#28

But yeah not gonna lie, kinda funny that Amara being Amara is an excuse. Because not everyone uses the OP builds on her.

That’s something else I want to bring up. Borderlands should be about using whatever builds you want to suit your play style. For example, I used to love doing challenges on 2 - Hyperion Maya, Tediore Axton, white weapons only. But on 3, it feels like there is less options for Mayhem 4.

My Melee Amara, for example, I spent a long time hunting loot for. But it could do Wotan on Mayhem 1 and Mayhem 2 with friends but above that? Nope.

So my friend gave me a build that they said is the current favoured build for her and the difference is massive. And yes we beat Mayhem 4 a hell of a lot easier but it kinda sucks that in order to do so, we had to use certain items and builds.

My Hyperion only Zane , Melee Amara and Cleric Fl4k are fun to me but they just can’t survive on Mayhem 4 no matter how strategically I play. Not because it’s difficult but because the enemies have been designed with these really strong builds in mind. And the ‘hardest’ mode should be doable with a range of builds, not impossible without the use of ‘x’ build.

And these builds aren’t just a little bit better - they’re crazy strong. And all of the VHs have a really destructive build or two.

Well…except my boy Zane. It’s why I love playing him so much - because it feels more like playing a BL2 type VH in terms of having to be more strategic.

I’m probably wording myself poorly and my post is contradicting. I’m not the best with words ^^ Been trying to think about how to word myself about it for the last 24 hours xD

3 Likes
#29

They balance loaders but won’t balance COV? At least Gearbox is consistently inconsistent i’ll give em that.

2 Likes
#30

I think gearbox thought we’d enjoy playing on normal or mayhem 1, however we wanted, but then made higher mayhem levels for those with “ideal” builds. In reality, we all want to play in highest mayhem levels, but also be able to have fun builds.
I play with Amara, with a non-ideal build, and stick to mayhem 3, with loaded dice. I can play mayhem 4, without loaded dice, but it’s boring and slow and requires me to use specific styles I don’t like. Mayhem 3 plus loaded dice seems to give just as good loot as mayhem 4, and it’s more fun, so I prefer that.

#31

Nope. I’m as interested in Mayhem mode as I am in OP levels. Which is to say, not at all. I would hazard a guess that most of those posting about drop rates in M4 - especially for anointments - would share your desire to play at higher difficulty levels. But it’s not true for everybody on these forums, and almost certainly not true for the larger player base who don’t post here.

2 Likes
#32

I agree with VH101. While I do play OP levels in BL2 (max is OP6, that’s my max skill level), it’s only to try to level up to OP7. I don’t regularly do things in BL2 at OPs (I have done full story mode at OP3 just to say to myself I did it).

Same here in BL3. I do not play Mayhem 4. I’ve tried it a few times, farming various bosses, but it doesn’t do anything for me, it’s just long tedious fights, so I play at M1 or 2 just for giggles.

Oh, one more Loader thought; What are the SUY Loaders (I think it’s SUY, not at the game right now (well, I mean I’m on PS4 version of the game where I haven’t done the DLC yet, I’m always at the game in some form)) special effects? I haven’t notice them being anything other than very similar to GUN loaders, but I must be missing something.
–RoA

2 Likes
#33

Good point. I stand corrected. Apologies. I merely meant that most people would like to play at higher levels due to the higher rewards. Of course, there will always be a large number who prefer fun over difficulty for the sake of reward.

#34

I think they are called SVY Loader and they can digistruct Surveryors.

Edit: Although I don’t know for what that’s an abbreviation like ExpLoader.

Edit 2: Lol I’m so dumb Surveyor.

3 Likes
#35

Ah ha, thanks. I think I did see that happening once.
–RoA

#36

I can relate to that. I only play at higher levels because of the higher potential reward. But I tried M4 and thought it too tedious for words and thought the reward didn’t justify the lack of enjoyment. I’m currently at M2 which for me is a reasonable balance of difficulty and reward. I don’t care for most of the M3 modifiers.

3 Likes
#37

Savvy Surveyor surviving loaders.

#38

Might just be me, but I could swear that some Cryo Loader/HOT Loader attacks bypassed shields.

#39

I actually find m3 is often easier than m2 or m1, because you usually get at least one bonus modifier. For example, you might get reduced normal damage and increased elemental damage. Or reduced sniper & AR, but increased pistol & smg & shotgun. So you just choose that weapon (as long as you carry enough to fit any combination).
The increase tends to give enough of a boost to a particular weapon, to overcome the added difficulty, especially when two modifiers line up.
Having said that, when the modifiers are purely against you, it’s much more difficult. Just depends how lucky you get.

1 Like
#40

Honestly i’d be fine with that. However not only are chances of batter loot higher on mayhem 4 but there are now legendaries that ONLY drop in Mayhem 4. So for those who enjoy the unusual non meta builds, it’s almost a middle finger to us.

Which is a shame. On BL2 it was an incentive to go to the next difficulty - get to lvl 50, get higher lvl loot and then to UVHM where there is an even higher lvl cap and the added difficulty of enemies pretty much needing slag. And then they also gave us OP levels so we could do that again.

And I loved that personally. I’m a big farming idiot - I farmed 2 months straight for 94 sham and though I haven’t got it yet, I’d happily farm two more months. So going to a new difficulty where I can not only do the side missions and get the item rewards at a higher level but be able to farm for that sweet loot all over again? Sign me up!

2 Likes
#41

I just stood in front of a few HOT and icy loaders (For Science) and didn’t notice that, my shield wore down before health started draining.
–RoA

1 Like
#42

Thanks for checking. Something was bypassing my shields in some fights and I have no clue what is was. :<

2 Likes
#43

I understand, I’ve had that happen to me also without a clue as to what particular weapon or enemy was doing so.
Happened other places that the Jackpot, so it feels like it’s a randomly distributed effect, not just loaders.
–RoA

1 Like
#44

Did you have a last stand artifact and a transformer on by chance? Ive noticed it specifically with mk II’s charged electric ball attack - it still shows about the same with out last stand due to healthgate but the shield does show damage this way, with it the shield is completely full before you can notice being hit

#45

I will retract my previous research.
I’m in the Impound right now, and a HOT loader did just do 60% damage to my health bar without touching my shield.
It was not his flame thrower attack, it was something else, I think his fireball. I tried to get him to repeat but he put me into FFYL so I hadda kill him…
–RoA

4 Likes
#46

Ice loaders charge up similar to Hot loaders.
The cannons on Badass loaders isn’t a critical hit spot.
Surveyers will patrol a set zone, making them avoidable and less aggressive.
RIOT (I hate these) charge straight ahead but don’t go through obstacles on hit. Finally a shrub provides real cover.
Constructors are the laziest loaders now, no more instant beam between your eyes.

4 Likes
#47

Yes they do, their Nades are the culprit, if you run a deathless it’s an instant FFYL if you don’t spot them early enough, no matter how high your shields it goes straight through

3 Likes