Seeking a potent weapon early in your Borderlands 4 adventure? The Hot Slugger, a legendary shotgun famed for its impressive damage multiplier, might be just what you need. It stands out as a top-tier shotgun, attainable relatively early in the game.
Finding this weapon requires venturing off the beaten path. Be prepared for a grind, as its drop rate is notoriously low.
This guide will walk you through acquiring the Hot Slugger, turning you into an unstoppable force against enemies and bosses in Borderlands 4.
How to Get the Hot Slugger
The sought-after Hot Slugger legendary shotgun has a chance to drop from the Callous Harbinger of Annihilating Death. You’ll find him at the end of the Craven’s Nook bunker.
Craven’s Nook resides in the northern region of the Heart of the Mountain zone, directly north of the Bones of Sanctuary fast-travel station.
Upon reaching the entrance of Craven’s Nook, you’ll find the bunker door sealed. To gain entry, locate a grapple-able liquid canister over the nearby ledge.
Use the grapple hook to grab the canister and hurl it at the door to dissolve the substance blocking your path, granting you access to the bunker.
Craven’s Nook presents a significant challenge. It’s advisable to be at least level 20 before attempting it.
With the entrance secured, your next task is to navigate through the bunker to confront the boss, the Callous Harbinger of Annihilating Death.
Defeating this foe gives you a chance to obtain the Hot Slugger. Keep in mind, its status as a legendary weapon means it has a low drop rate.
How to Farm Callous Harbinger of Annihilating Death
Fortunately, Borderlands 4 provides a way to repeatedly challenge the Callous Harbinger of Annihilating Death. Interact with Moxxi’s Big Encore Machine located near the boss arena entrance. This device resets the area, enabling you to re-engage the boss.
Don’t be discouraged if you need more than 20 attempts to get the Hot Slugger. Perseverance pays off, as this shotgun is a powerhouse.
Each re-fight against the Callous Harbinger of Annihilating Death via Moxxi’s Big Encore Machine costs roughly 30,000 in-game currency.
For a successful fight, jump to evade the boss’s AoE attacks, seek cover against rocket volleys, and dodge sideways to avoid charge attacks.
Beyond that, unleash your strongest weapons with maximum DPS to whittle down the Callous Harbinger’s health.
With practice, defeating the Callous Harbinger will become routine, and the Hot Slugger will be yours. The boss becomes more manageable as you learn its moveset.
Hot Slugger Attributes
The Hot Slugger is a top-tier shotgun for its substantial damage output and its signature Blazing Barrel effect.
This ability adds 30% damage for 10 seconds after a kill. It stacks up to three times, potentially adding 90% bonus damage.
The Hot Slugger encourages aggressive play, rewarding kills with more damage. This feature is beneficial during missions involving waves of enemies.
In short, the damage-multiplying Hot Slugger is a must-have weapon. Its value will outweigh most other weapons you find on your journey.
- Released
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September 12, 2025
- ESRB
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Rating Pending