Borderlands 4 Revolutionizes Loot with More Guns and Dynamic Weapon Parts

The upcoming Borderlands 4 is poised to elevate the looter shooter genre by dramatically expanding its arsenal and refining gameplay mechanics. Building on the massive weapon variety of Borderlands 3, which featured over a billion guns, Gearbox Software is introducing a revolutionary weapon parts system that allows players to combine components from multiple manufacturers, creating unprecedented weapon diversity.

Previously, weapons were generated using parts from a single fictional manufacturer, each with distinct traits—such as Vladof’s fully automatic fire, Hyperion’s accuracy boost, and Torgue’s explosive rounds. Borderlands 4 introduces three new manufacturers—Order, Ripper, and Daedalus—each with unique perks like railgun-like blasts, rapid flak rounds, and ammo swapping capabilities. This multi-manufacturer parts system enables hybrid weapons, for example, combining a Hyperion grip with a Tediore magazine and Vladof barrel, enhancing gameplay strategy and customization.

While this innovation promises the most intricate buildcrafting in the series, it also raises challenges for players seeking optimal weapon builds. The expanded parts pool complicates farming for specific weapon rolls, especially as legendary drop rates are being reduced to restore their rarity and value. This shift means that securing the best weapons will demand greater dedication or luck, potentially reshaping the endgame experience.

Beyond loot, Borderlands 4 advances its gameplay with enhanced movement options including dashing, double jumping, gliding, and grappling. New traversal tools like ziplines and the Digirunner vehicle—reminiscent of iconic Bungie designs—offer dynamic ways to explore and engage with the environment. These mechanics aim to blend traditional looter shooter elements with fast-paced movement shooter dynamics.

Cooperative play also receives significant improvements. Borderlands 4 will launch with full crossplay support, allowing players on different platforms to team up seamlessly. Campaign difficulty and loot drops are instanced per player, eliminating conflicts over world settings. Additionally, boss arenas now feature a lever to instantly respawn encounters, streamlining repeated boss fights crucial for farming specific weapon rolls.

Overall, Borderlands 4’s innovations in weapon customization, movement, and co-op quality of life features promise to deliver a fresh, challenging, and deeply engaging experience for both new and veteran players. The expanded weapon parts system could redefine buildcrafting complexity, while the refined multiplayer mechanics enhance accessibility and replayability.