- "You won't last long here, not without help, not without guns... a hell of a lot of guns." — Helena Pierce, Borderlands debut trailer
According to Gearbox, there will be as many as 16 million different variations of weapons, as of PAX 09. The game uses a procedural process to generate its various guns in certain classes, such as handguns, shotguns, assault rifles, sniper rifles, and more, but with many variations of firing speed, reload speed, damage type and more.
Thankfully, there is an easy way to determine the basics of a weapon without having to pick it up and open an inventory screen. When you approach a weapon on the ground, a small holographic window appears above it that displays information such as weapon type (shotgun, assault rifle, sniper rifle, etc.), damage type (static, incendiary, caustic, etc.), monetary value, as well as the weapon's rarity using a color coding system.
Rarity
The rarity of each gun is indicated by color as stated in the page of each gun[http://borderlands.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Weapons|Category]
White < Green < Blue < Purple < Orange
Appearance
As far as we know, there are a lot of variables that determine the final weapon that you see. First certain manufacturers have specific materials they like to make weapons out of; composite, metal, plastic; as well as signature features. Jakobs weapons have a signature wooden stock as well as higher quality resulting in higher damage. Vladof-made weapons shoot faster, but less accurately. Variations in the parts also change the appearance of the weapon. For example a longer barrel would be more accurate, a wider muzzle would mean larger caliber so more damage, and obviously a scope would replace the iron sights. Randy Pitchford stated that experienced players would eventually be able to guess the stats of a weapon simply from looking at its features.
Although, from appearance alone, a lot of the weapons would appear similar, but the variation of the quality of parts (barrel length, scope, magazine size, damage type, etc...) could make one weapon considerably deadlier than the other.
It has also been hinted that the color of the gun pertains to the type of damage or secondary effect that it has. For example green=corrosive, red/orange=fire, yellow=explosive, blue=electric, and so on. But the specifics are unknown for now.
- See also: Manufacturers
Gameplay
Guns are an essential part of Borderlands as most of the wildlife is hostile as well as troupes of rampaging bandits that roam the lawless area. The controls of weapon fire in Borderlands will be similar to that of Call of Duty or any other aim-down-the-sights FPS. Various sighting and scope options allow guns to be better suited to certain aiming tasks than others; for example a sniper scope works better at long range and iron sights, in contrast, would be much more suited at close range.
Ammo acquisition in Borderlands is as simple as picking it off the floor or purchasing it from a vendor for a small fee. There are a variety of ammo types; like-weapon types use like-ammo. All assault rifles use the same ammo, all shotguns use the same shells, etc.
When you pick up ammo while your in a group, it is evenly distributed between the players. It is unsure whether this feature can be turned off or not.
Various abilities can restore ammo, or make your character have infinite ammo. Roland has the ability to make his turret drop ammo, and Lilith can have infinite ammo for a few seconds after each kill.
Different weapon types will play differently than others. All classes start with the same damage with each gun, but can level up certain weapon types; Roland - Assault and Shotguns, Mordecai - Snipers and Pistols, Brick - Explosives, Lilith - Elemental.
Gearbot
This is the AI that built all 16 million of Borderland's weapons from a variety of parts and processes.
Customization
So far, weapon customization has not been anounced. It is unlikely that weapon customization will be possible because that would eliminate the "diablo II" element of the game where you scrounge for every possible weapon.
All Weapons
See the Weapons Category[http://borderlands.wikia.com/wiki/Category:Weapons] for a full list of every weapon.