Playthrough guide

[Rookie]

Im still confused on the level ranges to start the playthroughs, dlc and what order to do the dlcs and when to do the side quests. I've checked multiple sites on google but they are all inconsistent .

Any hardorce Borderlands 1 veterens to recommend me the right order and level ranges?

[Draekus]

typically the DLC's should wait until you've finished at least playthrough 1. the DLC's usually have a minimum level.

[aPieceOfCake]

idk abt the level range to start but order is play1 then zombie then knoxx then claptrap then repeat. play 2 and 3 dlc again and finally play 2.5
underdome can be done anytime from lvl 11 to lvl 69, preferable not solo. And can be done twice, once for play 1 and 2nd time for play 2 (2 ofcourse is open only after you unlock play2).

[CampyMcLurkstein]

Apparently, officially - You should beat the main game, and skip the DLC on playthrough 1. Beat the main game again in playthrough 2. Then do Zombie Island, Knoxx, then Claptrap in that order on playthrough 2. Then do 2.5. Underdome can be completed mostly any time with a minimal effect on leveling.

I don't follow this because you would miss out on 3 backpack SDUs, 2 skill points, and mega loot from play 1. In contrast it would make playthrough 2 much more challenging due to not being over-leveled by 5-15 levels.

But what's the point of the buying the DLC if you aren't going to play it? Poor gameplay balance optimization thanks to $DLC$.

Something you can do is invest in them up to the point where you get the backpak SDU on play 1, then stop. You get a skill point for finishing Claptrap Rev main story.

Bottom line - It's your copy of the game. Do whatever you want :)

[Rookie]

Początkowo opublikowane przez CampyMcLurkstein:

Apparently, officially - You should beat the main game, and skip the DLC on playthrough 1. Beat the main game again in playthrough 2. Then do Zombie Island, Knoxx, then Claptrap in that order on playthrough 2. Then do 2.5. Underdome can be completed mostly any time with a minimal effect on leveling.

I don't follow this because you would miss out on 3 backpack SDUs, 2 skill points, and mega loot from play 1. In contrast it would make playthrough 2 much more challenging due to not being over-leveled by 5-15 levels.

But what's the point of the buying the DLC if you aren't going to play it? Poor gameplay balance optimization thanks to $DLC$.

Something you can do is invest in them up to the point where you get the backpak SDU on play 1, then stop. You get a skill point for finishing Claptrap Rev main story.

Bottom line - It's your copy of the game. Do whatever you want :)

I played all the dlc and am going tos tart playthorugh 2. But im a level 45 and ive heard PL2 starts at level 35 so oh crap. I gotta see if i can use willowtree to decrease character level but not sure how thats going to work.

[CampyMcLurkstein]

I forgot. Zombie, Underdome, and Claptrap scale to your level fairly well whenever you play them according to the same sources. Knoxx doesn't scale supposedly. Knoxx Playthrough 1 starts at level 35, this I noticed personally by shortly visitng each one at level 30. Not sure about Knoxx 2? Anyone?

Missions you already activated will slowly scale if you don't finish them, I observed. This applies to Zombie, Claptrap, and the Underdome mission. I think playthorugh 2.5 scales completely, but that's only from sources I read so I'm not certain.

Feel free to visit the Underdome at level 5 to shop and bank. Also to use as a one-way shortcut to Fyrestone otherwise unavailable before unlocking the fast travel system. Great shopping options up to level 30. It may help if you're over-leveled starting playthrough 2, as I imagine the Arid Badlands vendors won't have much to offer.

Backpack SDUs - In any playthrough avoid killing the main game boss until you get them, if it's a concern of yours.

On Willowtree - I've used save game editors before. It's been surpisingly easy and user-friendly. I would expect level adjustments are a feature. Copy your savegame for backups first just in case.

[Rookie]

Początkowo opublikowane przez CampyMcLurkstein:

I forgot. Zombie, Underdome, and Claptrap scale to your level fairly well whenever you play them according to the same sources. Knoxx doesn't scale supposedly. Knoxx Playthrough 1 starts at level 35, this I noticed personally by shortly visitng each one at level 30. Not sure about Knoxx 2? Anyone?

Missions you already activated will slowly scale if you don't finish them, I observed. This applies to Zombie, Claptrap, and the Underdome mission. I think playthorugh 2.5 scales completely, but that's only from sources I read so I'm not certain.

Feel free to visit the Underdome at level 5 to shop and bank. Also to use as a one-way shortcut to Fyrestone otherwise unavailable before unlocking the fast travel system. Great shopping options up to level 30. It may help if you're over-leveled starting playthrough 2, as I imagine the Arid Badlands vendors won't have much to offer.

