What is the fastest way to move in Borderlands 3?
There are 3 primary types of movement in borderlands 3:
- Sprinting
- Jumping
- Sliding
Optimizing your character's movement speed is essential for making legendary farming routes as seamless and efficient as possible. In Borderlands 3, the addition of the sliding mechanic introduces a whole new dimension to the game. This begs the question, how do all these movement mechanics come together in-game? And what combination of movements will allow you to move the quickest?
A few guiding questions to address:
Does sliding actually increase one's movement speed? (when one does not consider any relevant gear)
Is sliding downhill faster than doing so on level surfaces? Consequently, does sliding uphill slow you down?
If sliding (without mods) increases your movement speed, what can I make of the prompt during loading screens that states that sliding does not make you any faster than sprinting? Is it just a lie?
What combination of movement is the fastest? (2 answers, one with gear and one without)
What is the fastest way to move in low-gravity environments like Skywell-27?
Do the different characters and their varying movement mechanics affect the answer in no.4?
Does sliding actually increase one's movement speed? (when one does not consider any relevant gear)
Sliding does not increase movement speed. This is known from both this test, my own knowledge and a loading screen in-game that actually comments saying 'sliding only feels faster but actually isn't' (paraphrased). (It does appear he ends timers a bit off and that they're all essentially the same time)
ArrowCase in the comments is suggesting if you time it properly you can actually slide faster than running.
Is sliding downhill faster than doing so on level surfaces? Consequently, does sliding uphill slow you down?
- From my own experiences, sliding uphill does slow you down, the slide ends quickly as there is resistance to sliding upwards. Sliding down does speed you up, you accelerate down the hill and can hold the slide for a longer period of time.
If sliding (without mods) increases your movement speed, what can I make of the prompt during loading screens that states that sliding does not make you any faster than sprinting? Is it just a lie?
- It is telling the truth.
What combination of movement is the fastest? (2 answers, one with gear and one without)
Without gear:
- Without modifications or character boosts, only sliding downhill will help you move faster.
- As noted by Jutschge, running with a rocket launcher will slow you down.
With gear, you can slide around much faster:
- You can utilize the Vanquisher smg to increase slide speed. (20% buff)
- You can utilize various artifacts that boost slide speed. Artifact use can be seen in the test video above and also in this thread. (Upwards of 105% I've seen)
- There are also shields that give out speed boosts when you are at full shields. (Usually 10%)
- Various character perks allow for boosted movement speed. Including Amara mindfulness stacks and Zane's speed buffs (drone-based)
What is the fastest way to move in low-gravity environments like Skywell-27?
- The low gravity doesn't impact speeds as far as I can tell. It is mainly helpful in allowing you to jump to places you normally couldn't. I typically jumped around in skywell but I believe it falls under the "feels faster but actually isn't" comment.
Do the different characters and their varying movement mechanics affect the answer in no.4?
No, their base speeds are all the same. Only movement mechanics I've witnessed as varying are vaulting/climbing around. (Moze is better at getting into/onto small things)
However, as seen here you can boost character movements based off their skill trees. (Things in parentheses are my additions)
Amara: 10% on kill with her action skill 4.2% when hit, stacking 25 times (You can shoot yourself via a rocket, grenades, etc to boost your speed yourself)
Zane: 12% per active action skill 20% after kill 5% after kill from empowering the above skill via Death Follows Close 6% per enemy weakened by SNTNL 11% after touching Barrier
Moze: 25% in Iron Bear after hitting with Salamander
Fl4k: 5% permanent with Jabber pet 5% permanent via doubling pet bonuses with Barbaric Yawp 25% in Fade Away 10% while above half health
With no enemies around, like backtracking in an area, Fl4k has the upper hand. 20% "permanent", and an extra 25% for up to 32.5 of every 45 seconds.
Zane can get up to 35% out of combat depending on his action skill rotation.
Amara and Moze have no movement speed (bonuses) outside of combat.
In combat, Zane and Amara pull ahead. Amara likely has the easiest to reach potential, but Zane does not rely on being hit. Additionally, his SNTNL beam buff has no cap, but it's unknown how practical it will be to get many stacks.
TL:DR, Fl4k if there's nothing to shoot at or get shot by, Amara if you're trying to run past enemies shooting at you, Zane if you want to go fast in combat, but are avoiding being shot at.