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Borderlands 3 Weapons Guide

Borderlands 3 Weapon Guide
Borderlands 3 Weapon Guide

Borderlands 3 has a large arsenal of weapons, with different weapon manufacturers and weapon types. In this Borderlands 3 guide, I will explain the unique manufacturer traits and provide an overview of the loot you will encounter in the game.

Introduction to the Next Level of Weaponry

One of the biggest features in the Borderlands franchise has always been the crazy amount of loot. Gearbox Software pushes itself even further than ever before with Borderlands 3 as they promise to include over a million weapons in the game.

Gearbox Software already set the world record of ‘Most Guns in a Game’ in the Guinness Book of Records with the first Borderlands game. With Borderlands 2, the team didn’t break their own record by numbers, however, they revolutionized the loot itself. By giving each of the weapons manufacturers their own special traits, look, and feel, they made each weapon more distinct from one another. Therefore the search for new and exciting weaponry was a threat. For the first time, you could recognize the brand before you picked up the gun and it was no longer just about comparing the stats.

With Borderlands 3 it looks like Gearbox is once again going to revolutionize their loot.

“In the past, the guns all shared pieces between all the guns, and this time, we built entire suites of gun randomization inside of each manufacturer so that there’s a little bit more cohesiveness to them,”

Scott Kester

Number of weapons in Borderlands 3

  • Without taking anointments into consideration: 69,434,517
  • With taking anointments into consideration: 4,038,988,355

Weapon Types

Borderlands 3 has 7 different weapon types each one comes with its own pros & cons and has its own ammo type. Mix up your inventory with different weapon types because that way once you run out of ammo with one type of weapon you can always switch to a different type.

Weapon TypeManufacturers
PistolsAtlas, CoV, Dahl, Jakobs, Maliwan, Tediore, Torgue, Vladof
SMGsDahl, Hyperion, Maliwan, Tediore
Assault RiflesAtlas, CoV, Dahl, Jakobs, Torgue, Vladof
ShotgunsHyperion, Jakobs, Maliwan, Tediore, Torgue
SnipersDahl, Hyperion, Jakobs, Maliwan, Vladof
Heavy LaunchersAtlas, CoV, Torgue, Vladof
GrenadesAtlas, Hyperion, Pangolin, Tediore, Torgue, Vladof

Weapon Manufacturers

Borderlands 3 has 9 different weapon manufacturers each with its own unique weapon traits. Usually, weapon types have a traditional way of how they function. In Borderlands this is determined by the Manufacturer. This means you will find weapon types that act like different weapon types.

Most of your favorite classic weapon manufacturers return in Borderlands 3. The only one that has been replaced is the Bandit weapons manufacturer. They have been rebranded as COV weapons.

Weapon manufacturers have new unique gimmicks to them compared to previous Borderlands games. This makes the loot feel fresh and exciting.

Atlas

Atlas Weapons - Borderlands 3

Atlas manufactures Pistols, Assault Rifles, and Heavy Weapons. Their unique weapon allows you to mark enemies and fire homing bullets.

  • Step 1: Hit your enemies with tracker tags.
  • Step 2: Unleash a hail of Smart Bullets that track towards your targets.
  • Step 3: Loot!
Assault RiflesN-System, Q-System, V-System
Heavy WeaponsPattern [NULL], Pattern Black, Pattern Red
PistolsAX-19, AX-88, AX-7

Atlas Weapons Database

Primary Atlas Prefix
PrefixEffect
Cost-Effectivex2 Projectile
Over-EncumberedIncreased magazine size >34 Rounds
LadenIncreased magazine size > 26 Rounds

