Since launch, Borderlands 3 developer Gearbox Software has issued a couple of patches to adjust the balance between the game’s four main vault hunters. It was especially true in the first few days after launch that FL4K was the most powerful character and Zane was the weakest, with the internet even cooking up some memes about BL3’s Zane in response.
Of course, the situation is currently a little different, until the next patch at the very least. Zane has been buffed, and FL4K has been both buffed and nerfed in different regards. So, as of October 9, here is how every buff and nerf have affected every Borderlands 3 character.
FL4K the Beastmaster
FL4K’s very first nerf targeted his Guerrillas in the Mist ability, reducing the duration from 8 seconds to 6 and halving the associated damage bus down to 25%. Following that, two more of FL4K’s abilities were buffed, whereas only one was slightly nerfed. The Leave No Trace ability received a re-trigger delay of 2 seconds, but Rakk Attack’s status effect was dialed up by 100% and Barbaric Yawp’s stat bonus was also increased by the same amount. FL4K pet’s also received a slight change to where they can’t push PCs or interrupt players to where they end of petting them instead of collecting loot.
Ultimately, those who like the sneaky Fade Away playstyle associated with Guerillas in the Mist have to exercise a bit more patience, but overall, it’s pretty clear that FL4K is still the most viable Borderlands 3 vault hunter.
Amara the Siren
Amara’s Guardian Angel ability was changed to where the health restoration when picked up by this ability was reduced from 100% to 50%, and the Glamour damage penalty was reduced to just 10%. With these changes, players cannot just go full blast and rely on Guardian Angel to get them up, but considering it isn’t really considered in many Amara the Siren builds, that’s not like a big deal.
Moze the Gunner
Moze the Gunner wasn’t nerfed in the first wave of hotfixes, but she did get hit in the second. It was more of a ‘fix’ than an intended nerf by definition, though. Players had found a way to create an infinite grade spam via Moze’s Means of Destruction ability, which has been put to an end now that it has a re-trigger delay of two seconds. It’s unclear if Gearbox has more intentions for Moze in the future, but there’s one thing for certain: Moze mains love to rain death and destruction with Iron Bear.
Zane the Operative
The very first buff bumped Zane’s Digi-Clone and drone damage by 38% and 50%, respectively. In addition to that, the Cryo Bullets penalty was removed, Drone Rocket damage was increased by 50%, and Almighty Ordnance Rockets were increased by 75%. This hopefully goes a long way in making him more viable in the endgame and getting the most out of the best Zane the Operative builds, but it wouldn’t be entirely shocking to see him get another buff either.
Borderlands 3 is out now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
