Best Legendary SMGs
There are a lot of legendary SMGs in Borderlands 3 but like any true Vault Hunter, you only want to best of the best. This weapons guide will tell you exactly which SMG you should have equipped in your inventory. So get ready to farm these babies:
10 – DNA
The D.N.A. is a Maliwan SMG that shoots 2 projectiles of a random elemental. The 2 projectiles are connected with each other like the cutsman, however, the beam between them is really short and doesn’t extend. They travel in a circular motion like a DNA string (Double Helix). The D.N.A. is Mayhem Mode 6 or higher Legendary. You can get it from General Traunt who located in Desolation’s Edge on Nekrotafeyo.
9 – Kybs Worth
The Kyb’s Worth is a Maliwan SMG comes equipped with a shield just like Hyperion weapons do. The Kyb’s Worth shoots multiple projectiles that travel in a wave pattern. It deals great damage but only if you manage to hit your target because the projectiles can curve around an enemy. Therefore this weapon is best suited for medium-range combat because that’s when the projectiles are near to each other. When you defeat an enemy with the Kyb’s Worth it will spawn a healing aura. The Kyb’s Worth can be obtained in Maliwan’s Blacksite, it has a high chance of dropping from Wotan the Invincible.
8 – Plasma Coil
The Plasma Coil is a Maliwan SMG that is locked to the Shock + Radiation elemental combo. It shoots a burst of plasma bolts at a high fire rate that deal a lot of damage. The damage over time is also very effective at stripping enemy life bars. The Plasma Coil is an Arms Race exclusive Legendary. It can randomly drop from any suitable loot source within the Stormblind Complex located on Pandora. However, you have a high chance of getting the Plasma Coil from a Red Chest.
7 – Redistributor
Borderlands 3 Legendary Hyperion SMG – Redistributor
The Redistributor is a Hyperion SMG where every 7th shot will deal AMP damage and chains to nearby enemies. Since this is an SMG the 7th shot will frequently occur giving you a lot of damage potential when dealing with mobs. When you play as Zane, you can non-stop trigger the weapon’s legendary by equipping the Barrier action skill. Because every bullet that goes through the Barrier will get AMP damage but this also triggers the chain lightning effect of the Redistributor. The Redistributor can be obtained in Maliwan’s Blacksite, it has a high chance of dropping from Wotan the Invincible.
6 – Torrent
The Torrent is a Dahl SMG is a returning weapon from BLTPs and it has an insane fire rate. While the fire rate is very high, the projectile speed is slower and the projectiles themselves fly in a corkscrew pattern. The Torrent is capable of dealing a lot of damage fast if you manage to hit your target. Every 10th bullet is always a shock bullet that deals increased damage. The Torrent is an Arms Race exclusive Legendary. It can randomly drop from any suitable loot source within the Stormblind Complex located on Pandora. However, you have a high chance of getting the Torrent from a Red Chest.
5 – Needle Gun XL
The Needle Gun is a Tediore SMG that can apply a stacking vulnerability debuff on enemies. At Max stats, additional damage refills the Needle Gun’s magazine. This effect does have a cooldown. You need to hit your enemy at least once every 2 seconds or else the debuff resets. The magazine refill will accrue when you manage to stack the debuff on an enemy 10 times. The Needle Gun is a Revenge of the Cartels Legendary. You can get it from Josie Byte, Franco Firewall, and Joey Ultraviolet in Villa Ultraviolet during the Revenge of the Cartels Event.
4 – Blood-Starved Beast
Borderlands 3 Legendary Dahl SMG – Blood-Starved Beast
The Blood-Starved Beast is a Dahl SMG and performs like a beast. It has a high fire rate and deals great damage. This weapon will consume your ammo fast but it gets the job done. The Blood-Starved Beast is a top choice on any Vault Hunter. The Blood-Starved Beast has an increased chance of dropping from Evil Lilith who is located at Castle Crimson in Krieg’s Mind.
3 – Kaoson
Borderlands 3 Legendary Dahl SMG – Kaoson
The Kaoson is a Dahl SMG that shoots stickies like a Torgue weapon. After the initial impact damage, the stickies will explode after a few seconds, dealing the second chunk of damage. The Kaoson is Mayhem Mode 6 or higher Legendary. You can get it from Captain Traunt who is located at the end of Athenas.
2 – Smog
Borderlands 3 Legendary Hyperion SMG – Smog
The Smog is a Hyperion SMG that gives your projectiles an AMP damage increase while you are aiming down sight and your weapon shield is at max capacity. This basically doubles your damage output as long as your shield remains undamaged. FL4K and Zane can easily utilize this weapon with their action skills. FL4K’s can use it when in Fade Away or when their pet is taunting. Zane can hide behind his own barrier shield to protect this weapon shield from taking any damage at all.
1 – Flipper
Borderlands 3 Legendary Maliwan SMG – Flipper
The Flipper is a Maliwan SMG that takes the ‘charge up time’ mechanic to the next level. Because when firing this gun it starts shooting out 1 bullet but as you keep holding down the trigger the number of projectiles starts to increase. While the projectiles and therefore the damage continues to stack up, the amount of ammo consumption stays the same throughout the process. The Flipper has an increased chance of dropping from Minosaur who is located in Bloodsun Canyon on Gehenna. But this weapon can also ‘World Drop’ in the Bounty of Blood DLC.
If you have any honorable mentions, let me know in the comments below. – MentalMars
More Legendary Weapons
- Borderlands 3 Legendary Weapon Tier List
- Every Borderlands 3 Legendary Weapon
- Best Borderlands 3 Legendary Shields
- Best Legendary Grenade Mods in Borderlands 3
- Best Legendary Rocket Launchers in Borderlands 3
- Best Legendary Snipers in Borderlands 3
- Best Legendary Shotguns in Borderlands 3
- Best Legendary Assault Rifles in Borderlands 3
- Best Legendary Pistols in Borderlands 3