The long-awaited Mayhem Mode 2.0, which Gearbox has had in the works for quite some time, will finally be coming to Borderlands 3 tomorrow. Featuring a major overhaul for the game’s Mayhem options, Mayhem 2.0 is designed to offer endgame players a more lasting and rewarding challenge. It will be part of the April 23rd patch, which will also feature Revenge of the Cartels; a major long-term event.
The Upcoming Borderlands 3 Mayhem Mode 2.0
Once you finish the main story campaign in Borderlands 3, Mayhem Mode gives players a means to artificially increase the difficulty. While this increases the challenge on one hand, it also increases the quality of rewards. However, players quickly discovered that there were certain issues with the current iteration of Mayhem Mode and, as a result, have been asking for changes from Gearbox. Mayhem Mode 2.0 is meant to address these concerns.
First of all, players will no longer have to visit the control pedestal on Sanctuary III in order to change their Mayhem Mode; all of those options will be in a new ECHO menu tab. In multiplayer, the host will control the current Mayhem level, and matchmaking will automatically match players with people playing on the same level, wherever possible. The biggest change, however, is the introduction of 25 new modifiers which can apply to your game. These modifiers are divided between Easy, Medium, Hard, and Very Hard categories. Up to four modifiers (of differing difficulties) can apply to your game at a time, depending on your current Mayhem level:
- 1 Mayhem Level: Easy
- 2 Mayhem Levels: Easy / Medium
- 3 Mayhem Levels: Easy / Medium / Medium
- 4 Mayhem Levels: Easy / Hard
- 5 Mayhem Levels: Easy / Medium / Hard
- 6 Mayhem Levels: Easy / Medium / Medium / Hard
- 7 Mayhem Levels: Easy / Hard / Hard
- 8 Mayhem Levels: Easy / Very Hard
- 9 Mayhem Levels: Easy / Medium / Very Hard
- 10 Mayhem Levels: Easy / Medium / Hard / Very Hard
Easy modifiers introduce some element which should make the game a little easier. For instance, Galaxy Brain increases the size of enemy heads so that it’s easier to land headshots. Medium modifiers introduce extra obstacles or complications, such as Floor is Lava, which forms a pool of lava beneath your feet whenever you stand still. Hard and Very Hard can make things much more difficult. The Drone Ranger hard modifier, for example, spawns Healing Drones to aid the enemies. The game will choose modifiers at random whenever you activate Mayhem Mode. Gearbox’s hope is that they should offer players a more varied and original experience in the endgame.