Secondary Atlas Prefix
PrefixEffect
AcceleratedRank 1 Projectile Speed
ActiveDamage & Reload Speed
AdjustedRank 1 Accuracy
AlarmingReload Speed & Splash Damage Radius
AlignedRank 2 Accuracy
AmplifiedRank 2 Damage
ArmedDamage & Projectile Speed
BetaRank 2 Splash Damage Radius
BoostedRank 1 Damage
Bug-RiddledSplash Damage Radius & Handling
ClockworkFire Rate & Accuracy
CoordinatedReload Speed & Accuracy
EnergeticProjectile Speed & Splash Damage Radius
EnhancedDamage & Accuracy
ErgonomicRank 2 Handling
GaugedFire Rate & Handling
IntegratedFire Rate & Reload Speed
OptimizedDamage & Fire Rate
ParallelRank 1 Reload Speed
PracticalReload Speed & Handling
PreparedProjectile Speed & Handling
PrimedFire Rate & Projectile Speed
PrototypeRank 1 Splash Damage Radius
RefinedDamage & Handling
RetooledAccuracy & Handling
ShapedRank 1 Handling
SpontaneousReload Speed & Projectile Speed
StandardizedRank 2 Fire Rate
SupersonicRank 2 Projectile Speed
SynchronizedRank 2 Reload Speed
TargetedProjectile Speed & Accuracy
TimedRank 1 Fire Rate
UnsafeSplash Damage Radius & Accuracy
UnshippableDamage & Splash Damage Radius
UnstableFire Rate & Splash Damage Radius

COV

COV Weapons - Borderlands 3

CoV manufactures Pistols, Assault Rifles, and Heavy Weapons. Their unique weapon trait allows you to fire unlimited bullets until the weapon overheats.

CoV weapons kinda function like guns with large magazine sizes as you can fire them for an extended time.

Assault RiflesBizZurker, Purferater, Ratatater, Wizzperer
Heavy WeaponsChucka, Shredda, Zooka
PistolsBlastphemy, Holey-Man, Preecher, Splainer

COV Weapons Database

Primary CoV Prefixes
PrefixEffect
BrrElemental dmg type – Cryo
HawtElemental dmg type – Incendiary
KemikElemental dmg type – Corrosive
MeltyElemental dmg type – Radiation
Moarx2 Projectile
MOARRx3 Projectile
PointyMelee Attachement, Increased Melee Dmg
StabbyMelee Attachment, Increased Melee Dmg
ZappyElemental dmg type – Shocking

Secondary COV Prefixes
PrefixEffect
NasstyRank 2 Damage
HurtyRank 1 Damage
FasterfiedRank 2 Fire Rate
KwikRank 1 Fire Rate
OrakillRank 2 Accuracy
BlestRank 1 Accuracy
DeevowtRank 2 Handling
RuhleejusRank 1 Handling
KaketimeRank 2 Heat Per Shot
CheepRank 1 Heat Per Shot
KersplattyRank 2 Splash Damage Radius
SplodeyRank 1 Splash Damage Radius
BroosinDamage & Fire Rate
DayumnedDamage & Heat
BoomyDamage & Splash Damage Radius
Ded OnDamage & Accuracy
RapchuryDamage & Handling
WhizzyFire Rate & Heat
GreesyFire Rate & Splash Damage Radius
ShutupkateFire Rate & Accuracy
EezyFire Rate & Handling
InespensuvHeat & Splash Radius
Da VineHeat & Accuracy
Say KrudHeat & Handling
HevunleeAccuracy & Handling
PurfektSplash Damage Radius & Accuracy

Dahl

Dahl Weapons - Borderlands 3

Dahl manufactures Pistols, SMGs, Assault Rifles, and Sniper Rifles. Their unique weapon trait allows you to toggle between firing modes changing the behavior (full auto, semi auto, and burst fire) and/or zoom scope.

Dahl weapons are reliable weapons that speak to modern soldiers as these guns can adjust to different combat scenarios.

