Cracking the Code of Chaos: Amon Builds That Break Borderlands 4 (In the Best Way)
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Dive into the wonderfully chaotic world of Amon the Forgeknight in Borderlands 4, as we explore three incredible community-made builds – from explosive ranged nukes to relentless melee brawling and even elemental drone commanders – proving this character is far more versatile than he first appears.
Alright, Vault Hunters, gather 'round, because I've been tinkering with some data crystals – or, you know, reading the internet – and it turns out Amon the Forgeknight in Borderlands 4 isn't just a big chap with good manners and a penchant for pistachio ice cream. Mate, he's a walking, talking, utterly bonkers canvas for some of the most gloriously destructive builds the community has cooked up.
Now, anyone who's spent a hot minute in the Borderlands universe knows that the real magic isn't just in the guns, it's in how you glue together a character's skills and gear to create something truly absurd. And Amon? He’s practically begging for it. His whole shtick revolves around exposing himself to danger – like a digital wizard daring a rogue spell to backfire, only for it to summon a more powerful demon. It’s all about risk and monumental reward, and the player community has gone full mad scientist with it.
This article is based on insights originally published by Paulo Kawanishi on Polygon, digging into how Amon’s unique traits can be pushed to their absolute limits. Let's peel back the layers and see what kind of chaos we can unleash, shall we?
### Amon’s Arcane Arts: A Quick Dive into the Forgeknight’s Kit
First up, let's talk about what makes Amon tick. Unlike some Vault Hunters who specialise in one flavour of mayhem, Amon’s got a surprisingly versatile toolkit. His blue skill tree, for instance, lets him summon a shield that not only soaks up damage (handy, that) but also *fuels* a damage buff. It’s like saying, “Go on, hit me! It only makes me stronger!” which is just classic Borderlands bravado, isn’t it?
Then there’s the red skill tree, home to the 'Onslaughter' Action Skill. This one’s for the folks who reckon punching things is a perfectly valid solution to most problems. It buffs movement, slaps some fiery elemental damage onto his guns, and throws up another shield. So, you're faster, setting things ablaze, and still tanky. Fair dinkum.
And finally, for those who prefer their destruction at a slightly more dignified distance (or just enjoy throwing pointy things), the green skill tree allows Amon to hurl his forgeaxes around like elemental boomerangs. Each tree offers a distinct flavour of mayhem, proving Amon is far more than just a big brawler. He’s a multi-faceted agent of anarchy, and the community's builds absolutely lean into that.
### The 'Blastoid Amon' Build: Because More Explosions Are Always the Answer (by EpicNNG)
Alright, so imagine for a moment that Amon looked at the world and thought, "What if literally *everything* in front of me just… exploded?" That, my friends, is the core philosophy behind EpicNNG's Blastoid Amon build. This isn't just about guns; it's about creating a chain reaction of pure, unadulterated boom. You'll be chasing down specific gear, naturally – a shield with an 'Amp' affix, the 'Shiny War Paint' legendary repkit – but the real wizardry comes from the 'Unobtainable Hailspike' heavy weapon.
This isn't just any gun; it's practically a portable apocalypse generator. It's got 'Two-Shot' (because why shoot once when you can shoot twice?) and 'MIRV' (which, for the uninitiated, means every projectile that explodes spawns *three more* explosive orbs). Now, here's where it gets proper clever: snag three pieces of gear with 'High Caliber' firmware, which makes your bullets pierce enemies. This isn't just for looking cool, mate. This piercing effect means your 'MIRV' projectiles explode *twice*: once when they hit the enemy, and again when they finally land after piercing through them.
What happens? A single shot effectively hits the enemy *sixteen times*. That’s not just damage; that’s an honest-to-goodness nuclear option for anything foolish enough to stand in your way. It’s the kind of glorious, accidental-magic-spell-that-works-too-well chaos that Borderlands lives for. Seriously, it's a spectacle, and a proper testament to player ingenuity.
### The 'Onslaughter Amon' Build: Punching Problems Until They Stop Being Problems (by MrTx01)
If the Blastoid build is about raining down explosions, MrTx01’s Onslaughter Amon is about getting up close and personal with your fists, in the most satisfying way possible. This build is for those who crave the crunch of melee combat, turning Amon into an unstoppable, cryo-infused wrecking ball. The whole dance revolves around proccing 'Berserk,' a passive skill that grants bonus cryo damage for guns and melee, plus sweet, sweet slow immunity, by just using your forgeskill.
Once 'Berserk' is active, you pop 'Onslaughter' – the Action Skill – and dive headfirst into the fray. The beauty here is in the feedback loop: thanks to the 'There Is Only Red' skill, every kill you rack up while 'Berserk' is active *increases* your bonus cryo damage and *restores its duration*. It’s a perpetual cycle of punch, kill, get stronger, repeat. You just keep going until everything is a frosty, broken mess. It’s incredibly satisfying, like perfectly chaining a combo in a fighting game.
MrTx01 even highlights the clever tactical choice of augments: 'Pyroclast' or 'Fellfrost' for mobbing (general enemy clearing), and 'Force of Nature' for those beefy bosses. 'Force of Nature' lets you stack damage with gun hits while in 'Onslaughter' state, then detonate those stacks for massive damage with a Rocket Punch or your forgeskill. It's not just a brawler; it's a tactical brawler, which, let's be honest, is peak Borderlands fun.
### The 'Minion Amon' Build: Let the Axes Do the Talking (by ItalianSpartacus)
Now, here’s where Amon really surprises you, like finding a tiny, adorable dragon in your wizard's hat. ItalianSpartacus’s Minion Amon build flips the script entirely, transforming this melee-focused Forgeknight into a surprisingly effective long-range caster. How? Drones, mate. Elemental, axe-throwing drones!
This magical transformation hinges on four specific skills in Amon’s green skill tree: 'Tempered Pyre,' 'Twin Tempers,' 'Tempered Lightning,' and 'Tempered Ice.' Each of these bad boys spawns a unique elemental minion – two axes, a hammer, and a sword – to harass your enemies. It’s like having your own little spirit army, constantly chipping away at foes with fire, shock, and ice damage.
These drones aren't just for show; they're your main damage dealers, whether you're swamped by mobs or tackling a stubborn boss. Your basic rotation, from using your Action Skill to popping your ordnance, is all about spawning these little elemental terrors or extending their uptime. Throw in passive skills like 'Masterwork' and 'Escalation' to boost their DPS, and you’ve got a proper aerial assault going on.
While this build isn't super gear-dependent (a bonus for us casual looters!), you'll want to pack a corrosive gun to handle armored enemies. It’s a beautifully simple yet incredibly effective approach that showcases Amon’s unexpected versatility. Who knew a beefy brawler could be such a brilliant drone commander?
### The Forge Ahead, Vault Hunter!
So there you have it: three distinct ways to play Amon, each more gloriously destructive than the last, all thanks to the sheer creativity of the Borderlands community. Whether you want to turn enemies into atomic dust with the Blastoid build, get your hands dirty with the Onslaughter's unending melee rampage, or command a legion of elemental drones with the Minion build, Amon’s got you covered.
Remember, in Borderlands, the 'best' build is often the one that clicks with your playstyle and brings you the most ridiculous joy. Don't be afraid to take these as a starting point and tinker, experiment, and accidentally blow a few things up in your own unique way. That’s where the real fun of being a Vault Hunter truly begins. Now, go forth and cause some glorious, Forgeknight-approved mayhem!
Tags: Borderlands 4, Amon Builds, Vault Hunter, Gaming Guide, Character Customization
Original article: Polygon