In a recent update for the looter-shooter *Borderlands 3*, developer Gearbox Software has deployed a series of targeted adjustments aimed at rebalancing combat and resolving persistent technical issues, particularly for players who enjoy the game in split-screen co-op. The patch, which went live across all platforms, brings significant changes to weapon and action skill performance alongside crucial quality-of-life fixes.
A key focus of this update is the rebalancing of Maliwan weaponry. According to the official patch notes, Maliwan weapons had previously seen a reduction in their overall damage output. This was a deliberate design choice made because their elemental Damage-over-Time (DoT) effects were applying at a rate and potency that far exceeded the capabilities of weapons from other manufacturers. The latest patch has now recalibrated this balance, increasing the base damage of these energy-based guns. This change is expected to make Maliwan’s assortment of shock, incendiary, and corrosive weapons more competitive in direct firefights, without allowing their DoT effects to become overwhelmingly dominant again. This adjustment will likely be welcomed by players who favor the manufacturer’s distinct charge-up mechanic and elemental focus.
The update also delivers a substantial power boost to Zane the Operative’s Digi-Clone action skill. The developers identified that the damage output of the Digi-Clone was not scaling effectively as players progressed to higher levels and the game’s more challenging content, such as the True Vault Hunter Mode and Mayhem levels. To address this, the patch “increased the Digi-Clone damage with all equipped weapons.” This enhancement ensures that Zane’s signature holographic decoy remains a formidable and viable tactical option throughout the entire endgame, providing more consistent damage support and making skill tree investments in the *Duplicate* skill far more impactful.
Beyond combat adjustments, the patch addresses several long-standing bugs that have plagued the split-screen cooperative experience. Two of the most notable fixes target interruptions caused by one player accessing their ECHO device menu, an in-game interface used for managing inventory and missions. Previously, if one player opened their ECHO menu while playing in split-screen, it could abruptly cancel the sprinting animation of the other player. A similarly frustrating issue occurred when one player’s action of aiming down sights was interrupted by their co-op partner navigating the ECHO menu. Both of these disruptive bugs have now been resolved, leading to a much smoother and more immersive shared gameplay session.
Another technical glitch that has been squashed involved vehicle boosting. Some players reported a peculiar issue where the boost function of their vehicle would unintentionally carry over and persist when transitioning to a new map area. This unexpected behavior could lead to unintended consequences and has been addressed in this update.
Overall, this patch for *Borderlands 3* demonstrates a continued commitment to refining the player experience post-launch. By carefully adjusting the power of Maliwan weapons and Zane’s Digi-Clone, the developers are striving for a more balanced and engaging meta-game. Simultaneously, the crucial fixes to split-screen functionality underscore the importance of a stable and uninterrupted co-op experience, a cornerstone of the *Borderlands* franchise. Players can now jump back into the chaos on Pandora and beyond with a more reliable and finely-tuned arsenal at their disposal.
