Borderlands 4 Boss Guide: The Genone
Who is Genone?
Genone is one of the toughest and most iconic bosses in Borderlands 4. Known for his relentless attacks, formidable health pool, and devastating abilities, he poses a significant challenge to any vault hunter who dares to face him. Genone's story and design play an integral part in the game's overarching narrative, but in terms of gameplay, he's primarily known for his status as a boss who rewards those who manage to defeat him with some of the best loot in the game.
Genone is classified as a raid boss, meaning that he is designed to be a cooperative encounter. This means that while you can attempt to take him on solo, it's strongly recommended to face him as part of a team, particularly if you're aiming to farm his legendary drops efficiently. He's part of a larger group of bosses that populate the endgame content, and defeating him requires knowledge of his attack patterns, strategies for avoiding damage, and understanding the various mechanics that come into play. You can also buy Borderlands 4 Boost to help you farm quickly.
Where to Find Genone
Genone can be found in the Abyssal Wastes, a harsh and unforgiving environment filled with deadly enemies, traps, and hazardous terrain. The Abyssal Wastes are located deep within the planetary system's corrupted areas, making them challenging to access at first. You'll need to progress through a series of story quests and missions before you can unlock access to this region.
Once there, you'll need to traverse through dense alien forests, murky swamps, and decaying temples to find Genone's lair. His arena is located deep within the Genone Citadel, a dark and ominous fortress. To reach him, you will need to complete various environmental puzzles and defeat waves of minions and mini-bosses that guard the citadel.
Be prepared for a long trek as the Abyssal Wastes are filled with hidden traps and aggressive mobs that will test your patience and combat skills. Once you reach Genone's arena, the real battle begins.
Genone's Boss Mechanics and Fight Strategy
Defeating Genone requires more than just brute force-understanding his mechanics and how to counter his attacks is crucial for survival. The following section outlines Genone's abilities, attack patterns, and strategies for defeating him.
1. Genone's Abilities
Genone uses a mix of elemental attacks, devastating ground smashes, and area-of-effect (AoE) abilities to challenge players. Below are some of his notable attacks and abilities:
Abyssal Pulse: Genone's signature attack sends out a wave of dark energy that deals massive damage to anyone within its radius. The pulse also leaves behind a lingering energy field that can continuously damage players within its area. Players should avoid standing still when this attack is activated.
Shadow Claw: Genone summons spectral claws from the ground, striking at players with a long-range melee attack. The claws appear suddenly, and players must dodge them quickly to avoid heavy damage. The claws will target the player who is closest to Genone, but they can also strike at teammates if they're not careful.
Corrupted Ground Slam: Genone slams the ground with great force, causing a shockwave that sends out projectiles of dark energy. These projectiles can hit players from a distance and have a high potential to cause knockback or stagger. To counter this, players must time their movements and avoid getting hit by the projectiles.
Tidal Darkness: One of his most dangerous abilities, Genone summons a swirling mass of shadowy tendrils that damage and pull players towards him. This move can easily trap players if they are caught off-guard, and it can cause massive damage if you fail to break free from its pull. Timing your evasion or using mobility-enhancing abilities will be key to surviving this attack.
Elemental Corruption: Genone can infuse his attacks with various elemental effects, including fire, corrosive, and shock damage. These attacks can create additional hazards during the fight, as the environment may change based on the elemental effects. Be sure to keep an eye on his energy buildup, as it signals which element he will use next.
2. Boss Phases
Genone's fight consists of three phases, each increasing in difficulty. Understanding when these phases transition and how to adjust your strategy is key to survival.
Phase 1: The Awakening
In this phase, Genone is relatively passive but still extremely dangerous. His attacks are slower and easier to dodge, but his health bar is substantial. Focus on attacking his weak points (typically the head or the core of his body), and avoid staying too close to him.
Strategy: Use ranged attacks and grenades to whittle down his health. Keep moving to avoid the Abyssal Pulse and be ready to dodge the Shadow Claw.
Phase 2: The Corruption
Genone becomes more aggressive during this phase. He starts using his Elemental Corruption abilities to infuse his attacks with fire, shock, or corrosive damage, which introduces additional hazards. The Tidal Darkness attack becomes more frequent, pulling players towards him.
Strategy: This is where mobility becomes crucial. Use your team's best mobility abilities to avoid getting trapped by the tendrils. Keep your distance and make sure to have elemental shields equipped to protect against his elemental attacks.
Phase 3: The Abyss
In this final phase, Genone enters his most destructive form. He will use his Shadow Claw and Corrupted Ground Slam in rapid succession, while Abyssal Pulse becomes more devastating. The arena itself begins to warp, with the ground cracking and releasing shadowy rifts.
Strategy: Stay on the move at all costs. Use your team's AoE abilities to clear out any minor enemies that spawn during this phase and focus all damage on Genone. If you have access to powerful weapons like anointed gear or legendary mods, now is the time to use them.
Legendary Drops from Genone
Defeating Genone is rewarding not only for the progression of the story but also for the legendary loot he drops. Here's a rundown of the best and most notable legendary Borderlands 4 Items you can expect to find when you defeat Genone:
1. Abyssal Reaver (Legendary Weapon)
This is a high-powered shotgun that deals substantial damage with a unique mechanic. The Abyssal Reaver fires dark energy projectiles that inflict corrosive and fire damage, making it ideal for taking down armored or shielded enemies. Its special ability causes the weapon to regenerate ammo every time you kill an enemy with it, ensuring you're always stocked up for the next fight.
2. Voidcaller (Legendary Grenade Mod)
The Voidcaller is a grenade mod that spawns a black hole upon detonation. This black hole pulls in enemies, dealing damage over time and leaving behind an area of corruption that further damages foes within its radius. It's perfect for crowd control and disrupting groups of enemies during the Genone fight.
3. Genone's Claw (Legendary Artifact)
This powerful artifact boosts your melee damage and grants you the ability to summon a shadowy claw to attack enemies at range. It's a perfect item for players who want to specialize in melee combat while adding an elemental twist to their attacks.
4. Cloak of the Abyss (Legendary Shield)
The Cloak of the Abyss is a shield that grants you the ability to temporarily phase out of existence, avoiding all incoming damage. This shield becomes invaluable during the more intense phases of the Genone fight when you're at risk of being overwhelmed. It also has a high chance of regenerating shield capacity on kill, making it ideal for surviving prolonged battles.
5. Genone's Heart (Legendary Relic)
This relic grants you the ability to absorb health from enemies every time you land a critical hit. This can be a game-changer during long battles, as it allows you to stay in the fight longer while dealing significant damage to Genone's minions.
Conclusion
Genone is one of the most challenging and rewarding bosses in Borderlands 4, offering players the chance to earn legendary loot while providing a thrilling, high-stakes encounter. Understanding his attack patterns, the best ways to counter his abilities, and preparing your team with the right gear and strategies are essential for overcoming him. By defeating Genone, not only will you progress through the story, but you'll also earn some of the best gear in the game-gear that will help you in your quest to face even greater challenges ahead. Good luck, vault hunter, and may the legendary drops be ever in your favor!
———— Oct-18-2025 PST ————