If you've spent any real time playing Zer0 in Borderlands 2, you know the struggle. You’re trying to line up that perfect headshot on a hyper-active Loader, but the weapon sway is killing you, or maybe you’re caught in a frantic close-quarters scrap where aiming down sights (ADS) feels like a death sentence. That's usually when players start looking at the Sniping tree and wondering if bl2 at one with the gun is worth the points.
Honestly, it’s one of those skills that looks "okay" on paper but feels like literal magic once you actually spec into it. It’s located deep in the Sniping tree, a Tier 5 skill that requires some serious investment to reach. But for anyone serious about a Sniper Zer0 build—or even a hybrid gun build—it’s the glue that holds everything together.
What bl2 at one with the gun Actually Does
Let's break down the raw numbers first because they’re meaty. For every point you put into this skill (up to 5/5), you're getting:
- +25% Hip-Shot Accuracy with Sniper Rifles.
- +10% Reload Speed with Sniper Rifles.
- +1 Magazine Size with Sniper Rifles.
At 5/5, that’s a massive +125% Hip-Shot Accuracy. Think about that for a second. Sniper rifles in Borderlands 2 usually have atrocious hip-fire. If you try to fire a Vladof Lyuda or a Jakobs Muckamuck from the hip without this skill, your bullets basically treat the crosshair as a suggestion rather than a rule. With bl2 at one with the gun, that reticle shrinks until it's almost pinpoint.
The Accuracy Myth
Most people think "accuracy" just means the bullet goes where you point. In BL2, accuracy also governs the size of your "bloom" or crosshair spread. By the time you max this out, your hip-fire reticle on a sniper rifle often becomes smaller than the ADS reticle of an assault rifle. This changes Zer0’s playstyle entirely.
You stop being a "sit in the back and wait" sniper. You become a frontline assassin who can snap-fire a sniper rifle into a bandit’s face while jumping through the air. It’s basically the "Counter-Strike noscope" skill of Pandora.
Why the Magazine Size is the Secret MVP
The +1 magazine size per level doesn't sound like a lot. You might think, "Big deal, my Lyuda has 22 rounds, what's 27?"
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But consider Jakobs snipers.
Jakobs rifles are notorious for having tiny magazines, often as low as 5 or 6 rounds. Adding +5 to that via bl2 at one with the gun is nearly a 100% increase in mag size. This is huge because it synergizes perfectly with Zer0's other skills.
If you're running a Jakobs build, you probably have points in Precision and One Shot One Kill. However, One Shot One Kill only procs on the first shot of a full mag. You might think a larger mag hurts that, but in reality, it gives you more breathing room to land those subsequent critical hits for Critical Ascensi0n stacks without constantly being stuck in a reload animation.
The Reload Speed Synergy
Speaking of reloads, the +50% reload speed at 5/5 is nothing to scoff at. Sniper Zer0 is a glass cannon. If you’re caught reloading for three seconds in Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode (UVHM), you’re probably going to end up in Fight For Your Life.
This skill makes your cycles faster. You shoot more, you reload less, and when you do reload, it's a blink-and-you-miss-it affair. It makes the gameplay loop feel significantly more fluid.
Is it Worth 5 Points?
There is a bit of a debate in the community. Some players argue that if you’re always aiming down sights, the hip-fire bonus is wasted.
That's a trap.
In the chaos of an OP10 (Overpower Level 10) run, you cannot always ADS. Sometimes a Psycho is literally breathing down your neck. Being able to hip-fire a Pimpernel or a Longbow accurately is the difference between getting a Second Wind and staring at a respawn screen.
Critical Synergies to Watch For
If you're taking bl2 at one with the gun, you’re likely deep enough in the tree to grab Critical Ascensi0n. These two are best friends.
Critical Ascensi0n grants massive damage and crit bonuses for every sniper critical hit you land, but you lose all stacks if you switch to a non-sniper weapon. Because bl2 at one with the gun makes snipers so much more versatile (better mag, better reload, better hip-fire), it makes it much easier to "stay" on your sniper rifles 100% of the time.
You don't need to swap to an SMG for close range because your sniper is now a high-accuracy slug shotgun.
The Pimpernel Factor
If you use the Pimpernel—widely considered the best sniper in the game—this skill is a must. The Pimpernel’s unique flower-pattern split pellets depend heavily on where the initial shot lands. Being able to accurately place that initial shot from the hip during a chaotic Decepti0n window is invaluable.
Final Verdict for Your Build
If you are a Sniper Zer0, you take this. Period.
If you are a Melee Zer0, you obviously skip it.
If you're a "Gun Zer0" (using pistols or shotguns), it's usually not worth the climb up the tree unless you really love using the Lyuda as your primary DPS tool.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your Class Mod: If you have a Legendary Sniper Class Mod, it might already be boosting this skill. Check if you can save points by only putting 1 or 2 hard points in and letting the COM do the rest.
- Practice the "Quick-Scope": With this skill active, you don't need to wait for the scope to settle. Tap the aim button and fire almost simultaneously; the hip-fire accuracy will carry the shot.
- Test a Jakobs Muckamuck: Take a high-damage Jakobs sniper to the Marcus firing range. Feel the difference in the magazine size—it transforms the gun from a clunky tool into a powerhouse.