Borderlands 4 is full of iconic and outrageous weapons, but few hit as
hard as the legendary shotguns. These guns are perfect for players who prefer
getting up close and unloading devastating damage in seconds. From fan-favorite
returns to brand-new chaos-inducing beasts, BL4’s shotguns are some of the most
powerful weapons in the game.
Also Check: All Borderlands 4 Safehouses & Datapad Locations (Complete Guide)
Here’s a breakdown of the 5 best legendary shotguns in Borderlands 4, how they work, and where to find them.
5.
Hellwalker
- Effect:
Soothslayer
- Red Text:
“A piece of the moon hung in the sky like a polished bone.”
The Hellwalker is a legendary Jakobs
double-barrel shotgun and a returning favorite from Borderlands 3. It’s
a direct homage to DOOM’s iconic Super Shotgun, complete with a distorted
guitar riff when fired.
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- Drops from:
Saddleback & The Immortal Boneface (The Old Scrape Ripper Drill
Site, southern Terminus Range).
- Why it’s good: Fires in a pentagram spread pattern for devastating close-range damage. While it’s no longer elemental like its BL3 version, its raw stopping power still makes it a must-have.
4.
Linebacker
- Effect:
Full Coverage – bouncing projectiles increase critical damage (+25%) and
overall damage (+35%) with each bounce.
- Red Text:
“Put me in!”
The Linebacker is a Torgue shotgun
that thrives on chaos. Firing four explosive rounds in a horizontal pattern,
its projectiles bounce and grow stronger each time they ricochet.
- Drops from:
Skyspanner Kratch (The Lambent Mines, Terminus Range).
- Why it’s good: Excellent for clearing mobs on flat ground with multiple bounces. The downside? It struggles against flying enemies or enemies on uneven terrain.
3.
Kickballer
- Effect:
Force Bunt
- Red Text:
“Let’s go, Diamond Ponies!”
The Kickballer is a community
favorite for its wild damage potential. If rolled with Jakobs parts, its
ricocheting projectiles can shred enemies and bosses alike—but beware, the
splash damage can hurt the player too.
- Drops from:
Sludgemaw, the final boss of the side mission All Charged Up
(unlocked after Null and Void) in Watershed Gate, Fadefields.
- Why it’s good: When paired with Jakobs’ “Piercer” perk and a Throwing Knife Ordinance with the “Leaper” perk, it can crit-chain through bosses almost instantly.
2.
Rainbow Vomit
- Effect:
Color Spray – fires droplets of three random elements.
- Red Text:
“I think I’m gonna…”
Rainbow Vomit is as strange as it
sounds. This Jakobs shotgun arcs its shots in a parabolic curve, spitting out
elemental chaos in random combinations.
- Drops from:
Leader Willem in Carcadia Burn. Unlocking requires completing a
questline:
- Enter the Electi Part 1 & 2
- The Council Divided
- The Traitor Within
- The Mole’s Gambit
- Why it’s good: Perfect for elemental/status effect builds, as it can deal with shielded, armored, and flesh enemies in one shot. Farming multiple versions is recommended to get ideal element rolls.
1.
Hot Slugger
- Effect:
Blazing Barrel – +30% damage on kill for 10s (stacking up to 3 times).
- Red Text:
“The madder I am, the thicker my accent gets!”
Topping the list is the Hot Slugger,
a Jakobs shotgun with insane burst damage potential. Its Blazing Barrel perk
can stack up to +90% extra damage, making it one of the most lethal shotguns in
the game.
- Drops from:
Callous Harbinger of Annihilating Death, located in Cravens Nook
Order Bunker (north of Bones of Sanctuary, Terminus Range).
- Why it’s good: Fast reload, tight spread, and incredible damage scaling make this shotgun ideal for bosses and late-game farming.
Whether you’re a Vault Hunter who
loves chaos or someone who just wants to delete bosses in seconds, these 5
legendary shotguns in Borderlands 4 are the best of the best. Each brings
unique mechanics that can fit different playstyles, and farming them will make
your journey across Kairos much easier.
Borderlands 4 is now available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
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