Borderlands 2

[ex cathedra]

Congratulations--you've linked to a video that proves a sniper-focused Zer0 with around x4 critical damage can, in fact, one-shot robots using a type of damage they're particularly susceptible to. How about trying the same trick with a non-sniper focused character?

would you also be disappointed to learn that a smg-focused siren doesn't do a lot of melee damage?

of course he's sniper-focused. if you want to do something well you need to focus your character around it. that's basic game knowledge. of course he's using an elemental type to which they're weak. that's basic game knowledge.

don't complain that the game is poorly designed if you don't care enough to use the tools that the games provides you. it's not the game's fault that you don't want to select good skills, equip good weapons, aim well, use elemental weaknesses, or apply slag.

[Geno9999]

Okay, after trying out a variation of the Sniper/Cunning build, I have few notes:
Crippling Overspecialization: To use the full potential of Critical Ascensi0n, it requires Zer0 to juggle between different sniper rifles. However, using sniper rifles exclusively makes many enemies that are either fast and or have small critical areas (Psychos, Skags, Angry Goliaths, etc.) will be difficult to deal with. Hyperion Scopes (scopes with the octagonal eye piece,) while have amazing zoom, makes hitting close targets difficult if they are constantly moving in and out of view. Another downside is that Sniper rifles are not the best weapon to use for giving yourself second wind. Sniper Stockpile relic is recommended, and maximized Sniper Ammo capacity from the Black Market is a must. In UVHM, Maliwan is the king, so keep a Fire, Corrosive, and Shock Rifles handy. Slag is also a big plus.
Difficult But Awesome: Once Zer0 builds up stacks, he can wreck enemies. In the previously posted video, Fiber used a ridiculously underleveled Vladof Sniper to build up stacks on an isolated foe, before finishing off with an appropriate Maliwan Snider. I substituted with a White lvl 61 Dahl, which worked well for getting 5-10 stacks, but ironically also killed enemies too quickly. As previously stated, not all foes are lumbering as a Loader, or a Raid Boss, so learning how to fire from the hip with a sniper rifle is also recommended. Luckily, At 0ne with the Gun helps, with a maximized +125% hip shot accuracy. Also thanks to A0wtG and Fast Hands, you shouldn't be losing stacks from switching between rifles and reloading.

[Anteros]

The video shows that you can snipe effectively...as long as you're able to stack critical ascension 80 times, and you're up against one of the few enemies in the game who have giant crit spots, low health pools, and slow, predictable movement patterns. The fact is that the vast majority of the enemies in the game are not loaders who will stand perfectly still and let you crit them 80 times in a row without moving.

Maintaining critical ascension stacks against loaders is easy. I'd like to see you do it against stalkers, or even some of the more mobile humanoid enemies like rats.

[factotum]

would you also be disappointed to learn that a smg-focused siren doesn't do a lot of melee damage?

OK, I worded my complaint badly. I believe that a sniper rifle headshot *should* be able to take down a common or garden mook, even at higher difficulties. Sniper-focused character would be able to take down better enemies, that's all. This is how the first game worked, and it worked rather well, so why did they change it? After all, it's not like sniping is particularly useful after the first kill because everyone and their dog is then returning fire, making it somewhat tricky to line up for the second shot (especially in higher difficulties where the enemies will pretty much wipe you out in two hits).

As for the video, I echo Anteros' comment above, with the addition that the chap running the video specifically chose an area with a very high density of mooks and which has very few hiding places to do his demo. What if he was trying that in a place where he couldn't so easily make the kill every few seconds to maintain his super-high CA? For example, Lynchwood, where enemies have a habit of avoiding your fire and even hiding behind things, and where non-mook enemies like Bruisers are quite common?

[Psyren]

i didn't realize that sniping was ineffectual

It's very effective in the right circumstances. He has an off-element vladof sniper to rack up crits for Ascensi0n, he's in an area populated by a single enemy type so he can stack his gear towards their weakness, he's fighting slow-moving foes with large critical spots and predictable spawn locations... I could go on. I don't think sniping is ineffective, but that video is set in a very controlled environment.

[Demolator]

OK, I worded my complaint badly. I believe that a sniper rifle headshot *should* be able to take down a common or garden mook, even at higher difficulties. Sniper-focused character would be able to take down better enemies, that's all. This is how the first game worked, and it worked rather well, so why did they change it? After all, it's not like sniping is particularly useful after the first kill because everyone and their dog is then returning fire, making it somewhat tricky to line up for the second shot (especially in higher difficulties where the enemies will pretty much wipe you out in two hits).