Assault RiflesCaracal, Jaguar, Mngwa, Puma
PistolsFalcon, Raptor, Shrike, Wyvern
SMGsCadejo, Hyena, Jackal, Wolfhound
Sniper RiflesAsp, Diamondback, Rattler, Wyrm

Dahl Weapons Database

Primary Dahl Prefixes
PrefixEffect
Adaptingx2 Projectile
ArcticElemental dmg type – Cryo
BladedMelee Attachment
DauntingExtended Mag
DecayingElemental dmg type – Radiation
ExtendedExtended Mag
FreezingElemental dmg type – Cryo Damage
High CapacityExtended Mag
ReflexiveIncreased Reload Speed
SearingElemental dmg type – Incendiary Damage
ShockingElemental dmg type – shock dmg
TamedReduced recoil, Increased handling
VenomousElemental dmg type – Corrosive

Secondary Dahl Prefixes
PrefixEffect
DeadlyRank 2 Damage
DangerousRank 1 Damage
ShreddingRank 2 Critical Damage
TacticalRank 1 Critical Damage
RabidRank 2 Fire Rate
HungryRank 1 Fire Rate
NimbleRank 2 Reload Speed
DeftRank 1 Reload Speed
ZeroedRank 2 Accuracy
PreciseRank 1 Accuracy
ControlledRank 2 Handling
TamedRank 1 Handling
NeutralizingDamage & Critical Damage
RakingDamage & Fire Rate
BarkingDamage & Reload
LethalDamage & Accuracy
StrikingDamage & Handling
FeralCritical Damage & Fire Rate
PouncingCritical Damage & Reload
SurgicalCritical Damage & Accuracy
InstinctiveCritical Damage & Handling
RelentlessFire Rate & Reload
TrainedFire Rate & Accuracy
DauntlessFire Rate & Handling
ReflexiveReload & Accuracy
VigilantReload & Handling
DisciplinedAccuracy & Handling

Hyperion

Hyperion Weapons - Borderlands 3

Hyperion manufactures SMGs, Shotguns, and Sniper Rifles. Their unique weapon trait provides increasing accuracy the longer you fire, and a front-facing shield on your weapon.

  • Hyperion Shield: Standard Shield
  • Genesis Shield: Absorbs projectiles into your magazine.
  • Amped Shield: Taking damage stacks damage for a short time.
  • Redirect Shield: Reflects melee/projectile damage back at attackers.

Hyperion weapons basically do the opposite of regular weapons as those become less accurate due to the recoil when fired.

Hyperion weaponry gets a +5% multiplicative critical hit bonus

ShotgunCollaborator, Downsizer, Host, Outsourcer
SMGsBoardroom, Hivemind, Powerplay
Sniper RiflesBroodmother, Entrepreneur, Mogul, Techspert

Hyperion Weapons Database

Primary Hyperion Prefixes
PrefixEffect
AuditingElemental dmg type – Cryo Damage
Bank-rolledChance Ammo returned to Mag
Bleeding EdgeMelee Attachment
Cash-InfusedShock & Increased Money Drop
Deep-DiveMelee Attachment
DefraudingCorrosive
HostileIncendiary
Redundantx2 Projectile
SubsidizedIncreased Mag Size
UnderminingRadiation

Secondary Hyperion Prefixes
PrefixEffect
ShrewdRank 2 Damage
SavvyRank 1 Damage
CriticalRank 2 Critical Damage
EssentialRank 1 Critical Damage
ViralRank 2 Fire Rate
TrendingRank 1 Fire Rate
VisionaryRank 2 Accuracy
InsightfulRank 1 Accuracy
WorkshoppedRank 2 Handling
DevelopingRank 1 Handling
DynamicReload
PowerhouseDamage & Critical Damage
PopularDamage & Fire Rate
SynergizedDamage & Accuracy
ExecutiveDamage & Handling
EmboldenedDamage & Reload
InfluentialCritical Damage & Fire Rate
DecisiveCritical Damage & Accuracy
DeliberatingCritical Damage & Handling
ProactiveCritical Damage & Reload
MainstreamFire Rate & Accuracy
HolisticFire Rate & Handling
WunderkindFire Rate & Reload
HyperfocusAccuracy & Handling
IncentivizedAccuracy & Reload
NegotiatingHandling & Reload

Jakobs

Jakobs Weapons - Borderlands 3

Jakobs manufactures Pistols, Assault Rifles, Shotguns, and Sniper Rifles. Their unique weapon trait allows a bullet to ricochet to another target when scoring a Critical Hit.

