Unlocking the Legendary Birt’s Bees SMG in Borderlands 4

In Borderlands 4, few weapons are as memorable and chaotic as Birt’s Bees. Despite its cute name, this legendary SMG is anything but harmless. It fires a swarm of homing projectiles that can overwhelm enemies in seconds, and when combined with the Torgue sticky bombs and a taser underbarrel, it becomes one of the deadliest weapons in the game. The sticky bombs deal significant damage on their own, but the taser underbarrel multiplies that damage, turning Birt’s Bees into a formidable choice for both solo and co-op play. For players who enjoy experimenting with unique weapon builds, Birt’s Bees is a must-have addition to any arsenal.

How to Unlock the Boss Sludgemaw

Birt’s Bees is not a random drop; it is tied to a specific boss, Sludgemaw, who can be found in Watershed Gate, within Idolator’s Noose in the Fadefields. To face Sludgemaw, players must complete a series of side quests. The first quest is Null and Void, which becomes available after finishing the main story mission Rush the Gate. Players can start Null and Void by speaking to Rush near the crash site of Idolator Sol’s ship. The mission requires tracking down Borderlands 4 Cash Conway and delivering supplies to Rippers. Completing it naturally leads to the follow-up quest, All Charged Up, which players pick up from Rhodes. At the end of this mission, Sludgemaw appears, marking the first opportunity to defeat the thresher and unlock the ability to farm it repeatedly through Moxxi’s Big Encore machine.

Farming Sludgemaw Efficiently

Fighting Sludgemaw presents unique challenges. As a thresher, it frequently burrows underground, interrupting combat and occasionally causing temporary bugs where the boss becomes stuck. Despite this, Sludgemaw’s defenses are entirely flesh-based, making fire and radiation weapons especially effective. Players are advised to use high-damage elemental weapons and remain mobile to avoid sudden underground attacks. Farming in co-op mode can further improve efficiency and increase the number of loot rolls per run. For those seeking the highest drop rates, enabling Mayhem modifiers is a viable option, though it does raise the overall difficulty of the encounter.

Best Birt’s Bees Rolls to Target

While any version of Birt’s Bees is powerful, certain rolls maximize its potential. The ideal configuration includes the Torgue sticky bombs attachment combined with the taser underbarrel, which dramatically multiplies the damage of stacked explosives. Elemental variants can further enhance performance: fire works best against flesh-based enemies, while shock is highly effective against shielded targets. Even less-than-perfect versions remain strong, but persistence in farming will eventually yield a roll that can dominate tougher encounters and boss fights.

Tips for Maximizing Your Weapon

To get the most out of Birt’s Bees, players should consider stacking additional fire or radiation weapons to complement its damage type. Using the SMG strategically in combination with grenades and special abilities can turn it into an unstoppable force. Co-op players can focus on synchronizing attacks, using Birt’s Bees to clear mobs while teammates handle boss mechanics. Additionally, players should pay attention to elemental weaknesses of enemies to maximize damage output and ensure faster farming runs.

Birt’s Bees is more than just a legendary weapon—it is a symbol of Borderlands 4’s creative and chaotic design. The combination of explosive damage, homing projectiles, and unique attachments makes it a standout SMG that rewards both dedication and strategy. By completing the Null and Void and All Charged Up questlines, defeating Sludgemaw, and patiently farming for the best roll, Vault Hunters can secure one of the most entertaining and Borderlands 4 Items for sale powerful weapons in the game. Whether tackling main missions, endgame content, or experimenting with unique builds, Birt’s Bees provides hours of engaging and explosive gameplay, making it a must-have for any serious player.