In Borderlands 4, there are actually many options for builds with the different classes and weapons. However, one item is so powerful that it overshadows everything else. But the developers are looking to adjust that.
What item is it? Borderlands 4 has introduced many new weapon and item types into the franchise. One special type is the throwing knives, which function as grenades from Jakobs. However, the augment Penetrator makes the throwing knives the most powerful item in the game.
If your knife has the augment and you hit an opponent, every damage dealt to the opponent for 5 seconds will be critical damage. That alone would be strong with weapons in combination, but abilities also work with it. A powerful Vex build, for example, relies on bleeding and that very knife.
The knife currently dominates all builds in the game, but that is likely to change soon. The Creative Director of the development studio promises adjustments.
The first DLC class has already been revealed:
There should be more options
What do the developers promise? During a discussion on x.com about the throwing knife, the Associate Creative Director of Gearbox Software chimed in and explained that they would be adjusting the knife. He says: The potential output of the critical knife reduces the diversity of play styles. The weapon builds that use the Crit knife have other options and will soon have more options.
The Creative Director of Borderlands also speaks up on x.com and explains: Our goal is always to increase the number of builds, so every adjustment we make serves this goal.
The knife builds seem to be in the majority, which Gearbox has likely noticed as well. In the tweet, he does not specify how to adjust
the knife exactly. It could be a nerf to the stats, or a larger change to the augment Penetrator
itself.
How does the community react to the upcoming adjustment? Although nerfs in non-competitive games are often viewed negatively, the community under the tweets is quite positive.
The content creator Ki11erSix says (x.com) that he loves the knife, but finds fantastic
the idea of having more options. HellenTK praises the communication (x.com): Thank you for the clarity! I am looking forward to what is coming my way.
User @Mertin8974 (x.com) expresses some caution: Please just try not to ruin the fun of the game with patches. Personally, I enjoy being overpowered in a game sometimes.
He appeals to Gearbox to trust the community.
Would there be more builds without the knife? It must be noted that there are some builds in the game, even within the different classes, but knife crit builds are usually simply the most efficient. However, playing through the game and even the harder difficulties can also be done with other builds.
In order to prevent the community from reacting negatively to a possible knife nerf, other builds should be buffed to give something back. Gearbox seems to be aware of this, as their responses indicate. What awaits you in the game soon can be seen here: Borderlands 4 shows new roadmap, reveals when you can expect the DLCs
