How to Obtain the Kickballer Shotgun in Borderlands 4

Securing the formidable Kickballer legendary shotgun in Borderlands 4 requires players to undertake specific preparatory quests. This guide outlines the essential steps to unlock and efficiently farm this high-damage firearm, which is known for its unique ricocheting projectile mechanics. Without prior engagement in certain side content, players may find themselves unable to access the boss responsible for dropping this coveted weapon.

The path to obtaining the Kickballer begins with completing two crucial side missions: 'Null and Void' and its subsequent quest, 'All Charged Up.' These missions become accessible only after players have successfully finished the main storyline's 'Rush the Gate' quest. Engaging with these prerequisites is vital, as they directly lead to the encounter with Sludgemaw, the boss who drops the Kickballer.

To initiate the 'Null and Void' mission, players must locate and speak with the character Rush. He can be found south of The Launchpad, in proximity to Idolator Sol's crashed spacecraft, a location players would have visited earlier in their main story progression. This initial quest involves a series of tasks, including tracking down Conway and delivering provisions to the Rippers. Upon successful completion of 'Null and Void,' the follow-up quest, 'All Charged Up,' will become available for pickup from the character Rhodes.

The culmination of the 'All Charged Up' mission brings players face-to-face with Sludgemaw in the depths of Watershed Gate. Defeating this boss not only concludes the questline but also grants the ability to farm Sludgemaw repeatedly using Moxxi's Big Encore machine. Given Sludgemaw's health-based defenses, a fire-elemental weapon is recommended for optimal damage output. However, players should be mindful of the boss's thresher nature, as it frequently burrows, requiring adaptable combat strategies.

While any version of the Kickballer shotgun offers significant power, players are advised to seek out one equipped with a Jakobs licensed part. This specific attachment can lead to an extraordinary, continuous stream of ricocheting projectiles, dramatically increasing its effectiveness. It's worth noting that this particular interaction might be an unintended bug, subject to future patches. Furthermore, the Kickballer inflicts splash damage, which can be further amplified by other gear pieces, though caution is advised to prevent self-inflicted damage from excessive splash radius in close quarters.