In Borderlands 4, the core power of your Vault Hunter comes from the arsenal of weapons at your disposal. With an overwhelming variety of guns, each featuring unique stats, elemental effects, and special mechanics, knowing which gun truly excels can make the difference between struggling through battles and dominating every fight with ease. This Borderlands 4 gun tier list focuses on the top shotguns ranked by their damage output and overall effectiveness.
Borderlands 4 Best Guns Tier List & Drop Locations
The Borderlands 4 DPS tier list primarily considers raw damage and DPS potential to help you find the best guns for boss fights. We also list the drop location or boss to farm each gun quickly in BL4.
1. Anarchy - S Tier
Anarchy is one of the best DPS guns in Borderlands 4. Its damage stacks increase with every shot fired without reloading, granting up to +300% damage when at maximum stacks, though this comes with a trade-off of decreased accuracy as the spread widens. It synergizes well with characters who can auto-reload, allowing players to maintain damage and accuracy bonuses without manually reloading and losing stacks. Anarchy shines in boss fights where sustained high damage output is crucial.
Anarchy drop location and how to get:
To get Anarchy, you must first collect all Vault Key Fragments in the Carcadia Burn region to unlock the Vault and face Radix, the Primordial Guardian, located at the Arch of Radix in the Grinstone of the Worthy area. Defeating Radix grants a chance to drop Anarchy.
2. Kickballer - S Tier
The Kickballer is a Jacob shotgun well known for its ricochet on critical hit modifier, which causes projectiles to bounce and multiply. With guaranteed critical hit sources, such as Jacob’s knives, this shotgun creates a chain reaction of bouncing explosive projectiles that grow exponentially, making it one of the most powerful weapons for boss killing. The ricochets cause projectiles to spread out and hit multiple times, dealing tremendous burst damage with each critical hit.
Kickballer drop location and how to get:
You can get the Kickballer shotgun by killing the enemy Sludgemaw, who appears during the side quest called All Charged Up in the Fadefields region. The Kickballer is one of three possible legendary items that Sludgemaw can drop. Additionally, the Kickballer can sometimes be found as a random world drop from other enemies or bosses throughout the game.
3. Quincunx Stellium - S Tier
The Quincunx Stellium is a fantastic shotgun in Borderlands 4. It can one-shot bosses with ease. This Maliwan shotgun has an alternative fire mode that shoots spinning energy discs, which bounce endlessly around the target’s feet, stacking massive splash damage safely without the risk of ricocheting back onto the player. When equipped with a Jakobs-licensed part, the projectiles ricochet between enemies on critical hits, further multiplying damage. Pairing it with a penetrator throwing knife that converts all hits into critical hits for a short time creates a devastating combo where the spinning discs critically hit repeatedly, rapidly draining the boss's health in seconds.
Quincunx Stellium drop location and how to get:
Farming the Quincunx Stellium is largely a matter of RNG. There is no guaranteed drop location or method; players have reported spending many hours or even days farming the same boss without obtaining the exact variant they want. But many purple Stellium are considered valuable; it’s wise to be flexible and accept close variants rather than waiting indefinitely for a perfect roll. Splashzone is favored to farm Quincunx Stellium because it is one of the quickest bosses to kill repeatedly. Other locations, such as Drill Sites or Auger Mines, have been tried by some players, but these do not seem to offer better drop rates than Splashzone.
4. Looming Dullahan - S Tier
The Looming Dullahan is highly regarded in Borderlands 4 for its powerful damage and ricochet capabilities. This shotgun can reliably one-hit kill many bosses when properly optimized. It is ideal for late-game farming runs and speed runs. Get top-tier stats, especially those featuring strong underbarrel or spread launcher attachments like the Penetrator, which enhances its piercing ability. Its DPS often exceeds 900, allowing it to shred through tough opponents quickly.
Looming Dullahan drop location and how to get:
The Looming Dullahan is a world drop in Borderlands 4, with Ripper Drill Site, like Rippa Roadbirds, being the potential repeatable farming location. There is no single boss or chest that guarantees the drop, so repeated runs in these areas with the use of Encore Machines or similar respawn mechanics are your best bet.
