The cult-like antagonists known as the Children of the Vault are one of the most significant additions to Borderlands lore in the franchise’s third mainline game. It’s just one among many changes from its predecessor.
But this faction also brings with it an entirely new gun manufacturer with the same name. COV-made weapons take the place of the similarly crude Bandit guns in prior entries.
These bizarre weapons have their own share of quirks, to be sure. This mainly comes in the form of overheating and repair requirements, which basically function like extended reloads. Still, many of these weapons are uniquely fun to wield, and can often be quite powerful to boot. They’re certainly worth looking at for those who dread the idea of frequent reloading.
In a game with so many manufacturers, are there any COV really worth seeking out? And which are the best to dish out pain with overall?
10 Yellowcake
Many BL3 players were spamming this seasonal weapon when it debuted in April of 2020. It quickly proved to be one of the deadliest weapons in the game, COV or otherwise.
If not for the significant nerf that came with the June 2020 patch, the Yellowcake would probably find itself far higher on this list. But despite its potency being dialed back, it remains a powerhouse overall. Its consistent radiation elemental adds to its already powerful traits. The launcher rains down hellfire with its barrage of mortar shots, allowing players to cover ample ground and clear areas quite quickly.
Getting past the spotty accuracy and frequent overheating, the Yellowcake is a total explosive beast.
9 Skeksil
This pistol can really pack a punch, as its users discover when nabbing one from Skrakk in Pandora’s Ascension Bluff.
In fairness, the questionable accuracy and burst-fire mechanics of the gun may not be for everyone. Still, it’s well worth getting used given the power of its multi-shot explosive projectiles and potent elemental damage. This COV pistol can really burn through foes with power and speed — especially those of a fleshy nature.
The Skeksil has gotten even further juiced up following a hotfix in March 2020, which saw the damage of the extra projectiles bumped up.
8 Globetrottr
This monstrous launcher can be secured from another beastly manifestation named Scourge the Invincible in the Takedown at the Guardian Breach.
Though it doesn’t take many blasts for this thing to break, the Globtrottr pretty much ensures that each shot counts. Players can pummel targets with glowing pellets of death with just a few shots, as each projectile yields three bouncing disks that blow up on impact. These same explosions will kick in after a few bounces even if the target isn’t hit. This is useful as the launcher doesn’t quite excel in terms of reliable, pinpoint accuracy.
Quirks aside, the Globetrottr is one of the most powerful weapons in the game. It can melt bosses and be a surefire way to escape a Fight For Your Life situation.
7 Sawbar
This Legendary assault rifle can most often be found from Borman Nates, who resides in Promethea’s Meridian Outskirts.
The Sawbar can unload tons of literal and metaphorical heat with its incendiary features while minimizing its own overheating at the same time. While it won’t exactly tear apart bosses, this rifle can quickly clear out mobs at medium and even long-range despite its average accuracy. This is thanks to its explosive projectiles, which can blast enemies away from behind cover.
6 Rebound
One of BL3’s best assault rifles happens to be exclusive to the Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck DLC. Specifically, it can be farmed from the respawnable boss Psychoreaver in Vaulthalla.
Gears of War fans might liken this weapon to a Buzzkill on steroids, with its piercing sawblades that cut through targets like a knife through butter. The initial impact is strong enough, but the blades actually bounce and explode a few times when firing, making it a mob-clearing force. Add elemental damage into the mix and we’re talking some serious damage.
It should be noted that the projectiles behave pretty erratically and its repair time can be brutal. Still, the devastation from the bouncing blades makes these quirks well worth it.
5 Hydrafrost
Players of the Guns, Love, and Tentacles DLC will be able to obtain one of the most devastating pistols in the game. Vault Hunters will need to slay the rare beast, Shiverous the Unscathed, who lurks in Negul Neshai for the best chance to get one.
This cold-as-ice gun can stop even some of the most potent foes dead in their tracks, with its cryo abilities that are peppered with incendiaries. Not only this, but the weapon comes laced with a super high fire rate, and a chance to inflict shock damage. Sure, it may not be super effective at long range compared to some pistols.
Still, its speed, DPS, and elemental augmentations make it a close and medium-range powerhouse. It’s especially effective against weaker mobs, as it receives a buff after notching kills.
4 Psycho Stabber
This Legendary pistol is only dropped from mini-boss Borman Nates in Promethea’s Meridian Outskirts.
In keeping with its Hitchcockian horror theme, the Psycho Stabber thrives in its ability to skew foes with its high melee damage and blade accessory. The weapon lobs piercing knives that can quickly slay targets in its path. The already potent pistol can be further exploited by using Amara’s Action Skill Phaseflare, as the Orb of Elemental Energy will supplement the melee damage.
It’s a weird one, to be sure, but it can be one of the most powerful weapons for those who know how to use it right.
3 Gargoyle
This armor-melting corrosive weapon is fittingly dropped by the gun-wielding gargoyle Dickon Goyle in Bloodsun Canyon.
Along with its already potent projectiles, the pistol offers a chance to lob corrosive blobs in addition, piling on the DPS to absurd levels. It’s something of an ammo glutton with average accuracy, so it won’t really be the best at clearing hordes of small mobs. Still, it can be massively effective when it comes to taking out larger, powerful foes and bosses more quickly.
2 Major Kong
Psycho Krieg players who take out Psychoreaver can be rewarded with yet another of the best COV guns the game has to offer. This legendary launcher is a monster, especially for those with the patience to spend a few seconds charging up shots.
Rockets that find their mark will also yield a homing child rocket, amplifying the insane damage output of this launcher. Factor in the elemental DPS and explosive area-of-effect range, and the Kong is nothing short of a nuclear weapon.
1 Tizzy
Pound for pound, it’s harder to find a more effective weapon with which to swiftly, accurately crank out damage. Basically, this is a run-and-gun spammer’s dream, as overheating yields increased fire rate and magazine size. Not only this, but every sixth bullet ricochets about, and every 12th shot deals 70% more damage.
Really, the Tizzy checks off most of the boxes when it comes to potent, effective weapons. It’s powerful, swift-firing, elemental, and fairly accurate to boot. Its DPS prowess and explosive shots make it great for effective mob clearing as well as boss fights.
NEXT: Borderlands 3: Every Legendary Grenade, Ranked
