Borderlands 4 continues the series' tradition of insane loot, over-the-top weapons, and creative Legendary gear that redefines how you approach combat. Among the many coveted drops, the Hot Slugger Legendary Shotgun stands out as one of the most devastating close-range weapons in the game. This Jakobs-manufactured powerhouse fires a single heavy slug that can one-shot enemies with terrifying efficiency, while its unique Legendary perk ensures your damage output only grows as the fight drags on.

In this guide, we'll break down everything you need to know about farming the Hot Slugger in Borderlands 4, its unique traits, and why it deserves a slot in your endgame arsenal.

How to Farm the Hot Slugger Shotgun in Borderlands 4

Getting your hands on the Hot Slugger requires some preparation, but with the right approach, you can farm it consistently. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Complete the Crystal Brawl mission

After defeating Idolator Sol, travel to the Terminus Range region. Here, you'll unlock the Bones of Sanctuary fast travel point by completing the story mission Crystal Brawl alongside Amara. This unlocks access to the areas you'll need for farming.

2. Head toward the Craven's Nook Order Bunker

Once unlocked, travel north into the Craven's Nook Order Bunker. The entrance is initially sealed, but a Locust canister is hidden nearby. Locate and use it on the bunker door to gain entry.

3. Navigate to the boss arena

Inside the bunker, push forward through waves of Order cultists and turrets. Eventually, you'll notice vending machines nearby-always a sign that a boss battle is close. From there, drop down into the boss arena.

Defeat the Callous Harbinger of Annihilating Death

This ominous boss is the primary source for the Hot Slugger shotgun. Keep in mind:

1. The Harbinger is a higher level than your character, so expect a tough fight.

2. It can switch its elemental damage and resistances, meaning no single defensive setup will cover you completely. Dodge aggressively and use elemental variety to adapt.

3. Each kill gives you a chance to farm the Hot Slugger, but the boss also drops other Legendary gear, so multiple runs may be necessary.

Alternative farming sources

Interestingly, some players-including myself-have reported looting the Hot Slugger earlier from Rift bosses. This suggests the weapon may be part of the world drop pool. While Rift farming can be inconsistent, it offers an alternative path if you're not yet ready for the Harbinger fight.

Borderlands 4 Hot Slugger: Legendary Perk and Stats

The Hot Slugger is crafted by Jakobs, which means one thing: raw power with critical ricochet potential. While its magazine size is painfully small (a single round), the weapon more than makes up for it with immense damage and unique perks.

Unique Perk: Blazing Barrel

The Hot Slugger's defining trait is its Blazing Barrel perk, which increases weapon damage by 30% for 10 seconds after every kill. These bonuses can stack up to three times, allowing for a 120% total damage boost when maxed out. With Blazing Barrel fully stacked, the Hot Slugger becomes a one-shot, one-kill machine even against tougher enemies.

Jakobs Ricochet Effect

As with all Jakobs' weapons, critical hits cause projectiles to ricochet toward nearby targets. With the Hot Slugger's devastating single-shot damage, a headshot often means you're not just killing one enemy-you're wiping out two or more in the process. Combining ricochet mechanics with Blazing Barrel stacks results in a feedback loop of escalating destruction.

Hot Slugger Stats (Level 45 Example)

At Level 45, here's what you can expect from the Hot Slugger:

·Damage: 6,104

·Accuracy: 82%

·Reload Time: 0.8 seconds

·Fire Rate: 1.0/second

·Magazine Size: 1

·Secondary Stat Bonus: +20% Critical Damage

Notably, the Hot Slugger does not include an alternate fire mode. It's a straightforward slug shotgun that relies on precision and timing. Because the weapon only holds one shot, missing in high-pressure fights can be fatal. However, the fast reload speed allows you to quickly recover and line up another devastating blast.

Tips for Using the Hot Slugger Effectively

·Maximize Blazing Barrel - Start fights by targeting weaker enemies to quickly build up damage stacks, then unleash the buffed Slugger on elites or bosses.

·Aim for headshots - Ricochet mechanics are the key to clearing mobs efficiently. Prioritize precision to double or triple your kill efficiency.

·Stay mobile - Since the Harbinger boss changes elements and the shotgun punishes missed shots, agility and dodging are critical. Pair the Hot Slugger with mobility skills or shields that give you breathing room to reload.

·Use for burst damage - The Hot Slugger excels as a swap-in burst weapon. Unload your primary weapon, switch to the Slugger for a one-shot finisher, then rotate back while reloading.

Why the Hot Slugger is Worth Farming

Borderlands 4 is filled with wild Legendary weapons, but the Hot Slugger's mix of Jakobs' precision design and its Blazing Barrel perk makes it one of the most rewarding shotguns to master. It's a high-skill, high-reward tool that punishes sloppy aim but massively rewards accuracy and aggression.

Whether you're farming through the Callous Harbinger of Annihilating Death or hunting Rift bosses for a lucky world drop, the effort to secure the Hot Slugger is well worth it. And if you want to cut down on grinding, you can always buy Borderlands 4 Items or stock up on Borderlands 4 Money to prepare for back-to-back farming runs.