlock. The atmosphere is a blend of cosmic horror and Lovecraftian themes, offering a different tone to the usual Borderlands fare. While the story is more character-driven, focusing on the relationship between Wainwright and Hammerlock, the enemies and environments are unique and challenging. This DLC is often appreciated for its unique atmosphere and enjoyable story, but it often ranks slightly below the top two due to loot being less game-changing. It has an interesting setting and a unique narrative.
Ranking the DLCs
While subjective, a general ranking based on community consensus often looks like this:
- Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck – For its innovative story, emotional depth, and impactful skill trees.
- Bounty of Blood – For its unique setting, new vehicle, and enjoyable gameplay.
- Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot – For its fun heist theme, valuable loot, and expansion of Handsome Jack’s lore.
- Guns, Love, and Tentacles – For its Lovecraftian atmosphere and character-focused narrative.
Choosing Your DLC
Ultimately, the “best” Borderlands 3 DLC depends on what you’re looking for:
- For story and character depth: Choose Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck.
- For unique gameplay and a Western setting: Choose Bounty of Blood.
- For valuable loot and a fun heist: Choose Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot.
- For a different atmosphere and focus on character relationships: Choose Guns, Love, and Tentacles.
All four DLCs offer worthwhile experiences, and none should be skipped if you enjoy Borderlands 3.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. In which order should I play the Borderlands 3 DLC?
There isn’t a strict chronological order for the Borderlands 3 DLCs. They are designed to be played after the main story, and their narratives are mostly self-contained. However, many players prefer to go in release order, which is: Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot, Guns, Love, and Tentacles, and then Bounty of Blood. Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck, being the last released, is often reserved for last. This approach keeps the narrative experience and gear scaling consistent and natural.
2. Which Borderlands 3 DLC has the best loot?
Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot is often cited for having some of the most impactful and sought-after gear in the game. Many of its legendary items become essential for end-game builds. While each DLC offers unique loot, Moxxi’s stands out for its overall usefulness.
3. What do the Borderlands 3 DLCs add?
The Borderlands 3 DLCs primarily add new campaigns, complete with new environments, enemies, and characters. They also introduce new vehicles, like the Jetbeast in Bounty of Blood, and new legendary gear. Additionally, the Season Pass 2 DLCs added a 4th skill tree for each Vault Hunter, drastically altering the way characters can be played, and a series of cosmetic items.
4. Is the Season Pass worth it for Borderlands 3?
Absolutely! The Season Pass, particularly Season Pass 1 and 2, provides access to all the main DLC campaigns and the new skill trees, which significantly enhance the gameplay experience. Considering the amount of content added, the season passes are a worthwhile investment for anyone who enjoys Borderlands 3.
5. How long does it take to beat a Borderlands 3 DLC?
On average, each Borderlands 3 DLC takes about 5 to 11 hours to complete, depending on your playstyle. If you focus solely on the main story, you can expect about 5 hours, while a completionist run might take closer to 11 hours.
6. Does DLC scale with your level in Borderlands 3?
Yes, the DLC areas scale to your level when you first enter them, ensuring that the gameplay is always challenging and rewarding.
7. Is there a level cap in Borderlands 3?
Yes, the level cap in Borderlands 3 is currently level 72. This allows for extensive character builds and progression.
8. Which Borderlands 3 character is best for beginners?
Moze the Gunner is often recommended as the best character for beginners due to her tankiness and high damage output. Her Iron Bear ability makes her extremely forgiving for new players.
9. Does the Borderlands 3 DLC have unique achievements/trophies?
Yes, each Borderlands 3 DLC comes with its own set of unique achievements and trophies, offering completionists additional goals to pursue.
10. Why are there no DLC characters in Borderlands 3?
Gearbox stated that they didn’t add new playable Vault Hunters because their data indicated that players don’t utilize DLC characters as much as the initial ones. Instead, they focused on adding more content and re-tooling existing characters to make them more varied and fresh.
11. What is Mayhem Mode in Borderlands 3?
Mayhem Mode is a difficulty system that unlocks after finishing the main story. It allows you to significantly increase the difficulty of the game, which in turn boosts the loot quality and experience gain.
12. What is the max level for Vault Cards in Borderlands 3?
There is no level cap for Vault Cards. You can continue to level them up and earn chests indefinitely.
13. Is Borderlands 3 bigger than Borderlands 2?
Yes, Borderlands 3 is much bigger than Borderlands 2. It has more content, missions, and challenges for players to explore.
14. Is Borderlands 3 better than Borderlands 2?
That depends on your preference. Borderlands 3 has better gameplay, smoother mechanics, and a larger world to explore. However, Borderlands 2 is often praised for its story, iconic villain, and memorable characters. Both are great games in their own right.
15. Will there be a Borderlands 4?
Yes, it’s highly probable there will be a Borderlands 4. While there has been no official announcement, leaks and reports suggest the game is in development and could see a release in the near future.
In conclusion, each Borderlands 3 DLC brings something valuable to the table, but Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck, with its engaging narrative and character depth, stands out as the top pick for many players. However, all the DLCs are worth playing, and they greatly enhance the overall Borderlands 3 experience.