The upcoming game Borderlands 4 adds four fresh Vault Hunters to its roster, expanding a series that already boasts a total of 20 playable characters across multiple main games (including DLCs). Each installment in the franchise introduces a quartet of new playable characters, each offering something novel for players to explore. Despite their categorization into familiar class types such as the spell-casting Siren and hard-hitting Brick, every Vault Hunter possesses distinct branching skill trees that can make each gaming experience unique.
Despite each Vault Hunter from the Borderlands games having unique strengths and flaws, certain ones really shine as the most enjoyable to control. Some may find this appeal due to intriguing skill setups, while others love them for their larger-than-life personas that add excitement to every fight. Regardless of your preferred fighting style, some Borderlands characters truly stand out from the rest.
10. Claptrap the Fragtrap
The Wisecracking Robot From Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
Originally known for his comedic role as a sidekick in the series, the chatty one-eyed, one-wheeled robot named Claptrap stepped into the limelight in the game “The Pre-Sequel“. In
To put it simply, Claptrap isn’t enjoyable due to his abilities which are typical; instead, he’s entertaining because his antics and skills are amusing. For example, one of his abilities increases significantly if his teammates (or enemies) give him a high-five by attacking him, but neglecting him might lead to tears as he laments his desire for affection. If you appreciate humor in the form of puns such as “Look at my swag!” and “Freeze me a lake!“, then this character could be your choice.
9. Gaige The Mechromancer
The Mechanic And Her BFF Deathtrap From The Borderlands 2 DLC
Gaige joined Borderlands 2 as a downloadable character, accompanied by her science project and friend, Deathtrap. In battle, Gaige summons this colossal anti-bullying mech to join her in the fight, creating quite an impression with the towering machine standing beside the petite twin-ponytailed teenager.
The mechanically-assisted Vault Hunter is quite contentious; some say she’s simple to handle but challenging to fully grasp. She can function as a formidable damage dealer when equipped with offensive abilities for Deathtrap, or she can be utilized for intricate gameplay using skills like Anarchy, which become more effective the more times they are stacked. Regardless of the approach, calling in a massive robot to join the fight is an exhilarating experience.
8. Mordecai the Hunter
And His Trusty Companion Bloodwing From Borderlands
In the initial Borderlands game, Mordecai laid the groundwork for characters like FL4K and their animal companions, including Vex the Siren in Borderlands 4 and her spectral feline sidekick, Trouble. The original Vault Hunter was essentially a hunter who battled alongside his loyal feathered ally, Bloodwing.
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As a passionate film enthusiast putting it in my own words, I’d say: “I found myself playing the role of a quiet, precise marksman, whose sniping abilities mirrored those of the game’s bird companion. Together, we dispatched adversaries effectively, making for an impressive duo, even within the confined skill set of the early Borderlands game.
7. Axton The Commando
The Turret-Wilding Soldier From Borderlands 2
Admittedly, Axton had slipped my memory until I queried my spouse about his favorite Vault Hunter. Although Axton boasts a detailed backstory as a soldier from Dahl who was forced into desertion upon discharge and sentenced to death by firing squad, his personality doesn’t stand out as vividly as some of the more eccentric characters in the game’s past.
While Axton may not stand out in terms of his personality traits, he truly shines when it comes to gameplay. His unique combat style is centered around the Sabre Turret, a deployable device that can be enhanced to serve as an offensive or defensive asset, or even as a diversion. When fully upgraded, this turret functions almost like another character, offering Axton additional buffs and support that can significantly impact the outcome of a fight.
6. Athena the Gladiator
The Shield-Wielding Ex-Crimson Lance Fighter From Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel
Initially, Athena made her debut in the downloadable content (DLC) titled “The Secret Armory of General Knoxx” for the initial release of “Borderlands“. In this game, she aided the player. Later on, in “The Pre-Sequel“, Athena became a playable character, providing further insights into her past as both an assassin and a member of Atlas’s elite military unit, the Crimson Lance, the Crimson Lance being a special force. By this point in the storyline, however, the powerful Athena had switched sides and was now allied with the player.
In Borderlands, Athena’s unique action skill, Kinetic Aspis, sets her apart from other characters. Instead of using her shield conventionally, she elevates its utility by first employing it to soak up incoming attacks, followed by hurling it as a potent projectile at enemies. Owing to her strategic skill trees and role in the series, Athena excels as a supportive character. She can boost team damage output at the expense of her own health, or leverage elemental damage for added effect.
