Summary
Overall, Jakobs weapons are the resident one-shot weapons of theBorderlandsfranchise. Jakobs weapons started off as slow-firing but hard-hitting weapons, and while they have always retained their exceptionally high damage, these weapons have transitioned into having a much faster fire rate throughout theBorderlandsfranchise. Specifically, while most of the Jakobs weapons from the latestBorderlandsgames are still technically semi-automatic, they can usually be fired as fast as players can press the trigger.
Another distinguishing feature of Jakobs weapons is that most of them lack an Elemental damage type, with a few special exceptions. This isn’t much of a problem though as Jakobs weapons still generally deal significant damage regardless. Not to mention, certain Vault Hunters like theSirens in theBorderlandsfranchisecan passively grant these weapons an elemental damage type through certain skills anyway.
Jakobs’ Strongest Weapons Throughout the Borderlands Franchise
Skullmasher
This Legendary sniper rifle first appeared in the originalBorderlands, and it has returned in all the mainline games in theBorderlandsfranchise so far. Skullmasher simultaneously shoots multiple projectiles, like a typical shotgun, and although each bullet only deals a portion of the weapon’s base damage, it’s still extremely powerful.
Bessie
Of all the Jakobs weapons with the signature feature of dealing increased critical hit damage, Bessie takes best-in-class. This Pearlescentweapon from the originalBorderlandscomes with an impressive 500% boost to its critical hit damage.
Maggie
Maggie is essentially the revolver pistol counterpart of the Skullmasher sniper rifle, in that these weapons both fire multiple projectiles with each shot. Also like the Skullmasher, this weapon has returned in every mainlineBorderlandsgame since it was introduced inBorderlands 2.
Godfinger
This sniper behaves similarly to the Maggie and the Skullmasher with a couple of significant distinctions. The amount of projectiles fired by the Godfinger gradually increases as the initial bullet travels, up to a total of 14 projectiles, and each projectile deals the weapon’s base damage individually.
Boomacorn
The Boomacorn is one of the most unique Jakobs weapons because of its capability of dealing Elemental damage. Each projectile fired from a single shot of this shotgun deals a randomized Element, so this weapon regularly deals a variety of different damage types. Boomacorn ultimately proves one ofBorderlands’ unwritten rules: just because a weapon is below Legendary-rarity doesn’t mean it’s useless.
Ionic Disruptor
Every shot from this sniper rifle negates enemy shields, so it is a game-changer for fightingBorderlands’ raid bossesand standard enemies alike. There are a few Jakobs weapons throughout theBorderlandsfranchise that come with this trait, but what sets the Ionic Disruptor above the rest is that the bayonet on this weapon deals Shock damage. Since Shock damage excels at breaking shields and this weapon’s standard shots bypass shields, the bayonet isn’t very practical, but in principle it sets an interesting precedent for future Jakobs weapons.
Blade Fury
This is one of the few weapons inBorderlands 3that can deal melee damage with its bullets. This weapon is further unique because while it deals melee damage it still also deals a portion of regular bullet damage.
Hellwalker
ThisBorderlands 3easter egg weaponis a reference to the iconic double-barrel shotgun from the recentDoomfranchise games. Hellwalker deals extremely high damage, especially in the hands of Vault Hunters who can passively refill its magazine without reloading.
Rowan’s Call
There are a few Jakobs weapons inBorderlands 3with “Call” in the name, and they all behave identically to each other. These weapons all come with an Elemental damage type, and upon scoring critical hits they refund ammo and spawn homing projectiles. These are essentially infinite ammo weapons, but what sets Rowan’s Call above the other weapons of this kind is its large magazine size, which makes it forgiving to players who occasionally miss.
