If you’ve been an Amon main since launch—struggling to keep up while others melt bosses with ease—your moment has finally arrived. The Borderlands 4 October 2 patch isn’t just another round of number tweaks; it’s a full-blown resurrection. Over 60 buffs have turned Amon’s weakest skills into top-tier powerhouses, breathing new life into the Forgeknight we were promised.
As someone who stuck with Amon through the rough early grind, I can confirm the difference is massive. That Rocket Punch hitting 78% harder isn’t just a stat line—it’s the sound of redemption. The Molten Slam’s 50% damage boost and shorter cooldown? Pure crowd-clearing joy.
Let’s break down how the devs brought Amon from underdog to unstoppable—and how you can build him into a true endgame monster.
Patch Philosophy: Why Amon Got the Royal Treatment
Gearbox set the tone for this update:
“We wanted to create greater build diversity by adjusting underperforming skills.”
Instead of nerfing stronger Vault Hunters, they chose to lift others up—and Amon got the VIP treatment.
As Lead Designer Nicholas Thurston said,
“Balance is a moving target, but this is the first step. Expect more level pulling in the future.”
Translation: this isn’t the end—it’s the start of Amon’s rise to meta status.
Major Buffs: What Actually Changed for Amon
| Skill Tree | Skill / Ability | Change | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Onslaughter | Rocket Punch | +78% damage | Massive single-target burst |
| Onslaughter | Molten Slam | +50% damage, cooldown 80s → 60s | Better crowd control, faster uptime |
| Vengeance | Molten Rebuke | +86% damage | Stronger augment synergy |
| Vengeance | Eternal Winter | +100% Forgewave damage | Huge AoE potential |
| Calamity | Fellfrost | +71% damage | Major melee boost |
| Calamity | Fulminating Fist | +69% damage | Enhanced close-range DPS |
| Scourge | Maximum Vengeance | +50% capacity | Tougher defense & Forgewhip synergy |
| Global | Cooldowns | Reduced by 10–20s | Faster, smoother gameplay |
These aren’t just buffs—they’re playstyle transformations.
The Onslaughter tree now feels explosive, while the Vengeance and Calamity lines make Amon a true hybrid powerhouse with both burst and sustain.
The Build Revolution: Two Powerful New Ways to Play Amon
⚙️ The HORBA (Heavy Ordnance Ricochet Bonanza) Build
Perfect for players who prefer range dominance with heavy firepower and strong shields.
Core Setup:
- Action Skill: Scourge + Cryonic Thrum (adds cryo sustain)
- Key Skills: Primal Surge, Tail of the Comet, Blackout
- Gear:
- Watts 4 Dinner (150% amp roll)
- Super Soldier (Siphon part for regen)
- Triple Bypass Repkit
- Weapons:
- Maliwan Heavy (MIRV + Two Shot for mobs)
- Torgue Heavy (Triple Barrel for bosses)
With the patch, Heavy Ordnance damage scales beautifully, letting you melt mobs and bosses alike. Ammo sustain and shield uptime ensure you stay in the fight indefinitely.
“Heavy Weapon Ordnance benefits from both ordnance and gun damage—plus infinite sustain with regen.”
🥊 The Melee Onslaughter Build
For those who love to brawl, the new Onslaughter tree delivers one of the most fun melee experiences in Borderlands history.
Core Setup:
- Action Skill: Onslaughter + Pyroclast (healing + duration boost)
- Key Skills: Tritanium Knuckles, Gut Punch, The Thrill, Metal Urge
- Playstyle:
- Activate Onslaughter
- Chain kills to refresh duration
- Use Pyroclast sustain to keep momentum
Thanks to the 78% Rocket Punch buff and improved melee passives, you’ll punch through mobs like a wrecking ball—finally making melee Amon feel as powerful as he looks.
Gearing Your Newly Buffed Amon
🔫 Optimal Equipment
- Weapons: Maliwan cryo types for perfect synergy. Sweet Embrace (cryo) is especially good for leveling or hybrid builds.
- Shields:
- Watts 4 Dinner for raw amp damage
- Super Soldier (Siphon) for sustained defense
- Repkit: Triple Bypass with 3 charges to keep your Now With Caffeine cycles running smoothly.
💾 Firmware Recommendations
- High Caliber (2–3/3): Gun damage multiplier—mandatory.
- Gadget Ahoy (2–3/3): Ordnance damage + cooldown reduction.
- Airstrike (1–2/3): Expands splash radius.
- Get Throwin (1–2/3): Increases ordnance AoE and uptime.
Playstyle Tips: How to Dominate Post-Patch
🧨 Mobbing Strategy
- HORBA Build: Activate Onslaughter for speed and elemental buff; rain down ordnance to clear entire rooms.
- Melee Build: Dive in with Pyroclast active for self-heal and extended uptime.
💀 Boss Encounters
- HORBA: Activate Scourge and Firewall, fire your Vial Launcher for debuff, trigger Repkit for amp, then unleash.
- Melee: Use Hoarcleave to freeze elites or bosses, creating burst windows for massive melee chains.
Conclusion: Welcome to the Big Leagues
The October 2 update didn’t just make Amon playable—it made him competitive, flexible, and insanely fun. Whether you love massive explosions or close-quarters brawls, there’s finally a top-tier Amon build for you.
Even more exciting? Gearbox’s approach this time around—buffing the weak instead of nerfing the strong—shows a real commitment to balance and player freedom.
“I might not have to abandon my favorites in pursuit of progress—and that’s fantastic to see.”
So dust off your Forgeknight, respec those skills, and hit the field. The Era of Amon has officially begun.
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