Defeating Gigamind in Borderlands 3 can be a tough but rewarding fight. As the third major boss in the game, Gigamind presents a unique set of challenges for players, particularly because of his shield mechanics and relentless attacks. You’ll face him during the “Hostile Takeover” mission on the planet Promethea, in the Meridian Metroplex area. Here’s a detailed strategy to take down this formidable boss and emerge victorious with valuable loot.
Preparation for the Fight
To ensure you’re well-equipped, consider gearing up with weapons that are effective against shields and health bars. Gigamind uses a hefty blue shield at the beginning of the fight, which is vulnerable to shock weapons. Having a powerful shock-based weapon will help you strip his shield quickly. For his health, once you break his shield, incendiary weapons are highly effective, so it’s wise to bring one for the second phase of the battle.
Phase One: Breaking Down the Shield
Gigamind starts the fight by hovering around on a hoverboard and deploying various mid-range attacks. He can hit hard, so it’s important to stay on the move, dodge his fire, and return fire steadily with your shock weapon to chip away at his blue shield bar. By staying mobile and focused, you can avoid his attacks while gradually depleting his shield. This phase is straightforward but requires careful dodging and consistent damage output.
Targeting Gigamind’s Weak Spot
When Gigamind’s shield is broken, he becomes more vulnerable. Look for the glowing pink area on his back, which is his critical weak spot. Hitting this spot will deal substantial damage, so try to position yourself behind him when possible. Keep in mind that Gigamind will likely switch tactics here, taking cover behind shields to avoid direct hits. Stay persistent and aim for his weak spot whenever he exposes his back.
Dealing with Support Troops and Drones
During the fight, Gigamind will summon Maliwan assault troops equipped with energy drones that provide them with shielding. These drones make the fight more challenging by protecting Gigamind’s reinforcements. To counter this, focus on taking down the drones first; this disables the shield on the troops, allowing you to dispatch them quickly. This tactic is especially useful if you find yourself knocked down—defeating one of these soldiers gives you a chance for a “Second Wind,” allowing you to get back into the fight.
Phase Two: Attacking Gigamind’s Health Bar
Once you’ve fully depleted Gigamind’s shield, it’s time to take down his health, which is represented by a red bar. Incendiary weapons are highly effective here, as they deal extra damage to flesh-based targets like Gigamind’s health. This is where Gigamind will deploy some of his stronger attacks, including energy-based assaults and a drone cluster attack, which releases a tornado-like effect. This stage requires even more movement, so be prepared to dodge the tornado and any other projectiles he sends your way.
Maintaining agility is key here; keep strafing and repositioning to avoid his attacks while getting in as many shots as possible. It’s also wise to keep Gigamind’s drones and backup troops in check, as they can quickly overwhelm you if left unchecked.
Loot and Rewards
After successfully defeating Gigamind, you’ll be rewarded with various loot, including the chance for some valuable legendary items. Gigamind has a high probability of dropping unique items like the Smart-Gun XXL SMG or the Red Card shield, both of which can enhance your loadout significantly. Additionally, you’ll receive other valuable items like eridium and credits. Once Gigamind is down, you’ll also collect a mission-critical item known as the “Gigabrain,” which is necessary to complete the Hostile Takeover mission.
Additional Tips
- Use Cover and Mobility: Make use of the cover around the arena to avoid Gigamind’s heavier attacks and keep moving to dodge projectiles.
- Switch Weapons Efficiently: To make the most of your loadout, be ready to switch between shock and incendiary weapons as the fight transitions from his shield to his health.
- Practice Crowd Control: Dealing with Gigamind’s supporting drones and Maliwan troops quickly will prevent the arena from becoming overcrowded, allowing you to focus on the boss.
