What to know

  • Borstel Ballista is a legendary Jakobs sniper rifle in Borderlands 4.
  • It drops from the Timekeeper boss in the Upper Dominion, near the end of the main story.
  • Its signature effect, called Propagation, spawns swirling additional projectiles after the main shot.
  • The weapon references Tolkien’s "The Hobbit" with its red text, "Go now and speed well."

Borderlands 4 features a wide array of powerful weapons, but few combine style and effectiveness quite like the Borstel Ballista. This sniper rifle, manufactured by Jakobs, is renowned for its unique firing mechanic—after firing a shot, it produces spiraling additional projectiles that deal extra damage. This makes it highly effective against grouped or large targets, delivering high DPS with a visual flair.

How to get the Borstel Ballista

Step 1: Progress to the mission “The Timekeeper’s Order”
The weapon’s drop is tied to the Timekeeper, a boss encountered during the mission “The Timekeeper’s Order.”

Step 2: Fight (or replay) Timekeeper in Terminus / Upper Dominion
The Timekeeper is located in the Upper Dominion region of Terminus.

Step 3: Use Moxxi’s Big Encore (if available) to refight the boss
After the main fight, you can pay at Moxxi’s Big Encore machine near the boss arena to reattempt fights and farm the drop.

Step 4: Repeat until it drops
Because the weapon is Legendary, there’s no guaranteed drop. You may need multiple runs.

Some players also report seeing it in other loot contexts (e.g. weapon vendors or random legendary drops) though the guaranteed route is via Timekeeper.

Farming tips for efficiency

  • Focus on killing the Timekeeper’s first phase, then use the Big Encore Machine to respawn it quickly.
  • Avoid the second phase to save time, as the first phase drops the weapon reliably.
  • Use characters or builds that benefit from Jakobs sniper rifles or boost critical damage to maximize the weapon’s effectiveness.

Borstel Ballista: Mechanics and Effects

Propagation: How the bullet splitting works

The defining feature of the Borstel Ballista sniper rifle is its "Propagation" effect. After a bullet travels a certain distance, it splits into multiple projectiles that spread out in a spiral or swirling pattern. The farther the bullet travels, the more fragments it creates, increasing the potential damage, especially against groups of enemies or large targets. This mechanic makes it excellent for mid-to-long-range engagements.

The sniper is equipped with a ripper-style magazine that overheats after several shots and includes an underbarrel shotgun, combining two weapon types for versatility. The weapon also has a red-text quote referencing J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Hobbit," adding a unique flair.

Strengths

  • Excellent at mid-to-long range, where the split effect can take effect.
  • Against groups or bosses, the propagation can cover multiple targets or apply heavy damage over a spread.
  • In the right build, especially with Jakobs bonuses (crit enhancements, damage boosting), it can “shred” through tougher enemies. Players report it can “delete everything on the screen” when optimized.

Weaknesses

  • The propagation triggers only after a distance, so close-quarters use might not unleash full potential.
  • Its drop rate is low (being a Legendary), so obtaining it may require repeated attempts.
  • It might be less consistent vs. single-target, short-range fights compared to high-impact single-shot snipers.

The Borstel Ballista stands out as a legend among sniper rifles in Borderlands 4. Its Propagation effect transforms what would be a simple long-shot weapon into a tool of chaotic destruction. While obtaining it may take patience, once in hand it can become a core piece of a high-damage build — especially in mid-to-long range combat.