Invader (Borderlands 2)

This article is about the sniper rifle in Borderlands 2. For the sniper rifle found in Borderlands, see Invader (sniper rifle). For the pistol found in Borderlands, see Invader (pistol).

Invader
BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!
Manufacturer:	Hyperion
Type:	Sniper Rifle
Rarity:	Legendary
Element:	Shock, Incendiary, Corrosive, Slag, or None
Game:	Borderlands 2
Special Part(s): GD_Weap_SniperRifles.A_Weapons_Legendary. Sniper_Hyperion_5_Invader GD_Weap_SniperRifles.Barrel. SR_Barrel_Hyperion_Invader GD_Weap_SniperRifles.ManufacturerMaterials. Material_Hyperion_5_Legendary

The Invader is a Legendary Sniper Rifle manufactured by Hyperion. Invader is obtained randomly from any suitable loot source, but has an increased chance to drop from Saturn located in Arid Nexus - Badlands.

Special Weapon Effects

The Executioner has arrived. – Fires a burst of 5 rounds when scoped. Notably reduced damage. Moderately increased magazine size.

Usage & Description

While the Invader's special effect on its own is rather common (seen on all Dahl weapons), due to the fact that it's on a Hyperion rifle, the burst becomes more accurate and more stable as the burst moves through its 5 round cycle. This makes the last round out of the burst most accurate, vs. other burst fire weapons that become less accurate throughout the burst.

The Invader can be difficult to use practically due to its extreme use of ammunition. Because of this, it is best used with Zer0, who can deal the most damage with the Invader. In addition, it is recommended to have a relic that increases the limit for sniper rifle ammo and a bullet absorbing shield such as The Sham to replenish your supply.

There are more powerful alternatives to this rifle however, as the damage is rather poor for a sniper rifle, being equivalent to a below average blue Transaction sniper rifle, and the burst fire does not accommodate for this, due to enemy resistances.

The Invader however, can be seen as a better weapon than the Pitchfork in some areas, as the Invader will always score at least one shot with pinpoint accuracy and can keep such accuracy in short periods of time such as sniping multiple enemies, allowing the burst fire to make as much use out of each shot before the burst ends, while the Pitchfork consumes much more ammunition per burst, of around 10 shots compared to 5, and not all projectiles are made useful on slim or smaller enemies

It is recommended to obtain an elemental version of the weapon, as the burst fire will guarantee procs, so a shock or slag can decimate shields or provide opportunities to deal high amounts of damage with 'Slag & Swap' techniques (respectively).

Players would want to treat this as a SubMachine gun / Sniper Rifle hybrid when scoped, relying on DPS rather than single shot damage, as the Invader can be brutal if all shots are fired at the enemy as fast as possible for maximum damage, this can be achieved by firing as fast as you can pull the trigger and aim for criticals.

Trivia

• A SHiFT code for a single Venture Invader is included in the Diamond Plate Loot Chest. The item card caption reads "It's burst-fire (like a Dahl), but more accurate (like a Hyperion). Which will make you damn deadly at long ranges (like a sniper)."
• The flavor text references the original Invader sniper rifle in Borderlands. It was supposed to be called the "Executioner" and ended up with the wrong title due to a code bug.