Yes, Borderlands 3 does have New Game Plus, called True Vault Hunter Mode.
Eager to dive back into the mayhem of Pandora? Many players wonder, does Borderlands 3 have new game plus? It’s a common question for those who want to experience the story and loot again with their leveled-up character.
The good news is you absolutely can! Borderlands 3 offers a way to replay the main story with all your gear and skills intact. This mode gives a fresh challenge with stronger enemies, while allowing you to grow more powerful.
Does Borderlands 3 Have New Game Plus?
Let’s dive into the exciting world of Borderlands 3 and explore the ins and outs of New Game Plus. If you’ve finished the main story and are itching for more loot, more action, and a tougher challenge, you’re probably wondering if Borderlands 3 has a way for you to play through again with all your cool gear and levels. The short answer? Yes! Borderlands 3 does have something similar to new game plus, called True Vault Hunter Mode. It’s not exactly the same as some other games’ new game plus, but it offers a great way to replay the game with a boosted level of difficulty and even better rewards. So buckle up, Vault Hunter, because we’re going to break down everything you need to know about True Vault Hunter Mode in Borderlands 3.
What is True Vault Hunter Mode?
True Vault Hunter Mode (TVHM) is Borderlands 3’s version of New Game Plus. Once you finish the main story campaign for the first time, you can choose to start a new playthrough in this mode. Think of it like starting the story over, but with all the awesome progress you made on your first run. Your character’s level, skill points, Guardian Rank, and, most importantly, all that sweet loot you worked so hard to get, carry over. This lets you take on the game with a powered-up character, making the experience both familiar and fresh at the same time. This isn’t just about running through the same story again; it’s about taking on a bigger challenge with better rewards.
How to Access True Vault Hunter Mode
Accessing True Vault Hunter Mode is pretty simple. Here’s the step-by-step guide:
- Finish the Main Story: The first and most important thing is that you need to complete the main story campaign on Normal mode first.
- Go to the Main Menu: After seeing the credits roll, exit to the main menu.
- Select Your Character: Choose the character you want to play in True Vault Hunter Mode.
- Choose ‘Play’: When you select play, you’ll get a choice between “Normal” and “True Vault Hunter Mode.” Pick “True Vault Hunter Mode”.
- Start Your Adventure: You’ll start at the beginning of the game, ready to tackle the story with your souped-up vault hunter.
It’s that easy! Once you’re in TVHM, get ready for a more challenging and rewarding experience!
What Carries Over to True Vault Hunter Mode?
This is what really makes TVHM worth playing! Here’s a rundown of everything you keep when starting True Vault Hunter Mode:
- Character Level and Experience: Your character’s level remains the same as when you completed the first playthrough. You’ll keep all those gained experience points, ready to make it even higher.
- Skill Points and Skill Tree: All the skill points you’ve spent and your character’s developed skills stay with you. This means you can continue developing your build without needing to start fresh.
- Inventory: This is the best part for loot lovers! All your weapons, shields, class mods, artifacts, and other cool stuff will be in your backpack ready for action!
- Guardian Rank and Tokens: The Guardian Rank system also carries over, so you can keep those awesome boosts to your character and use any available Guardian Rank Tokens.
- Cosmetics: All your character customization options like skins, heads, and emotes are also there to keep your Vault Hunter looking their best.
- Eridian Writings: All collected Eridian Writings stay unlocked.
- Fast Travel Locations: All unlocked fast travel points will be ready for you to use, making traversal easier.
- Unlocked Vehicle Customizations: Any vehicle skins and accessories you’ve gathered are still available for use in TVHM.
What Changes in True Vault Hunter Mode?
While you keep all your progress, True Vault Hunter Mode does more than just let you replay the story. It introduces some important changes:
Increased Difficulty
The biggest change in True Vault Hunter Mode is that enemies are stronger, have more health, and hit harder. This means you have to use your skills, gear, and build more carefully. It’s not just a matter of mowing down enemies anymore; you need to think about your strategy. Don’t expect the early areas to feel like a walk in the park. Even the first enemies will give a noticeable challenge!
More and Better Loot
To help you combat the increased difficulty, you’ll also find higher-quality and more frequent loot drops in TVHM. This is where you get the best chance at finding those legendary weapons you’ve been wanting, making it the perfect place to continue your hunt for awesome loot.