Get yourself that nice pearlescent sniper and a Bee shield and you can one shot a good variety of mooks.

[factotum]

Which just comes back to the only way of doing well in B2 is to grind like crazy or cheat yourself weapons...

[Legoshrimp]

Which just comes back to the only way of doing well in B2 is to grind like crazy or cheat yourself weapons...

That seems fine for the hardest difficulty to need effort, and the end game of this sort of game is always grinding.

[Actana]

I grinded my level 61 commando full legendary weapons, and while it wasn't the most pleasant of experiences, it wasn't too unbearable. Mainly due to the legendaries I farmed for:

The Slagga I got through Tector Hodunk, who is right at the start of the spawnpoint, and really quick to kill.
The Hornet is likewise. I actually have two of them, as I was lucky to get a Twin Hornet from Knuckledragger really soon after the first 61 version of it (I currently have around 5 or 6 Hornets of various levels). It's a really good corrosive pistol that fires a 5-round burst with high damage.

And finally pretty much all the Torgue legendaries you can get. I did this through the Mr Torgue DLC, in Pyro Pete's bar. In normal or TVHM, the patrons of the bar cap at level 50, making grinding Torgue Tokens ridiculously quick, as you just grab the quest, kill the dudes and go back. Takes around 30 minutes for enough tokens to buy a legendary. I also boosted some of my friends to higher levels there, which allowed me to get even more of them. Thankfully, the Torgue Tokens are valid regardless of play mode, so I then just played the DLC on UVHM until I got to the first Torgue vending machine and bought the legendaries I wanted to. Level 61 Nukem, a Double Penetrating Unkempt Harold, and quite a few other goodies. It's easy, relatively quick, and you can get the legendary with the stats you want.

[Seatbelt]

Which just comes back to the only way of doing well in B2 is to grind like crazy or cheat yourself weapons...

On UVM it helps to have legendary weapons. But you don't need them, unless your build is especially item dependent, like the sniper one.

[Geno9999]

Alright, today I have found one of the new legendary class mods made available by Raid on Digistruct Peak. Unfortunately it's a lvl 65 Legendary Catalyst class mod. Unfortunately, my Gaige is nowhere near that high of level to actually make use of it. But rather than simply selling it off or storing in until my Gaige can use it, I'm willing to put it up for trade:
I'm looking for Legendary Killer or Hunter class mods for Zer0, preferably those at least lvl 61.
You can find me here.

[Sharoth]

I picked up Borderlands 2 last night and I am enjoying it. IMHO Borderlands 1 was more fun. But this is also enjoyable.

[NeoVid]

Borderlands 2 starts off pretty slow, but if you're liking it from the start, just wait until you've got enough skill points for the insanity to truly begin...

[Geno9999]

I picked up Borderlands 2 last night and I am enjoying it. IMHO Borderlands 1 was more fun. But this is also enjoyable.

Which Vault Hunter are you starting out with? Because the two DLC Vault Hunters (Gaige the Mechromancer, and Krieg the Psycho) have trees that revolve around mechanics that can be difficult to master.

[Triscuitable]

Which Vault Hunter are you starting out with? Because the two DLC Vault Hunters (Gaige the Mechromancer, and Krieg the Psycho) have trees that revolve around mechanics that can be difficult to master.

I'd recommend starting with Axton or Salvador, frankly. They're straightforward characters, but don't require any special builds to be effective. Give them the right specs, though, and they're a valuable ally.

Salvador is also completely overpowered.

[Sharoth]

I am playing Maya on my X-Box 360 with Vanilla Borderlands 2 and no DLCs (for now). The thing that is slightly annoying is the lack of side quests.

[Sharoth]

I'd recommend starting with Axton or Salvador, frankly. They're straightforward characters, but don't require any special builds to be effective. Give them the right specs, though, and they're a valuable ally.

Salvador is also completely overpowered.

I will have to try them out later. Maya is fun, but she takes some getting used to. Also, how do I get more Eridium? It has been slightly frustrating that some things that I could just buy are now reliant on the supply of Eridium.

[Artanis]

I will have to try them out later. Maya is fun, but she takes some getting used to. Also, how do I get more Eridium? It has been slightly frustrating that some things that I could just buy are now reliant on the supply of Eridium.

