So, with my review out of the way, I’ve been playing Borderlands 2 purely for fun. And I freely admit, it’s a hard game. There are moments, especially since I’m going solo on the game as a Commando, that are damn hard. I’m dying a lot, I’m not afraid to admit. It’s got a tough difficulty curve, which is what happens when you mock a developer for making a game that was “too easy”.
That said, I have to admit I’m baffled by what I’m seeing on forums and even professional reviews about how impossible and insanely difficult this game is. The Badass system is too hard to rank up in! The bosses are impossible! There’s not enough ammo! You have to earn ammo upgrades with Eridium which is a rare drop!
Maybe it’s just a cultural thing, but come on. It’s not that hard. So for all of those complaining: Here’s what you’re doing wrong.
Not Completing Sidequests
Sidequests are generally where the glory, level grinding, and loot really are. For example, on one sidequest, I collected eight chunks of Eridium just from random drops from low level goons. Similarly, sidequests tend to reward you with rare guns. One of the more infamous sidequests making the rounds ended with me securing a shotgun with an instant reload time and a high elemental effect.
If nothing else, sidequests push your overall level up, which means you’ve got more health, more damage, and that loot drops will yield better weaponry, not to mention an easier time of it in the story quests.
Not Using A Variety Of Guns
Look, we all have favorite weapons and strategies. For example, I’m a backshooting dirtbag, so I’ve got a sniper rifle that I love and use on a regular basis. But eventually, yes, I am going to run out of ammo, which is why I’ve also got a scoped assault rifle that basically fires grenades, a scoped SMG that’s steady as a rock, and a scoped pistol with high critical damage. You might be noticing a theme, here.
Aside from rocket launchers, which were useless in the first game and somehow even moreso in the sequel, all of the guns have different uses, and you’re going to have to change it up at points. I’m aware this is a switch from Shoot Terrorists And Make Them Fall Down, but strategy does have a place in gaming.
Not Understanding The Weapons You Have
I recently had to finish a quest that was an enormous pain in the ass because I was stuck with an assault rifle that chewed through ammo like it was candy. As soon as I could ditch it, I did. It had a healing effect, but the ammo loss just was not remotely worth it.
You need to understand the guns you have: Their benefits, their drawbacks, and especially how they suit your play style. For example, I’ve got a gun called the Ornery Judge: It’s a pistol that I should have ditched by now, except it’s got a good scope and a 63% Critical Hit bonus. I can drop enemies twice my size with a few shots to the face. That’s a keeper, at least for a while.
Not Understanding The Badass System
Yes, I understand that right now, you think a 1% boost in gun damage is effectively worthless. But it’s to your overall damage.
That’s really the thing. As you progress in the game, the overall effect of the Badass system becomes much more vividly clear… not to mention awesome.
Not Using Class Mods, Eridian Relics, And Shields
Class mods make a difference, not least because their bonuses stack. Currently, I have a “Pointman” class mod for my Commando that regenerates health at a decent rate, which stacks with a skill I have that recovers health when my shield is full. Similarly, Eridian Relics are basically class mods without the class requirement.
Finally, shields are pretty important. Don’t just look at numbers: Look at the damage they inflict or their other capabilities. It makes a difference.
Not Moving Cautiously
Here’s another useful strategy. Get a scoped weapon, pull it out, and scout the goddamn terrain. While enemies may not appear on your mini-map right away, the game generally has them patrolling the turf, so you can line up a nice critical hit and pick off the strongest guy in the area before the others go after you.
If I sound a little sarcastic, it’s simply because while I understand difficulty is subjective, and the game is giving even hardcore shooter fans a challenge, they’re not the ones complaining about the difficulty.
The reality is that the game isn’t that hard, in absolute terms. Death is a slap on the wrist, ammo is everywhere, and if you move through with reasonable strategy, you can generally handle what it throws at you. It’s just a little troubling that people are complaining so much about a game requiring you to, you know, think.
