Catch-A-Ride just got a whole lot more interesting in the Borderlands universe! In Borderlands 3, you’re not just catching a ride; you’re building your ultimate death machine. Hijack enemy vehicles, strip them for Borderlands Car Parts, and create a personalized ride that’s as unique as your Vault Hunter. Let’s dive into the world of vehicle customization in Borderlands 3 and explore how you can craft the perfect set of wheels to conquer Pandora and beyond.
Borderlands 3 Vehicle Customization: From Hijacking to Master Builder
For Borderlands 3, Gearbox shifted gears, moving from Unreal Engine 3 to the more powerful Unreal Engine 4. This meant rebuilding everything from the ground up, including the vehicle combat system. Acknowledging that driving in previous Borderlands titles wasn’t exactly a smooth ride, Gearbox entrusted vehicle controls to their Quebec studio. This strategic move brought in talent with experience from racing game franchises like Need for Speed, ensuring a significant upgrade in vehicle handling and overall driving experience.
During a preview event, I had the chance to test drive several vehicles. The improvement was immediately noticeable. The controls felt intuitive, and the vehicles handled exceptionally well. Even in the early, more open areas of the demo, navigating felt natural, without any frustrating collisions with invisible obstacles.
Later in the demo, the action ramped up as I raced through the tight streets of Meridian Metroplex. Meeting up with Rhys, Lorelei suggested taking the new Cyclone bike for a spin. This vehicle is a highlight for many players, and for good reason. While its initial weapons might not seem overwhelming, the Cyclone’s maneuverability is truly impressive. Navigating at high speeds through confined urban environments was a breeze. Even when I was still learning the lay of the land, the responsive handling allowed for swift and agile movement.
One welcome change I noticed was the increased number of Catch-A-Ride stations scattered throughout the environments. This is a fantastic improvement, minimizing long treks on foot to reach a vehicle. Furthermore, the ability to fast travel directly to your vehicle at any time is a game-changer, significantly speeding up traversal and getting you back into the action faster than ever.
Unlocking and Utilizing Borderlands Car Parts
The core of vehicle customization in Borderlands 3 revolves around hijacking enemy vehicles and claiming their Borderlands car parts. Once you’ve commandeered an enemy ride, you might discover it’s equipped with components you haven’t seen before. To add these Borderlands car parts to your arsenal, simply drive your newly acquired vehicle to any Catch-a-Ride station. Position your vehicle on the designated digi-struct spot, step out, and watch the magic happen. The station deconstructs the vehicle, scanning and adding any new parts to your available customization options. From then on, you can digi-struct these newly acquired Borderlands car parts onto any of your future rides.
Ellie’s Catch-a-Ride stations offer three distinct vehicle chassis: the Outrunner, the Technical, and the Cyclone. Each of these vehicles boasts a wide array of customizable components, allowing for deep personalization. You can modify the Body Type (vehicle chassis itself), Driver Weapon, Turret Weapon (if applicable), Mods, Wheels, Armor, Material (skin theme), and Color Pallet. Let’s break down the available Borderlands car parts for each vehicle type:
Outrunner: Speed and Agility
The “Outrunner” is your go-to for speed in Borderlands 3.
Developed by a mega-corporation, the Outrunner is built for pure speed, designed to “outrun” any other land vehicle – except, of course, another Outrunner.
Catch-A-Ride Station
Outrunner Stats:
- Speed: 14
- Armor: 4
Outrunner Driver Weapons:
- Machine Gun: A reliable, high-fire-rate machine gun.
- Default weapon, available from the start.
- Tesla Coil: Emits a beam of shock damage that arcs between multiple targets.
- Found on: Maliwan Outrunners
- Location: Promethea (Meridian Metroplex), Pandora (Ascension Bluff)
- Flame Thrower: Projects a stream of flames, ideal for quickly clearing out vehicle occupants.
- Found on: Outrunners
- Location: Pandora (Ascension Bluff)
Outrunner Turret Weapons:
- Heavy Missile: Deals significant damage, with a 50% damage bonus on direct hits. Gunner can zoom for precision.
- Default weapon, available from the start.
- Shotgun Missile: Unleashes a spread of missiles. Gunner can adjust the firing pattern.
- Found on: COV Outrunners
- Location: Pandora (Devil’s Razor)
- Swarmer Missile: Fires a volley of guided missiles. Gunner can laser-guide the projectiles.
- Found on: Outrunner, Maliwan Outrunners
- Location: Pandora (Ascension Bluff), Nekrotafeyo (Desolation’s Edge)
Outrunner Wheels:
- Dune Buggy Wheels: Balanced performance for both speed and handling.
- Default wheels, available from the start.
- Zip Wheels: Engaging the e-brake stores energy, releasing it as a burst of flaming boost.
