how to choose best weapons

[Plato]

I've looked at guides and so on but I'm still not clear on how to choose effectively the best weapon for me.

I don't mean DPS, because that hasn't been terribly helpful for figuring out what works even if it is a rough guide.

But how important is a weapon's level, really? I am lvl 33 and a lvl 18 legendary shotgun is more effective for me than any of the lvl 33 green ones that I have.

What does the x after damage mean in the stats (e.g. 537x6)?? If it is a multiplier why the hell dont they give you the multiplied value?

What about when a guns damage is 87 and then underneath all the stats it says something like +3000% damage???

Is 6% elemental damage good?

How good a gun is doesn't really correspond to their price, is that really the case - never to value a gun by its price?

What does the red writing under a gun signify?

[Nakos]

The "x" tells you the pellet count.

So .. a Ravager Shotgun (which has 4 barrels) will have a high pellet count (and a low accuracy). The pellet count will be upwards of 16 probably. A Bangstick Shotgun on the other hand (with one barrel) will have a pellet count of 5 or 6.

Weapons have a base manufactorer, but they are also collections of parts. Which parts a gun has impact how it performs.

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=214863853

The red text indicates a Unique weapon. In most cases, this means it may have hidden effects not listed on the card. Always try out weapons with red text. Sometimes they're a LOT more impressive than they seem. (Key examples here are the Sandhawk and the Pimpernel).

The best way to check out whether weapon A is better than weapon B is to try them both out. A convienient place to do that is the Firing Range in the basement of Marcus' shop. Be sure to check both the body shot and the head (crit) shot.

Elemental damage has two numbers, the CHANCE of a status effect, and then the damage per second while effected. Some classes (notably the Siren and the Mecromancer) have increased chances TO deal elemental damage, and DEAL increased elemental damage.

Price has SOME coralation to how good a weapon is .. but... not always.

Each manufactorer has things they do well, and things they do poorly. Players tend to learn these, and grow fond of particular characteristics.

http://borderlands.wikia.com/wiki/Borderlands_2_Weapons

Level tends to be important. Though a really good weapon will last more levels than a shoddier one.

[ZomBeGone]

You ask a lot of hard questions.

the 537 x 6 on a shot gun means 6 pellets each having 537 damage... assuming they all hit.

The accuracy is how wide the stread is generally.

Level is a HUGE importance. in normal a gum might be good 5+ levels, in TVHM, maybe 3-4, in UVHM, its closer to 2 levels. Your milage may vary.

The red text usually gives a hint of some special power, HOWEVER, its always best to google the weapon and find the true meaning for THAT gun. Some red text lies. Often then is an unspoken ability that you might not be aware of.

elemental damage is extra "damage over time" that has some odds of occuring, at a level, for example if might have 12% chances per shot, of causing 500 corrosive damage per sec, for a few seconds, in addition to the bullet impact damage.

Price means nothing.

Generally the weapon color gives a approximent idea of the power, white, green blue purple, and gold, HOWEVER many guns, expecially gold legendaries have a flaw to them, that makes the fantastic is special cases, for soso in others. some legendaries are crap. some blues and purples are much better than legendaries.

Then there is a complication when using a bee, and weapons that have "hidden pellets", that boost certain weapons, unkept hearld, conference call, sand hawk, pimpernel, and a handful of others. google them to learn more on how it works.

Its really a matter of playing the game, and experimenting, and reading the wiki, and finding what is best for YOU, and your style of play.

If someone says "you must have a blah-blah-blah gun", they are wrong. It is what is best for YOU, and the way YOU choose to play.

[Nakos]

Originally posted by Eleven:

If someone says "you must have a blah-blah-blah gun", they are wrong. It is what is best for YOU, and the way YOU choose to play.

Yeah, that.

Lots of people insist on having certain legendaries (or other uniques) and seem to feel the game is unplayable without them.

Try anything that looks cool, get a feel for everything, and don't be afraid to use even white weapons if one happens to be an upgrade.

[Sirius]

Yeah, screw those guys.

What's the fun of playing a game when they turn it into an exact science.

Then again, some people seem to get off on crunching numbers, but meh.

Find out what works for you and enjoy yourself.

[Plato]

Thanks guys. I am much clearer now - didn't know about that range either, so that has made easier the task of testing them.

But just the question on the +3000% damage, as an example (its also where +50% melee damage would be - and the meaning of that is perfectly clear), that would be underneath the red writing still has me wondering - anyone able to tell me what that relates to?

[Shadow♥]

definitely try everything out.....as everyone else has stated some of the blues,purples, and even the pink guns( kind of a hot pink color) are better than the legendaries.....i use whatever guns i like..not what someone says a certain character should have.

[Lahel]

Before UVHM, just user whatever weapons seem useful and effective.

Originally posted by Plato:

But how important is a weapon's level, really? I am lvl 33 and a lvl 18 legendary shotgun is more effective for me than any of the lvl 33 green ones that I have.

Quite important. 15 levels below is quite a difference, but some weapons can still perform well then. I used an unkempt harold from level 32 to level 48 and murdered everything instantly until level ~45.

Originally posted by Plato:

What does the x after damage mean in the stats (e.g. 537x6)?? If it is a multiplier why the hell dont they give you the multiplied value?

The number of pellets per shot.

Originally posted by Plato:

What about when a guns damage is 87 and then underneath all the stats it says something like +3000% damage???

Ignore it- that's the fibber and everything on it is ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥. It is a pretty good weapon though, given what others post about their experience with it indicates.

Originally posted by Plato:

How good a gun is doesn't really correspond to their price, is that really the case - never to value a gun by its price?

Ignore the price.

Originally posted by Plato:

What does the red writing under a gun signify?

Unique weapon. It gives the weapon a special effect. Generally weapons with red text are better than weapons without.

[Traj]

Top Gear Threads on Gearbox Forum can help you

[Plato]

I am beginning to feel like a vault hunter rather than a vegetarian vulture unsure what it is scavenging.

Thank you.

[bigsmelly]

Though you'll be hugging the grog nozzle in op8

[ZomBeGone]

Originally posted by |x|SiriuS|x|:

Yeah, screw those guys.

What's the fun of playing a game when they turn it into an exact science.

Then again, some people seem to get off on crunching numbers, but meh.

Find out what works for you and enjoy yourself.

But.... but... but...... yeah, what ever works :D

[ZomBeGone]

Originally posted by .daveed:

Though you'll be hugging the grog nozzle in op8

unless you choose not to :D

[Traj]

Grog is making players weak.