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:
Best Borderlands 3 Legendary SMGs
10 – DNA
The D.N.A. is a Maliwan SMG that shoots 2 projectiles that are connected with each other and travel in a circular motion like a Double Helix DNA string.
The DNA is a powerful submachine gun but projectiles contain a random element each time and therefore aren’t always as effective as they could be.
The D.N.A. is Mayhem Mode 6 or higher Legendary. The DNA can also drop from the Raid Bosses in the Guardian Takedown but your best chance is to get it from General Traunt who located in Desolation’s Edge on Nekrotafeyo. The DNA also occasionally appears in Maurice’s Black Market.
9 – Kybs Worth
The Kyb’s Worth is a Maliwan SMG that shoots multiple projectiles that travel in a wave pattern. Killing an enemy will spawn a 10-second healing aura. You can only have 1 healing aura active at a time.
The Kyb’s Worth comes equipped with a front-facing shield that are usually only found on Hyperion weapons. Aiming down-sight will activate the shield and whenever it absorbs any damage it will increase your weapon’s damage for 6 seconds.
This weapon is best suited for medium-range combat because that’s when the projectiles are still near to each other making it a more effective weapon. Ideally, you want to use this weapon to push through heavy combat areas – like a Takedown – as the healing auras give you a new advantage point each time you move forward.
The Kyb’s Worth can be obtained in Maliwan’s Blacksite, it has a high chance of dropping from Wotan the Invincible.
8 – Redistributor
The Redistributor is a Hyperion SMG where every 7th shot will deal +50% AMP damage and chains to nearby enemies. Since this is a fast-firing SMG, the 7th shot will frequently occur giving you a lot of damage potential when dealing with mobs.
Playing as Zane allows you to 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 and therefore the chain lightning effect from the Redistributor.
The Redistributor can be obtained in Maliwan’s Blacksite, it has a high chance of dropping from Wotan the Invincible.
7 – Torrent
The Torrent is a Dahl SMG with a ridiculously high fire rate and every 10th bullet deals increased shock damage. The projectiles travel in a corkscrew pattern and can deal great damage, however, the projectiles travel at a lower speed than regular submachine guns making it more difficult to hit fast-moving targets.
The Torrent is a returning weapon from Borderlands the Pre-Sequel and now an Arms Race exclusive Legendary.
The Torrent can randomly drop from any suitable loot source within the Stormblind Complex located on Pandora, however, you have a high chance of getting it from a Red Chest in the Seepage & Creepage area.
6 – Needle Gun
The Needle Gun is a Tediore SMG that shoots slow-moving homing projectiles that apply a stacking debuff to enemies. You can stack this debuff 10 times by hitting your target once every 2 seconds or else the debuff resets. Achieving the maximum debuff stacks will refill Needle Gun’s magazine (there is a cooldown on the refill effect).
The Needle Gun Reload Explosion is the highest damage Tediore Reload Explosion in the game as it deals [500% x Card Damage x leftover Bullets]. Also, continuous firing of the Needle Gun will increase the fire rate.
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.
5 – Blood-Starved Beast
The Blood-Starved Beast is a Dahl SMG that shoots small energy orbs that pierce through enemies which then have a chance to explode dealing 15x the weapon’s damage.
The Blood-Starved Beast is a top choice for any Vault Hunter because it performs as a beast with its high fire rate and great damage. This weapon will consume your ammo fast but it gets the job done. There is an x3 variant; however, that variant is less effective than the x2 version in terms of ammo consumption.
You can get this Dahl SMG as a Full-Auto, Semi-Auto, or 4-Round Burst variant.
The Blood-Starved Beast has an increased chance of dropping from Evil Lilith who is located at Castle Crimson in Krieg’s Mind. Farming Evil Lilith isn’t always the most fun so keep your eyes out for Maurice’s Black Market as Blood-Starved Beast occasionally makes an appearance there.
4 – 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.
You can get this Dahl SMG as a Full-Auto, Semi-Auto, or 4-Round Burst variant.
The Kaoson is Mayhem Mode 6 or higher Legendary. You can get it from Captain Traunt who is located at the end of Athenas.
3 – Smog
The Smog is a Hyperion SMG with a unique front-facing AMP shield that increases your weapon’s damage to 250% while aiming down sight. This AMP effect is only active when your weapon’s front-facing shield is at max capacity.
Killing an enemy will instantly recharge your front-facing shield to full capacity, however, FL4K and Zane players can easily utilize the weapon’s special ability by using their action skills. FL4K’s can use it when utilizing Fade Away or when their pet is taunting. Zane can hide behind his own Barrier shield to protect the Smog’s front-facing shield from taking any damage at all.
The Smog has a high chance of dropping from Scourge the Invincible during the Guardian Takedown which is located on Minos Prime.
2 – Flipper
The Flipper is an SMG that takes the Maliwan Charge-up mechanic to the next level because continuous firing will increase the projectile count.
While the projectile count increases (1 – 3 – 5 – 7 – 9) and therefore the damage continues to stack up, the amount of ammo consumption stays the same throughout the process.
The Flipper is great for any Vault Hunter but Moze players get the most out of this weapon as it also deals splash damage.
The Flipper has an increased chance of dropping from Minosaur who is located in Bloodsun Canyon on Gehenna.
1 – Plasma Coil
The Plasma Coil is a Maliwan SMG that quickly shoots a 16-round burst of elemental orbs. This weapon is locked to the Shock + Radiation elemental combo making it highly effective against shielded enemies, however, the Plasma Coil’s high base damage will swiftly destroy anything in its path.
The Plasma Coils is without doubt the best SMG in Borderlands 3, however, obtaining one isn’t the easiest task because it is an Arms Race exclusive Legendary.
The Plasma Coil can randomly drop from any suitable loot source within the Stormblind Complex located on Pandora but you have a high chance of getting one from the Red Chest in the Madwidth Power area.
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