- Found on: Hijack Target Zippy Outrunner
- Location: Pandora (Devil’s Razor)
- Omni Wheels: Replaces the e-brake with a hover mode for limited flight.
- Found on: Maliwan Hover Outrunners
- Location: Promethea (Meridian Metroplex), Nekrotafeyo (Desolation’s Edge)
- Twitchy Wheels: Steerable rear wheels enhance maneuverability.
- Found on: Twitchy Outrunner
- Location: Promethea (Meridian Metroplex/Outskirts), Pandora (Droughts/Ascension Bluff/Devil’s Razor)
Outrunner Armor:
- Stripped Armor: Lightweight, but offers no additional durability.
- Default armor, available from the start.
- Heavy Armor: Heavy plating increases durability, but reduces speed.
- Found on: Hijack Target Heavy Outrunner
- Location: Pandora (Ascension Bluff)
Outrunner Mods:
- Booster Canisters: A well-rounded boost, balanced for speed and duration.
- Default mods, available from the start.
- Energy Cells: Three charges of energy that provide a short boost and a pulse of shock damage.
- Found on: Pulsing Outrunner
- Location: Nekrotafeyo (Desolation’s Edge)
- Blaze Booster: Delivers a powerful initial burst, best used in short bursts due to its rapid burn rate.
- Found on: COV Outrunners
- Location: Promethea (Meridian Metroplex), Pandora (Ascension Bluff)
- Laser Wings: Boost energy is redirected to create rotating laser blades around the vehicle for close-quarters combat.
- Found on: Hijack Target Razor Outrunner
- Location: Eden-6 (Floodmoor Basin)
Technical: Rugged and Explosive
The Technical Vehicle in Borderlands 3
The “Technical” is the vehicle of choice for the Children of the Vault (COV) in Borderlands 3, built for mayhem and destruction.
Despite its name, there’s nothing particularly sophisticated about the Technical’s construction. However, it’s surprisingly robust, packs a serious punch, and is incredibly fun to drive!
Catch-A-Ride Station
Technical Stats:
- Speed: 12
- Armor: 7
Technical Driver Weapons:
- Machine Gun: A classic and reliable machine gun.
- Default weapon, available from the start.
- Flak Cannon: A devastating shotgun that fires scrap projectiles, especially lethal at close range.
- Found on: COV Technical
- Location: Promethea (Neon Arterial), Pandora (Splinterlands)
Technical Turret Weapons:
- Barrel Launcher: Launches explosive barrels. The gunner can detonate barrels mid-air to create cluster bombs.
- Default weapon, available from the start.
- Sticky Bombs: Fires bombs that adhere to any surface – concrete, armor, or flesh. Detonation occurs after a timer or can be triggered by the gunner.
- Found on: Hijack Target
- Location: Promethea (Meridian Outskirt)
- Tire Bombs: Launches tire-shaped bombs that roll rapidly. The gunner can remotely steer the tire.
- Found on: Hijack Target Spare Tire Technical
- Location: Pandora (Splinterlands)
Technical Wheels:
- All-Terrain Wheels: The fastest wheel option for the Technical.
- Default wheels, available from the start.
- Monster Wheels: Large wheels improve handling and durability.
- Found on: Angels and Speed Demons quest
- Location: Pandora
- Barbed Wheels: Ignore terrain penalties and inflict 50% bonus ramming damage against flesh.
- Found on: Hijack Target Spiked Technical
- Location: Pandora (Devil’s Razor)
- Hover Wheels: Replaces the e-brake with a hover mode.
- Found on: Hover Technical
- Location: Promethea (Meridian Outskirt)
Technical Armor:
- Stripped Armor: Lightweight with no added durability.
- Default armor, available from the start.
- Heavy Armor: Heavy plating increases durability at the cost of speed.
- Found on: COV Technical
- Location: Promethea (Meridian Outskirts), Eden-6 (Floodmoor Basin). Guaranteed spawn during the “Beneath the Meridian” mission.
- Meat Grinder: Provides +100% ramming damage, and +200% ramming damage against flesh.
Technical Mods:
- Passenger Seats: Includes a boost module and passenger seating, allowing you to bring your squad along for the ride.
- Default Mod, available from the start.
- Fuel Barrels: Provides unlimited boost, sacrificing some power for sustained speed.
- Found on: COV Technical
- Location: Eden-6 (Floodmoor Basin)
- Toxic Booster: A weaker boost that leaves behind corrosive clouds, damaging enemies in your wake.
- Found on: COV Technical
- Location: Promethea (Neon Arterial), Eden-6 (Floodmoor Basin)
- Jet Booster: A powerful jet engine boost with a charge-up time, offering significant speed bursts.
- Found on: Carnivora Technicals
- Location: Pandora (Carnivora). Found during the Carnivora chase sequence.
