Jakobs weapons have consistently been a preferred choice among Vault Hunters, and their prominence remains undiminished in Borderlands 4. The shotguns crafted by this manufacturer are particularly formidable. Imagine augmenting this inherent potency with an astonishing 90% damage increase—this is precisely what the Hot Slugger offers.
Among the vast array of over a hundred legendary items available in Borderlands 4, the Hot Slugger stands out as an essential acquisition for any character build. Its raw power is undeniable, but the added flair of spinning it like a cowboy during reloads undeniably enhances its appeal.
To claim the Hot Slugger, you must confront the Callous Harbinger of Annihilating Death, the ultimate adversary within the Craven's Nook Order bunker. This bunker is situated in the Bones of Sanctuary, positioned to the east of Terminus Ridge. Progress through the main storyline until you gain access to the Fadefields region. The bunker door, initially armored, requires a specific action to unlock: locate a bio canister overlooking the ledge to the left of the entrance and hurl it at the door to grant access.
The Hot Slugger's exceptional strength lies in its exclusive perk, Blazing Barrel. This ability grants a 30% damage boost for a duration of ten seconds following each elimination, and it can stack up to three times. This translates to an impressive 90% bonus damage, which further amplifies any existing buffs from your skill tree. Crucially, this bonus applies to all outgoing damage, not exclusively gun damage, making it incredibly versatile.
Despite possessing only a single round in its chamber, the Hot Slugger, a slug shotgun, boasts superior range and accuracy. Its rapid 0.9-second reload speed allows for continuous critical hits, typical of Jakobs weaponry. While potent on its own, its effectiveness is magnified when paired with optimized character builds. Elite strategies such as Vex's Vexcalation, Rafa's Remote Agent, and Harlowe's Creative Bursts greatly benefit from the Hot Slugger, though these powerful builds often yield excellent results with almost any weapon. However, the Hot Slugger truly shines with Amon's build, especially when he employs Crucible's ice axes to immobilize foes, providing unhindered opportunities for devastating blasts.