Mayhem Mode is a game mode introduced in Borderlands 3. Mayhem Mode is activated upon the completion of the main story of the game.
Characters are taken to a mysterious terminal aboard Sanctuary III that can enable four difficulty levels, from one through four (previously three). Taking on one of these Mayhem Modes ups the ante on risks and rewards across all worlds: enemies get increased health, shields, and armor, in exchange for bonus cash, Eridium, experience points, and chances for better loot.
Mayhem Mode applies Mayhem Mods to any planet visited and can require new playstyles to be adapted in response to a random selection of modifiers. Modifiers for the current map may be viewed through the map screen.
Mayhem Mods are determined when a character enters a new area for the first time, traveling back to an area you have left does not change the mods applied to that area. Changing the Mayhem Level, exiting the game, or returning to the main menu will reset all mods.
Mayhem Levels
| Mayhem Mode | LEVEL 1 | ||||||||
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| Mayhem Mode | LEVEL 2 | ||||||||
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| Mayhem Mode | LEVEL 3 | ||||||||
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| Mayhem Mode | LEVEL 4 | ||||||||
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Mayhem Modifiers
The following is a list of Mayhem Modifiers that could apply to Mayhem 1, Mayhem 2 or Mayhem 3. The intensity of each modifier is also dependant on which Mayhem Level is selected.
| Name | Special Effect | Mayhem 1 | Mayhem 2 | Mayhem 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bulletproof | Enemies take x% less damage from normal bullets and attacks | 15% | 30% | 50% |
| Insulated | Enemies take x% less damage from incendiary damage | 15% | 30% | 50% |
| Icehard | Enemies take x% less damage from cryo damage | 15% | 30% | 50% |
| Grounded | Enemies take x% less damage from shock damage | 15% | 30% | 50% |
| Nuclear | Enemies take x% less damage from radiation damage | 15% | 30% | 50% |
| Cowabunga! | Enemies take x% less damage from corrosive damage | 15% | 30% | 50% |
| Savage | Enemies deal x% more weapon damage | +10% | +25% | +40% |
| Swift | Enemy weapons have x% increased fire fates | +7% | +14% | +20% |
| Fortified | Enemies have x% additional more health, shield and armor | +20% | 30% | +45% |
| Double Whammy | Enemies fire x additional projectiles | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Precision | Enemy weapons are x% more accurate | 20% | 35% | 50% |
| Explosive | Enemy explosions have increased area of effect | - | - | - |
| Overwhelming | Characters recover x% less shield (shield recharge rate & delay) and health regen but gain y% increased movement speed, fire rate, and reload speed | -30% and +8% | -50% and +12% | -70% and +16% |
| Exposed | Characters take x% more damage from all elemental damage but deal y% more damage with normal bullets | -15% and +15% | -30% and +30% | -45% and +45% |
| Skillful | Characters deal x% less damage with all guns, but gain y% increased cooldown rate and deal more skill damage | -5% and +25% | -35% and +35% | -50% and +45% |
| Utilitarian | Characters have x% worse accuracy and handling but deal y% increased shield, grenade, melee, slide, and ground slam damage | -12% and +30% | -24% and +40% | -36% and +50% |
| Hit and Run | Characters deal x% less damage with assault rifles and sniper rifles but deal y% increased damage with pistols, SMGs, and shotguns | -20% and +20% | -35% and +35% | -50% and +50% |
| Aim for the Head | Characters deal x% less damage with pistols, SMGs, and shotguns but deal y% more damage with assault rifles and sniper rifles | -20% and +20% | -35% and +35% | -50% and +50% |
| You're a Wizard | Characters deal x% less damage with normal bullets but deal y% more damage with all elemental damage | -10% and +30% | -50% and +50% | -70% and +70% |
| Sun's Out, Guns Out | Characters deal x% less damage with action skills and grenades but deal y% more damage with guns | N/A | N/A | -33% and +25% |
| Eridium Masks | Enemies take x% less damage from critical damage | N/A | N/A | 50% |
| Defendarius | Enemies have a x% chance to reflect projectiles back to the character | N/A | N/A | 30% |
Mayhem 4 mods
The following list of Mayhem Mods apply only to Mayhem 4:
- +20% Shield, Grenade, and Melee damage
- +16% Move Speed, Fire Rate, and Reload Speed
- +25% Skill Damage and Cooldown Rate
- +20% Normal bullet damage
- +30% Pistol damage
- +30% Shotgun damage
- +30% SMG damage
- +30% Assault Rifle damage
- +30% Sniper Rifle damage
- +20% Corrosive damage
- +20% Cryo damage
- +20% Fire damage
- +20% Shock damage
- +20% Radiation damage
- Enemies gain +40% Weapon damage
- Enemies gain +20% Weapon Fire Rate
- Enemies fire 2 additional Projectile per Shot
- Enemy weapons are more Accurate
- Enemy explosions have greater increased area of effect
- Enemies take 25% less damage from critical damage