Use your favourite features in-game with our Desktop AppCryo damage in Borderlands 4 while similar to how it functioned in previous games, does have some differences that many players are unaware of.
If you want to become a top tier freezer, you'll need to know the ins and outs of how this element functions, and how to take advantage of it. Let's begin!
Almost every enemy/boss in Borderlands 4 has what you could refer to as a 'freeze meter' - to keep it simple, imagine this as a form of stun meter. You may have seen these in games before, and one exists here in Borderlands 4 also!
This bar however is invisible, and when it builds past a minimum threshold it will execute a freeze (or slow depending on the enemy) to the afflicted target.
If the enemy is Frozen, they will begin taking ticks of Cryo damage, in which case it will begin functioning much like you would expect a typical DOT to work.
Now, there is something important we need to go over. Despite having a maximum value on their freeze bar, you don't exactly need to hit it in order to put in some work against mobs.
Even at a small amount of buildup (as seen below), you'll notice that this will still slow a typical enemy, it just won't freeze them solid. The same will happen for most bosses in the game also.
However when you pass the threshold for the meter, it will execute a freeze (or max slow value)
This is where Cryo Efficiency comes into play. You may have noticed up until this point in the game that Cryo elemental weapons have what is known as a stat named 'Cryo Efficiency' listed instead of damage over time (DOT)
This is a percentage based increase to the buildup speed of that Freeze bar. The best way to look at this without getting confused, is that a larger number is always going to be better.
For example, if my current Cryo Efficiency stat is at 200%, I can expect to freeze an enemy at a much faster rate.
It is however important to note that if your Efficiency stat is too low, you may find yourself killing enemies before they can be frozen - Not ideal, if your goal was to freeze them before death of course.
For this reason, be sure to look after this stat, and keep it at a cosy value!
While this may seem simple on paper, there is some confusion around how the game looks at, and considers the Cryo element in Borderlands 4. Below, I have listed some notes to clear up any misinformation surrounding how this element works.
Freezing enemies with Cryo will make them take 100% more melee damage. They will also take gradual damage as you may expect, but only while encased in ice. This damage can also be boosted by the Status Effect Damage stat.
Yes. Cryo can either deal damage over time when an enemy reaches max freeze, or through other avenues such as skills like 
Tail of the Comet which specifically outline Cryo damage over time.
Believe it or not, no! The game will not recognize it when taking into account application chance, again- unless specifically outlined!
There is a replacement stat however, fittingly named 'Cryo Effectiveness' :)
Depending on your Effectiveness %, you may only need to hit the enemy a few times in order to pass their theshold and activate the freeze/slow - However, with a lower % you will typically need to deal continuous damage in order to keep building up the bar.
Failure to do so will result in the enemy recovering, and all of that icy cold progress diminishing
Hopefully after reading this handy guide, you're a little better at getting your freeze on, and can now go fourth into the world of Kairos, feeling a whole lot more confident on your ability to dish out cold feelings!
For more handy guides, endgame builds & more - be sure to check out some of our related articles on the right side of your screen. Happy hunting!