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All the things that you point out in this post are the things that an average gamer should know. I don’t know I was using Salvador at first with not much success and then I switch to Zero and pretty much everything is “heatshot headshot, critical, I win” so yeah I don’t know why so many people complain about the difficulty.
Oh and by the way using the slot machines to get awesome loot and Eridium is a very very good idea.
It is, but I hate gambling mechanics in video games, I like to earn my loot. Maybe if I want Moxxi’s, er, fun guns later on.
True, but it really isn’t much to do with the money you make in the game so.
I haven’t even finished my first playthrough yet and my badass rank is close to 3000. Wait til these whiners get a load of the Vault Hunter difficulty. Shooty McFace is the most hilarious achievement I’ve gotten in a while. I love this game, Gearbox has been pretty damn successful in dialing everything up to eleven in this sequel. Also if you’re short in eridium get some friends with cash to jump in your game and have them play the slots. You’ll rack up eridium in no time.
I don’t even need to do THAT. It’s a story quest reward, and on the longer sidequests, I always come across at least two or three pieces. It’s not that rare of a drop!
Wasn’t it a hot topic, I don’t know, maybe a year ago about how easy games are today versus way back when? And now people are complaining that a game is too challenging, I give up.
But honestly, I am enjoying the challenge. Death/rezzing isn’t too punishing on your bank account, and it forces you to actually strategize/adapt rather than halo jump/no scope through the game
Me too, actually. The first game was good in that respect, but the second game really demands you rethink your strategy as you advance. It’s great.
I won’t be playing this for a few weeks yet, but I’m kind of glad it offers a challenge. I am a sidequesting, scavenging and cautious player though, so I really don’t see it being that difficult from the footage I’ve looked at.
This time around, the enemies stick closer to you in scaling, and the AI is pretty solid, so even a small group of enemies can be a sticking point.
Eridium is definitely the easiest thing to get so far for me. It’s got a pretty good chance to spawn inside ammo/money boxes, so always open up all the containers.
And what makes you say rocket launchers aren’t good this time around? Last game they stank because they didn’t do any damage. I’m level 33 and have a rocket launcher that does 20,000+ damage. It’s amazing for taking out bosses and for getting a second wind.
I for one love the difficulty increase. Like you said, it forces you to be more tactical, eliminating enemies from a distance and surveying the area, instead of just running around holding the trigger like in the last one. Also playing solo Commando. I just drop my nuke turret and reclaim it right away all the time. #Winning
I hate the reload time, the accuracy is terrible, and it seems like half the time it’s worthless at anything resembling long range. For bosses, you have to pound them and KEEP pounding them: It’s all about the DPS, and rocket launchers don’t help with that. The only reason I have one is, like you said, to get a Second Wind. I’d rather have scoped Torgue weapons.
I agree, I had a scoped Torgue rifle, and the explosive gyrojets on that were just as powerful as the launcher. The only reason the launcher I have is so effective is because it deals so much damage so I can quickly kill groups of enemies as well as bosses in one or two hits. This obviously isn’t going to happen much in Playthrough 2.
The key really is just using whatever the best guns you have at the moment are.
I’m so glad there isn’t a “Combustion Hellfire” in this one that you use for the whole game because it’s just so much more powerful. None of my gun slots are safe. Whenever I see a blue or higher, it gets compared and possibly swapped out.
Oh and Slagging every single enemy ever helps a ton. It’s hard to do when you’re solo because you have to swap weapons so much, but the extra damage output is so amazing, since the biggest difference about playthrough 2 is how much health the baddies have.
Slag FTDubs. My commando is gonna get that first skill tree maxed so I get the dual turrets with Slag.
Then I dont have to worry about switching over from a slag weapon to something else. First level cap is 50 and you can max ONE tree out. I cant even imagine being able to drop two of these 2-headed monster turrets with bubble shields. BWAHAHAHAAH… Work needs to be over already dammit!
Totally agree with this article.
