What Is the License Part System in Borderlands 4?
Borderlands 4 brings one of the most significant changes to its weapon mechanics yet: the License Part System. This new system allows parts from one weapon manufacturer to appear on weapons made by another. That means you could find a Maliwan SMG with a Jakobs barrel that lets it ricochet bullets on crits. It’s a huge shift from what fans are used to, giving more room for wild gear combinations and deep customization.
At a glance, it sounds simple—mix and match parts. But once you're in the game, it becomes clear how complex it can get. The licensed part system isn't just a cosmetic or minor tweak. It changes how each weapon behaves, giving you real freedom in how you build your loadout.
How Weapon Parts Work With the License System
Each weapon in Borderlands 4 can roll with parts from different manufacturers. These parts can affect everything from fire modes to status effects. However, not every manufacturer part is available right away. For instance, you won’t start seeing parts from all manufacturers until you've progressed further—some parts begin appearing around level 12.
Gear rarity also impacts how many parts a weapon can roll with. Purple gear may allow up to four parts, but a purple drop at lower levels usually comes with fewer. As you level up, you're more likely to find gear with more complex combinations. This gives the system a more balanced progression while still rewarding experimentation.
Licensed Parts vs. Regular Manufacturer Parts
Not all parts are created equal in this system. There’s a clear distinction between licensed parts and non-licensed parts. Licensed parts are the ones that add major changes—like a Jakobs barrel granting ricochets or a Torgue magazine adding sticky ammo.
Non-licensed parts still show up and provide minor benefits like reload speed boosts or extra crit damage. These passive bonuses still affect how a weapon performs, but they don’t change its core mechanics the way licensed parts do.
This creates a dual-layer system: one for slight improvements and one for game-changing effects. It encourages players to pay close attention to both types of parts when evaluating gear.
Yes, There Are Still Random Rolls
If you played Borderlands 2 or Borderlands 3, you’re probably used to farming for the perfect part roll. That hasn’t gone away. You can still get those ideal weapon builds with matching grips or preferred sights.
So while the License Part System introduces a new dynamic, the familiar grind for a “god roll” remains. That means fans of loot hunting will still feel right at home, but now with even more variables to play with.
Legendary Weapons Follow Their Own Rules
Legendary gear in Borderlands 4 plays by slightly different rules. Each legendary item comes with a special, defining part that gives it its iconic behavior. For example, the returning Complex Root has a built-in legendary component that creates its unique ricochet-laser effect.
These legendary parts take up a slot, which means legendary gear has slightly less room for variability than purple gear. You might get three parts instead of four, but one of them is guaranteed to be that legendary modifier.
This makes legendary weapons more focused in their design but still allows room for some degree of customization through the remaining parts.
Understanding Ordinance and Grenade Mod Parts
Weapons aren’t the only gear impacted by this system. Ordinance—like grenades and launchers—has its own set of rules. Grenades especially have their own manufacturer-specific traits, payloads, and augments.
For example, Torgue grenades can detonate on double-tap like C4, skipping fuse times. A grenade may also include a “lingering payload” that deals shock damage to nearby enemies over time, and this payload can be enhanced with augments like increased duration or area of effect.
Each grenade can also receive a unique stat modifier such as “concussive,” which adjusts how it performs. This layered customization makes grenades feel far more complex than in previous games.
Weapons Still Retain Their Manufacturer Identity
A major concern going into this system was that gear might lose its identity. If a Jakobs gun starts throwing like a Tediore, would it still feel like Jakobs?
Fortunately, even with the mixing of parts, weapons still keep that manufacturer “feel.” A Maliwan still feels like a Maliwan, and a Jakobs still fires like a Jakobs. The licensed parts influence behavior, but not to the point of making guns feel interchangeable. This helps preserve the flavor and style players love about each brand.
Balancing Could Get Complicated
With all this flexibility, one challenge is clear: balance. What happens when a normally average weapon rolls with the perfect combination of licensed parts and becomes overpowered?
Gearbox has to prepare for this. Unlike Borderlands 3 where adjusting a weapon affected every instance of it, here the problem might be specific rolls—like a rare Torgue sticky mod on a Hellwalker turning it into a boss killer.
Balancing these micro-combinations could be tricky. But it's part of what makes this system so exciting. The potential for synergy is high, and smart players will be hunting down rare builds that break the meta.
Build Crafting Is Now More Dynamic
The new License Part System dramatically boosts build flexibility in Borderlands 4. Because weapons can roll with a variety of parts that change their stats and behavior, every piece of gear now holds more potential. Whether you're aiming for maximum crit damage, splash damage builds, or high elemental uptime, the new part combinations give you more tools to make that happen.
This means theorycrafting and loadout planning will play a larger role than ever before. Finding a weapon that suits your build now involves not just damage type or element, but also which manufacturer parts it rolled and how those parts interact. For example, a splash-damage-focused build could seek out specific Torgue parts, while crit-heavy setups might want Jakobs barrels.
The Depth of Weapon Synergies Has Skyrocketed
In previous games, synergy came mostly from combining weapons, class mods, and skills. Now, the parts on each individual weapon can create synergy by themselves. Stack enough parts that feed into your build's core strengths, and even a mid-tier gun could outperform legendaries.
This creates a new layer of decision-making. You won’t just toss out an uncommon or rare item anymore. A blue weapon with perfect part rolls for your build might outclass a legendary with poor synergy. That shift is going to change how players evaluate loot and encourage more experimentation.
