Greetings, thoroughly attractive Escapist! With Borderlands 2 only 2 days from its US release, hype is starting to build a singularity, pulling the gaming community inward. Therefore, it's a good idea to clarify some of the finer points of the game before its release, if only to stay the flames of hype and inevitable disappointment. Feel free to contribute anything you know to this thread.
First off, Borderlands 2 signals the end of both two types of weapons, (Revolvers and Eridian) and two manufacturers, (S&S and Atlas). Revolvers have been combined with Repeater Pistols to form their own Handgun category, and share the same pool of ammo. While there is no true successor to Atlas, the new Bandit manufacturer will fulfill all of your high-capacity needs.
Secondly, the way ammo is used in Co-op has been changed. All players now share from the same pool of ammo. While online trolls can obviously abuse this new feature, it does increase the role the Gunzerker plays in teamwork. Sure, Gunzerking consumes ammo like no tomorrow, but Salvador's action skill actually causes him to regenerate all ammo except for rockets. Therefore, if Gunzerkers coordinate what types of weapons they will use with their teammates, the entire team can stay completely supplied at all times. Also, one of Salvador's perks increases his share of ammo capacity up to 15%, further making him useful for resupplying.
It should be established that no manufacturer sways from their traits at all, for any reason. While veterans to Borderlands should know that all Maliwans are elemental, and all Jakobs' aren't, this has longer-reaching implications. All Vladof sniper rifles are fully automatic and tend to have a high fire-rate. Dahl snipers fire in bursts when aimed. Torgue snipers shoot high-velocity rockets. Honestly, the only manufacturer whose snipers act like models from conventional shooters are Bandit sniper rifles.
Bandits will be much more diverse this time around. Good old Bandit Thugs, Marauders, Psychos, and Midgets will make their return this time around, accompanied by new allies. Bandit Nomads will function similarly to the Bruisers of the first game, as they are big, slow and can take a lot of damage. Some Nomads carry bulletproof shields, trading firepower for protection. Nomad Torturers carry Midgets strapped to their shields. Shooting the ropes holding the Midget will release the stunted man, revealing a hole in the Nomad's shield.
One enemy who hasn't been revealed in trailers is the new Bandit Rat. While the Rat's appearance is unknown, he is frustrating to go up against. The Rat is a coward who is only concerned about his personal profit. He will dart around the battlefield picking up loot, and then try to escape once he garners enough. Be sure to kill him fast to get your loot back!
The last known new recruit to the bandits is the Goliath. Goliaths are unique in that they carry around two guns at all times, similar to the Gunzerker, and wear heavy armor. Once their armor is knocked off, the Goliath will go into a rage, regain all of his health, and melee rush his foes. Badass Goliaths are gigantic and carry miniguns. Rare Loot Goliaths carry a refrigerator-sized treasure chest on their backs, but try to run away from battle. Kill them fast enough to score an enormous stockpile of weapons.
Midgets and Psychos are much more diverse this time around. Borderlands 2 boasts Suicide Midgets and Suicide Psychos, who rush you with a grenade in their hand. Midgets have the new ability to ride on the shoulders of Goliaths for protection and vantage. Midget Skag Riders are also making their return. Finally, Borderlands 2 is proud to introduce the Badass Midget. He is short, buff, and duel-wields pistols bigger than his head.
Well, that was quite a wall of text. If I somehow didn't cover every insignificant fact about this game, please feel free to contribute.]
EDIT: For those who are wondering where the shared ammo announcement was, seek out this video. It's made relatively early on by Gearbox's creative director.
EDIT 2: ALso, Borderlands 2's class mods affect the appearance of the player, though they only visual difference is the color of the object on the player. Salvador's class mod is represented by the two Digigstruct units on his hips. Zer0's are the spiked plates on his elbows. Axton's is the weird camera... thing on his shoulder. Finally, Maya's is the book she keeps holstered on her leg.
First off, Borderlands 2 signals the end of both two types of weapons, (Revolvers and Eridian) and two manufacturers, (S&S and Atlas). Revolvers have been combined with Repeater Pistols to form their own Handgun category, and share the same pool of ammo. While there is no true successor to Atlas, the new Bandit manufacturer will fulfill all of your high-capacity needs.
Secondly, the way ammo is used in Co-op has been changed. All players now share from the same pool of ammo. While online trolls can obviously abuse this new feature, it does increase the role the Gunzerker plays in teamwork. Sure, Gunzerking consumes ammo like no tomorrow, but Salvador's action skill actually causes him to regenerate all ammo except for rockets. Therefore, if Gunzerkers coordinate what types of weapons they will use with their teammates, the entire team can stay completely supplied at all times. Also, one of Salvador's perks increases his share of ammo capacity up to 15%, further making him useful for resupplying.
It should be established that no manufacturer sways from their traits at all, for any reason. While veterans to Borderlands should know that all Maliwans are elemental, and all Jakobs' aren't, this has longer-reaching implications. All Vladof sniper rifles are fully automatic and tend to have a high fire-rate. Dahl snipers fire in bursts when aimed. Torgue snipers shoot high-velocity rockets. Honestly, the only manufacturer whose snipers act like models from conventional shooters are Bandit sniper rifles.
Bandits will be much more diverse this time around. Good old Bandit Thugs, Marauders, Psychos, and Midgets will make their return this time around, accompanied by new allies. Bandit Nomads will function similarly to the Bruisers of the first game, as they are big, slow and can take a lot of damage. Some Nomads carry bulletproof shields, trading firepower for protection. Nomad Torturers carry Midgets strapped to their shields. Shooting the ropes holding the Midget will release the stunted man, revealing a hole in the Nomad's shield.
One enemy who hasn't been revealed in trailers is the new Bandit Rat. While the Rat's appearance is unknown, he is frustrating to go up against. The Rat is a coward who is only concerned about his personal profit. He will dart around the battlefield picking up loot, and then try to escape once he garners enough. Be sure to kill him fast to get your loot back!
The last known new recruit to the bandits is the Goliath. Goliaths are unique in that they carry around two guns at all times, similar to the Gunzerker, and wear heavy armor. Once their armor is knocked off, the Goliath will go into a rage, regain all of his health, and melee rush his foes. Badass Goliaths are gigantic and carry miniguns. Rare Loot Goliaths carry a refrigerator-sized treasure chest on their backs, but try to run away from battle. Kill them fast enough to score an enormous stockpile of weapons.
Midgets and Psychos are much more diverse this time around. Borderlands 2 boasts Suicide Midgets and Suicide Psychos, who rush you with a grenade in their hand. Midgets have the new ability to ride on the shoulders of Goliaths for protection and vantage. Midget Skag Riders are also making their return. Finally, Borderlands 2 is proud to introduce the Badass Midget. He is short, buff, and duel-wields pistols bigger than his head.
Well, that was quite a wall of text. If I somehow didn't cover every insignificant fact about this game, please feel free to contribute.]
EDIT: For those who are wondering where the shared ammo announcement was, seek out this video. It's made relatively early on by Gearbox's creative director.
EDIT 2: ALso, Borderlands 2's class mods affect the appearance of the player, though they only visual difference is the color of the object on the player. Salvador's class mod is represented by the two Digigstruct units on his hips. Zer0's are the spiked plates on his elbows. Axton's is the weird camera... thing on his shoulder. Finally, Maya's is the book she keeps holstered on her leg.
