The Borderlands franchise is widely celebrated for its diverse range of playable characters, known as Vault Hunters. These individuals come from various backgrounds, each on a quest for wealth, fame, or redemption, all while sharing a common enthusiasm for treasure and combat against villains.
Continuing this legacy, Borderlands 4 introduces four primary Vault Hunters in its base game, with hints at two more characters exclusively available in the Super Deluxe Edition, which will also include numerous premium cosmetic items and downloadable content (DLC) storylines.
As showcased in the “Beyond the Borderlands”video, the development team has emphasized the importance of relatability and connection in their characters, aiming to create engaging power fantasies that resonate with players. Although all Vault Hunters exhibit a consistent movement style, their unique abilities, playstyles, and personalities set them apart.
The franchise traditionally categorizes its four base Vault Hunters into specific archetypes: Siren, soldier, tank, and tech expert. Over the years, the series has endeavored to experiment with and innovate these archetypes, merging traits to create new and exciting characters, such as Amara, who blends qualities of both the brawler and Siren.
Before the highly anticipated release of Borderlands 4 on September 12th, let’s delve into each Vault Hunter’s unique story, abilities, and projected performance. Please remember that much of the pre-release gameplay focused on exploration rather than character-building, so the complete potential of these characters is still to be fully uncovered.
Vex, The Siren
First up is Vex, one of the most well-known Vault Hunters from my experience during the preview event. True to the series’ tradition, Borderlands 4 introduces a Siren—this time depicted as a gothic character named Vex, who appears as if she stepped straight out of a Hot Topic store, complete with dark makeup and a rebellious spirit.
According to the official game website, Vex’s early life was challenging, particularly after she manifested her Siren powers. Her sarcastic and cynical personality reflects her tough upbringing, but beneath her tough exterior lies a compassionate heart—she genuinely cares for others, ready to confront oppressive foes.
During the preview, I spent considerable time exploring Vex’s abilities. Like her Siren predecessors, she boasts formidable abilities that align with the “mage”role, particularly resonating with the necromancer and summoner concepts.
Vex’s engaging voice lines, characterized by a witty sense of humor and an eagerness to assist her fellow Outbounders, enhance her charm, making her a delightful companion throughout the game.
Vex possesses three distinct Action Skills in the base game, each linked to the elemental damage of her currently equipped firearm: Dead Ringer, Phase Phamiliar, and Incarnate.
- Dead Ringer: This skill summons up to three clones of Vex, allowing players to choose between scythe-wielding Reapers or gun-wielding Specters.
- Phase Phamiliar: Vex conjures Trouble, a spectral sabertooth cat that automatically attacks enemies and may be resummoned as the more powerful Big Trouble, dealing increased damage while fighting autonomously.
- Incarnate: This ability enables Vex to regenerate health, unleash substantial immediate damage, and cast powerful Eldritch Blasts, reminiscent of a Dungeons & Dragons Warlock.
In my experience, Dead Ringer proved to be the most effective, allowing for a more passive playstyle as clones engage enemies, providing cover for reloading and repositioning strategies. Players will likely enhance cooldown timers to maximize the clone army’s potential, though a maximum summoning limit seems plausible.
Given the popularity of Sirens as starter characters in previous playthroughs—myself included—it’s unsurprising to anticipate that Vex may emerge as the favored choice among players.
Rafa, The Exo-Soldier
Next is Rafa, the other playable Vault Hunter I encountered during the preview. While my experience primarily focused on Vex, I found Rafa to be an intriguing character, distinct from the likes of disciplined soldiers Moze and Roland, or the disheartened Axton.
Here’s how the official Game Info outlines Rafa’s backstory:
Born in a microgravity environment, Rafa’s physicality underwent significant changes, making him reliant on a Tediore military exo-suit to survive. Disillusioned with the company’s aims, he deserted, now evading capture by Tediore forces while aiming to enjoy life’s fleeting pleasures. This tragic backstory adds depth to his character.
His laissez-faire attitude is conveyed through his humorous respawn voicelines, where he reassures himself about the dangers of his exo-suit while maintaining a quirky perspective on life.
Rafa’s exo-suit enables him to activate three distinctive Action Skills: Arc-Knives, APOPHIS Lance, and Peacebreaker Cannons.
- Arc-Knives: This skill shifts gameplay to a third-person view, letting Rafa deliver powerful melee damage with dual claws while marking enemies.
- APOPHIS Lance: By summoning an Arm Cannon, Rafa can fire slow-moving energy projectiles that can be charged for heavier impact, reminiscent of Mega Man’s iconic Mega Buster.
- Peacebreaker Cannons: These automated shoulder-mounted cannons target enemies in Rafa’s field of vision, although initial trial builds suggested they may require further development for more substantial damage.
While I had limited time to fully explore Rafa’s capabilities, I can conclude that his skill set has the potential for high damage output, making him a competitive character choice.
Harlowe, The Gravitar
Now, let’s turn to the lesser-known character, Harlowe. Other than the official Game Info, we’ll rely on speculation based on game trailers.
Continuing the tradition of including a soldier equipped with advanced technology, Harlowe stands out as a former Maliwan combat scientist who leverages her expertise to outwit and ensnare adversaries.
Her official game description states that Harlowe is driven by an unwavering curiosity about the world, having often been viewed as an outcast among her Traunt relatives. Nonetheless, she channels her ingenuity into her work as a Vault Hunter, showcasing a love for combat and an upbeat personality.
Players familiar with Borderlands 3 may recall the Traunt name, associated with formidable Maliwan fighters. Yet, Harlowe appears to view her background with optimism rather than resentment.
Details surrounding Harlowe’s Action Skills remain scarce, indicating a more tactical playstyle compared to her counterparts. One ability observed in trailers appears to involve summoning bubbles that trap enemies—a nod to Maya’s Phase Lock ability.
Additionally, her capacity to wield a large cannon to unleash energy blasts suggests a significant elemental damage potential.
Although not much is confirmed, her energetic personality hints at a vibrant addition to the team, embodying a spirited essence grounded in excitement and determination.
Amon, The Forgeknight
Finally, we have Amon, the character with the most enigmatic background among the Vault Hunters. While some of his peers have rich histories or connections to established lore, Amon’s narrative remains largely untold.
His design suggests a classic tank archetype, embodying strength with a Viking-inspired aesthetic and a stoical demeanor that hints at a compassionate warrior beneath the surface. Much like Reinhardt from Overwatch, Amon possesses a soft heart hidden behind a tough veneer.
According to the official game description:
Amon was raised in a cult that revered Vault monsters—until one turned on him and destroyed his loved ones. As the lone survivor, he dedicates his life to hunting these beasts. A warrior-poet, he is committed to his cause while offering wisdom and tales earned through his unique experiences.
Though specific abilities are still under wraps, it is anticipated that Amon’s skills will focus on summoning weapons for devastating attacks or providing support to allies via defensive measures.
Preliminary information suggests he may summon two battleaxes with elemental attributes, dealing considerable damage or creating protective barriers to aid teammates. Further insights will likely be unveiled as the release date approaches.
This overview encapsulates our current understanding of the four Vault Hunters we will engage with in Borderlands 4.
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