Backpack SDUs - In any playthrough avoid killing the main game boss until you get them, if it's a concern of yours.

On Willowtree - I've used save game editors before. It's been surpisingly easy and user-friendly. I would expect level adjustments are a feature. Copy your savegame for backups first just in case.

How exactly does it work? Im a level 44 now and am planning to change my level to 35 when i start playthrough 2. But what about my skill points? I have 44 skills so will they go? And when I start leveling up from 35 to 36, do i get a skill point for that or not cause I already reached that level?

Oh yea I always make backups. Cant be too careful :D

[rresuggan]

i do playthrough 1 until the end getting all 10 sdu packs you should be around lvl35/36 then i speed run zombie island for the sdu and get to lvl37 play claptrap dlc for the skill point and sdu and all the legendary gear and finish around lvl40, i then start playthrough 2 just doing main quest and farming the 5 sdu's in safehouse, lost cave, tetanus warren new haven and crazy earls scrapyard, and you will quickly catch up your lvls and you should have 69 sdu slots, there is 1 more in lockdown palace in first playthrough but its not guarenteed and is a pain to farm so i dont bother

[CampyMcLurkstein]

I imagine using Willowtree can adjust your level and remove excess skill points if you go backwards. If not, just respec after setting your level back. Then leveling up will work as normal.

Yeah farming the Lockdown Palace SDU is a nightmare because no fast travels. I thought all claptrap rescues give SDUs in first playthrough? Unless you kill the main game boss before attempting them. I just did a play 1 run, and every claptrap mission gave a SDU offer the first time.

[BondageSpider]

The claptrap in Lockdown Palace is unique in that it is not guaranteed to give an SDU, even on Playthough 1.

[CampyMcLurkstein]

I happened to have a full inventory when first talking to that claptrap. I heard that improves the odds so I went prepared in case. I got the SDU offer first attempt :)

[Rookie]

Początkowo opublikowane przez CampyMcLurkstein:

I happened to have a full inventory when first talking to that claptrap. I heard that improves the odds so I went prepared in case. I got the SDU offer first attempt :)

I have 45 inventory slots with all DLC. Is that the max?

[rresuggan]

no you should have at least 48, 12 at start + 30 more in base game + 3 from zombie +3 from claptrap and a possible 3 more from lockdown palace makes 51, in pt 2 you can get 15 more from first 5 rescue missions (if you farm) 3 from zombie and 3 from claptrap for a max of 72

[BondageSpider]

Początkowo opublikowane przez 45®Blue Mom:

Początkowo opublikowane przez CampyMcLurkstein:

I happened to have a full inventory when first talking to that claptrap. I heard that improves the odds so I went prepared in case. I got the SDU offer first attempt :)

I have 45 inventory slots with all DLC. Is that the max?

It's possible to get more. Every "Claptrap Rescue" mission in the main game always (100%) gives a backpack SDU in Playthrough 1, and each one also has a (very slim, maybe 1% or so?) chance to give backpack SDU in Playthrough 2. Some of my characters have 51 or 54 slots because they got very lucky on the second playthrough.

The max that you would guaranteed to get, if you rescue all Claptraps on Playthrough 1, is 48:
12 slots to start with
30 more slots from 10 Claptraps in the main mission path (each SDU gives 3 slots)
3 more from the Claptrap in The Mill (Zombie Island DLC) near the entrance to the final boss.
3 more from the Claptrap in Tartarus Station (Robot Revolution DLC) near the entrance to Dividing Faults.

The Claptrap you rescue in Lockdown Palace (Secret Armory DLC) isn't guaranteed to give one, not sure if it's a bug or intentional.

[CampyMcLurkstein]

Xeno - Got to play 2 and started hitting the farming part :/ After playing the DLCs I'm over-leveled so it's easy to run past everything. I found an easy way to load up your inventory is buying a bunch of cheap health kits. I do all the other missions in the area first.

If anyone wants all the info - http://borderlands.wikia.com/wiki/Claptrap_Rescue_missions

It's important to exit the game without saving if you get a grenade mod, but want the SDUs.

After about 20 Lost Cave backpack SDU runs I got tired of it and tried Willowtree. I changed my backpack to 500 in less than 5 minutes. It's easy to use confirmed. Looks like you can adjust your level, xp, and skill points easily also if you're still looking to roll yourself back.

[[MOSS]-BurningUp]

Depending on what level you were when you finished playthrough 1, if you do playthrough 2, before any of the DLC you might be overleveled for the DLC.

I am looking at it from the standpoint of a person that has never done the DLC period, and would want to enjoy it for the first time without being overleveled