Gearbox Software and 2K Games have launched the latest piece of DLC for Borderlands 2. The appropriately titled Krieg the Psycho is the latest character to be added to the roster of Soldiers, Sirens (Mage), Gunzerkers (Berserker), Assassins and Mechromancers (Engineer) that make up the diverse list of playable characters in Borderlands 2. Krieg’s look is based on the bandits that roam the wastelands of Pandora seeking out their next victims. With Krieg’s outward appearance being that of a bandit, it’s only natural that he talk like one as well. But although Krieg may look like a bandit, he couldn’t be further from one. Not much is known about Krieg except that he hates bandits and the Hyperion corporation. Along with this new character comes a new action skill and a host of abilities based on bloodlust, explosions and setting things of fire.

The characters of Borderlands 2 emote more than their predecessors did in Borderlands. Krieg has a host of interesting emotes he lets out when killing. It’s hard to hear some of the different emotes thrown out by Krieg, especially when he has to shout over the gunfire, explosions, bandit chatter and the constant interruptions from Handsome Jack, but here are a few:

“Look at me when I scream into your soul.”
“From hell’s heart, I stab at thee!”
“My stomach is clear and my mind is full of bacon.”
“I like my treasure like I like my baby steaks… Rare.”

Just like the other playable characters, Krieg comes with a unique action skill suited to his demeanor. When Krieg’s action skill is activated, he takes out his weapon of choice and goes on a “Buzz Ax Rampage” doing +500% damage to any enemy in range and gaining back all his health with each kill. He also has the ability to throw his Buzz Ax at enemies as well.

There are three skill trees that can be leveled up while playing as Krieg the Psycho. The Bloodlust tree focuses on stacking abilities for extra damage. The Mania tree is for melee damage and houses the Light the Fuse ability that changes “fight for your life” allowing Krieg to move normally and throw sticks of dynamite at unsuspecting enemies. As usual, a successful kill revives Krieg. Last is the Hellborne tree which focuses on elemental effects and lighting oneself on fire. Looking over each skill tree, I decided to go with the Mania tree so I could throw dynamite at enemies.

Just like Gaige the Mechromancer, Krieg the Psycho is different than all the other vault hunters. It would have been nice if Gearbox created and released these two characters with the game instead of choosing to make them downloadable content. Both characters are fun to play with and really need their own starting area. As much as I like Borderlands 2 and getting new characters to play with, it lowers the excitement when you have to go through the same starting area over and over again.

Still, Krieg is fun to play with, and I like his skill trees and his action skill in general. The ability to one shot any enemy and gain back health is great to have. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to run around Pandora as a bandit, and now I know. Krieg is a great character with great skills and I can’t wait to max them out and see what he can really do.