Borderlands: The Handsome Collection Tips

Borderlands: The Handsome Collection is a 2K-published, Gearbox-credited compilation built around two different looter-shooters: Gearbox Software’s Borderlands 2 and 2K Australia/Gearbox Software’s Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel. Treat it as two connected games, not one giant campaign. Borderlands 2 is the cleaner first stop for most players. The Pre-Sequel plays close to it, but adds low gravity, Oz Kits, Moonstones, and Grinder systems that punish assumptions.

Content warning: this mature-rated collection includes shooter violence, gore, strong language, sexual themes, and alcohol references. This guide stays non-graphic and focused on play.

Essential Tips

1. Start With Borderlands 2 Unless You Have a Specific Reason

It teaches the shared language of the collection cleanly.

Borderlands 2 introduces Vault Hunters, action skills, mission levels, weapon manufacturers, elements, Badass Rank, co-op pacing, and stash habits without the moon-movement layer.

2. Pick One Vault Hunter and Commit Early

A half-built character feels weaker than a focused one.

Each character is defined by an action skill and skill trees. Choose the action skill you enjoy, then spend points toward that style before experimenting broadly.

3. Use Elements for the Target in Front of You

The right element is often stronger than a higher number.

Do not judge guns only by item score or damage. Shock is valuable into shields, fire is better into flesh, corrosive is useful against armor and metal, and slag in Borderlands 2 is a setup effect for follow-up non-slag damage. Keep a practical spread of weapon types so a resistant enemy does not stall the fight.

4. Read Mission Levels Before Accepting a Detour

Side content is useful when it supports your current level band.

The collection includes a huge amount of DLC, arenas, side missions, and extra characters. If a mission is far above you, leave it. If it is near your level, it can be a good way to gain XP and gear before the next story spike.

5. Coordinate Character Strengths in Co-op

Four-player support works best when the group compares its tools.

The collection supports local and online co-op depending on platform. Before the session, compare Vault Hunters, action skills, and elemental coverage so the group does not duplicate every strength and weakness. Keep mission-level detours aligned, and pass useful drops to the player whose character can use them instead of competing for the same weapon slot.

6. Use Claptrap’s Stash for Good Cross-Character Gear

One strong item can make the next character start smoother.

Borderlands 2 gives you a cross-character stash in Sanctuary. Use it for weapons, shields, class mods, and odd utility pieces that are not right for your current Vault Hunter but could be excellent for another one. Do not hoard every blue item; save things with a clear future use.

7. Treat The Pre-Sequel’s Oxygen as a Combat Resource

Oz Kits are movement tools, not just air tanks.

On Elpis, oxygen supports survival outside atmosphere and powers double jumps, air boosts, and slam attacks. Watch the meter, use oxygen pickups during long fights, and practice fighting from the air.

8. Spend Moonstones With a Plan

Moonstones are not just another pile of cash.

The Pre-Sequel uses Moonstones for Black Market upgrades, Grinder outcomes, Moxx-tail buffs, and special chests. Early on, prioritize upgrades and uses that help your current character consistently. Random spending feels fun for a minute, but the collection rewards long-term inventory planning.

9. Use the Grinder After You Understand What You Are Feeding It

Three unwanted items can become useful, but blind grinding wastes gear.

The Grinder combines three items according to recipes and can use Moonstones to improve results. Start with expendable gear until you understand what the machine is doing. Do not toss in a weapon you are actively using just because the station is available.

10. Expect the Later Playthroughs to Demand Cleaner Habits

This tips guide is approachable; the collection itself can get harsh.

True Vault Hunter Mode and higher progression layers raise enemy pressure and make elemental efficiency more important. If you plan to continue beyond the first campaign clear, learn good habits early: keep upgraded gear, match elements, finish useful side content at the right time, and avoid spreading skill points without a purpose.

Choose the Right Starting Point

The collection’s biggest trap is treating the menu like a single start button. Borderlands 2 and The Pre-Sequel are related, but not interchangeable. Borderlands 2 is the clean entry point if you want the main Handsome Jack arc, familiar ground movement, and the most straightforward route into the loot loop.