They really shouldn’t call them ‘side quests’ in my opinion, as you pretty much NEED to do them in order to not get murdered repeatedly. I remember the quest where you had to set three varkids on fire. Every one I shot would put itself out before I got to three. THEN they would change into Badass Adult Varkids and kill me. I went back and did a few side quests, leveled up a bit, got some different weapons and amazingly it wasn’t so bad when I went back.
The only reason I die is due to slow reload when trying to get my second wind. Unless my turret is out.
You should also make sure that you have other capable weapons in a long quest. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to run back across what feels like miles to restock ammo from the lone Ammo supply machine anywhere near me. You can run out of SMG ammo VERY FAST when your two best guns are both SMGs. Did ya get the Bane? Gotta get you some of that Bane.
Also, dying sucks because you get that 10% hit. I got cornered by two baddies right at my respawn point – and when you respawn they have full health, regardless of how low you might have worked them down to. I died 9 times almost immediately. The worst is when you get your second chance a millisecond after you’ve just killed the only baddie even close to you. Still, love this fucking game.
I traded that accursed thing in because I couldn’t deal with the mobility penalty. I might give it a second look later though. I wish the Borderlands 2 wiki would hurry up and finish that list of Red Text though, because I am DYING to know what some of these crazy bonuses are. Like my shotgun that says “I don’t want to set the world on fire…” Love this game.
I couldn’t take the Bane, honestly. Although the subtitles are a riot.
I did the Hyperion contract mission and got the custom sniper rifle that talks shit about your playing when you reload or miss. It’s hilarious, and the red text reads “A rose by any other name…”
Priceless.
I think another good tip is when you are low level, put skill points in something defensive like health regeneration, more shields, damage reduction, or max health. In the beginning, when you are low level and squishy can be very frustrating. Surviving the battle and going into the next fight topped off is more important than killing everything quickly so take skills that help you survive. Once you get a mod or a buddy with team health regen, spec into some dps or ability talents.
I have all four characters created but they are all under 20. My zerker has speced into health regen and longer zerk time, my siren heals when killing enemies in phaselock, zero has more health and regains shields on kills. I think my commando has health regen with full shields but he also has that awesome turret to hold aggro when you are getting shot.
And dont forget to loot everything!
My only real beef with this one is that I can’t find many good shotguns. Most of the one I find cost two or three ammo per shot, but have low clip capacities. I’m playing as a solo assassin and need that “one shot crowd control” weapon more times than I care to admit.
I absolutely love the badass system. I’m level 24 and already over 3000 badass ranks.
I dunno, people. I’ve completed every side quest I could find with only about a half-dozen still not done, badass rank of over 4000, have a pretty good set of guns, and playing as a Gunzerker. I was doing fine until the mission to assault Jack’s compound, when all of a sudden my guns started shooting bubblegum and my shields turned to taffeta. What the hell??!!? My 450-damage assault rifle with explosive damage now takes upwards of 60 rounds to kill a Bruiser?? My 800-round inventory will now only kill about a dozen badguys? Alluvadamnsudden? My 180-round shotgun inventory runs out like water. My $65,000 stash is now under $10,000 and it’s all gone to New-U recreations. Sorry, but that’s chickenshit. I grind to stay above the curve, and I have been, until the last two or three missions. I like a challenge, but I play to have fun. This game has become damn near fun-free. I have a sniper that hits for almost a thousand, but only about a half-dozen idiots are out wandering around where you can snipe them, unless you want to just sit and watch the grass grow. I’m losing my interest in finishing this game…
Borderlands 2 is crazy difficult and not in a fun way. I’ve spent two days now on trying to save Roland. Went back to get some more ammo from the machine and everything I’ve already killed regenerated making me waste the ammo all over again not to mention dying a dozen more times meaning losing money. Finally at the point in the prison trying to deplete the thing’s shield while getting slammed by a swarm of enemies, died died died died died died died for over two hours until I had to turn the game off before I threw my controller across the room. I’ve been playing first person shooters for two decades, ever since the original DOOM, and I have to say some of the areas in Borderlands 2 are simply so overwhelming that no amount of strategy really helps. I’ve been blasting away at that shield with two guns that are suppose to do well against shields but end up getting killed by the swarm of enemies attacking me both from the ground and the sky before I can accomplish it. I’m sure if and when I ever do get through this endless mission that it will be a matter of luck and not skill. I’ll just manage to get a few additional shots in before something kills me is all. Very frustrating.