Jakobs weapons are Old West-inspired weaponry and normally don’t deal elemental damage; therefore, they are devastating and can be fired as fast as you can pull the trigger.

Jakobs weaponry gets a +10% multiplicative critical hit bonus

Assault RiflesCarbine, Clipper, Repeater
PistolsMarshal, Peacekeeper, Ranger
ShotgunsLongrider, Scattergun, Stagecoach
Sniper RiflesCallipeen, Cheechako, Muckamuck

Jakobs Weapons Database

Primary Jakobs Prefixes
PrefixEffect
Loaded+4 Magazine Stock Accessory
GatlinFire Rate Trigger
BowieClipper Melee Attachment
Cuttin’Repeater Melee Attachment
Quad4x Shot

Secondary Jakobs Prefixes
PrefixEffect
WickedRank 2 Damage
SnideRank 1 Damage
BloodsoakedRank 2 Critical Damage
BloodstainedRank 1 Critical Damage
Gallopn’Rank 1 Fire Rate
MarksmanRank 2 Accuracy
SharpRank 1 Accuracy
GenteelRank 2 Handling
PoliteRank 1 Handling
Speedloadin’Rank 2 Reload Speed
CunningRank 1 Reload Speed
DastardlyDamage & Critical Damage
WildDamage & Fire Rate
DaisyDamage & Accuracy
Iron-WilledDamage & Handling
DuelingDamage & Reload
Dashn’Critical Damage & Fire Rate
DeadeyeCritical Damage & Accuracy
CoolheadedCritical Damage & Handling
TrickCritical Damage & Reload
PetuniaFire Rate & Accuracy
UnflappableFire Rate & Handling
BreakneckFire Rate & Reload
TrueAccuracy & Handling
QuickdrawAccuracy & Reload Speed
Round-UpHandling & Reload Speed

Maliwan

Maliwan Weapons - Borderlands 3

Maliwan manufactures Pistols, Shotguns, and Sniper Rifles. Their unique weapon trait allows them to toggle between two elemental damage types.

Maliwan weaponry has a higher chance of dealing the elemental damage over time (DoT) effect, however, these weapons do have a brief charge-up time.

PistolsAtomizer, Blaster, Devourer, Melter
ShotgunsCyclotron, Interloper, Shockwave, Terminator
SMGsHeliophage, Nebula, Pulsar, Quasar
Sniper RiflesAntimatter Rifle, Multiplex, Particle Rifle, Proton Rifle

Maliwan Weapons Database

Primary Maliwan Prefixes
PrefixEffect
AbundantIncreased Mag size
Binaryx2 Projectile
EvisceratingNebula Melee Attachment
Secondary Maliwan Prefixes
PrefixEffect
HazardousRank 2 Damage
DangerousRank 1 Damage
PerfectedRank 2 Charge Speed
RefinedRank 1 Charge Speed
PeerlessRank 2 Fire Rate
ElegantRank 1 Fire Rate
PanopticRank 2 Accuracy
LucidRank 1 Accuracy
MasterfulRank 2 Handling
ProficientRank 1 Handling
QuantumRank 2 Projectile Speed
IonicRank 1 Projectile Speed
SpoolingRank 1 Reload
ExpandingRank 1 Splash Damage Radius
SublimeDamage & Charge Speed
TerminalDamage & Fire Rate
StarkDamage & Accuracy
ExpertDamage & Handling
MockingDamage & Projectile Speed
CompressingDamage & Reload
UnescapableDamage & Splash Damage Radius
AgileCharge Speed & Fire Rate
AptCharge Speed & Accuracy
ImmaculateCharge Speed & Handling
EscalatingCharge Speed & Projectile Speed
CultivatedCharge Speed & Reload
QuicksilverCharge Speed & Splash Damage Radius
ExactingFire Rate & Accuracy
ExplicitFire Rate & Handling
SneeringFire Rate & Projectile Speed
GracefulFire Rate & Reload
SaturatingFire Rate & Splash Damage Radius
MeticulousAccuracy & Handling
PertinentAccuracy & Projectile Speed
VividAccuracy & Reload
SuperfluousAccuracy & Splash Damage Radius
CavalierHandling & Projectile Speed
ManipulatingHandling & Reload
OrchestratedHandling & Splash Damage Radius
ExpeditiousProjectile Speed & Reload
MassiveProjectile Speed & Splash Damage Radius
InundatingReload & Splash Damage Radius