Just keep moving through the game, and soon enough you'll have more Eridium than you know what to do with.

Also, the Tiny Tina DLC has Eridium coming out its ears.

[NeoVid]

Side quests will show up more often in Sanctuary after major story chapters, there's enough of them that running the majority you're given will keep you overleveled for the entire game.

[Sharoth]

Just keep moving through the game, and soon enough you'll have more Eridium than you know what to do with.

Also, the Tiny Tina DLC has Eridium coming out its ears.

~sighs~ Well, Tiny Tina's DLC is only $5 right now... I may just pick it up tonight.

[Triscuitable]

Side quests will show up more often in Sanctuary after major story chapters, there's enough of them that running the majority you're given will keep you overleveled for the entire game.

Doing the DLC is more fun, though. If you level up and get stuck, go beat a DLC. They all scale to your level, and you've got four to pick from, so there's some variety here and there.

The latter three are best saved for after you complete the game, though.

[Sith_Happens]

Just keep moving through the game, and soon enough you'll have more Eridium than you know what to do with.

Also, the Tiny Tina DLC has Eridium coming out its ears.

Alternatively, blow half your cash on the slots at Moxxi's whenever you find yourself back in Sanctuary.

[Geno9999]

~sighs~ Well, Tiny Tina's DLC is only $5 right now... I may just pick it up tonight.

Tiny Tina's DLC is the best of the four, IMHO, followed by Torgue's DLC. I'm not sure, since you're playing on Xbox 360, but on PC you can get the Season Pass which gives you Tiny Tina, Torgue, Scarlett, and Hammerlock DLCs, along with a Ultimate Vault Hunter Pack, which gives you +11 to maximum levels and pearlescents.

[Sharoth]

Tiny Tina's DLC is the best of the four, IMHO, followed by Torgue's DLC. I'm not sure, since you're playing on Xbox 360, but on PC you can get the Season Pass which gives you Tiny Tina, Torgue, Scarlett, and Hammerlock DLCs, along with a Ultimate Vault Hunter Pack, which gives you +11 to maximum levels and pearlescents.

If I had the money, then I would pick up the Season pass. Sadly, I am a bit broke right now.

[Triscuitable]

If I had the money, then I would pick up the Season pass. Sadly, I am a bit broke right now.

It's what, $30? Just wait until XBL drops the price. It'll happen.

[factotum]

I am playing Maya on my X-Box 360 with Vanilla Borderlands 2 and no DLCs (for now). The thing that is slightly annoying is the lack of side quests.

Lack of side quests? For all my complaints about the game, that's certainly one issue I'd never level at it--there are sidequests out the wazoo all over the place. What you might be complaining about is that the game feels a bit restricted and linear, which it *does*, at least until you reach Sanctuary and get a few more choices about where to go.

TL;DR--don't worry, it opens out later on, just keep plugging at it!

[mangosta71]

Yeah, there are only a couple side quests in Liarsburg, and I'm not sure there are any between Flint and the first time you reach Sanctuary, but after that...

[Logic]

Salvador is also completely overpowered.

Care to elaborate? I find Salvador to be fun, and niche, but I haven't experienced overpowered shenanigans.

Another reason I ask for elaboration is a friend of mine claims Salvador is the weakest vault hunter, and I usually accept his opinions on game mechanics*.

*(This friend basically turned World of Warcraft and League of Legends into jobs. He was one of THOSE guys.)

[Triscuitable]

Care to elaborate? I find Salvador to be fun, and niche, but I haven't experienced overpowered shenanigans.

Another reason I ask for elaboration is a friend of mine claims Salvador is the weakest vault hunter, and I usually accept his opinions on game mechanics*.

*(This friend basically turned World of Warcraft and League of Legends into jobs. He was one of THOSE guys.)

• Ammo and health regen while gunzerking
• Can wield a DPUH and Rubi and effectively never die.

Really, the DPUH and Rubi/Grog Nozzle break the game.

[Logic]

• Ammo and health regen while gunzerking
• Can wield a DPUH and Rubi and effectively never die.

Really, the DPUH and Rubi/Grog Nozzle break the game.

Hmm. Good to know. (I had to Google search DPUH, luckily, Google knows exactly what I am looking for.)

EDIT: I take it you maximize this with a Sheriff's Badge and Divergent Likeness?