Amon is Borderlands 4’s Axe-Chucking Vault Hunter: A Deep Dive Gameplay Overview

Welcome to Gaming News! Gearbox has finally unveiled Amon, the Forgeknight, one of the four playable Vault Hunters in the highly anticipated Borderlands 4. Forget hiding behind cover; Amon is built for the frontline, a beefcake of a character ready to dish out and absorb massive amounts of damage. This isn’t just another gun-toting maniac; Amon’s unique Forgeknight abilities give him unparalleled versatility in combat. This comprehensive guide will delve into every facet of Amon’s skillset, breaking down his Action Skills, Skill Trees, and secondary abilities to help you master this powerhouse.

Amon: The Forgeknight – A Master of Crafted Destruction

Amon’s core mechanic revolves around his ability to conjure weapons and gear on the fly using specialized drones. This makes him incredibly adaptable to any combat situation. Unlike other Vault Hunters who rely primarily on looting, Amon creates his own arsenal. This doesn’t mean loot is irrelevant; it simply provides augmentations and customizations for his forged weaponry, making for an even more personalized playstyle. Think of him as a mobile armory capable of shifting his combat role in an instant.

His class-specific gear and weapons are as follow:

• Forgehammer: A massive hammer designed for powerful melee strikes, dealing devastating impact damage and capable of staggering even the toughest enemies.

• Forgeaxes: Versatile ranged weapons that can be thrown or used for quick melee attacks. Different Forgeaxes deal varying elemental damage, making them effective against different enemy types.

• Forgeshield: A durable shield that absorbs incoming damage, protecting Amon and his allies. It also fuels certain abilities, turning absorbed damage into offensive power.

Understanding Amon’s Action Skills

Amon has three primary Action Skills, each tied to a specific Skill Tree: Crucible, Scourge, and Onslaughter. Each tree dramatically alters Amon’s playstyle, offering unique strengths and weaknesses. Understanding how these skills interact with each other is key to maximizing Amon’s potential.

Crucible: The Elemental Axe Master

The Crucible Skill Tree focuses on elemental damage and control, turning Amon into a master of fire and ice. This tree revolves around Amon wielding dual Forgeaxes, imbued with either Incendiary or Cryo damage.

Forgeaxes – A Dual Wielding Elemental Barrage

Amon conjures two Forgeaxes, each dealing either Incendiary or Cryo damage. These axes can be thrown at enemies or used for rapid melee attacks.

• Multiple Charges: Amon’s Forgeaxes have multiple charges, allowing him to unleash a barrage of attacks before needing to recharge. Picking up thrown axes instantly reduces their cooldown, encouraging aggressive play.

• Elemental Priming: A key feature of the Crucible tree is the “Primed” effect. Damaging enemies with the Forgeaxes applies the Primed status effect. When a Primed enemy dies, they explode in a damaging elemental burst, creating chain reactions and clearing out groups of weaker enemies.

Double-Edge (Crucible Secondary Action Skill)

With the Crucible Action Skill equipped, Amon gains access to Double-Edge.

• Cryo and Incendiary Synergy: Amon throws a single Forgeaxe that deals Cryo damage as it passes through enemies. On its return trip, it deals Incendiary Melee damage, creating a potent combination of crowd control and damage over time. This is amazing for slowing down enemies while simultaneously setting them on fire.
• Strategic Positioning: Double-Edge is more effective when used in confined spaces, letting it hit multiple enemies on both the throw and return.

Scourge: The Unyielding Tank

The Scourge Skill Tree transforms Amon into an unyielding tank, capable of absorbing massive amounts of damage and retaliating with devastating force. The core of this tree is the Forgeshield.

Forgeshield – Absorb and Retaliate

Amon summons his Forgeshield, becoming a nearly impenetrable wall. The shield absorbs incoming damage and fills up a Vengeance Meter.

• Vengeance Meter: As the shield absorbs damage, the Vengeance Meter fills. Once full, Amon can unleash a powerful Forgewave.
• Forgewave: Consumes accumulated Vengeance to unleash a blast of freezing Cryo damage. The higher the Vengeance level, the greater the damage output. This can decimate enemy ranks.

Firewall (Scourge Secondary Action Skill)

When the Scourge Action Skill is active, Amon can deploy a Firewall.

• Projectile Interception: The Firewall absorbs enemy projectiles, providing a safe haven for Amon and his allies.
• Friendly Fire Enhancement: Projectiles that pass through the Firewall receive increased damage and velocity, amplifying their effectiveness.
• Vengeance Conversion: Absorbed damage is converted into Vengeance, further fueling the Forgewave.
• Incendiary Damage Aura: Enemies near the Firewall are burned with Incendiary damage over time, creating a zone of control.