5. Rainbow Vomit - A Tier
The Rainbow Vomit shotgun is powerful because each shot deals three different elemental damage types simultaneously: corrosive, incendiary, and radiation. No enemy is safe. This unique feature allows the damage to scale exceptionally well with elemental damage boosts from skill trees, class mods, and weapon enhancements. As a Jakob shotgun, it benefits from ricochets, causing projectiles to bounce and hit multiple targets. When equipped with the Spread Launcher, it fires a cluster of five grenade-like projectiles that count as a single shot for damage amplification effects. Even if your build is not focused on gun damage, the status effects still chip away hard.
Rainbow Vomit drop location and how to get:
You can get the Rainbow Vomit shotgun by defeating Leader Willem, a replayable boss in Carcadia Burn who is unlocked after completing a series of side missions: Enter the Electi Parts 1 and 2, The Council Divided, Traitor Within, and The Mole’s Gambit. After beating Leader Willem, the shotgun may drop, and if it doesn't, you can leave the room and use Moxxi’s Big Encore to replay the fight until you get it. Alternatively, once you complete the main campaign, you can unlock and replay Wildcard Missions from anywhere on the map, which also offer a reliable way to farm the Rainbow Vomit by defeating the Oppressor and completing the mission, then claiming the shotgun from the Wildcard rewards chest.
6. Linebacker - A Tier
Linebacker is an explosive Torgue shotgun that excels in close-quarters combat thanks to its Legendary trait, Full Coverage, which increases damage and damage radius with every bounce of its explosive projectiles. This bouncing effect means each shot becomes more powerful as it ricochets between targets, making it deadly against groups of enemies. The shotgun also comes in various elemental versions like fire, shock, and ice. Its knockback effect pushes enemies away, giving players breathing room to reload or heal, while the generous ammo capacity and decent reload speed make it a reliable choice for players who love causing explosions.
Linebacker drop location and how to get:
You can get the Linebacker by defeating Skyspanner Kratch, a boss located in The Lambent Mines, Cuspid Climb, and Terminus Range. Skyspanner Kratch first appears during the Shadow of the Mountain main quest, and after the initial fight, you can farm this boss repeatedly by using Moxxi’s Big Encore machine at the boss arena entrance, which lets you respawn the boss for a fee.
7. Hot Slugger - A Tier
The Hot Slugger is a visually striking Jacob shotgun that shoots slug projectiles, allowing it to perform well at medium to long ranges, unlike typical shotguns. Its main perk, Blazing Barrel, grants a 30% gun damage increase for 10 seconds after each kill, stacking up to three times for a maximum of 90% extra damage. This makes it exceptional for clearing groups of enemies quickly and maintaining a high damage output during boss fights. The weapon fires projectiles that travel swiftly across distances, rewarding close to mid-range engagements. The Hot Slugger fits well within kinetic damage builds and bleed-focused setups, delivering consistent and devastating damage.
Hot Slugger drop location and how to get:
You can get the Hot Slugger shotgun by farming the boss called Callous Harbinger of Annihilating Death, located inside the Craven's Nook Order Bunker in the Terminus Range region. To enter the bunker, you need to find a Locust Canister on a ledge southwest of the bunker door, which you can grab with your grappling hook and use to open the door. After defeating the boss, you can use Moxxi’s Big Encore machine in the preparation room to quickly replay the fight and farm the Hot Slugger. Keep in mind the weapon does not drop every time, so multiple runs may be needed.
8. Convergence - A Tier
Convergence is a flashy and fun shotgun that changes the flow of combat by pulling enemies closer with its unique mechanic, making it easier to hit weak spots and control crowds. Its Asymptotic trait causes bullets to create criss-crossing patterns that deal repeating damage after the initial shot, allowing for sustained DPS even while repositioning or reloading. This makes Convergence a powerful choice for players who want high damage over time combined with excellent crowd control.
Convergence drop location and how to get:
To get Convergence, farm the boss Bramblesong in the Auger Mine, located in the northern part of Stoneblood Forest, Terminus Range. The mine is behind the Substation Canonary and best accessed by traveling northwest from the nearby Deathright silo. Defeating Bramblesong gives a chance for this shotgun to drop.
