BORDERLAND 3 - FL4K - Pet Tank Build/Damage Buff

The Borderlands Franchise has been one of my top video games of all time as it introduced the “looter shooter” genre into the video game industry back in 2009. With that said, as Borderlands 3 made its debut on 13 September 2019, producer 2K has brought everything from previous iterations and made it so much better. I have not been able to put it down since! Below you will find my favorite build for this game so far.

Bottom Line: This build is primarily for players who like to play a supporting role with a team, letting your pet take all the agro and attacks, but also allowing players to play solo. Additionally, the player will be able to change action skills on-the-fly to the stalker tree for more up-close encounters with bosses when your pet is not needed. Overall, this build will allow players to be very versatile, using the pet for routine baddies and changing to a more survivable action skill set without having to go to the sanctuary for boss fights.

See Gameplay Videos Here:

TVHM Mayhem 3: https://youtu.be/RhnpTnmAJ1k

TVHM No Mayhem: https://youtu.be/QkoeVKUWLH0

Now going into the build, we will primarily be focusing our points on the stalker tree to get to the “power inside” skill, which will provide up to 50% more damage to FL4K and his pet for 15 seconds upon execution of Gamma Burst. To provide the most buffs to FL4K and his trusty pet on the stalker tree, we need to put points in:

Sicem: 3 points – 30% pet damage buff on command

Furious Attack: 5 points – 20% Damage buff to FL4K

Eager to Impress (+ Optional Point): 3 points - Reduce action skill cool down. Depending on additional points you can add more here. I chose three because I have RED FANG mod equipped.

Turn Tail and Run: 3 points – Without moving, adds additional 25% Gun Damage

Hidden Machine: 5 points – While PET is taunting enemies or enemies shooting other players other than FL4K, gives additional 30% damage

Fast and the Furryous: 3 points – Gun Damage 25%

Rage and Recover: 2 points – Provide Health regen on Kill

The Power Inside: 1 point – Provides 25% Damage buff on Actions Skill or 50% when at full health:

If playing straight solo, I would recommend adding a point to the “Lick the Wounds skill” to let your pet revive you when down. But, this will hardly come in handy when paying with a group of friends.

Overall Total Damage Buff (When ALL Stalker Skills Active):

FL4K Damage: 100%

FL4K Gun Damage: 50%

Pet: 80% (Not sure if FL4K “Damage” buff include pet total damage if so then it should be 130%).

Now moving on to our Master Skill Tree. This skill tree will further increase FL4K and his trusty pets damage output while also providing some tanking skills to keep the pet alive. The skills to focus on are:

Ferocity: 5 points – 50% pet damage, this is our money maker!

Persistence Hunter: 3 points: Gun Damage 12%, but we want this skill for the increased skill duration of 45% as it will make our pet invincible for the length of the skill period.

He Bites: 2 points – Reflects damage up to 10%, I recommend 3 points here, but I have RED FANG on which gives me an additional point.

Frenzy: 5 points – FL4K and Pet Damage buff 40% at full stack.

Who Rescued Who?: 3 points – Health Regen on enemy damage. Keep your pet alive!

Psycho Head on a Stick: 1 point – Increased Pet Damage 10%

Mutated Defense: 1 point – Increase pet survivability

Pack Tactics: 2 points – Damage buff 10% for FL4K and pet

Overall Total Damage Buff ( When ALL Master Skills Active):

FL4K Damage: 50%

FL4K Gun Damage: 12%

Pet Damage: 110%

Overall Total Damage (When all STALKER and MASTER Skills Active)

FL4K Damage: 150%

FL4K Gun Damage: 62%

Pet Damage: 190% (Not sure of FL4K “Damage” buff include pet total damage if so then it should be 240%). With Gamma burst Endurance passive skill on – 240% or 290%.

How to Play this Build

Solo – When playing solo, skills to equip are:

Eridian Skag (Recommended) or Jabber (Any) – I recommend the eridian skag for the singularity skill it has to pull enemies closer to the pet. This will allow enemies to be radiated while Gamma burst is active.

Action Skill: Gamma Burst – Great for placement of your pet to do the most damage and makes your pet invulnerable to death while active. Also, when your pet is dead, executing this skill will automatically revive your pet.

Passive Atomic Aroma: Imbues your pet with Radiation and damaging all enemies around him. Combining this with Eridian Skag is a must!

Passive Endurance: Increases the duration of Gamma Burst and Pet Damage up to 50% and 15 Seconds upon killing an enemy. I call this the SUPER SAIYAN SKILL for the bursting yellow animation it has when the pet or FL4k kills an enemy.

Your focus on enemies are to kill the weaker or smaller enemies to increase the Gamma burst duration. Your pet should be focused on the Baddies that are tougher to kill as to keep their attention on him. This taunting skill from RED Fang will help to relieve pressure from you and your friends for as long as your skill is active. When on cool down, look for weaker enemies to kill to reduce the amount of time needed to get your skill active again. When its up, select the appropriate time to use it.

Group play: Same as Solo Build

Bosses: Replace Gamma Burst and Passives with Stalker Action skill, Unblinking eye, and Guerillas in the mist.

Equipment

Mod: RED FANG – Primarily for the special stat in allowing your pet to taunt all enemies, YES even BOSSES! (See equip image for Stats)

Artifact: Radiation Efficiency - Primarily to increase radiation damage when skill is active

Weapons: Recommend using mid-range weapons with radiation damage or anointed stat of increasing radiation damage.

Shield: Legendary Re-charges for the highoutput shield and immediate recharge upon depletion to keep health full or above 50%

I hope you enjoy this build!