Discover how the new skill trees and class mods function in Borderlands 3. We recommend reading this article before diving into the specific class guides.
In this guide, we will walk you through the exciting new features regarding classes in Borderlands 3. This article will cover the general features applicable to all classes in Gearbox’s upcoming title. For specific details related to individual characters, please refer to the relevant class guides.
What’s New
Skill Trees
Taking a closer look at the skill trees in Borderlands 3, here’s what you need to know:
- Enhancements, action skill modifications, and elemental upgrades correspond to three new shapes in the game: chevrons, hexagons, and diamonds.
- These enhancements, elemental upgrades, and action skill modifications are free for all characters. To unlock them, simply reach the corresponding line in the desired skill tree. Once unlocked, they can be freely equipped by placing them in a designated empty slot.
The New Shapes
Diamonds are exclusive to Amara and Fl4k and change the element of their action skill, functioning as elemental upgrades. For Fl4k, it’s more like a type change for the pet accompanying him.
Chevrons are enhancements that add new effects or passives to a character’s action skill. The action skill we want to modify must be in the same tree as the chevrons used.
Hexagons are modifications that completely change how action skills function.
Class Mods
Class mods appear to function differently compared to the previous game. Based on the images below, class mods will still allow for surpassing the limit of passive skill points from our tree. Additionally, these new class mods seem to unlock unique skills that may not be known otherwise. That’s quite intriguing.
The Classics
The following elements remain unchanged from earlier titles:
Other shapes in the tree are squares. These represent passive upgrades for the character, similar to previous Borderlands games. They have ranks, allowing you to invest 1, 3, or 5 points depending on the skill. Furthermore, players must still invest 5 points in a line of the tree to unlock the next line and progress along the desired skill tree.
Note:
Information is being released gradually by Gearbox, and that’s actually for the best. As of now, it’s unclear what the maximum level will be in Borderlands 3 at launch. Thus, it’s safer to assume, as in previous titles, that level 50 is the target. You will likely have 48 points to allocate in your skill tree (with no points awarded at level 1 and level 2 unlocking all action skills without granting points). There will probably be an increase in the maximum level with the release of DLC.
