Time: 2025-10-17
The highly anticipated first major balance patch for Borderlands 4 has been officially delayed. Originally slated for October 16th, it is now expected to arrive in the early part of next week. While the delay is disappointing for some, developers confirm the update will pack significant changes, including crucial balance adjustments, performance and stability improvements, and even some new gameplay features.
While we wait for the official notes, the community has identified several overpowered (OP) builds and items that are almost certain to be addressed. Here’s a breakdown of what will likely be fixed or nerfed.
Expected Bug Fixes and Balancing Acts
1. The Bloodletter Infinite Bleed Loop
This Siren Vex skill causes critical hits to inflict a kinetic bleed damage-over-time effect. The problem? The bleed damage itself is counted as skill damage and can critically hit, re-triggering the passive and creating an infinite, exponentially scaling damage loop. Since the developers have explicitly stated they want to fix passive skill recursion, the Bloodletter is a prime candidate for a fix.
2. The Groundbreaker Melee Damage Spiral
As the final node in the Runner Specialization tree, Groundbreaker stores a portion of non-melee damage to empower the next melee attack. The issue is that this boosted melee damage is then counted as skill damage for the next cycle, allowing damage to stack exponentially with each hit until it reaches the cap. This is the core of all dominant melee builds and is likely to be tuned down.
3. The Kickballer & Energy Disc Chain Reaction
The Kickballer shotgun and the Maliwan shotgun's Energy Disc attachment fire projectiles that can ricochet. When combined with a Jakobs ricochet attachment, a critical hit creates a new projectile that can also crit and ricochet. This can trigger a screen-filling chain reaction of projectiles that instantly melts enemies and is considered one of the most game-breaking combinations currently.
4. The San Saba Songbird Infinite Damage Glitch
This legendary pistol's effect is supposed to grant a +100% damage bonus for 5 seconds after swapping guns. However, the buff currently lasts indefinitely and stacks infinitely. Players can quickly reach the damage cap by repeatedly swapping weapons, making this a clear bug that will be resolved.
Powerful (But Not Bugged) Items on the Nerf Radar
Some items are simply overpowered by design and might see their numbers tuned down.
Throwing Knife with Penetrator Augment: This modifier guarantees all attacks will be critical hits for 5 seconds after a hit. While not a bug, its sheer power in amplifying other builds makes it a potential target for a nerf.
Rafa's Metal Management Skill: This skill, which allows for 2 seconds of free ammo consumption after using an action skill, can be exploited with high-fire-rate weapons to trivialize boss fights.
Vex's Teen Witch Class Mod: This mod allows life steal to apply to shields. When combined with Amp Shields, it can create a state of infinite amp damage, as stolen shields outpace the amp cost.
Gearing Up for the New Meta
If your current build relies on any of these mechanics, enjoy it while it lasts! The upcoming patch will likely shake up the game's meta. Adapting to these changes often requires farming for new gear, which can be a time-consuming process. For players looking to quickly get back on top with the new best-in-slot items, you can securely purchase Borderlands 4 weapons, items, and boosting services at MMOMAX.
Conclusion
This balance patch aims to create a fairer and more diverse playing field by addressing exploits that have dominated the early meta. Stay tuned for the official patch notes next week and start planning your new builds!