The goal for Borderlands 3 is Combating Visual Clutter. In a game with millions of particles and bright colors, the default “Badass” settings create a chaotic image that makes it hard to track targets. This configuration focuses on lowering heavy-hitters like Volumetric Fog and Screen Space Reflections while using custom engine commands to sharpen the comic-book lines without the performance cost of full Ultra settings.
Hardware Compatibility & Expectations
- DirectX 12 vs. 11: For modern hardware (RTX 20-series / RX 5000-series and newer), DX12 is significantly more stable after the initial shader compilation. If you experience long loading times or crashes, revert to DX11.
- The “Stutter” Fix: Borderlands 3 is notorious for asset streaming hitches. This config includes the
TextureStreamingPoolSizefix to utilize your VRAM properly. - CPU Bottlenecks: High “Clutter” and “Foliage” settings can crush your CPU during combat. Keeping these at Medium/Low is essential for high-FPS play.
File Location
The configuration files are located in your Windows documents folder: %USERPROFILE%\Documents\My Games\Borderlands 3\Saved\Config\WindowsNoEditor\GameUserSettings.ini
Best GameUserSettings.ini for Comic-Shaded FPS
Open the file with Notepad and modify the following values. These balance the iconic look with competitive performance:
[ScalabilityGroups]
sg.ResolutionQuality=100.000000
sg.ViewDistanceQuality=1 ; Low/Medium (Keeps enemies visible, reduces clutter)
sg.AntiAliasingQuality=1 ; Low (Reduces TAA blur)
sg.ShadowQuality=1 ; Low (Shadows are heavy in the dense swamp maps)
sg.PostProcessQuality=1 ; Low (Removes excessive bloom and glow)
sg.TextureQuality=3 ; High (Keeps your guns and vault hunters sharp)
sg.EffectsQuality=1 ; Low (Crucial for FPS stability during explosions)
sg.FoliageQuality=1 ; Low (Huge boost in Eden-6 areas)
[/Script/OakGame.OakGameUserSettings]
PreferredGraphicsAPI=DX12 ; Use DX12 for better frame pacing on modern GPUs
bUsePerformanceMode=True
EdgeDetectionTexelOffset=1.3 ; Sharper black outlines (Values between 1.0 - 1.5)
TextureStreamingPoolSizeMB=4000 ; Set to 50% of your VRAMEssential Engine.ini Tweaks
To truly “clean up” the comic look, add these to the bottom of your Engine.ini in the same folder:
[SystemSettings]
r.DefaultFeature.Bloom=0 ; Disables the blinding "glow" in neon areas
r.DefaultFeature.MotionBlur=0 ; Vital for clarity during fast movement
r.DepthOfFieldQuality=0 ; Keeps the background sharp when aiming
r.SceneColorFringeQuality=0 ; Removes Chromatic Aberration
r.oneframethreadlag=0 ; Reduces input lagPro Tip: The setting EdgeDetectionTexelOffset=1.3 is the secret to the Borderlands look. Setting it to 1.3 or 1.5 makes the black outlines thinner and cleaner, which looks significantly better on 1440p or 4K monitors while saving a few frames over the default thick lines.
Key Parameters Analysis
| Parameter | Recommended Value | Impact |
| Volumetric Fog | Off / Medium | The #1 FPS killer. Turning it off can gain you up to 30% FPS. |
| Texture Streaming | Ultra | Forces the game to use your VRAM properly. Essential to stop “blurry texture” pop-in. |
| Resolution Scale | 100% | Never go below 100% if possible; the comic shader looks terrible when upscaled. |
| Material Quality | Medium | Keeps the cel-shading look intact without the high-poly cost. |
Visibility & Gameplay Strategy
- Field of View (FOV): Increase to 100-110. The “comic” aesthetic can feel claustrophobic at lower FOVs, leading to motion sickness during fast movement.
- FidelityFX Sharpening: Set to On. Since Unreal Engine 4’s TAA is inherently blurry, this helps restore the “hand-drawn” detail of the weapons.
- Camera Shake: Set to Minimum. In a game with this many explosions, the camera shake can make it impossible to land critical hits.
Troubleshooting & Common Fixes
- Long “Claptrap” Loading Screen: This is usually DX12 shader compilation. Let it finish once; it will be much faster on the next launch.
- ADS (Aim Down Sights) Lag: This is often caused by the “Texture Streaming” setting. Set it to Low or use the
-notexturestreaminglaunch option if you have 16GB+ RAM. - Settings Not Applying: Right-click your
.inifiles > Properties > Ensure Read-only is UNCHECKED while you edit, then CHECK it after saving to prevent the game from reverting changes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Does disabling Bloom ruin the look?
No. Borderlands 3 has an aggressive “glow” that often washes out the cel-shaded colors. Disabling it via the Engine.ini makes the colors more saturated and the edges of characters more distinct.
Is DX11 ever better?
On older GPUs (GTX 10-series or earlier), DX11 usually provides higher average FPS, but more “spiky” frame times. For 90% of players, DX12 is now the superior choice after recent patches.
What does “Edge Detection” actually do?
It is the post-process shader that draws the black “ink” lines around objects. Adjusting the TexelOffset allows you to control the thickness of these lines to suit your resolution.
Conclusion and Expected Results
By manually refining your GameUserSettings.ini and stripping away the intrusive post-processing in the Engine.ini, you are optimizing Borderlands 3 for its chaotic core. You can expect a significant reduction in explosion-based frame drops, much clearer target acquisition through the neon lights of Promethea, and the sharp, clean comic-book look that the game was meant to showcase.