Onslaughter: The Explosive Brawler

The Onslaughter Skill Tree turns Amon into a brutal melee powerhouse, focusing on explosive damage and staggering enemies. This tree centers around the Forgefist.

Forgefist – Rocket-Powered Devastation

Amon equips his Forgefist, which allows him to dash towards a target and unleash an explosive Rocket Punch.

• Rocket Punch: Deals massive Incendiary Melee Damage on impact. This is his most powerful melee ability, delivering a devastating blow to single targets.
• Staggering Impact: The force of the Rocket Punch will Stagger most enemies, leaving them dazed and vulnerable to follow-up attacks.

Molten Slam (Onslaughter Secondary Action Skill)

With the Onslaughter Action Skill active, Amon gains access to Molten Slam.

• Area-of-Effect Incendiary Damage: Amon slams a Molten Forgehammer into the ground, dealing Incendiary damage to enemies in a large area. It’s perfect for clearing out groups of enemies, especially those that are clustered together.
• Crowd Control: The slam also provides a minor crowd control effect, knocking enemies back and giving Amon some breathing room.

Synergies and Builds: Maximizing Amon’s Potential

Amon’s true strength lies in the synergies between his Action Skills, Skill Trees, and passive abilities. Experimenting with different combinations can lead to incredibly powerful builds.

The Elemental Blitzer (Crucible Focused)

This build prioritizes maximizing elemental damage and crowd control. By focusing on the Crucible Skill Tree, you’ll turn Amon into a walking inferno, constantly setting enemies ablaze and freezing them solid.

• Key Skills: Invest heavily in skills that enhance the damage and recharge rate of the Forgeaxes. Prioritize skills that increase the duration and effectiveness of the Primed status effect.
• Playstyle: Constantly throw Forgeaxes to apply elemental effects and prime enemies for explosive chain reactions. Use Double-Edge to slow down tougher enemies and deal additional Incendiary damage.
• Ideal Gear: Look for gear that boosts elemental damage, critical hit chance, and weapon reload speed.

The Unstoppable Force (Scourge Focused)

This build focuses on turning Amon into an impenetrable tank, capable of absorbing massive amounts of damage and retaliating with devastating force. By focusing on the Scourge Skill Tree, you’ll be able to withstand even the most intense enemy onslaughts.

• Key Skills: Prioritize skills that increase the Forgeshield’s durability, the rate at which the Vengeance Meter fills, and the damage output of the Forgewave.
• Playstyle: Aggressively move towards enemies, absorbing their attacks with the Forgeshield. Unleash the Forgewave when the Vengeance Meter is full to clear out groups of enemies. Use the Firewall to protect allies and enhance their damage output.
• Ideal Gear: Seek out gear that increases shield capacity, damage resistance, and Vengeance Meter generation.

The Melee Mauler (Onslaughter Focused)

This build transforms Amon into a brutal melee powerhouse, focusing on explosive damage and staggering enemies. By focusing on the Onslaughter Skill Tree, you’ll be able to tear through enemy ranks with devastating melee attacks.

• Key Skills: Invest heavily in skills that increase the damage of the Forgefist, reduce its cooldown, and enhance the Stagger effect. Prioritize skills that increase melee damage and movement speed.
• Playstyle: Dash into combat with the Forgefist, staggering enemies with the Rocket Punch. Follow up with a flurry of bullets to finish them off. Use Molten Slam to clear out groups of enemies.
• Ideal Gear: Look for gear that boosts melee damage, movement speed, and critical hit damage.

Borderlands 4: Vault Hunter Release Schedule

Gearbox has been steadily releasing information about the Vault Hunters in Borderlands 4. Amon is the third character to receive a deep dive, following Vex the Siren and Rafa the Exo-Soldier. This leaves only Harlowe the Gravitar, whose gameplay overview is expected to drop soon.

Borderlands 4 Release Date

Mark your calendars! Borderlands 4 is set to release on September 12th. With the game just around the corner, the hype is reaching fever pitch.

Conclusion: Amon, the Versatile Powerhouse

Amon the Forgeknight is shaping up to be one of the most versatile and engaging Vault Hunters in Borderlands 4. Whether you prefer elemental control, tanking, or melee combat, Amon offers a playstyle to suit your preferences. His unique ability to craft weapons and gear on the fly ensures that he’s always ready for any challenge. As we eagerly await the release of Borderlands 4, be sure to stay tuned to Gaming News for the latest updates, guides, and news. Prepare to forge your legend as Amon, the axe-chucking hero!