Borderlands 4 fans online are sharing their frustrations about the new Pearlescent rarity weapons added in Bounty Pack 2: Legend of the Stone Demon. The main issue fans have is the addition of a guaranteed Pearlescent drop, although Gearbox has clarified why this has been done for the debut of the new rarity in Borderlands 4.
Pearlescent rarity weapons were first added to Borderlands 4 in Bounty Pack 2, promising to have a significant impact on weapon grinding in the future. Fans might remember Pearlescents from Borderlands 2, although this weapon rarity did not return for Borderlands 3. When they were first teased as a post-launch addition in the newest game in the series, fans were excited to see their return. With drop rates slightly higher than those of Phosphene items, they were supposed to be among the rarest items in the game. Bounty Pack 2: Legend of the Stone Demon added three Pearlescent weapons to start players off: Conflux, Eigenburst, and Handcannon. However, the Handcannon is a guaranteed drop when players complete the Ordonite Processor activity in Bounty Pack 2, which has caused some controversy among players.
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Borderlands 4 Fans Aren’t Happy About the Guaranteed Pearlescent in Bounty Pack 2
After it was revealed that there is a guaranteed Pearlescent drop in Borderlands 4‘s Bounty Pack 2, Gearbox took to X to explain its decision. Because Pearlescents are new to the game, the developer claims it “wanted to introduce everyone who owns Bounty Pack 2 to the new rarity and give them a chance to test out one of these supremely powerful weapons.” It also clarifies that it “won’t ever be this nice again,” reiterating the fact that they’re “still designed to be among the most elusive drops in the game.” Many fans responded to the post, sharing their dissatisfaction. “Guaranteed and Pearl should never appear in a sentence together,” one prominent Borderlands 4 content creator stated, while another fan said that the developer has “literally devalued pearls.” This was the broad sentiment across numerous replies, with one player explaining that they “no longer feel excited to hunt for pearls knowing they’re as easy to get as they are at the moment.”
The main issue is how Pearlescents were pitched to players. They were supposed to be a grail for players to grind towards in Borderlands 4, and Gearbox has disappointed fans at the very first hurdle. There is an understandable sentiment that those who want Pearlescent weapons should have to grind for them, even if they are a shiny new addition to the game. Given how Borderlands 4 already has a significant endgame problem, something like Pearlescents can go a long way to giving experienced players something to grind for. But right now, that isn’t how it’s working out.
There’s no need to fully write off Pearlescents as a disaster for Borderlands 4 at the moment. There are only three of these weapons in the game right now, but Gearbox says it plans to add even more in the future. When it does, that should give players what they were initially pitched with the Pearlescent weapon rarity. Naturally, this hinges on Gearbox not offering something similar to the current Handcannon situation, like another guaranteed Pearlescent.
Despite a strong start, Borderlands 4 has suffered from struggling player count numbers in the months following its launch in September 2025. Gearbox is committed to its 2026 roadmap for the game, with plenty of new content yet to come. Next month, the developer is expected to release Borderlands 4‘s first Story Pack, which will add the first post-launch Vault Hunter to the game. This, alongside the prospect of even more Pearlescent weapons, will hopefully be the start of a great year for Gearbox’s latest looter-shooter.
- Released
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September 12, 2025
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, In-Game Purchases, Users Interact
