Borderlands 4: All status effects, explained

Borderlands 4 features several different elements, most of which can inflict a status effect on foes. This, in turn, applies different effects, like damage over time and splash damage. Since enemies can be susceptible to a specific type of element, knowing the elements and their corresponding status effects is important to overcoming some tough challenges leading up to and beyond the endgame.

Here's everything to know about all status effects and how they work in Borderlands 4. Read on to know more.

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Every elemental status effect in Borderlands 4

Different weapons come with different elements (Image via 2K)

In a nutshell, most weapons bear specific elements, which can inflict different status effects. The latest series entry doesn't deviate from Borderlands 3 in this regard, as the same elements and status effects from the previous game are present in this one.

Here's every status effect in BL4 and its associated element:

• Incendiary: Applies fire damage over time to the target and may cause the target to burn. It's effective against Flesh, less effective against Shield and Armor.
• Shock: Applies shock damage over time and can electrocute enemies. It's works the best against Shield but is less effective against Flesh and Armor
• Corrosive: Applies Corrosive damage over time that melts foes. It works the best against Armor and is less effective against Flesh and Shield.
• Radiation: Applies Irradiated damage over time to the target and causes an explosion upon their death. It is effective against Shield, neutral against Flesh, and resisted by Armor.
• Cryo: Applies Cryo damage over time to the target and may freeze them solid. It's the best against Armor but neutral against Flesh and resisted by Shield.

As it should be obvious, most elements deal Damage Over Time (DOT) status effect aside from their unique trait, like burning or freezing foes. There are two other types of elements in Borderlands 4: Kinetic and Explosive. The former is non-elemental, and as such, does not inflict any status effect, while the latter inflicts splash damage.

Also note that Flesh, Shield, and Armor refer to red, blue, and yellow health bars on enemies, respectively. This means that using the right element in battle is important, so players should have guns of different elements in their inventory to inflict the most effective status effect as needed to win fights quickly.

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Borderlands 4 is available on PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2 platforms.

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