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The Ultimate Vault Hunter: Who is the Best Overall Character in Borderlands 3?

So, you’re diving into the chaotic, loot-filled world of Borderlands 3 and you’re wondering which Vault Hunter reigns supreme? It’s a tough question, as each character brings a unique playstyle and skillset to the table. However, based on a combination of survivability, damage output, versatility across different builds, and overall ease of use for both solo play and endgame content, the crown arguably belongs to Moze, the Gunner.

While other Vault Hunters might excel in specific areas, Moze provides a consistently strong experience throughout the entire game. Her ability to summon Iron Bear, a customizable mech, provides unparalleled survivability, massive damage, and a critical “panic button” that can turn the tide of any battle. Beyond Iron Bear, her skill trees offer a diverse range of builds catering to everything from explosive damage to sustained fire, making her adaptable to various playstyles and enemy types. It’s not that other characters are bad—far from it!—but Moze’s robust nature and versatility give her a slight edge.

Moze’s Strengths: A Deeper Dive

What exactly makes Moze the queen of the Borderlands 3? Here’s a breakdown:

Iron Bear is a Game Changer: Iron Bear isn’t just a novelty; it’s a powerhouse. With various hardpoint options like the Railgun, Minigun, Grenade Launcher, and Flamethrower, you can tailor Iron Bear to suit your preferred playstyle and the challenges ahead. Furthermore, numerous skills enhance Iron Bear’s damage, fuel efficiency, and overall effectiveness, making it a force to be reckoned with.
Exceptional Survivability: Whether you’re relying on Iron Bear for tanking, skill point investment into shield capacity and health regeneration, or the multitude of synergistic skills, Moze is exceptionally good at staying alive. This is crucial for solo play, where you can’t rely on teammates to revive you.
High Damage Output: While some characters might initially seem to deal more damage, Moze’s damage potential scales exceptionally well into the endgame. Skills that boost gun damage, splash damage, and critical hit damage synergize to create devastating builds.
Versatile Builds: Moze isn’t locked into a single playstyle. You can build her for:
- Explosive Mayhem: Focusing on splash damage weapons and skills that boost explosive radius and damage.
- Bottomless Mags: Allowing for continuous firing with minimal reloading by maximizing magazine size and ammo regeneration.
- Iron Bear Domination: Enhancing Iron Bear’s capabilities to the point where it becomes your primary source of damage.
Accessibility for All Skill Levels: While mastering some builds can take time, Moze is relatively easy to pick up and play. Her basic skills are straightforward and effective, making her a great choice for beginners.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is Moze the best character for solo play?

Yes, Moze is consistently ranked as one of the best characters for solo play in Borderlands 3. Iron Bear provides a significant advantage in terms of survivability and damage output, making her well-equipped to handle challenging content on her own.

2. What are the best Moze builds for beginners?

A good starting point for new Moze players is a build focused on the “Demolition Woman” skill tree, which emphasizes explosive damage. The “Shield of Retribution” tree, which is defense and shield-oriented, offers a more difficult learning curve. Focusing on the “Bottomless Mags” tree, which allows you to endlessly fire, is a third excellent choice.

3. What are the best weapons for Moze?

The best weapons for Moze will depend on your build, but some popular choices include:

The Monarch: A powerful assault rifle.
The Flipper: An SMG with high damage output.
The Plaguebearer: A rocket launcher that deals massive area-of-effect damage.

4. How important is Iron Bear in the endgame?

Iron Bear remains relevant throughout the endgame, particularly with the right build. While some players may focus on gun damage builds at higher Mayhem Levels, Iron Bear can still provide valuable support, damage, and a crucial source of invulnerability when needed.

5. How does Moze compare to FL4K for damage output?

FL4K can potentially achieve higher burst damage with specific builds, particularly those focused on critical hits. However, Moze’s damage is more consistent and easier to apply, making her more reliable in various situations.

6. Is Moze difficult to play effectively?

No, Moze is relatively easy to pick up and play. Her basic skills are straightforward, and Iron Bear provides a reliable source of damage and survivability from the start.

7. What is the “Mozerker” build?

The “Mozerker” build refers to a style of playing Moze that is typically associated with the “Shield of Retribution” skill tree. This setup allows Moze to stay in Iron Bear indefinitely, dealing massive damage, and keeping the enemies at bay.

8. How does Moze synergize with different gear and anointments?

Moze benefits greatly from gear with anointments that boost gun damage, splash damage, and critical hit damage. Specific anointments that trigger when exiting Iron Bear can also provide significant damage boosts.

9. What are the most important skills for Moze to invest in?

Some key skills for Moze include:

Means of Destruction: Regenerates ammo and reduces grenade cooldown when dealing splash damage.
Stainless Steel Bear: Increases Iron Bear’s armor and fuel.
Thin Red Line: Converts a portion of your health into shield capacity.

10. Is Moze still viable after balance changes and patches?

Yes, Moze remains a strong and viable character despite balance changes and patches. Gearbox has consistently tweaked her skills and abilities to ensure she remains competitive.

11. What is the best class mod for Moze?

Several class mods are viable for Moze, depending on your build. Some popular choices include:

Blast Master: Boosts splash damage based on the damage you are taking.
Bloodletter: Transfers health regeneration to shield regeneration.
Mind Sweeper: Deals high splash damage through a micro grenade that is thrown when dealing critical damage.

12. How does Moze fare in raid bosses and challenging content?

Moze excels in raid boss encounters and challenging content due to her survivability, consistent damage output, and the utility of Iron Bear. Her ability to stay alive and deal damage reliably makes her a valuable asset in difficult situations.

13. Can Moze be played effectively without relying on Iron Bear?

Yes, while Iron Bear is a significant advantage, Moze can be built to excel with gun damage builds that minimize reliance on Iron Bear. These builds typically focus on maximizing gun damage, splash damage, and critical hit damage.

14. What are some common mistakes that Moze players make?

Some common mistakes include:

Ignoring splash damage scaling.
Not optimizing Iron Bear’s hardpoint loadouts.
Neglecting shield capacity and health regeneration.

15. What resources are available to learn more about Moze builds and strategies?

There are numerous online resources available, including:

YouTube guides and build showcases.
Online forums and communities dedicated to Borderlands 3.
Websites and build planners dedicated to creating and sharing character builds.

Conclusion: Moze is the Most Rounded Vault Hunter

While the “best” character in Borderlands 3 ultimately depends on individual playstyles and preferences, Moze’s combination of survivability, damage output, versatility, and ease of use makes her the most well-rounded and consistently strong choice for players of all skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newcomer to the series, Moze provides a rewarding and enjoyable experience in the chaotic world of Borderlands 3.

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Who is the best overall character in BL3?