Borderlands 2 is an action-packed first-person shooter with RPG elements, offering players a diverse range of playable characters, each with unique abilities and playstyles. With four main Vault Hunters to choose from, deciding on the best class can be a daunting task, especially for new players. In this article, we’ll delve into the strengths and weaknesses of each class, exploring their skills, abilities, and overall effectiveness in various gameplay scenarios.
Understanding the Classes
Before we dive into the specifics of each class, it’s essential to understand the core mechanics that define them. Each Vault Hunter has three skill trees, which represent different aspects of their abilities. These trees are:
- Action Skill Tree: Focuses on the character’s action skill, which is a unique ability that can be used in combat.
- Survival Tree: Emphasizes health, shields, and survivability.
- Gunplay Tree: Concentrates on improving the character’s proficiency with firearms.
The Vault Hunters
Now, let’s take a closer look at each of the four Vault Hunters in Borderlands 2:
Axton
Axton is a versatile soldier with a turret-based action skill. His skills are well-rounded, making him a great all-around character.
- Action Skill: Sabre Turret – Deploys a turret that attacks enemies and can be upgraded to provide additional support.
- Strengths: Axton’s turret can be a game-changer in combat, providing suppressive fire and drawing enemy attention. His skills also offer a balance of survivability and gunplay enhancements.
- Weaknesses: Axton’s abilities may not be as flashy as other characters, and his turret can be vulnerable to enemy attacks.
Maya
Maya is a mystical Siren with the ability to lock enemies in place and deal massive elemental damage.
- Action Skill: Phaselock – Traps an enemy in a stasis field, making them vulnerable to attacks.
- Strengths: Maya’s Phaselock can be a powerful tool for crowd control and setting up devastating combos. Her skills also offer a range of elemental damage enhancements.
- Weaknesses: Maya’s abilities may require more strategy and timing to use effectively, and her Phaselock can be less effective against multiple enemies.
Salvador
Salvador is a brutal Gunzerker with the ability to dual-wield guns and enter a frenzied state, increasing his damage output.
- Action Skill: Gunzerking – Allows Salvador to dual-wield guns and increases his damage output.
- Strengths: Salvador’s Gunzerking ability can be incredibly powerful, especially when combined with his skills that enhance his gunplay and survivability.
- Weaknesses: Salvador’s abilities may require more aggressive play and can leave him vulnerable to enemy attacks.
Krieg
Krieg is a psychotic Psycho with the ability to enter a state of frenzy, increasing his melee damage output and survivability.
- Action Skill: Buzz Axe Rampage – Allows Krieg to enter a frenzied state, increasing his melee damage output and survivability.
- Strengths: Krieg’s Buzz Axe Rampage can be a powerful tool for taking down enemies quickly and efficiently. His skills also offer a range of melee damage enhancements.
- Weaknesses: Krieg’s abilities may require more aggressive play and can leave him vulnerable to enemy attacks.
Zer0
Zer0 is a stealthy Assassin with the ability to become temporarily invisible and deal massive critical hits.
- Action Skill: Deception – Allows Zer0 to become temporarily invisible and move quickly around the battlefield.
- Strengths: Zer0’s Deception ability can be incredibly powerful, especially when combined with his skills that enhance his critical hit damage and survivability.
- Weaknesses: Zer0’s abilities may require more strategy and timing to use effectively, and his Deception can be less effective against multiple enemies.
Choosing the Best Class
So, which class is the best in Borderlands 2? The answer ultimately depends on your playstyle and preferences. However, here are some general recommendations:
- For beginners: Axton is a great all-around character with a versatile set of skills that make him easy to play.
- For aggressive players: Salvador and Krieg are great choices for players who like to take risks and deal massive damage.
- For strategic players: Maya and Zer0 are great choices for players who like to use strategy and timing to outmaneuver their enemies.
Ultimate Playstyles
Here are some ultimate playstyles for each class:
- Axton: Focus on upgrading his turret and survivability skills to create a formidable tank character.
- Maya: Focus on upgrading her Phaselock and elemental damage skills to create a powerful crowd control character.
- Salvador: Focus on upgrading his Gunzerking and gunplay skills to create a devastating damage dealer.
- Krieg: Focus on upgrading his Buzz Axe Rampage and melee damage skills to create a fierce melee character.
- Zer0: Focus on upgrading his Deception and critical hit damage skills to create a stealthy assassin.
Conclusion
Choosing the best class in Borderlands 2 ultimately depends on your playstyle and preferences. Each Vault Hunter has unique abilities and strengths, making them suitable for different types of players. By understanding the core mechanics of each class and experimenting with different playstyles, you can find the perfect character to suit your needs.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, Borderlands 2 offers a rich and rewarding gameplay experience that’s sure to keep you entertained for hours on end. So, which class will you choose?
