Master every weapon manufacturer in Borderlands 4 with our complete guide. From explosive Torgue guns to elemental Maliwan weapons – discover which brands suit your playstyle best.
TL;DR
Quick Manufacturer Overview:
- Daedalus – Versatile weapons with alternate ammo types
- Vladof – High fire rate bullet hoses with underbarrel attachments
- Jakobs – High-damage Wild West guns with crit bonuses
- Order – Alien charge-based weapons that hit like trucks
- Ripper – Full-auto everything but requires spin-up time
- Torgue – Explosive weapons for maximum boom
- Maliwan – Elemental damage specialists
- Tediore – Throwable grenade-guns that respawn
If you’ve jumped into Borderlands 4, you’ve probably noticed that choosing weapons isn’t just about finding the highest damage numbers. Each gun manufacturer in the game has distinct personality traits that completely change how weapons feel and perform. Think of it like car brands – you wouldn’t expect a Toyota to drive like a Ferrari, right?
The beauty of Borderlands 4’s weapon system lies in how these manufacturer quirks can make or break your build. I’ve spent countless hours testing different combinations, and trust me, understanding these differences will transform your vault hunting experience.
The Heavy Hitters: Combat-First Manufacturers
Daedalus: The Swiss Army Knife Brand
What Makes Them Special: Alternate ammo switching
Daedalus weapons are like having multiple guns rolled into one. Their signature feature lets you swap ammo types on the fly – imagine turning your assault rifle into a shotgun-powered beast mid-fight. It’s incredibly practical for players who hate constantly switching weapons.
Pro Tips:
- Perfect for solo players who need versatility
- Great for ammo conservation strategies
- Lower DPS but consistent performance across all scenarios
Vladof: The “More Dakka” Philosophy
What Makes Them Special: High fire rates + underbarrel attachments
If you love the satisfying brrrrt of machine guns, Vladof is your brand. These weapons dump ammo faster than you can say “reload,” and those underbarrel attachments aren’t just for show – they can completely change your tactical approach.
My Experience: That underbarrel flamethrower saved my life more times than I can count during close-quarters ambushes.
Best For:
- Players who love spray-and-pray tactics
- Anyone running ammo regeneration builds
- Close to medium range combat specialists
Jakobs: The Precision Marksman’s Dream
What Makes Them Special: High crit damage + ricochet mechanics + Wild West aesthetics
These guns reward skill over spray. Every shot feels meaningful, and landing those critical hits with the ricochet system is incredibly satisfying. The semi-auto weapons fire as fast as you can click, making them perfect for skilled players.
Reality Check: Low magazine capacity means you’ll be reloading constantly, but when you connect those shots, enemies just melt.
The Exotic Options: Unique Playstyles
Order: The Alien Tech Powerhouses
What Makes Them Special: Charge-based firing for burst damage
Order weapons feel completely different from traditional guns. You’re essentially playing a different game – one where patience and timing matter more than reflexes. When fully charged, these weapons can delete health bars instantly.
Strategic Use:
- Incredible for boss encounters
- Perfect for players who prefer calculated, precise gameplay
- Not ideal for crowd control situations
Ripper: Full-Auto Everything (With a Catch)
What Makes Them Special: Every weapon type fires full-auto + spin-up requirement
Want a full-auto sniper rifle? Ripper’s got you covered. The spin-up mechanic might seem annoying initially, but once you adapt your playstyle, these weapons become incredibly powerful for sustained combat.
Adaptation Tip: Start spinning up before entering combat zones – the brief delay disappears with good positioning.
The Specialists: Unique Mechanics
Torgue: The Explosion Enthusiasts
What Makes Them Special: Every shot explodes
Torgue weapons don’t just shoot – they detonate. The projectile travel time takes getting used to, but splash damage builds absolutely love these guns. They’re also lifesavers in Fight For Your Life situations.
Build Synergy: Incredible with splash damage builds and area denial tactics.
Maliwan: The Elemental Masters
What Makes Them Special: Elemental damage focus + status effects
Don’t let the lower damage numbers fool you – Maliwan weapons are all about exploiting elemental weaknesses. When matched correctly, they outperform higher-damage conventional weapons.
Critical Knowledge: Understanding enemy weaknesses is essential for maximizing Maliwan effectiveness.
Tediore: The Throwaway Specialists
What Makes Them Special: Weapons become grenades when reloaded
Tediore completely flips traditional reload mechanics. Instead of changing magazines, you’re literally throwing grenades. Some even spawn temporary turrets! The damage scales with remaining ammo, creating interesting tactical decisions.
Advanced Strategy: Save high-ammo magazines for emergency explosive damage bursts.
The Support Cast: Licensed Parts System
Borderlands 4 introduces three manufacturers that don’t make complete weapons but add special parts:
- Hyperion Parts: Shield generation or increasing accuracy over time
- Cult of the Vault (CoV) Parts: Infinite ammo with overheat mechanics
- Atlas Parts: Tracking systems for homing projectiles
These parts can completely transform base weapons, adding another layer of customization depth.
Finding Your Perfect Match
For New Players: Start with Daedalus or Vladof – they’re forgiving and effective across most situations. Check out our beginner’s guide for more starting tips.
For Experienced Vault Hunters: Experiment with Order and Ripper weapons. Their unique mechanics can create powerful synergies with specific character builds.
For Build Optimizers: Maliwan and Torgue weapons often become centerpieces of specialized builds. Understanding their mechanics is crucial for endgame content and boss farming.
My Personal Recommendations
After extensive testing, here’s what I’d recommend for different playstyles:
Solo Players: Daedalus weapons for versatility Team Players: Maliwan for elemental support Aggressive Players: Vladof for constant pressure Precision Players: Jakobs for satisfying skill-based gameplay Creative Players: Tediore for unique tactical options
Ending Note
The manufacturer system in Borderlands 4 isn’t just about stats – it’s about finding weapons that match your personality and playstyle. Don’t get caught up in damage numbers alone. A lower-damage weapon that fits your style will always outperform a high-damage weapon you can’t use effectively.
Remember to grab those Golden Keys to test different manufacturer weapons, and don’t forget to check the official Borderlands 4 page for the latest updates.
Want to get your hands on the game? You can find it on Steam or PlayStation.
What’s your favorite manufacturer so far? Drop a comment and let us know which weapons have been treating you best in the wasteland!
