Borderlands 4 Firmware explained – Destructoid

Borderlads 4 has an intricate system for improving your build, and adding equipment with Firmware to your late and endgame builds will allow you to make the most of your non-weapon tools.

Firmware is essentially like advanced modifiers with specific effects to add to your tools that aren’t guns. The impact and scope depend on the Firmware and how many pieces you’re applying. Every type of Firmware has a set bonus that activates when you use multiple pieces of the same kind.

How does Firmware work in Borderlands 4?

Every piece of gear in the game rolls with one or more perks (unless they’re common), which can also depend on its manufacturer. This applies to guns and non-gun equipment (like shields, grenades, and repkits).

Firmware is a separate type of perk or mod effects (if you consider them like that) that can apply to all your non-gun equipment. Compared to standard perks, Firmware is a lot rarer. However, the chance of getting an equipment with these modifiers is entirely random. If you’re lucky, you can find one early inside the game.

Any equipment with a Firmware perk/mod will have a small indicator next to its icon. While you’ll get one perk effect by default, you can add to it by equipping more items with the same Firmware (which unlocks the bonus).

How to activate Firmware set bonus in Borderlands 4?

You can have up to three set bonus effects active simultaneously. To do so, use equipment with the same Firmware in different slots. This can be done for up to three maximum pieces of gear (that are not guns) to activate the 3-set bonus (out of five slots).

There are 18 set effects to unlock, but you’ll activate only one set to maximize the results. When you’re in endgame, the goal is to have Firmware set bonuses that align with your build. To do so, you can take advantage of the transfer feature.

How to transfer Firmware in Borderlands 4?

Transfer Machines located all over Kairos allow you to transfer Firmware across different equipment. They’re activated only after you beat the main campaign. You can transfer the Firmware perks from one equipment to another by exchanging Eridium.

The process will destroy the base equipment, so keep that in mind. Transfers can only occur within the same category; the perks on a Repkit can be shifted to another Repkit.

The transfer feature is really neat when you’re getting your endgame build. If you have a gear piece with good base stats but no perk, you can upgrade it by borrowing the effects from another piece whose stats might be poor.

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