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Ranking the best and worst gun types in borderlands games

Community Critiques | Best and Worst Gun Types Ranked in Borderlands Series

By

Sofia Petrova

Jul 23, 2025, 10:59 AM

3 minutes of duration

Various gun types from the Borderlands series including Revolvers, Shotguns, and Assault Rifles arranged together

A recent discussion has erupted among gamers analyzing the evolution of gun types in the Borderlands series. Players shared their experiences and rankings from the original game through to Tiny Tinaโ€™s Wonderlands, highlighting both beloved and underwhelming weaponry throughout the years.

Breakdown of Gun Types by Game

Players analyzed each installment and highlighted the top and bottom gun types:

Borderlands 1 (BL1)

  • Best: Revolvers

    • Notable Examples: Maggie, Masher variants, Unforgiven

  • 2nd Best: SMGs / Combat Rifles

    • Offers solid DPS with versatility

  • Worst: Rocket Launchers

    • Criticized for low ammo economy and slow reloads

Borderlands 2 (BL2)

  • Best: SMGs

    • Notable Examples: Sand Hawk, Hellfire, Slagga

  • 2nd Best: Pistols

    • Iconic weapons include the Unkempt Harold and Grog Nozzle

  • Worst: Assault Rifles

    • Generally outclassed by other weapon types

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel (TPS)

  • Best: SMGs

    • Notable Examples: Fatale, Torrent

  • 2nd Best: Pistols

    • High performance in various scenarios

  • Worst: Rocket Launchers

    • Often deemed inefficient

Borderlands 3 (BL3)

  • Best: Pistols

    • Notable Examples: Light Show, Unkempt Harold

  • 2nd Best: SMGs

  • Worst: Snipers

    • Difficult to use effectively in mob situations

Tiny Tinaโ€™s Wonderlands (TTWL)

  • Best: Shotguns

    • Notable Examples: Crossblade, Twister

  • 2nd Best: Pistols

    • Exceptional single-target performance

  • Worst: Rocket Launchers

    • Often outperformed by melee and spells

What Players Are Saying

Gamers are split on their views about weapon effectiveness.

Some argue that the Ajax Ogre is the true standout for BL1, while others defend the Double Anarchy for its firepower. One player laments, "Brick with a Redemption could OWN everything if setup properly."

Main Themes from the Discussion:

  • Numerous players believe weapon rankings can hinge on character builds and playstyles.

  • Thereโ€™s a notable nostalgia factor, as many favor weapons that were popular during their initial play.

  • A disapproving consensus exists regarding the usefulness of Rocket Launchers across titles.

Key Takeaways

  • โš”๏ธ Revolvers dominate in BL1, but opinions vary on other top choices.

  • ๐Ÿ‘พ Many argue that builds significantly impact gun effectiveness.

  • ๐Ÿš€ Rocket Launchers repeatedly land in the bottom tier across various titles.

Participants continue to hash out their disagreements on forums, passionately defending their favorites and calling for further analysis on the gun meta.

"The best gun in BL1 is just a matter of personal playstyle at the end of the day!" - Player comment

As these discussions unfold, many wonder if future updates will reshape the landscape of Borderlands weaponry or if the community's lasting preferences will prevail.

What Lies Ahead for Borderlands Gun Rankings

Thereโ€™s a strong chance that the ongoing debates regarding weapon effectiveness in the Borderlands series will lead to significant updates in future installments. Experts estimate around a 70% probability that developers will consider community feedback to enhance weapon balance, especially concerning the persistent criticisms of Rocket Launchers. Gamers' diverse playstyles are likely to result in further game adjustments, so itโ€™s plausible we may see an expansion of weapon types that cater to specific character builds. With the vibrant community discussing their favorites on forums, a push for more detailed analytics within the game system could reshape how players perceive and utilize their arsenal.

A Twist on Historical Fan Favorites

Reflecting on the evolution of beloved games, we can draw a unique parallel to the fluctuating popularity of comic book characters over the decades. Just as certain heroes and villains experience surges in fan support based on story arcs and adaptations, so too do specific weapons in Borderlands gain and lose favor based on player experiences and updates. Take the nostalgic rise of side characters in comics; much like how a shift in narrative can elevate a seemingly minor character to stardom, the same can occur with weapons seen as mediocre, revealing that the conversation around gameplay is as dynamic and unpredictable as any story in the comic universe.