The Hidden Value in "Ordinary" Gear
Not every powerful weapon will look flashy at first glance. Some of the strongest gear may come from unexpected rolls on lower-rarity items. Players who take the time to study their gear and understand what each part adds will find themselves with some surprising loadouts.
This also means that farming might become more nuanced. Instead of targeting a specific legendary, you might farm zones or bosses known to drop certain parts or weapon types, hoping to get the right mix. It adds longevity to the game without forcing players to chase only high-rarity loot.
Creative Combinations Are Encouraged
Whether it's a throwing axe grenade that ricochets or a shotgun that explodes on impact and fires in sticky mode, Borderlands 4 is pushing players to explore beyond the expected. The more you understand how parts interact, the more likely you are to discover crazy combinations that feel uniquely yours.
This kind of creativity has always been a part of Borderlands, but the License Part System makes it core to the experience. Finding something that feels like a one-of-a-kind item—because it almost literally is—adds a new kind of excitement to loot drops.
Ordinance Items Open Up New Gameplay Styles
Grenades and other ordinance items aren't just secondary tools anymore. With unique payloads, augments, and stat modifiers, these gear pieces can define your playstyle. You could build around shock payloads with wide AoE, or concussive traits that stagger enemies in groups.
Some of the most interesting builds may come from combining ordinance mechanics with weapon behavior. Throwing axes that ricochet, sticky grenades with extended duration, or payloads that leave elemental zones behind—it’s all fair game now.
Gearbox Will Need to Stay on Top of Balance
This much freedom in gear design opens up a lot of potential fun—and potential exploits. The developers at Gearbox will need to keep a close eye on the most powerful part combinations. It’s possible some builds will dominate the meta or create game-breaking loops.
In Borderlands 3, the answer was to nerf individual weapons. But in Borderlands 4, balance adjustments might need to be more targeted—down to specific part combos. That’s a new kind of design challenge for the team.
Still, the freedom the system provides makes this a trade-off many players will be happy to make.
The Loot Hunt Has More Meaning Now
Because any weapon could roll with parts that dramatically affect performance, every loot drop matters. Even if you’re past early-game zones, you’ll likely keep scanning drops for potential gems. The number of combinations means there’s always a chance for something interesting—even in an otherwise average loot pool.
This makes exploring and looting feel consistently rewarding. A common weapon might not look exciting at first, but with the right licensed part, it could change your entire loadout strategy.
Final Thoughts on Borderlands 4’s Customization System
The License Part System in Borderlands 4 isn’t just a cool addition—it redefines how weapons and gear work in the game. By giving players more freedom to craft their playstyle and chase rare, impactful rolls, the system adds both depth and replayability.
It also keeps the heart of Borderlands intact. Each manufacturer still has its identity, but now that identity can blend in new and unexpected ways. From grenades with multi-layered effects to guns that act like nothing you’ve used before, the game now feels more open than ever for experimentation.
If you enjoy build crafting, loot theory, or just hunting for broken combos, the License Part System is going to be a highlight of your Borderlands 4 experience.
Wrapping Up Borderlands 4’s License Part System
Borderlands 4’s License Part System has added a refreshing layer of depth to the series' already rich loot mechanics. By allowing weapons and ordinance to roll with parts from various manufacturers—some game-changing, others subtly influential—Gearbox has opened the door to deeper build diversity and more meaningful loot drops.
What’s most exciting is how the system keeps both casual and hardcore players engaged. Whether you’re looking to find the perfect synergy between parts and build, or just want to see your grenades explode in new ways, there’s something here for everyone. The customization now feels personal. The same weapon may behave totally differently for someone else, depending on how it’s rolled.
Ultimately, this system strengthens what makes Borderlands great: chaotic fun, loot variety, and experimentation. If Gearbox can maintain balance and keep up with creative combinations, this new approach could set the tone for future entries in the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the License Part System in Borderlands 4?
It’s a new system where weapons and ordinance can roll with parts from other manufacturers, changing performance and adding new effects.
Can every part affect weapon behavior?
No. Only specific licensed parts apply game-changing effects (like ricochets or stickies). Other parts offer passive boosts like reload speed or crit bonuses.
Do legendary weapons follow the same rules?
Sort of. Legendary weapons always include a unique part that defines them, reducing total variability compared to epic gear but preserving core identity.
Are grenades part of the License System too?
Yes. Ordinance like grenades has its own manufacturer-specific rules, including unique payloads, augments, and stat modifiers.
Will this make balancing harder for Gearbox?
Potentially. The flexibility introduces complex balance scenarios, especially if rare part combinations create overpowered setups.
Does gear still feel like it belongs to its manufacturer?
Yes. Even with mixed parts, weapons generally retain their original feel—like a Jakobs still behaving like a Jakobs.
Stay Connected with Haplo Gaming Chef
Haplo Gaming Chef blends gaming guides with casual cooking streams for a truly unique viewer experience. Whether you’re here for clean, no-nonsense walkthroughs or just want to chill with some cozy cooking content between game sessions, this is the place for you. From full game unlock guides to live recipe prep and casual chats, Haplo Gaming Chef delivers content that’s both informative and enjoyable.
You Can Follow Along On Every Major Platform:
YouTube, Twitch, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter/X, Threads, Bluesky, Pinterest, Flipboard, Facebook, LinkedIn, Tumblr, Medium, Blogger, and even on Google Business.
No filler, no fluff—just straight-up help for gamers and fun for foodies. Join the community today!
For More Guides Visit: Haplo Gaming Chef Website!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment