In Borderlands 4 there are currently countless builds with a specific component that makes them absurdly powerful: a throwing knife. The developers are aware of this and want to nerf your gadget as well, but first they have other plans.
What is so broken about the throwing knives? Since the release of Borderlands 4, there has been a new weapon type in the shooter: throwing knives. At first, this new gadget type seems rather boring and weak, but if you get the right roll from Jakobs, you can annihilate any boss in just a few seconds with the right builds – this is impressively shown, especially by a build from Vex.
One might think this would not matter in a PvE game, but the developers of Borderlands 4 believe that this is not how it should be. They plan to nerf exactly these knife builds, but before that happens, you can still take a breath.
We also discussed the infamous throwing knife in our video:
Weak should become stronger first
What do the developers have in mind? The Creative Director of Borderlands 4, Graeme Timmins, has published a statement on X regarding the current situation of the shooter. In it, the developer talks about the current knife meta – they are aware of it, but they do not want to respond with a nerf just yet.
The current plan aims first to strengthen builds, skills, and also gear to provide fans with more alternatives. For vault hunters, this is a positive sign, as nerfs are often rolled out first before buffs are implemented in gaming – Helldivers 2 (at release) and Destiny 2 (still current) are good examples of this.
What do fans think of the plan? They celebrate how Borderlands 4 is addressing the build issue and hope that the developers continue in this way – they also mention aspects like weapons that still need improvement. Here’s what can be heard on X:
- “That’s the right decision! Thank you for focusing on the buffs first!” – @NateGatsby
- “With all due respect, the weapons of ‘The Order’ and ‘Ripper’ need some fundamental changes. They are not usable in their current state. No real reward for charging [the fire mode].” – @RabidPickle
- “As someone who comes from Destiny 2, I just want to say a heartfelt THANK YOU. I love BL4 and haven’t had a chance to really enjoy the knife, and D2 -> I’m used to everything fun being nerfed into the ground before I can even play with it.” – @pitofsuccess
- “This is a super good approach. People can really have fun in PvE, and when other things are too strong, they can be toned down to fit the game. I can really get behind that.” – @sturdybones
Is there a date for a new patch? Not yet. The team is currently working hard on additional features and improvements for Borderlands 4, including an FOV slider for consoles. Recently, a patch was released that improved stability and gameplay. More patches are to follow, but when exactly that will happen is still unknown.
We will keep you updated and report on the latest patches of the loot shooter. Until then, feel free to browse through our guides and see how you can become even more powerful. Here is the overview: Borderlands 4: All guides, tips, and lists in overview
