Best krieg builds for solo and co-op play in borderlands 2
In Borderlands 2, Krieg the Psycho offers high-risk, high-reward gameplay mechanics that can create powerful builds. If you’re facing Pandora’s dangers alone or with friends, Krieg offers versatile options that cater to different gameplay preferences. This guide breaks down the most effective Krieg builds for solo adventures and cooperative mayhem.
Solo builds
- Hellborn tank build
When playing solo, survivability becomes just as important as damage output. The Hellborn Tank build transforms Krieg into a self-healing inferno that thrives amid chaos.
- Flame flare – Extends burn duration on yourself and your enemies
- Numbed nerves – Provides damage reduction while suffering elemental effects
- Elemental elation – Increases fire rate and magazine size when on fire
- Burn, baby, burn – Boosts fire damage significantly
- Fuel the fire – Increases chance to apply elemental effects
Recommended Equipment
- Shield – Flame of the Firehawk
- Weapons – Hellfire SMG, Heartbreaker shotgun, Fire Bone of the Ancients relic
- Class Mod – Legendary Torch
Playstyle
Deliberately set yourself on fire to activate your skills, then rush into enemy groups. The constant Nova explosions from your shield and healing from Moxxi weapons like the Heartbreaker create a sustainable damage cycle that’s difficult to break.
- Mania solo survival build
For players who prefer a more aggressive melee approach, the Mania tree offers incredible sustainability through health regeneration and second wind mechanics.
- Feed the meat – Increases maximum health.
- Strip the flesh – Boosts explosive damage.
- Light the fuse – Transforms fight for your Life into an offensive opportunity.
- Release the beast – The cornerstone skill that transforms Krieg at low health and resets action skill cooldown.
- Silence the voices – Massive melee damage boost with occasional self-damage.
Recommended Equipment
- Shield – Rough Rider
- Weapons – Rapier, Slagga for applying slag
- Class mod – Sickle class mod
- Relic – Blood of the Ancients
Playstyle
Allow your health to drop below 33%, activate Release, the Beast, and chain melee kills to sustain your rampage. The health restoration from kills keeps you alive during combat, while Light the Fuse makes even going down an opportunity rather than a setback.
Co-op builds
Bloodlust support build
In co-op play, Krieg supports an incredible team through explosive damage and enemy control.
- Blood bath – Creates massive explosions from kills
- Bloodsplosion – Chain reactions of explosions that can clear entire rooms
- Fuel the blood – Melee kills grant increased explosive damage
- Blood overdrive – Kills increase gun damage and reload speed
- Taste of blood – Damage reduction when gaining Bloodlust stacks
Recommended equipment
- Shield – Evolution or Antagonist for survivability
- Weapons – DPUH (Double Penetrating Unkempt Harold), Slagga, Kerblaster
- Class Mod – Legendary Reaper
- Relic – Explosive relic for additional damage
Playstyle
Focus on applying slag for teammates while building Bloodlust stacks. Use Bloodsplosion to wipe out entire groups of enemies, making you extremely valuable in mobbing situations.
Universal tips for any build
Regardless of your chosen build or playstyle, these universal tips will help maximize Krieg’s effectiveness:
- Master action skill timing – Learning exactly when to activate Buzz Axe Rampage is crucial
- Don’t fear self-damage – Many of Krieg’s most potent skills involve hurting yourself
- Coordinate with teammates – In co-op, communicate your explosions and rampage timing
- Adapt your grenades – Choose grenades that complement your build (healing, slag, or damage)
The effectiveness of a Krieg leveling up build depends on choosing the right skill combinations for each game phase. During the early levels, be patient and learn Krieg’s unique reward mechanics so that his power curve increases dramatically around level 31.
