Your character selection in Borderland 2 shapes the arsenal of skills and abilities at your disposal, shaping your adventure whether you're tackling challenges solo or teaming up with friends. Each character boasts unique traits and capabilities, offering distinct advantages that vary based on your preferred style of play. Some characters shine brightest in cooperative play, while others thrive in solo excursions.
1. Axton
Axton, the Commando, embodies the classic soldier archetype, equipped with a trusty Sabre Turret to rain destruction upon his foes. Versatile, often played as a support or general damage dealer. His straightforward combat style makes him ideal for solo play, especially for fans of traditional first-person shooters. With skills like Double Up and Gemini, Axton excels at crowd control and provides valuable support to teammates.
Pros:
- Reliable solo play with the Sabre Turret for extra firepower.
- Explosive damage capabilities, rivaling Salvador in raid boss takedowns.
- Excellent shield management and straightforward abilities.
- Strong team support with shield boosts and reduced recharge delay.
Cons:
- Simple playstyle.
- Damage output can lag behind other characters and lacks build diversity, potentially becoming monotonous.
2. Maya
Maya, the Siren, harnesses the power of elemental damage and crowd control, making her a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Primarily a crowd control/support character, but can be built for aggressive playstyles. Her Phaselock ability suspends enemies in mid-air, allowing for precise attacks and team support. Maya's versatility and high damage output make her an excellent choice for solo play and cooperative missions.
Pros:
- Boasts unmatched healing abilities with Sweet Release, Elated, and Life Tap, making her nearly invincible.
- Exceptional single-target damage and crowd control with Phaselock.
- Lifesaving team support with instant revives and health regeneration.
- Deadly elemental damage capabilities for melting enemies.
Cons:
- Highly dependent on Phaselock, which can be challenging during boss fights.
- Relies on Beehawking for raid damage and lacks significant damage-boosting skills.
3. Gaige
Gaige, the Mechromancer, introduces a refreshing playstyle with her robotic companion, Deathtrap, by her side. Typically used as a nuker, providing support or cleanup with homing ricochet bullets. Excelling in solo play, Gaige's elemental abilities and Deathtrap's autonomous attacks synergize seamlessly to dominate the battlefield. With skills like "Sharing is Caring" and "Make It Sparkle," Gaige offers unparalleled versatility and efficiency.
Pros:
- Strong solo play capabilities with Deathtrap as a reliable ally.
- Anarchy skill offers potent damage boosts, along with top-tier shield abilities.
- Excellent team support with shield sharing and health boosts.
Cons:
- Limited synergy with other characters in cooperative play.
- Can be monotonous with Anarchy reliance.
- Faces issues with Deathtrap's reliability in combat.
4. Salvador
Salvador, the Gunzerker, epitomizes raw firepower and aggression, boasting the ability to dual-wield weapons and unleash devastating carnage. While Salvador excels in mowing down hordes of enemies, his lack of defensive capabilities and solo play challenges make him better suited for experienced players and cooperative gameplay.
Pros:
- Unmatched offensive capabilities with dual-wielding and damage boosts.
- Constant health and ammo regeneration for sustained combat.
- Effective team support with bullet regeneration and Action Skill cooldown reduction.
Cons:
- Vulnerable to high-damage attacks due to limited defensive options.
- Steeper learning curve and reliance on specific gear for optimal performance.
5. Zer0
Zer0, the Assassin, brings a tactical approach to combat, specializing in long-range sniping and stealthy assassinations. Main damage dealer or support with damage and Kunai. With his Decepti0n ability and lethal melee attacks, Zer0 excels in precision strikes and high-risk, high-reward gameplay. However, his reliance on teamwork and skillful execution may pose challenges for solo players.
Pros:
- Exceptionally powerful damage output, ranking only behind Salvador.
- Near-invulnerable in melee combat and requires minimal gear investment.
- Tactical advantages with Decepti0n for repositioning and ambushing enemies.
- Strong team support with damage boosts and health regeneration.
Cons:
- Has the highest skill ceiling and demands precise aiming.
- Struggles with survivability outside of melee playstyles.
6. Krieg
Krieg, the Psycho, embraces chaos and carnage with his berserker rage and relentless melee assaults. Primarily a main damage dealer, with potential for high survival and damage output. While Krieg thrives in close-quarters combat and excels as a team player, his lack of ranged options and survivability issues in solo play make him a challenging character to master.
Pros:
- Devastating melee damage and health regeneration during Rampage.
- Light gear requirements and powerful skill tree abilities like Release the Beast and Bloodsplosion.
- High risk, high reward gameplay for adrenaline-fueled action.
Cons:
- Unique playstyle may take time to adjust.
- Limited effectiveness in solo play due to melee-focused playstyle.
- Vulnerable to ranged attacks and crowd control without proper support.