When Borderlands 3 first revealed its major story DLC, Mad Moxxi's Heist of the Handsome Jackpot, many were quick to notice that the shown gameplay remained at the level 50 cap. Many thought that this first DLC would indeed increase the game's level cap, but given Borderlands 2's DLC run and the way it boosted the level cap, this made sense. But as players begin to dive into the new DLC now, it's abundantly clear that a level cap increase is in order.
Before moving forward, it's worth highlighting how Borderlands 2 handled level cap increases and how that differs from Borderlands 3. Outside its 4 major story DLCs and the minor holiday-oriented ones, there were two Ultimate Vault Hunter packs in Borderlands 2. The first one, which released in March 2013, increased the level cap from 50 to 61 and introduced UVHM, and the second, which released in September 2013, raised that cap from 61 to 72 and introduced Digistruct Peak. By the first pack, 3 of the aforementioned story DLCs had released, with the last one and a few Headhunter packs releasing after the second pack.
Ergo, there is some expectation for Borderlands 3 to follow a similar model, meaning it could logically be some time before a level cap increase comes to the looter shooter threequel, but there's a few key differences between the Borderlands entries. First, Borderlands 2 had DLC characters that Borderlands 3 confirmed won't be the case this time around.
While many would not want to go reacquire loot or level up these characters near as much, preferring the character they've mained, it added some replayability to the game that there were more characters these DLCs could be explored with. Some chose to wait and play as Gaige the Mechromancer for the first major DLC, Captain Scarlett and her Pirate's Booty, especially if they didn't want to try it out on True Vault Hunter Mode. At the very least, players had that option.
In addition to this, endgame content for Borderlands 2 was not near as extensive as it is today, as the looter shooter genre has become more defined over the past few years. Borderlands 3 players have had an extensive event run with the Bloody Harvest and new level 50 endgame content in the form of the Takedown at Maliwan's Blacksite, all before the release of Borderlands 3's Handsome Jackpot DLC. As such, going into that DLC at max level and knowing everything that they've done thus far leading into this can come across as a bit lackluster.
Granted, playing on True Vault Hunter Mode and enabling Mayhem Mode can add more of a challenge to this DLC, but that challenge may not feel as rewarding for many players. The new BL3 legendaries are good motivation, but most max level players already likely have a solid loadout to tackle it with. And given the focus on builds in this game, there's little reason to swap out unless players come across something better, which isn't the likeliest scenario when simply playing through the DLC's story.
Many will enjoy the story for the story, there's little doubt, but that's not going to be enough for many who have put hours upon hours into this game. Internet rumblings have asked about new skill trees in lieu of DLC characters, which would add back that replayability and bring even more variety to Borderlands 3 builds, but without this, without what Borderlands 2 had, this DLC may not bring players back outside a forced, dedicated rush of the DLC.
Borderlands 3's Mad Moxxi's Heist of the Handsome Jackpot is not endgame content, and that's okay. But without the widespread content type of the second game and with the dedicated content run of the Borderlands 3 DLC content, there's little more to push the envelope when it comes to story DLC. After all, these dedicated events have likely made many hardcore players happy in terms of loot and more casual players don't really have in-game incentive to pursue the DLC.
Borderlands 3 has yet to reveal plans for level cap increases, meaning it could follow a similar path to Borderlands 2 or still find a way to surprise players. Either way, it seems safe to say that level cap increases are coming, but the sooner, the better.
Borderlands 3 is out now for PC, PS4, Stadia, and Xbox One.