The Pre-Sequel is best when you want the Elpis/Helios side of the story or a more movement-heavy formula. Low gravity changes how you dodge, close distance, and use vertical space, while Oz Kits, Moonstones, Moxx-tails, and the Grinder add extra planning.

If you are playing co-op, agree on the game before everyone makes characters. Mixed-experience groups usually have a better time starting in Borderlands 2.

Handle DLC Without Losing the Main Path

The Handsome Collection is generous, but abundance creates pacing problems. Its core edition scope is Borderlands 2 and The Pre-Sequel with available add-on content from the collection’s original content baseline. That includes major Borderlands 2 campaign add-ons and The Pre-Sequel add-ons such as The Holodome Onslaught and Claptastic Voyage.

For a first playthrough, let the main campaign set your pace. Use DLC when it is near your level, when you want a change of scenery, or when your group needs gear and XP. Avoid jumping between too many campaign add-ons at once.

Try a DLC Vault Hunter if the action skill sounds appealing, but avoid restarting repeatedly just because another character exists. One strong character teaches more than six unfinished experiments.

Build Around Elements and Action Skills

Good Borderlands play starts before the shooting. Look at enemy types, shield bars, armor, and distance, then switch weapons deliberately. A lower-damage weapon with the right element can solve a fight faster than a bigger gun used into resistance. Slag in Borderlands 2 is best treated as setup for other damage.

Your action skill should shape your loadout. Read the skill trees before committing points, then keep weapons and equipment that support the direction you chose. Apply the same rule in The Pre-Sequel rather than assuming its Vault Hunters value the same weapon mix as the Borderlands 2 cast.

Co-op multiplies this value. Compare action skills and elemental options before everyone spends points or discards gear, then cover gaps as the group advances.

Adjust for The Pre-Sequel

The Pre-Sequel is not just Borderlands 2 with different scenery. Low gravity changes enemy approach, dodging, and recovery from bad positioning. Jump pads, air boosts, and slam attacks are combat tools.

Oz Kits combine survival, mobility, and combat bonuses. If you keep forgetting oxygen, you will play timidly in open areas. Check kit effects the same way you check guns and shields.

Moonstones should also be planned. Black Market upgrades have long-term value, Moxx-tails can help during a focused session, Moonstone chests can produce good loot, and Grinder use can convert spare gear. Spend when the gain is clear.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Starting The Pre-Sequel before learning Borderlands 2 basics - The added movement and resource systems make early confusion more likely.
2. Choosing a Vault Hunter only for appearance - Action skills and skill trees define how your fights actually play.
3. Using one favorite gun against every enemy - Elemental resistance and defense types can make a beloved weapon feel terrible.
4. Shooting slagged enemies only with slag weapons - Slag is strongest when it sets up non-slag follow-up damage.
5. Accepting every DLC mission immediately - Too many open paths can scatter your leveling and hide the main campaign rhythm.
6. Ignoring Claptrap’s stash - Useful cross-character gear can sit wasted in a vendor pile.
7. Spending Moonstones on impulse - Grinder, Black Market, Moxx-tail, and chest uses compete for the same resource.
8. Ground-fighting every encounter on Elpis - The Pre-Sequel expects double jumps, air boosts, and slam attacks.
9. Building four co-op characters with the same weakness - Duplicate elemental and action-skill gaps leave the whole group without a practical answer.
10. Entering harder playthroughs with unfocused gear - Later modes punish bad element coverage and scattered skill choices.

Summary

Category	Top Tip
Starting point	Play Borderlands 2 first unless your group specifically wants The Pre-Sequel.
Scope	Treat the collection as two games with shared ideas and different systems.
DLC	Use add-ons around your level instead of opening every side campaign at once.
Combat	Match elements and action skills to the enemy, not just the item score.
Co-op	Compare character choices and elemental coverage, then share useful gear.
The Pre-Sequel	Manage oxygen, Moonstones, Oz Kits, and the Grinder deliberately.
Difficulty	Expect later playthroughs to require cleaner builds and stronger elemental habits.