The Fish Slap Grenade: A Legacy of Lunacy

The Borderlands franchise has always been defined by its commitment to the absurd. While other looter-shooters pride themselves on grounded, realistic weapon design, Gearbox Software has built an entire universe on the principle of creative chaos. From guns that talk to grenades that sprout legs and chase enemies, the series has consistently pushed the boundaries of what a weapon can be. The recent revelation that Borderlands 4 will feature a new iteration of the iconic “Fish Grenade” is a sign that this tradition of delightful lunacy is not only continuing but is being elevated to new heights. The return of this bizarre, beloved weapon from Borderlands 3‘s “Revenge of the Cartels” event isn’t just a nostalgic callback; it’s a promise of the sheer, unhinged variety that will define the upcoming game.

For those unfamiliar, the “Fish Slap” grenade mod in Borderlands 3 was a legendary grenade that, upon impact, dealt melee damage instead of explosive damage. This seemingly simple twist on a grenade mod opened up a world of possibilities for build-crafting, allowing players to create incredibly powerful melee-focused builds that utilized the grenade’s unique properties. It was a perfect example of Borderlands‘ genius: taking a seemingly ridiculous concept and making it a viable, even game-breaking, piece of gear. The fact that the Grenade Mod was literally a fish slapping your enemies with the force of a high-impact melee attack was just the cherry on top of the mayhem-filled sundae.

Beyond the Fish: A New Era of Mayhem

The confirmation of the Fish Grenade’s return in Borderlands 4, alongside other new weapon and ability details, has sparked a sense of giddy anticipation within the community. It’s a signal that the developers are not just re-treading old ground, but are building on the most successful and fun aspects of the franchise. The new game, set to launch on September 12, 2025, is poised to be the largest and most ambitious title in the series to date, featuring a seamless open world, new traversal mechanics like grappling hooks, and a completely new set of Vault Hunters. These new features, combined with the assurance of the series’ signature wacky weapon design, hint at a game where the possibilities for player expression and build diversity are virtually limitless.

The “Fish Grenade” makes me wonder just how deep the rabbit hole of creative weapon design will go. Will we see a gun that fires miniature, sentient robots? A shield that deflects bullets by playing a banjo solo? The answer, for any Borderlands fan, is a resounding “probably.” The game’s new “Ordnance” system, which replaces traditional grenade mods with cooldown-based abilities, offers even more room for these wild ideas to take shape. This new system allows for more control and strategy, but knowing Gearbox, it won’t be at the expense of pure, unadulterated fun. We can expect these new Ordnance abilities to be as visually spectacular and mechanically bizarre as anything we’ve seen before.

The Impact on Gameplay and Build Diversity

The genius of the Fish Grenade lies not just in its humor, but in its profound impact on gameplay. By dealing melee damage, it allowed players to utilize skills, relics, and class mods that boost melee damage, turning a simple grenade into a cornerstone of a high-damage, close-quarters build. This kind of synergy is what makes Borderlands so special. It encourages players to experiment, to combine seemingly disparate pieces of loot into a cohesive, devastating whole. The new “Licensed Parts” system in Borderlands 4, which allows guns to have parts from multiple manufacturers, promises to take this build diversity to an entirely new level. Imagine a Torgue shotgun with the precision of a Jakobs scope, or a Maliwan SMG with the rapid-fire fury of a Vladof. The possibilities are truly staggering.

The Fish Grenade is a testament to the fact that Borderlands thrives on its willingness to be different. It’s a reminder that a game about shooting things doesn’t have to be a grim, serious affair. It can be a vibrant, hilarious, and wildly creative sandbox where a fish can be a weapon of mass destruction. For fans, it’s not just a legendary item to collect; it’s a symbol of the game’s core philosophy. As we get closer to the September 12th launch, the return of the Fish Grenade is the perfect tease, reminding us that no matter how big the world gets or how many new mechanics are added, the heart of Borderlands will always be found in its unique brand of beautiful, ridiculous chaos. The rabbit hole of mayhem and absurdity is about to get a whole lot deeper, and we can’t wait to jump in headfirst.