Enemies Scale With Your Level
In the normal mode, enemies will stop leveling at certain points. But in TVHM, enemies will scale to around your level, providing a consistent challenge no matter how high your level is. This keeps the gameplay engaging throughout your playthrough.
Mayhem Mode Integration
Once you complete the main story in TVHM, Mayhem Mode is also accessible. This adds another layer of challenge and better loot by introducing modifiers, such as increased enemy health and damage or decreased player weapon damage. It allows players to fine-tune their gameplay to their preference.
Optional Mission Scaling
Unlike the first playthrough, the optional side missions in TVHM now scale to your level, giving you a lot more reason to go back and complete all those tasks that you missed during your first playthrough. This allows players to get end-game loot in all missions and enjoy them again with a fresh perspective.
Why Play True Vault Hunter Mode?
With the added challenge and better rewards, TVHM is perfect for those who want to explore the endgame content of Borderlands 3. Here’s a few reasons to jump in:
- More Challenge: If you felt Normal mode was too easy, TVHM provides a serious increase in difficulty, requiring you to optimize your character build and gameplay strategies.
- Better Loot: You have a higher chance of finding legendary weapons and gear in TVHM, making it essential for end-game looting and character progression.
- Experiment with Builds: TVHM is a great way to try out different skill tree builds with your character. The increased difficulty will let you test how good your build is.
- Revisit the Story: Enjoy the narrative once again, with the increased difficulty giving a new perspective on old enemies.
- Complete Missed Side Quests: TVHM is the perfect chance to go back and finish all the side missions you might have missed the first time around with a challenge that matches your level.
Is True Vault Hunter Mode Right For You?
If you love Borderlands 3 and want to keep playing after finishing the main story, True Vault Hunter Mode is definitely for you! If you are looking for a significant challenge and a more rewarding looting experience, this is the mode you should be playing. You don’t need to worry about starting over from zero as you’ll keep all your hard-earned progress while gaining access to better loot and more challenging enemies. It’s also great for players who want to try out different builds and see how effective their characters can be against stronger opponents.
Tips For Your True Vault Hunter Mode Run
Here are a few tips to help you get a great start to your journey through True Vault Hunter Mode:
Gear Preparation
Before starting TVHM, make sure your character is well equipped. Go through your inventory and make sure you’ve got the best gear for your build. The start of TVHM will be noticeably harder than the end of your first playthrough, so being ready is crucial.
Know Your Build
Have a good understanding of how your build works. Knowing which skills to focus on and what weapons to use to make the most out of your character’s strengths is very important for handling the increased difficulty. Check some build guides online if you are having trouble.
Use Matchmaking
If you are having trouble progressing or just like playing with others, don’t forget about matchmaking. You can play with other players online through the matchmaking option.
Don’t Be Afraid To Adjust
Be ready to change your strategy or build as you go through TVHM. The increased difficulty may highlight weaknesses in your current approach and build, so be ready to change up your plans and adjust accordingly.
Use the Golden Keys
If you have Golden Keys from SHiFT codes, use them! They will always give high-tier loot which can be a life saver when you are just starting TVHM. Check out the official Borderlands social media accounts and various gaming websites for new SHiFT codes!
Prioritize The Right Skills
Focus on skills that can improve your overall damage and survival ability. Choose skills that work well with your specific build to get the most out of each point you spend.
Take Your Time
Don’t rush, especially in the early parts of True Vault Hunter Mode. Take the time to explore the maps, farm enemies, and complete the side quests to get more loot and experience, and make your journey smoother.
In short, True Vault Hunter Mode is an amazing way to continue your Borderlands 3 adventure. It offers a great way to increase the difficulty, get better rewards and extend your playthrough of the game. So what are you waiting for, Vault Hunter? Go out there and start your TVHM journey!
The MOST asked question on my Borderlands Stream – Is True Vault Hunter Mode Worth It!
Final Thoughts
Yes, Borderlands 3 features True Vault Hunter Mode, acting as its version of new game plus. You can replay the story with your existing character and gear.
Enemies are tougher in True Vault Hunter Mode. Also, experience points and loot scaling will adjust based on your level making your playthrough very engaging.
Therefore, the answer to the question ‘does borderlands 3 have new game plus’ is a definite yes. This feature presents a must have challenge to keep players coming back.