Tediore

Tediore Weapons - Borderlands 3

Tediore Manufactures Pistols, SMGs, and Shotguns. Their unique weapon trait allows you to digi-struct a new weapon in your hands instead of reloading. You throw away your old weapon which will explode like a grenade or turn into a sentry turret or spider bot.

PistolsDeadshot, Lurkshot, Quickshot, Sureshot
ShotgunsElderblast, Everblast, Fastblast, Powerblast
SMGsExcellerator, Gibbergun, Keenfire, Kill-O-Matic
Sniper RiflesAntimatter Rifle, Multiplex, Particle Rifle, Proton Rifle

Tediore Weapons Database

Tediore Prefixes
PrefixEffect
Clearancex2 Projectile
Maxed OutIncreased DPS
FiresaleElemental dmg type – Incendiary
FrozenElemental dmg type – Cryo
PoisonElemental dmg type – Corrosive
PrecisionIncreased Accuracy
RadElemental dmg type – Radiation
Same-DayIncreased Fire Rate
SuperchargedElemental dmg type – Shock
TurboIncreased rate of fire

Torgue

Torgue Weapons - Borderlands 3

Torgue manufactures Pistols, Assault Rifles, Shotguns, and Heavy Weapons. Their unique weapon trait allows them to switch between regular and sticky projectiles. The stickies deal more damage if a bunch of them detonate on the same target.

Torgue loves explosives therefore their weaponry shoots mini gyro rockets.

Assault RiflesBlister, Flogger, Polisher, Stranger
Heavy WeaponsHedgehog, Lump, Quickie, Threeway
PistolsCarbuncle, Duke, Magnum, Pocket Rocket
ShotgunsBologna Poney, Bangstick, Kielbasa, Protuberance

Torgue Weapons Database

Torgue Prefixes
PrefixEffect
BurningElemental dmg type – Incendiary
CasualIncreased DPS
CockyIncreased Splash & Accuracy
Double Penetratingx2 Projectile
GratifyingExtended Mag & Increased DPS
ItchyElemental dmg type – Radiation
NastyIncreased Splash
OozingElemental dmg type – Corrosive
Packin’Increased Magazine Size
ShrinkingElemental dmg type – Cryo
StimulatingElemental dmg type – Shock
ShreddedImproved dmg and projectiles
StuffedImproved splash
TripleArmor Penetration
Triple-Penetrating3-Shot

Vladof

Vladof Weapons - Borderlands 3

Vladof manufactures Pistols, Assault Rifles, Sniper Rifles, and Heavy Weapons. Their unique weapon trait allows them to fire faster than any other weapon manufacturer.

Every Vladof weapon is basically a mini-gun and on top of that, their ammo-hungry guns have under-barrel attachments that include tasers, rocket tubes, and additional gun barrels.

