With guns numbering in the billions, Borderlands 4 returns to form with widespread elemental weapon variety. While all of the elements are capable of harming monsters, some do a much better job at overcoming specific defenses than others.
The ability to switch to the correct element can be the difference between wearing down an enemy or evaporating their health bar in seconds.
Enemies in Borderlands 4 are divided on the basis of three main defenses: Health (Flesh), Shields, and Armor. They each respond differently to elements, so players will always have to change their loadouts for optimal efficiency.
Flesh Enemies – Red Health Bars
Most wildlife, Ripper gangs, and some Order units show up with the familiar red bar that signifies flesh. Most elemental weapons cause neutral damage to flesh, but one stands supreme: Incendiary. Fire weapons slice through flesh effortlessly, inflicting substantially more damage than other elements.
- Best Choice: Incendiary (very strong)
- Good Alternatives: Radiation and Corrosive (normal)
- Bad Choices: Cryo and Shock (weak)
Briefly, whenever you see red-bar enemies, grab firepower—literally.
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Shielded Enemies – Blue Bars
Order troops and some Ripper units are usually shielded with blue shield bars, which reside above health. Shields are extremely susceptible to Shock damage, so shock weapons are the best go-to for shattering them efficiently.
Radiation and Cryo also work well here, chipping down shields if you don’t have a shock weapon. Incendiary and Corrosive, on the other hand, are nearly useless against shields and should be avoided when confronted with blue-bar foes.
- Best Choice: Shock (very strong)
- Effective Options: Cryo and Radiation (strong)
- Avoid Using: Corrosive and Incendiary (very weak)
Shattering a shield effectively provides you with a significant advantage, as it reveals the enemy’s health or armor below.
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Armored Enemies – Yellow Bars
Yellow armor bars on enemies are among the game’s strongest, typically being the Order’s mechanical minions. Armor is extremely resistant to most damage sources, but Corrosive is particularly effective here, tearing through metal plating and exposing enemies to damage.
Cryo and Incendiary perform reasonably well, though they do minimal damage at best. Shock and Radiation, on the other hand, perform subpar against armor and are better reserved for other scenarios.
- Best Option: Corrosive (extremely powerful)
- Decent Options: Cryo and Incendiary (average)
- Poor Options: Radiation and Shock (weak)
As you spot a yellow bar, always remember “acid”—it’s the quickest method to rip machines and armored enemies apart.
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Final Tips
- No element makes enemies entirely invulnerable, but effectiveness is important. An off-element matchup won’t prevent you from damaging them, but it will hinder you.
- Maintain a diversified loadout to prepare for any type of enemy—fire for flesh, shock for shields, and corrosive for armor.
- Cryo and Radiation are useful middle-of-the-road options but seldom beat the core counter.
By mastering elemental matchups, you’ll always stay one step ahead in Borderlands 4, turning tough encounters into quick victories.
