Yesterday Gearbox released another downloadable character for Borderlands 2. He is insane, bloodthirsty, and dangerously reckless. Meet Krieg, the Psycho Bandit Class!
Fun fact: Krieg means war in German
A former Vault Hunter, he was captured by Hyperion scientists and extensively experimented on. As a result, his psyche has split into two distinct personalities: one of a killing machine, and the other his voice of reason.
The dominant side is that of a super violent, sadistic marauder. The only thing that keeps him in control is the small remnant of his former self. This more restricted personality has become Krieg’s voice of reason, compelling him to only kill the deserving (which he does with pleasure). If he were to ever kill an innocent, the normally quiet inner voice would take over and commit suicide to kill them both.
You can still see glimpses of Krieg’s former humanity, but he has channeled his new insanity into a destructive force used to bring bloody justice and chaos to Pandora.
Basically if Batman had no qualms with hacking baddies into meaty chunks.
Krieg is a melee heavy character, leaving even Zer0 wishing he carried a bigger stick. He brings a new high risk, high reward play style that focuses on turning damage received into pain for the enemy.
His Action Skill is Buzz Axe Rampage, which increases Melee damage (+500% ) and movement speed for 15 seconds. Killing an enemy will instantly refill health, while taking damage accelerates cool down recharge. You can even throw your enormous axe at enemies and have it instantly return like some kind of razor sharp boomerang.
Krieg brings 3 new skill trees, adding some crazy new gameplay potential.
Bloodlust
Increases gun capabilities using a Bloodlust stack mechanic. Dealing damage to an enemy adds a stack of Bloodlust, with a maximum of 100. Stacks will decay after 3 seconds if you haven’t dealt damage at a rate of 1 stack per second.
This tree will help you increase gun damage, clip size, and even adds a potential nova explosion effect on the death of an enemy (Bloodsplosion).
Mania
Focuses on melee combat and Health/Fight For Your Life mechanics. It adds new character capabilities that put other Vault Hunters to shame.
The Release the Beast skill will activate the Buzz Axe Rampage when Krieg is at or below 33% of max health. It will instantly refill your health and transform you into a Badass Psycho Mutant with +100% Melee Damage and +50% Damage Reduction. Buzz Axe Rampage is instantly recharged afterwards.
Yes you read that right…you can transform into a Badass Psycho Mutant. No jokes here, that is just freaking awesome!
Another great new skill is Light the Fuse. Instead of entering Fight for Your Life when downed, Krieg enters a unique state called Light the Fuse. Krieg is able to move at normal movement speed while in this skill is active.
In lieu of using a gun, Krieg will take out a bundle of dynamite, and tosses them at enemies until they die, allowing him to get a Second Wind. If the timer runs out before he manages to get a kill, the bundle of dynamite Krieg is holding detonates. If he is able to kill someone with this final explosion, he achieves a Second Wind. If he doesn’t, he dies (albeit in the most bad-ass way possible).
Hellborn
This final tree is for the masochists out there. It focuses on elemental effects, particularly setting yourself on fire to give you added bonuses.
For example the Raving Retribution skill allows you to spawn fireballs that seek out attackers and explode on impact.
Step 1: Set yourself on fire
Step 2: ????
Step 3: Profit!
Thoughts
I haven’t played Borderlands 2 for a while. I maxed up Zer0 and wasn’t too crazy about the other playable Vault Hunters. However, this bad boy has changed my mind.
I mean seriously, he is the craziest, most sadistic, and violent member to join an already insane cast of characters. To say that I am excited to create chaos with him is an understatement.
Krieg is available and ready for carnage on Steam, PlayStation Network, and Xbox Live for $9.99.