Cyclone: Nimble and Versatile
The “Cyclone” is the fastest and most agile vehicle in Borderlands 3, perfect for hit-and-run tactics.
The Cyclone prioritizes maneuverability over defense, allowing drivers to outwit and outmaneuver opponents. It’s equipped with rapid-fire weapons that can target enemies in a full 360-degree radius.
Catch-A-Ride Station
Cyclone Stats:
- Speed: 17
- Armor: 2
Cyclone Driver Weapons:
- Machine Gun: The classic, reliable machine gun.
- Default mod, available from the start.
- Explosive Needle Launcher: Fires volleys of explosive needles that detonate after a short delay.
- Found on: Maliwan Cyclones
- Location: Nekrotafeyo (Desolation’s Edge), Promethea (Meridian Metroplex – True Vault Hunter Mode)
- Sawblade Launcher: Launches powerful, explosive sawblades.
- Found on: COV Cyclones
- Location: Eden-6 (Floodmoor Basin), Pandora (Devil’s Razor)
Cyclone Wheels:
- Monowheel: The Cyclone’s fastest wheel option.
- Default wheel, available from the start.
- Blade Wheel: Provides increased traction and significant bonus ramming damage against flesh.
- Found on: Blade Cyclone
- Location: Promethea (Neon Arterial), Eden-6 (Floodmoor Basin), Pandora (Devil’s Razor)
- Wide Wheel: Improves handling and increases durability.
- Found on: Hijack Target Fat Cyclone
- Location: Eden-6 (Floodmoor Basin)
- Hover Wheel: Enables hover mode when activating the e-brake.
- Found on: Maliwan Hover Cyclone
- Location: Promethea (Meridian Metroplex)
Cyclone Armor:
- Stripped Armor: Lightweight and offers no durability benefits.
- Default armor, available from the start.
- Heavy Armor: Heavy plating improves durability, reducing speed slightly.
- Found on: Heavy cyclone
- Location: Promethea (Meridian Metroplex), Eden-6 (Floodmoor Basin)
Cyclone Mods:
- Heavy Booster: An extremely powerful boost for maximum speed.
- Default Mod, available from the start.
Express Yourself with Vehicle Skins
Beyond Borderlands car parts, you can further personalize your vehicles with a variety of paint job themes. After selecting a theme, you can fine-tune the three base colors to create a truly unique look for your ride.
Unlockable Vehicle Themes
Vehicle skin themes are found as loot drops throughout the game, just like weapons and other gear. Collect them all to maximize your customization options!
| Skin Name | Skin Description |
|---|---|
| Default | Classic Look |
| Atlas | You are now sponsored by the Atlas Corporation! |
| Magic Number | “Illusion, Michael” |
| Blue Angels | Who’s the star? You’re the star! |
| Bubblegum | Let’s face it, this paint job would exist even if we didn’t put it here. Chew on this! |
| Children of the Vault | The Calypsos probably wouldn’t like us rocking their color, but who cares? |
| Dahl | You are now sponsored by the Dahl Corporation! |
| Ellie | Ain’t that a beauty? Feel free to change it even though it would break my heart. |
| Follow-Me | Fancy a game of checkers? |
| Forest Camo | Forest Camo? Anyone happen to remember we’re invading a desert planet? |
| Golden Ticket | Big Donny gave his life so you could have this … well you took it from him. |
| Gearbox | Now where have I seen this before …? |
| Halftone | Want this one? Sign here on the dotted line. |
| Hyperion | You are now sponsored by the Hyperion Corporation! |
| Jakobs | You are now sponsored by the Jakobs Corporation! |
| I like dinosaurs | Life huh … finds a way. |
| Leather | A tough leather finish. |
| Maliwan | You are now sponsored by the Maliwan Corporation … wait what? |
| Plaid | So warm and fuzzy |
| Roadkill | Look at this beauty, just like new! Wait, is that blood? |
| Skag | We love Skags. Don’t you? |
| Stealth | For stealthy night operations. Not sure how it works with all these explosives. |
| Thunderbird | Instead of soaring through the sky, you will ram through skags. |
| Torgue | You are now sponsored by the Torgue Corporation! |
| Vaughn’s | Vaughn is serious with this Sunsmasher business. |
| Vladof | You are now sponsored by the Vladof Corporation! |
| Woodland Camo | Ideal for chasing those pesky CoVs on Pandora. |
Scanning for New Borderlands Car Parts: A Quick Guide
To scan and acquire new Borderlands car parts in Borderlands 3, simply bring the vehicle containing the desired part to a “Catch-a-Ride” station. Park in the designated digi-struct area and exit the vehicle. The station will automatically deconstruct the vehicle and add any new components to your customization inventory. Start collecting and building your ultimate Borderlands ride today!