I haven’t had any trouble until now. I’m late to the party on the game as I had a stack to get through. I have to say that I was surprised by the degree of difficulty solo. Sure, co-op is great, but sometimes a bish just can’t be bothered. I am in Friendship Gulag battling W4R-D3N and his endless kickline of “Get away from her, you bitch!” loaders. This is a tough fight for level 12 imo. I’m upgrading my Badass-o-meter, I am using a variety of guns (the array of which, thus far, has been less than impressive – where da caustics at?), I always get the 411 on my territory with scoped weapons. Movement in this game is slow for the hunter, but not so for enemies. Barriers provide a challenge, but every area seems like a freeway construction zone. Visually, the game is better than the first, but certain things are not immediately recognizable in the heat of a battle – ammo/supply crates (some of them) tend to blend into the surroundings. Every time you die – a lot for all of us it sounds like – then you have to get through extra waves to get back to where you died (at least at Friendship). I am the first to admit I am no one’s hardcore gamer, but am no slouch when it comes to shooters and I really don’t think it is a question of “manning up” (WTF-ever, BTW). The game is $60. Challenging is good, but there is a fine line between challenging and annoyingly difficult. I realize the game was built for co-op and, like I said, fine, no issue with that. However, you should not have to play co-op to play the game. It would have made sense to scale the difficulty based on the number of players. And you guys can spit Mt Dew and Cheeto dust at me all you want, but I do this to have fun rather than prove anything to anyone. A game with one dude playing shouldn’t drop 40 enemies on him at once and only give him a turret tablet to toss on the ground every 5 minutes.
i found it really easy the ultimate vault hunter mode was the challenge i bein lookn for an the eridium is not the hard to get itsw everywhere and the badass rank is easy the chaleges to rank up is raelly easy i dont get wut is so impossible and ammo is also evrywhere in the game
Though I agree with much of this in theory, I find these tips haven’t really worked for me.
For instance I’m Playing a solo Zer0 character and I’m up to the freedom gulag mission…I’ve done every side mission available…but all I find / get are really crappy weapons.
The only weapons I have which seem to have any effect with the robots in this place are the Eridian pistol I got from killing Dr Mercy, and a small SMG with electric elemental damage. (but not high damage and chews through ammo)
Bosses to date had little loot to offer, and all the machines have plain-jane vanilla weapons with small magazine sizes and week long reload speeds.
I have had my ass handed to me at least 40 times in this mission….no matter what I have tried…..the closest I got to getting through was having a hair of life left on the last enemy that I was shooting while fighting for my life.
I enjoy a challenge but with every boss I encounter, I’ve been killed 10-20 times at least because they’re impossibly hard to kill. (and I’m one who found the first game quite easy.)
Add to that having to wait for the stupid respawn animation each time and I’m losing interest really fast.
Like I said, I like a challenge – but when you constantly feel like you’re under-armed because your weapons are next to useless (and they’re all cheesy – yawn – certainly not as cool as in the first game)…that you never have enough ammo (I’ve run out of all ammo for all weapons twice in this section alone) or that you’re constantly being tripped up on things stopping you from being able to duck and move, I lose interest pretty fast.
I gave the first game 9/10 – loved it, loved playing all the characters…I’ve tried to like Borderlands 2, and admittedly there are some cool elements to it – but it’s gone from being about great loot to being more about “it’s cool to have to respawn constantly” which is kinda boring – I have no desire to keep redoing the same thing over and over….no desire to beat this game….back to the store for this one 3/10