The "Mayhem Mode" in Borderlands 3 is unlocked at the end of the base game and allows players to adjust various modifiers that increase the game's difficulty and rewards; in November, Gearbox announced Mayhem 2.0, a planned overhaul of this mode, That update will go live on April 23, and details of its specific mechanics have been revealed.

Mayhem 2.0 adds over 25 new modifiers, each classified as Easy, Medium, Hard, or Very Hard. Some of the easier modifiers, such as Big Kick Energy, which increases weapon recoil and spread, as well as damage output, are "generally useful," but beyond that, they are almost all negative. For example, Drone Ranger is a hard-rated modifier that produces healing drones.

Modifiers are random, but the number and difficulty of each level of Mayhem mode is consistent:

Weapon drops get more powerful with each level of Mayhem, but so do enemy health, shields, and armor, so the odds seem a bit against you in terms of increasing power: At best, they will remain on par with the bad guys. That said, at Mayhem level 6, eight new Legendary weapons will start dropping, which will help a bit.

Also, once the 2.0 update is implemented, it will no longer be necessary to return to Sanctuary 3 to activate Mayhem mode: instead, it will be accessible from a new tab that will be added to the Echo device.

The April 23 update will also launch a new seasonal event called "Cartel Revenge." After the event begins, you will be given a repeat quest upon your first login, which will eventually take you to Ultra Violet Manor to fight gangs, bosses, and even Joey himself. Each gang you battle will drop new loot, and 18 limited-time challenges will also drop special themed cosmetics.