What are the four main classes in Borderlands 2?
The four main classes in Borderlands 2 are Axton, Maya, Salvador, and Zer0. Each class has its unique abilities and playstyles, allowing players to choose the one that suits their preferences. Axton is a soldier who can deploy a turret to attack enemies, Maya is a siren who can phaselock enemies, Salvador is a gunzerker who can dual-wield guns, and Zer0 is an assassin who can become invisible and deal critical hits.
These classes offer a range of options for players, from dealing massive damage to providing support for their teammates. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each class is crucial to success in the game, especially when playing with a team. By choosing the right class, players can take advantage of their abilities and playstyle to overcome challenges and defeat enemies.
What is the best class for solo players in Borderlands 2?
The best class for solo players in Borderlands 2 is often debated among players, but Axton is generally considered a popular choice. His ability to deploy a turret provides a distraction for enemies, allowing him to take cover and attack from a safe distance. Additionally, his turret can take a significant amount of damage, making it a useful tool for solo players who need to take on tough enemies.
Axton’s turret also has the ability to heal him, which is a significant advantage for solo players who don’t have a team to provide support. Furthermore, Axton’s skills can be upgraded to increase his turret’s damage output and durability, making him an even more formidable opponent. Overall, Axton’s abilities make him a well-rounded character who can handle the challenges of solo play in Borderlands 2.
What is the best class for co-op play in Borderlands 2?
The best class for co-op play in Borderlands 2 is often Salvador, the gunzerker. His ability to dual-wield guns makes him a powerful force on the battlefield, and his skills can be upgraded to increase his damage output and survivability. Additionally, Salvador’s ability to enter a state of “gunzerking” allows him to deal massive damage to enemies while also becoming immune to damage.
Salvador’s abilities also make him a great team player. His gunzerking ability can be used to take out tough enemies, while his teammates provide cover and support. Additionally, Salvador’s skills can be upgraded to increase his health and shield capacity, making him a more durable character who can withstand the rigors of co-op play. Overall, Salvador’s abilities make him a great choice for co-op players who want to deal massive damage and take on tough challenges.
What is the role of the siren class in Borderlands 2?
The siren class, Maya, plays a support role in Borderlands 2. Her ability to phaselock enemies allows her to immobilize them, making it easier for her teammates to take them out. Additionally, Maya’s skills can be upgraded to increase her phaselock’s duration and damage output, making her a valuable asset to any team.
Maya’s abilities also make her a great character for crowd control. Her phaselock can be used to take out multiple enemies at once, while her teammates provide damage and support. Additionally, Maya’s skills can be upgraded to increase her health and shield capacity, making her a more durable character who can withstand the rigors of combat. Overall, Maya’s abilities make her a great choice for players who want to provide support and crowd control for their team.
What is the role of the assassin class in Borderlands 2?
The assassin class, Zer0, plays a stealthy role in Borderlands 2. His ability to become invisible allows him to sneak up on enemies and take them out quietly, making him a great character for players who prefer a more stealthy approach. Additionally, Zer0’s skills can be upgraded to increase his critical hit damage and survivability, making him a formidable opponent.
Zer0’s abilities also make him a great character for dealing critical hits. His ability to become invisible allows him to get close to enemies undetected, and his critical hit bonus makes him a powerful force on the battlefield. Additionally, Zer0’s skills can be upgraded to increase his health and shield capacity, making him a more durable character who can withstand the rigors of combat. Overall, Zer0’s abilities make him a great choice for players who want to deal critical hits and play stealthily.
How do I choose the best class for my playstyle in Borderlands 2?
Choosing the best class for your playstyle in Borderlands 2 depends on your preferences and the type of gameplay you enjoy. If you prefer a more aggressive playstyle, Salvador or Axton may be a good choice. If you prefer a more stealthy approach, Zer0 may be a good choice. If you prefer a support role, Maya may be a good choice.
It’s also important to consider the type of gameplay you’ll be doing. If you’ll be playing solo, Axton or Zer0 may be a good choice. If you’ll be playing co-op, Salvador or Maya may be a good choice. Additionally, you should consider your skill level and the difficulty level you’ll be playing on. By choosing a class that fits your playstyle and preferences, you’ll be able to enjoy the game more and play more effectively.
Can I change my class in Borderlands 2?
No, you cannot change your class in Borderlands 2 once you’ve created your character. However, you can create a new character and choose a different class. This allows you to try out different classes and playstyles without having to start over with your existing character.
Additionally, you can use the game’s “New Game+” feature to replay the game with your existing character, but with increased difficulty and rewards. This allows you to continue playing with your existing character while still experiencing a new challenge. Overall, while you can’t change your class, you have options for trying out different classes and playstyles in Borderlands 2.