Avoid Embrace the Pain (Mania tree) if using a Rough Rider , as it relies on shield depletion.
Put 5/5 into Strip the Flesh in the Bloodlust tree. This increases explosive damage by 30%. It affects the Fastball and Bloodsplosion .
| Slot | Item | Why | |------|------|-----| | | Rough Rider (no capacity, +max health) | Always triggers “shields down” skills; massive damage reduction. | | Class Mod | Sickle (+6 Silence the Voices, +5 Salt the Wound) | Max melee damage. Legendary Sickle preferred. | | Relic | Blood of the Ancients (+health, +melee damage) | Survivability + damage. | | Grenade | Magic Missile (x2) | Slag application without swapping weapons. | | Weapon (melee) | Rapier (+200% melee damage) | Swap before melee attacking (outside Buzz Axe). | | Weapon (gun) | DPUH (Double Penetrating Unkempt Harold) | Explosive damage boosted by Fuel the Blood . | | Weapon (utility) | Grog Nozzle | Heals during gun phase; slag application. | borderlands 2 krieg build
In terms of gear, Krieg’s requirements are unique. While most characters hunt for high-capacity shields, Krieg often prefers the Rough Rider, a shield with zero capacity that grants extra health and permanent damage reduction. This ensures he can always trigger his low-health skills. For Class Mods, the Legendary Sickle is the gold standard for melee builds, boosting his most important damage perks.
| Skill | Points | Why it matters | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | 5/5 | +50% max health. You want a massive health pool. | | Empty the Rage | 5/5 | +100% melee damage when shields are down (they will always be down). | | Salt the Wound | 5/5 | Taking damage stacks shotgun damage and melee. God tier. | | Silence the Voices | 5/5 | The 250% melee damage is worth the self-harm. (Some players run 4/5). | | Release the Beast | 1/1 | When you activate BAR below 33% health, you instantly heal to full, get massive damage, and can reuse the skill immediately after it ends. | Avoid Embrace the Pain (Mania tree) if using
Release the Rage (Mania / Bloodlust Hybrid)
Before assigning a single skill point, you must understand two things that make Krieg unique: It affects the Fastball and Bloodsplosion
Mastering Krieg is about embracing the madness. You aren't just a soldier; you are a force of nature that grows stronger as the fight gets grimmer. By prioritizing health management through Release the Beast and maintaining Bloodlust stacks, you can transform Krieg from a fragile glass cannon into the ultimate frontline brawler of Pandora.
: You want to wait until your health is below 33% (marked by a "!" on your health bar) before activating Buzz Axe Rampage . This transforms you into a Badass Psycho with +100% Melee Damage and 50% Damage Reduction, instantly refilling your health. Key Skills :
This guide breaks down the three definitive Krieg playstyles: the , the Hellborn Incinerator , and the Explosive Bloodlust build. 1. The Melee Powerhouse (Mania Tree)