Prioritize the Main Story Before Side Quests
I understand the lure of side quests, but it’s wise to concentrate on the main narrative until you unlock your hoverbike, which takes less than two hours. This will significantly enhance your mobility across the massive game world. If you prefer not to walk everywhere, staying focused on the main path is essential.
Hold Back on Doing Every Side Quest
As someone who enjoys clearing every map in open-world games, I feel you. However, it may be best to complete the primary storyline first. Once it’s done, you’ll earn “Specializations,” new passive bonuses for your character that require XP to enhance. Therefore, finishing the main story first before tackling side content is often more beneficial.
Collect SDU Credits for Backpack Upgrades
While I discourage you from completing all side quests early on, look for Propaganda Towers, Bunkers, and other activities that yield SDU credits. Use these credits to increase your backpack capacity, as you’ll collect plenty of items to sell. Upgrading your backpack early will spare you the hassle of running out of space.
Utilize the “Loot as Junk” Feature
One of the new features in Borderlands 4 is the ability to mark items as junk, allowing you to sell them all at once. This feature saves time when you visit a vending machine and is one of the game’s standout improvements. Trust me, it’s a game changer!
Keep an Eye on Elemental Weapons
While it’s tempting to only chase after high DPS weapons, don’t overlook guns with elemental damage. Different enemies have unique weaknesses to various elements; for instance, red health bar enemies are vulnerable to fire, while those with blue bars are weak to shock. It may be wise to hold onto elemental weapons for effective combat.
Don’t Equip Multiple Guns of the Same Type
Although I admire a good assault rifle in Borderlands 4, I recommend not equipping more than one of the same weapon type. If all your guns are the same, you’ll deplete your ammo quickly. Mixing weapon types not only adds variety but also conserves your resources.
Plan Before Unlocking Skills
Before you distribute skill points to your character, take a moment to glance at future unlocks. Understanding which skills you want will prevent wasting time on undesirable options. Though you can respec later, planning ahead will lead to a more enjoyable experience overall.
Use Friends as Fast Travel Points in Co-op
Playing with friends enhances the experience in Borderlands 4, especially since you can fast travel to them whenever needed. Whether it’s avoiding a tricky segment, finding your way, or selling items, using fast travel to your buddies can save you time and frustration.
Make Use of Rep Kits
Don’t overlook the new Rep Kits in Borderlands 4, which heal you during combat. These are a great addition to the franchise but aren’t prominently advertised during gameplay. Using Rep Kits can turn a challenging battle in your favor, so keep them handy!
Rely on Echo 4 for Navigation
Whenever you’re confused about the next objective, remember you can ask Echo 4, your robot companion, for help. Simply press up on the D-pad for a holographic guide to your destination, making navigation through complex environments much simpler.
Grab Contracts for Extra Rewards
Whenever you return to hub areas in Borderlands 4, make it a point to check the bounty board and pick up contracts. Many of these are straightforward tasks that reward you with extra XP for kills you’d be making anyway.
Save Gold Keys for Higher Levels
When you discover your first gold chest, the temptation to use your gold keys will be strong. However, resist this urge if you’re below level 40, as the loot you find will quickly become obsolete. Waiting until you’re at a higher level ensures that the rewards you gain from the chests will be worth your effort.
