- Estimated Achievement Difficulty: 6/10
- Offline: 79 (1750 )
- Online: 1 (10 )
- Amount of Time to 1750: 40-80 hours (Depending on Co-op)
- Minimum Number of Playthroughs Needed: 2
- Number of Missable Achievements: None
- Do Cheatcodes Disable Achievements?: None
- Does Difficulty Effect Achievements?: No
- Glitched Achievements: Yes; Completionist See Below
*Many of the Co-op achievements in Borderlands can be done either online with a friend, or by local Splitscreen and System-Link
Introduction
Welcome to Borderlands! This game has a total of 50 achievements and will require two playthroughs to get the 1000 . The reason for two playthroughs is because getting to level 50 takes a bit of experience and cannot be reached on your first playthrough. Of the 50 achievements, 15 can be earned by playing through the story, while others will come with time. All others may require you to use different weapons, equipping mods, using your skill, and leveling up.
There have been reports that Made in Fyrestone and Made in New Haven have not been unlocking for some people. Some have reported that it unlocked half-way through their second playthrough, while others haven't unlocked it at all. Thankfully, a patch has been released to counter these problems, so no one should have any trouble unlocking achievements.
NOTE: There is a glitch in the game's DLC; Secret Armory where the Armory can become permanently closed. Having this occur can ruin your chances to complete all quests in the DLC, thus rendering Completionist unobtainable. (Unless starting a new playthrough) To help avoid this glitch, follow these steps;
- - Do not quit out of the game once you enter the elevator shaft. Wait until the Armory explodes and the credits are done to quit out.
- - Don't have the quests "Super Marcus Sweep" or "It's Like Christmas" in your quest log.
Playthrough #1
Going through the game on your first try should have you get to know Pandora better. Playing through the story, you should unlock all the Discovering Locations achievements, while unlocking the Boss achievements as well. As you continue playing, grabbing each type of weapon, use them all to kill enemies for each weapon-type kill achievements. Grab and sell enough loot to contribute to the Fence and Pandora-dog Millionaire achievements. When you complete your first playthrough, you should be in the level 30-40 range.
Playthrough #2
After completing the game for the first time, you can select a new game and select your previous higher level character. Keep in mind that all the enemies will be around your level, and will be much harder this time around. Use this playthrough to help level you up to level 50.
Co-op Playthrough
There are many achievements in Borderlands that include co-op. These can be done either online with friends, or splitscreen/system link. Compete in Arenas and defeating a Boss with a partner will net achievements. Completing 15 with a partner will also net you an achievement, as will healing a teammate who has been downed. If you start up your first duel, and beat the person with taking any damage, will net you both the Duel-icious and Duelinator achievements.
Note: that if you have a high level partner, you can join his game to get you to level 5 really fast, and unlock the achievements for using each character's skill.
Zombie Island DLC:
You can access this DLC by fast traveling to Jacobs Cove. All achievements in this DLC are mission-based, so nothing too strenuous. All are unmissable with one exception; Braaaaaaaaaaaaains!. For this achievement, you need to complete the mission "Braaaaaains!" In this mission, talk to T.K. Baha and bring him brains. He requests more brains upon completing each stage. You need to collect a total of 435 brains. Keep an eye out, as brains are collected by headshotting enemies.
Underdome DLC:
Moxxi's Underdome can be accessed by fast traveling. Within this DLC, there are survival arenas where you are pitted against waves of enemies. When the DLC begins, you must complete each small tournament. Each of the 4 maps include 5 rounds. They won't take long, and it'll give you a taste of what's to come. Plus, you'll unlock Small Tournament upon completion. For the Large tournaments, each one takes around 3+ hours, depending on how many players you have. When you start, be sure to use the same character throughout, that way you unlock Big Tournament when you're done.
Secret Amory DLC:
This DLC can be accessed by fast traveling to T-Bone Junction. Three of the 10 achievements are for completing the game's story-based achievements. There is another achievement for completing ALL quests within the DLC. This achievement is Completionist. The level cap has also been increased with this DLC, maxing it to 61. A new vehicle has also been added in, the Lancer. These are rather large vehicles you'll see Crimson Lance driving. Destroy one with a Racer and you'll unlock Speed Kills. There's also 5 Loot midgets hiding around in special places. They are each in there own place and don't move, so finding (and killing them) will unlock Sneaky Little Buggers. In the area, Sunken Sea, there is a small outlaw village. In this village is a very large bullet (you can see it a mile away). Pay to get into the village and you'll earn Sucker Born Every Minute. Lastly, the biggest boss available in Borderlands has also been introduced; Crawmerax the Invincible. This is one hefty boss, and you may need a few friends to take him down.
Claptrap's New Robot Revolution DLC:
This DLC can be started by fast traveling Tartarus Station. 4 achievements within this DLC are story-based and cannot be missed. There is one mission where you must help Tannis, and it is very reminiscent of the Braaaaains! quest, but you don't have to collect nearly as many. There are TONS of collectibles to collect within the DLC ranging from Claptrap statues for Tourist. Oil cans for The Lubricator. Claptrap Bobbleheads and 3D glasses for Bobble-Trap and It's so Realistic! and finally, panties, pizza and fish-in-a-bag for What a Party! Each of these items are all randomly dropped by Claptraps, so you'll need to do a bit of grinding. Fortunately, you can grind this out in the final battle with the MINAC.
Conclusion:
All in all, Borderlands is not a hard game to complete. The only achievements that will require work is working your way to level 61, finding all claptraps, and completing all missions. For a complete list of claptraps, check HERE. For a list of missions for both Fyrestone and New Haven, check HERE. Have fun out there in Pandora!