In this article, you will learn all you need to know about this powerful recently buffed Submachine Gun. You will know how to get D.N.A. in Borderlands 3.

Important! This weapon can only drop on Mayhem Level 6 or above. You will need to finish the story to unlock Mayhem Levels.

How D.N.A. Works in Borderlands 3

This submachine gun is a very powerful weapon. It was pretty underwhelming as a Mayhem 6 drop for a long time. It recently got a huge damage buff and right now can compete with the top-tier loot.

The weapon always drops in a non-elemental variant. However, the special ability of the gun makes it deal a lot of elemental damage. The D.N.A. works that it shoots random elemental projectiles while holding down the trigger.

Bullets have a double helix pattern. The weapon shoots two projectiles at once at a cost of two ammo per shot.

Now let's see the specifications of the weapon, and then I will tell you how to get D.N.A. in Borderlands 3.

D.N.A. Specifications

Manufacturer: Maliwan

Weapon Type: Submachine Gun

Rarity: Legendary

Base Ammo Consumption: 2 ammo per shot

Elements: The weapon always drops in a non-elemental variant, however it still deals random elemental damage

  • Fire
  • Shock
  • Corrosive
  • Cryo

Damage Type Increases

  • Splash Damage
  • Weapon Damage
  • Gun Damage
  • Submachine Gun Damage
  • Area of Effect Damage
  • Maliwan Damage

Drop Location: General Traunt, Desolation’s Edge map on the planet Nekrotafeyo

Drop Chance: 16.5%

Red Text: “Death cannot be contained”

Weapon Card:

dna bl3 min - How To Get D.N.A. in Borderlands 3

Credit: Gearbox Software

How to Get D.N.A. in Borderlands 3

In order to get the weapon, you must play on Mayhem Level 6 or above. You want to finish the main mission from the base game: "Footsteps of Giants".

After completing the mission and getting rid of General Traunt you will be able to return to this map and farm that boss over and over, to get the best loot, including the D.N.A.

It is a boss that has mostly shields and a bit of health underneath. You will need to use shock or radiation against the shield and fire versus health bar to effectively defeat the boss. After doing so there is a 16.5% chance of getting the D.N.A.

It has a low drop chance, especially if you are looking for a specific anointment. However, on April 8th, in the new patch to Borderlands 3, you will be able to reroll anointments on weapons for the right price [eridium]. It might make farming for the perfect D.N.A. a lot easier, but you definitely know everything you need on know how to get D.N.A. in Borderlands 3.

Is D.N.A. Worth the Effort?

It is right now. Similar to all the other Mayhem 6 exclusive weapons, the D.N.A. is a pretty powerful gun. It was overlooked for a long time, but after recent buffs, it found its new youth. Many players can supplement their builds using this amazing submachine gun. It works the best on Moze with all the Splash Damage bonuses and with Amara, with her elemental damage increases. Hopefully, after this article, you know exactly how to get D.N.A. in Borderlands 3.


Borderlands 3 is out now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One X/S, and Xbox Series X/S.

For more Borderlands 3 news, check out our DLC Release article.

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