5. Lilith The Siren
The First-Ever Siren From Borderlands
As a devoted fan of the Borderlands series, I’ve always admired Lilith. From establishing the Crimson Raiders in Borderlands 2 to orchestrating planetary movements in Borderlands 3, she’s undeniably a pivotal figure. She was among the first Vault Hunters and the inaugural playable Siren in this franchise. (Being the character I started my journey with might have swayed my opinion slightly.)
In the initial game, Lilith’s Siren ability was called Phasewalk. This skill enabled her to become invisible and move swiftly for a short while, culminating in an explosion that harmed nearby enemies. The Phasewalk could be terminated with a physical attack, and enhancing melee attacks made it incredibly enjoyable to vanish momentarily before reappearing in the heat of battle and striking with a powerful, explosive melee strike.
4. Zane The Operative
The Delightfully Charming Dual-Ability Wielder From Borderlands 3
In the Borderlands series, Zane stands out as the most endearing and amusing character to control, always ready with a witty remark for any given situation. So captivating is his charm that he successfully persuaded me to switch from my usual Siren character after completing all three preceding games. The Vault Hunter, with its unique ability to utilize two action skills simultaneously, makes it an excellent choice for those who find it hard to pick just one. This is a feature exclusive to Zane among all characters in the entire Borderlands franchise.
Just like Axton, Zane’s action abilities can be categorized as defensive (creating a protective shield for himself and his teammates), offensive (calling forth shoulder mounted cannons or a drone armed with rockets), and deceptive (deploying a Digi-Clone to divert enemy attention). The unique aspect of Zane is his ability to blend two of these skills together, which makes him incredibly adaptable and an outstanding choice as an ally during cooperative gameplay.
3. Zer0 The Assassin
The Mysterious Possibly-Not-Human Mercenary From Borderlands 2
It remains uncertain who or what Zer0 truly is, with the exception of Patricia Tannis, the resident scientist in evil’s lair. This intriguing figure communicates solely through haikus, dons a full-body attire, and uses holographic emoticons on his helmet as a form of expression. However, one thing that is certain about Zer0 is that he provides an incredibly entertaining play experience.
Zero exhibits a unique blend of skills, demonstrating proficiency in both close quarters combat with his sword and long-range engagements through sniping. Depending on your chosen skill set, Zero can either deliver critical hits from afar or inflict devastating melee attacks up close. Furthermore, his action skill “decepti0n” effectively misdirects enemy attention, allowing him to navigate the battlefield unnoticed.
2. Maya The Siren
The Fun Phaselock Magician From Borderlands 2
In the third installment of Borderlands, Maya the Siren significantly contributes to the plot, whereas in the second game, she’s similar to the other Vault Hunters. However, in terms of gameplay, Maya raises the bar for Sirens, originally introduced by Lilith, and becomes one of the most enjoyable characters to play in the series.
Maya’s “Phaselock” ability lets her essentially trap opponents within a bubble, causing them to become temporarily immobilized and taking damage. At higher skill levels, it offers extra features such as inflicting elemental harm and affecting multiple enemies if the initially trapped enemy is defeated. Interestingly, the skill can be modified to transform foes into allies instead of trapping them in bubbles, or to draw enemies closer and detonate them, providing opportunities for exciting and disorderly gameplay.
1. Krieg the Psycho
The Unhinged Profanity-Spouting Brawler From The Borderlands 2 DLC
Similar to Gaige, Krieg wasn’t initially included in the main game of Borderlands 2; instead, he was introduced as a downloadable content character. This Psycho has become one of the most cherished characters within the series, not just for his special melee emphasis, but also for his penchant to shout amusing phrases like “I am the conductor of the poop train!” and “I’m losing blood, give me yours!“.
In the game centered around firearms, Krieg opts for an unusual choice, favoring his reliable spinning axe over guns. Unsurprisingly, Krieg’s abilities mirror his erratic nature, as one entire skill tree is built around him being ablaze. There’s a certain pleasure in slicing through adversaries with a melee weapon while ignited and shouting about possessing the most polished chariot of flesh.
In a bid to allay fans’ fears that the lighter, entertaining tone might be absent if Borderlands 4 turns out to be more somber, Gearbox aimed to ensure that it would still include characters like Krieg, one of the most enjoyable to play and who adds a significant fun element to the entire series. Let’s hope the forthcoming installment in the Vault Hunters saga retains these lively characters.
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2025-05-29 02:19