Birt’s Bees might sound all cute and friendly, but in Borderlands 4, this legendary SMG is anything but. It fires a stream of homing projectiles that will sting your enemies like a boss. Equipped with parts like Torgue sticky bombs and a taser underbarrel, the damage output is insane! When you activate that taser after launching your stickies, it boosts the damage multiplier, making each hit count.

But here’s the catch: Birt’s Bees is locked behind side content. If you haven’t explored Kairos thoroughly, you might miss the boss you need to farm for this bad boy. Don’t worry; you can start the grind early, and you could end up with both Birt’s Bees and the Kickballer legendary for your efforts.

How to Get Birt’s Bees in Borderlands 4

The SMG is dropped by Sludgemaw, who can be found at Watershed Gate within Idolator’s Noose in the Fadefields. But first, you need to complete the Null and Void mission chain, which kicks off after you beat the Rush the Gate main mission. This quest will guide you directly to Sludgemaw.

To start the Null and Void mission, find Rush just south of The Launchpad faction town. It’s an easy stroll; you’ll see it near Idolator Sol’s crashed ship. Complete this quest, which involves tracking down Conway and delivering food to the Rippers. Afterward, it leads to the follow-up quest, All Charged Up, which you can pick up from Rhodes.

Once you finish All Charged Up, you’ll face Sludgemaw at the bottom of Watershed Gate. Beat him, and you’ll unlock the chance to farm this boss using Moxxi’s Big Encore machine.

Farming Sludgemaw can be a grind. He’s a thresher, which means he likes to burrow underground often, and sometimes he bugs out and stays stuck down there. However, his defenses are purely flesh, so just bring along your fire or radiation weapons to make quick work of him.

Many players have reported getting a Birt’s Bees drop after around five runs, but beware of bad rolls! Keep an eye out for that lethal version featuring Torgue sticky bombs and a taser underbarrel. Stacking Torgue stickies is already a deadly combo, but when you add a taser shot after unloading the stickies, each bomb essentially sends damage through the roof.

Tips and Tricks for Farming Sludgemaw

• Use A Fire or Radiation Weapon: Since Sludgemaw’s defenses are flesh-based, these damage types will shred him quickly.
• Monitor Your Ammo: Sludgemaw can dodge your attacks when he burrows, so prepare for a fight that might last a bit longer.
• Join Forces: If you’re struggling solo, bring a buddy along. Co-op makes boss fights a lot more manageable!
• Farm Efficiently: After defeating Sludgemaw, teleport back to the closest fast travel point to reset the area quickly.
• Document Your Drops: Keep track of what drops you get—if you get a decent roll, it might be worth more than you think!

Use these strategies to ramp up your chances of snagging Birt’s Bees and other epic loot in Borderlands 4. Now get out there and show Sludgemaw who’s boss!