I have a confession to make. When I first saw Borderlands 4's Ripper weapons, I let out a tiny, undignified squeal. 😅 You see, I've spent way too many hours in the Borderlands series, and there's something about a gun that looks like it was assembled in a junkyard by a hyperactive raccoon that just speaks to my soul. Now, Borderlands 4 is clearly trying to shake things up. There's the Licensed Parts system, new mechanics, and a handful of fresh manufacturers. And honestly? Good for Gearbox. But I'm here to talk about Ripper, the new kid that feels suspiciously like an old friend.

What Makes Ripper Tick (And Spray)

Ripper weapons are, above all else, fully automatic. We're talking hold-down-the-trigger-and-pray territory. 🔫

These bad boys come with big magazines. Like, "I haven't reloaded since Tuesday" big. That's the good news. The bad news? Reload times stretch into geological eras, accuracy is more of a suggestion, and per-shot damage sits somewhere between "gentle breeze" and "mild inconvenience."

This isn't a flaw, though. It's a philosophy. Ripper embraces the glorious art of "spray and pray." You're not aiming. You're creating a wall of bullets and hoping the enemy walks into it.

Frankly, that matches the name perfectly. A Ripper isn't a scalpel. It's what happens when a weapon decides subtlety is overrated and volume is a virtue.

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Here's where my nostalgia kicks in. Ripper's design DNA is practically glowing with references to the old guard.

Let me lay it out:

See the pattern? Each game has had that one manufacturer dedicated to weapons that look like they were duct-taped together by someone who definitely skipped the "safety" part of the manual.

Ripper fits right in. The cobbled-together aesthetic, the salvaged parts, the general "I found this in a dumpster and made it angry" energy—it's all there.

But Wait, There's a Twist

Now, before I get too misty-eyed, Borderlands 4 isn't just copying the past. The new Licensed Parts system changes everything.

Here's the deal: a Ripper weapon might not stay purely Ripper. 😮

With Licensed Parts, you could get a Ripper with the explosive punch of a Torgue. Or the elemental sizzle of a Maliwan. It's like the weapon equivalent of a crossover episode.

This means Ripper isn't just a nostalgic callback. It's a flexible platform. One minute you're hosing down enemies with a bullet hose. The next, that same platform is setting them on fire or blowing them into next week.

Honestly? That's kind of brilliant. You get the chaotic, high-capacity foundation of a Ripper, then you slap on whatever licensed madness suits your build.

Why I'm Excited

Look, I'm not saying Borderlands 4 has abandoned its roots. Quite the opposite.

The old manufacturers may be gone in name. Bandit, Scav, COV—they've all shuffled off the roster. But their influence is baked right into Ripper's design. It's a love letter written in bullet casings and salvaged scrap metal. 💌

What makes me genuinely giddy is that Ripper walks a fine line between homage and innovation. It honors the past while letting the Licensed Parts system drag it kicking and screaming into the future.

Will I build a Ripper with Torgue explosive parts and pretend I'm piloting a handheld volcano? Yes. Absolutely. Will I also spend way too long admiring the recycled aesthetics and reminiscing about my old Bandit favorites? Also yes.

Borderlands 4 might be charting new territory, but it clearly remembers where it came from. And for a longtime Vault Hunter like me, that's exactly what I wanted to hear.

So bring on the Ripper. My trigger finger is ready, my accuracy is terrible, and my magazines are enormous. 🎯