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Does gear score matter in Borderlands 3?

Published in Borderlands 3 Gear 4 mins read

No, gear score in Borderlands 3 is largely misleading and does not accurately reflect an item's true power or usefulness. While it provides a numerical value, items with a higher score are often less useful than items with a lower score, especially as you progress into the endgame.

The Misleading Nature of Gear Score

In Borderlands 3, every piece of equipment, from weapons to shields and grenades, is assigned a gear score. This numerical value is often the first thing players see, leading to the assumption that a higher number automatically means a better item. However, this is a significant misconception. The gear score is a rudimentary calculation that prioritizes raw damage and basic stats, failing to account for the crucial factors that truly determine an item's effectiveness in combat.

It’s common to find a weapon with a significantly lower gear score that outperforms a seemingly "better" item with a higher score. This is because the score ignores the complex interactions of anointments, weapon parts, elemental synergies, and how an item fits into your character's specific build.

What Truly Determines Item Power

Instead of relying on gear score, veteran Vault Hunters understand that several intricate factors contribute to an item's real power and utility:

Anointments

Anointments are special bonus effects found on endgame gear that provide powerful, situational buffs. These can range from increased damage after using an action skill to bonus elemental damage against specific enemy types. An ideal anointment on a mediocre weapon can make it exponentially more powerful than a high-score weapon without one.

  • Example: A legendary weapon with a lower gear score but an anointment that grants 100% bonus damage after exiting Iron Bear (Moze's action skill) will shred enemies far more effectively than a higher-score weapon without an anointment.
  • Learn more about Anointments on the Borderlands Wiki

Weapon Parts and Prefixes

Every weapon in Borderlands 3 is assembled from various parts (barrel, grip, stock, sight, etc.) that subtly influence its stats like accuracy, handling, reload speed, and fire rate. These parts, along with the weapon's manufacturer, determine its unique prefixes and overall feel, which are not adequately reflected in the gear score.

  • Manufacturer Traits: Each of the nine weapon manufacturers (e.g., Maliwan, Tediore, Jakobs) has distinct characteristics and firing modes that significantly impact gameplay.
    • Maliwan: Elemental charge-up shots.
    • Tediore: Reload to throw the weapon like a grenade.
    • Jakobs: Critical hits ricochet bullets to nearby enemies.
  • Explore Borderlands 3 Manufacturers

Elemental Damage and Status Effects

Matching the correct elemental damage type (Incendiary, Corrosive, Shock, Cryo, Radiation) to enemy weaknesses is critical for maximizing damage. A weapon with a lower gear score but the appropriate elemental type for a specific encounter will often outperform a higher-score non-elemental weapon.

Synergy with Your Build

The most powerful items are those that complement your chosen Vault Hunter's skills, class mod, and artifact. A legendary weapon might be considered "weak" by general standards, but when paired with specific skill trees and gear pieces, it can become incredibly potent. Gear score simply cannot account for these complex build synergies.

  • Consider: Does the weapon benefit from your character's passive skills? Does it trigger your class mod's effects?

Practical Advice for Vault Hunters

To truly optimize your loadout in Borderlands 3, shift your focus away from gear score and towards these crucial elements:

  1. Prioritize Anointments: For endgame content, anointments are paramount. Always check a legendary or unique item for an appropriate anointment that synergizes with your build.
  2. Test Weapons: Don't just look at numbers. Equip a new weapon and try it out in combat. How does it feel? Does it hit hard? Does it fit your playstyle?
  3. Understand Weapon Parts: While you don't need to memorize every part, recognizing which manufacturers and general prefixes (e.g., "Critical" for Jakobs) enhance desirable stats is beneficial.
  4. Match Elements: Always have a variety of elemental weapons ready to swap based on the enemy type you're facing.
  5. Build Cohesion: Think about how each piece of gear contributes to your overall build strategy. Every item should have a purpose.
Factor Gear Score Perspective Real Effectiveness Perspective
Primary Focus Numerical Value Anointments, Synergy, Parts
Decision-Making Higher Score = Better Trial and Error, Build Matching
Endgame Relevance Minimal Critical

In essence, gear score is a rudimentary indicator for early-game progression but quickly becomes irrelevant as you approach the endgame and start optimizing your character builds. Focus on the hidden stats, unique effects, and anointments to truly unlock your Vault Hunter's potential.