Top 5 Ways To Quickly Level Up In Borderlands 3

There are plenty of games that come out in September. Fans (including Dr Disrespect, CuteNoob, SayNoToRage, DougisRaw, SavinTheBees, and SMKGaming05) have seen and reacted to Gears 5 , and Greedfall already hit the market.

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening remake and Code Vein come out later this month. But, there is one that released this weekend that has caught the attention of many: Borderlands 3! 

 

Yes, Gearbox and 2K finally came out with the latest game in the series, and fans have been posting all about their excitement online. Even G FUEL-sponsored streamer Dr Disrespect posted his excitement on Twitter:

 

 

At the same time, it occurred to us that there are many people who are just starting their Borderlands experience with the third installment. While it’s true that you don’t need to know the last few stories to play this game, we thought we’d give you a few pointers on how to level up your character quickly. Just to give you an edge in the coming fights ahead of you.

Here are the top five ways to quickly level up in BL3: 

5. Return To Places You Have Already Been

Gearbox Software

The map is vast in Borderlands 3, and you will get lost quite a bit using their map. However, while you return to the places you have already seen, the baddies will respawn. This gives you more of them to shoot and gain experience from.

The grind is just as important as the stories because it will help you later on in the game. So Kill everything. Again and again!

4. Find Collectibles/Artifacts

Gearbox Software

While running about the map, be sure to explore the dark areas. You will most likely reveal more of it, which in turn, will get you some of those XP valuable collectibles. Each pumps out a decent experience bonus, so always be searching the nooks and crannies of the map.

Don’t forget about artifacts. While it will take some time to unlock the ability to equip artifacts, these bad boys will only help you.

Some of these artifacts will give you the ability for some sweet XP bonuses. While there are a few of them, there is an artifact with a 7% bonus to experience, which helps no matter what levels you find yourself grinding in. Especially in that 30-50 range.

Every little bit helps you!

3. Main Storylines

Gearbox Software

This shouldn’t be too hard of a stretch for people to understand. Not only does the campaign dole out the biggest experience rewards, but playing it unlocks extra abilities and gear slots you’ll want sooner than later. It will help you get to areas that will have both of the two things mentioned above as well. 

Completing the main story is like riding the XP train, making stops at Collectible Town and Kill Everything-Ville. Hope you bought your ticket!

2. Play Co-Op As Much As Possible

Gearbox Software

Playing co-op with a friend is always beneficial to Borderlands. The enemies are a bit tougher and result in higher XP put out. Also, you could be exploring, or selling all the guns you pick up, while a friend takes on the psychos and you will still get the experience.

If all your friends have been playing for a while before you, play with those high-level friends in their campaign. You will see the serious experience gain that happens. If the gap is really large between you all, you will see your character level-up every few minutes even.

Remember that this comes with the price of never getting the story in the way it was meant to be seen. You will end up seeing quests and even locations you haven’t been to yet. So if this is your first playthrough, I would suggest saving this friend-leveling technique for powering up a second or third character.

1. Do All The Side Quests

Gearbox Software

There’s some debate on whether you should do side quests right away or when you find the main quest too difficult. While it’s true that you will quickly raise your level by just doing them as quickly as possible, not all of them are strictly for XP gain.

An important thing to remember is that some side quests reward weapons. These new guns come with stats rolled at your current level. To make sure those shiny new guns aren’t instantly impractical, it’s best to save some side quests for the path from level 40 to 50. 

Besides, you should know that the side quests will regularly match whatever your current level is. Even after you’ve finished the campaign. So, to maximize their benefits, you should leave some of them for last.

Honorable Mention: Proving Grounds

The Proving Grounds is the new Arena Gauntlet introduced in Borderlands 3,  which has different elements from all previous ones. This gauntlet has a set limit that will require efficiency and skill. It’s the “Horde Mode” of Borderlands 3. You and your friends (or you alone) will need to prove your skills as a Vault Hunter by taking on hordes of enemies. 

As you can imagine, the XP gain in here is tremendous. Each Arena comes with their own set of difficulty and enemies for you to conquer.

Be aware: dying in an Arena means you die in real life.

Wait, no, it will just remove all of your earnings and restart your progress for that round. But if you can get through all the Arena rounds, you'll be rewarded with some pretty great loot. This includes XP, Money, and some awesome guns.

Gearbox Software

This concludes our Level Up Quickly guide to Borderlands 3. Hope this helps you on your new journey Vault Hunter. 

Be sure to let us know in the comments if these helped you, or if you found some new ways that can help others!

 

Top image via Gearbox Software

This article was written by John D. (AKA SomeBeardy2Love). John has been gaming for 30 years, has a bowtie tattoo, and watches nothing but anime and Bob’s Burgers. He co-hosts a mostly weekly podcast and has a sponsored beard.