Assault RiflesBeezoomy, Burzum, Maslo, Oddy-knocky, Shlaga
Heavy WeaponsBagronk, Gruppa, Strack, Vred
PistolsCreech, Kot, Moloko, Pushdug
Sniper RiflesBratchny, Droog, Ghaash, Pooshka

Vladof Weapons Database

Primary Vladof Prefixes
PrefixEffect
Annexedx2 Projectile
EnglufingIncreased Mag Size – Bi-Pod attachment
ExpansiveIncreased Magazine Size
MoltenElemental dmg type – Incendiary
NegatingElemental dmg type – Cryo
NuclearElemental dmg type – Radiation
PestilentElemental dmg type – Corrosive
StormingElemental dmg type – Shock
UnendingIncreased Magazine Size
NozhMelee Attachment

Secondary Vladof Prefixes
PrefixEffect
RuthlessRank 2 Damage
FerociousRank 1 Damage
ScathingRank 1 Splash Damage Radius
GromkyRank 2 Projectile Speed
NachinatRank 1 Projectile Speed
RapidRank 2 Fire Rate
SwiftRank 1 Fire Rate
StaunchRank 2 Handling
LoyalRank 1 Handling
RazrezRank 2 Accuracy
OtchkyRank 1 Accuracy
PoleznyRank 2 Reload
SneetyRank 1 Reload
GloriousDamage & Splash Damage Radius
MerzkyDamage & Projectile Speed
ViciousDamage & Fire Rate
ResoluteDamage & Handling
KrovvyDamage & Accuracy
RighteousDamage & Reload
GuttiwutsSplash Damage Radius & Projectile Speed
ZammechatSplash Damage Radius & Fire Rate
ChoodessnySplash Damage Radius & Accuracy
VareetSplash Damage Radius & Reload
TurbulentProjectile Speed & Fire Rate
OobviatProjectile Speed & Accuracy
NadmennyProjectile Speed & Reload
StoicFire Rate & Handling
VengefulFire Rate & Accuracy
SolemnFire Rate & Reload
DobbyHandling & Accuracy
IndoctrinatedHandling & Reload
DorogoyAccuracy & Reload

Weapons Rarities

Borderlands 3 has 5 different weapon rarities. Higher rarity weapons often have better stats than their lower-rarity counterparts. It’s possible that a lower rarity can outperform a legendary item in some areas but the special legendary trait that a legendary item has is what it makes it excel.

All Borderlands 3 Weapons Ranked

Elemental Weapon Damage

The weapons in Borderlands 3 can also output elemental damage again. Maliwan weapons can even switch between various elements.

Damage TypeStrength
KineticOverall
FireGood Against Flesh
CryoSlows Enemies Down Until They Freeze
CorrosiveGood Against Armor
ShockGood Against Shields
RadiationSpreads
In-depth Elemental Damage Guide

Melee Weapons

Every Vault Hunter has their own off-hand melee attack but Borderlands 3 does not contain melee weapons.

Randy Pitchford confirmed ahead of Borderlands 3’s release that there are over a million weapons in the game, however, you only have 1 offhand melee weapon.

Gearbox Software did add Melee Weapons to your loadout in Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands, therefore, we might see this mechanic return in Borderlands 4.

Instance Loot

Loot drops are unique for every individual player in Borderlands 3 when playing the game in Cooperation mode. This means that you don’t have to worry about co-op buddies stealing loot drops before your eyes.

You can still play by the old Borderlands 2 rules when you set the game to Coopetition. Loot will be shared and the game will scale to the host. Coöpetition does allow you to Power Level a new character.

If you forget to pick up an important item or are not able to pick it up for some reason, then there is the Lost Loot Machine for you.

Can you upgrade weapons in Borderlands 3?

No, Borderlands 3 doesn’t have a gameplay mechanic or feature that allows you to upgrade an item in your inventory. You will need to find that weapon again, however, most unique weapons have a dedicated farm location.

Can you change your weapon parts in Borderlands 3?

No, There is no gameplay mechanic or feature to alter the weapon parts of an item. each weapon spawns with a random set of weapon parts while some items have fixed weapon parts. You can reroll the Anointment on an item.

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I'm a Content Creator by day and a BattleBread Baker at night. I'll provide you with your recommended slice of entertainment! I'm a Gearbox Community Badass and a proud member of the official Borderlands & Tiny Tina's Wonderlands Creator Team (2K Games / NextMakers).

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