9. Lead Balloon - B Tier
Lead Balloon is a heavy-hitting Torgue shotgun that excels at dealing massive damage, especially when you hit enemy weak spots. Its explosive pellets deliver powerful area damage that works well against both single tough targets and groups of enemies. While its slow reload and firing speed make it less ideal for fast crowds, it’s perfect for boss fights and armored foes. The Lead Balloon also rolls with elemental types, allowing it to adapt to enemy weaknesses without needing multiple weapons, making it a versatile and potent choice in various combat scenarios.
Lead Balloon drop location and how to get:
The Lead Balloon drops from Splashzone, a boss in Riptide Grotto located in the Coastal Bonescape, Fadefields region. If you don’t get the weapon on your first kill, you can use Moxxi’s Big Encore machine just outside the boss arena to respawn Splashzone repeatedly, paying cash each time with costs rising as you level up.
10. T.K's Wave - B Tier
T.K’s Wave is an exceptional shotgun in Borderlands 4; its unique firing mechanics capture the chaotic and energetic spirit of the series. This shotgun fires projectiles in a distinctive wave-like pattern, sending multiple pellets up and down across a target area. When equipped with Jacob’s critical hit ricochet feature, these projectiles bounce off enemies, allowing a single shot to hit multiple foes around the initial target. This ricochet effect significantly increases the gun’s efficiency in clearing groups of enemies, as each critical hit causes the pellets to spread and deal damage to nearby threats. One notable attribute of T.K’s Wave is its infinite magazine size granted by a special manufacturer part, although the weapon heats up and requires reloading after sustained fire. Despite this limitation, players can rapidly fire the shotgun, quickly unloading large amounts of damage in a short period. The projectiles travel in a unique arc, and the gun rewards getting close to enemies, where its damage output truly shines. T.K’s Wave excels in more common encounters and mid-level bosses, where its ability to hit multiple targets and maintain pressure is invaluable.
T.K’s Wave drop location and how to get:
Dropped by Rocken Roller, Trinket Crevass Abandoned Auger Mine in northern Carcadia Burn. Requires specific licensed parts for the best effect.
11. Hellwalker - B Tier
Hellwalker is a fast-firing, quick-reloading Jakobs shotgun that deals high damage, especially when aiming for critical spots. Its design and mechanics resemble the iconic Boomstick from DOOM, complete with a unique guitar riff on pickup. Hellwalker is popular for its ability to deliver many critical hits quickly, often killing enemies in a single shot. With the right skill investments to maximize ammo regeneration, players can keep firing continuously without worrying about reloads, making it a reliable and powerful weapon in prolonged fights.
Hellwalker drop location and how to get:
Hellwalker drops from Saddleback and Immortal Boneface, unique enemies located in The Old Scrape, Cuspid Climb, and Terminus Range. You can farm them repeatedly using Moxxi’s Big Encore machine near their arena. Additionally, Hellwalker can also appear as a world drop from other bosses, red chests, and Survivalist Caches across Kairos.
12. Bod - B Tier
Bod is an unusual weapon classified simply as a gun because it counts as every weapon type at once: shotgun, sniper rifle, pistol, SMG, etc. This allows it to benefit from multiple damage bonuses simultaneously from class mods, skills, and enhancements that apply to different weapon types. Although its base damage is modest without proper build support, Bod has immense potential when combined with the right setup focusing on multi-weapon damage boosts. It can also spawn with any elemental damage type, allowing it to adapt to different enemy resistances.
Bod drop location and how to get:
You can obtain the Bod shotgun by farming Axemaul, a replayable boss found in the Abandoned Auger Mine located south of the Lockaway Safehouse in the Carcadia District. To access the mine, head to a large courtyard filled with enemies and enter through a partially destroyed doorway in the northwest corner. Before facing Axemaul, you must complete the main mission, Shadow of the Mountain. The Bod shotgun does not drop every time you defeat the boss, so you may need to defeat Axemaul multiple times to get it.