Pandora is a deadly vacation destination for amateur vault hunters, and the planet's moon, Elpis, isn't any better. While Borderlands fans will feel right at home in The Pre-Sequel, the low-gravity environment, new enemy types, and downright annoying boss battles may prove vexing for new players and veterans alike. Unless, of course, you were to have a handful of incredible, life-saving tips from a professional gamer.
If you're like me, you don't just simply play games for fun– you play them for a living, and your knowledge and expertise are in hot demand. But let's be real: You're not like me, and that's okay. In order for there to be an upper echelon of professional gamers like me, there has to be hordes of unremarkable amateurs like yourself for us to loom over.
Lucky for you, I'm not the looming type. Instead, I've used my amazing gifts to help confounded players understand the dangerous open worlds of Skyrim, Far Cry 3, and GTA V, and to survive their harrowing journeys in Tomb Raider, The Last of Us, and Dark Souls II. Today I'm back with more tips to help you survive some dire situations you may encounter in Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel.
For each entry, I detail how an amateur player might react to the situation. If these descriptions sound familiar, don't fret; the first step to not sucking is to acknowledge just how much you actually suck.
Following each amateur entry is a pro description. These outline how I personally handled each situation. Study them hard and you'll be on your way to playing video games like a professional.
Situation: You're
a few hours into the game and you've got a backpack full of loot.
How an amateur
handles it: Find the nearest vending machine, sell off your unwanted items,
and peruse the available goods to see if there's anything worth buying.
How a pro handles it:Unwittingly sell off your shield while comparing it to the ones on sale.
Decide none of them are better than the one you (no longer) own, then gleefully
wade off into battle. Wonder why you're suddenly dying so fast in combat, but
push on into a new area, relying heavily on the Second Wind mechanic to stave
off death. Finally realize your mistake, then overpay for a mediocre shield
instead of using the vending machine's buy-back function to regain your
original, better shield at the cost you accidentally sold it for.
Situation: The
location of your next objective requires jumping over a large canyon.
How an amateur
handles it: Hit the nearby ramp with your moon buggy, making sure to start
far enough back to achieve maximum speed via the vehicle's thrusters.
How a pro handles it:Lackadaisically hit the ramp, figuring that it only exists to get you to
the other side, so it's not going to be that difficult of a jump. Crash and
burn in the chasm. Respawn and drive all the way back, then hit the booster at
the top of the ramp. Fly a little further, only to once again crash into the
side of the canyon and die. Head back a third time and boost all the way to the
ramp. Instinctively press the jump button at the top of the ramp, causing your
character to jump out of driver's seat and into the roof-mounted turret. Lose
momentum and fall to your death as you impotently fire off rockets. Head back
again, cursing the entire way, then jump out of your vehicle and glide to the
other side using your oxygen boost instead. Make the long trek to the next objective on foot while
continuing to curse.
Situation: After
hours of play, your favorite gun is no longer powerful enough to contend with
your higher-level enemies.
How an amateur
handles it: Sell the gun off at vending machine and switch to a new and
more powerful firearm.
How a pro handles it:Stubbornly hang onto the gun for purely sentimental reasons, despite the
fact that whittling down the health of even the most unintimidating enemies
takes forever. Switch it out after another hour, but keep the beloved firearm
in your backpack like a security blanket, even though it takes up an inventory
slot that could be devoted to something that's actually useful. Finally convince
yourself to let it go, then deposit in the bank instead, because sometimes the
bond between a man and a gun is unbreakable.
Situation: You've
got lots of money and a backpack full of loot – time to hit a vending machine.
How an amateur
handles it: Are there enemies around? You should probably shoot them before
you start shopping...
How a pro handles it:Ignore the bandits – that's what your shields are for! Sift through the
endless menus comparing your inventory with what's on sale while your enemies
slowly deplete your shield. Spot a shiny new sniper rifle that you can just
barely afford. Jump as a particularly crafty bandit sneaks up behind you and
shoots you at pointblank range with a shotgun, incapacitating you. Accidentally
press the button to instantly respawn in the confusion, then make your way back
to the vending machine, only to find out you can no longer afford the coveted
gun due to the respawn fee.
Coming Up Next: How to tackle boss battles like a pro...