Where to Buy ‘Borderlands 4’

Purchase for PC
Borderlands 4 – $69.99 at Fanatical

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Purchase for PS5
Borderlands 4 – $69.99 at Amazon

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Purchase for Xbox
Borderlands 4 – $69.99 at Amazon

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Purchase for Switch 2
Borderlands 4 – $69.99 at Amazon

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Borderlands 4 has finally arrived. After a six-year wait, Gearbox is back with a looter-shooter that reinvents the franchise while remaining faithful to its chaotic origins. This time, the battle shifts to the broken planet Kairos, where four all-new Vault Hunters take the spotlight.

If you’re diving in today, you’ll need to figure out which Vault Hunter fits your playstyle, how to optimize your first playthrough, and how to prepare for the grind that follows the ending. This guide offers a comprehensive look at all that.

SEE ALSO: ‘Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Mirror Edition’ arrives on PS5 and Xbox Series X: Release date and pricing details

Optimal Vault Hunter builds at launch

Each of the four new Vault Hunters has unique strengths, but not all builds are equal at level one. Here’s how to maximize each character’s potential from the get-go:

Vex — The Siren (Minion / Elemental Hybrid)
Vex merges traditional Siren magic with summonable companions. Her ghost cat Trouble and spectral duplicates create a hybrid of DPS and pet class.

Best Initial Build:

Skill Tree: Here Comes Trouble
Key Skills: Yowl and Bay (enhances Trouble), Grave Command (reduces cooldown), Spectral Bond (works with clones).
Weapons: Elemental SMGs (Maliwan, Tediore) and quick-firing pistols.
Playstyle: Summon Trouble at the start of encounters to absorb damage, then alternate between elemental SMG bursts and melee finishers. Continuously cycle summons to maintain mobility.
Why choose Vex: She’s extremely versatile, ideal for players who enjoy experimenting with builds, and stands out as one of the best solo Hunters due to her pets acting as distractions.

Rafa — The Exo-Soldier (Ranged DPS / Melee Hybrid)
Rafa is the most beginner-friendly Vault Hunter. His Overdrive enhances speed and damage each time you activate a skill, promoting relentless aggression.

Best Initial Build:

Skill Tree: Remote Agent
Key Skills: Critical Matrix (critical bonuses), Cannonade (enhances Peacebreaker cannons), Reload Rush (increases speed + resets cooldown).
Weapons: Assault rifles (Dahl, Vladof) and SMGs with critical perks.
Playstyle: Start fights by deploying cannons, then switch to rapid-fire ARs to devastate enemies while Overdrive is active. Use dash abilities to close distances when ammo is low.
Why choose Rafa: Easy to learn, fast-paced, and offers the highest raw DPS at launch. Perfect for co-op players looking to excel in damage output.

Amon — The ForgeKnight (Tank / Crowd Control)
Amon is a powerhouse designed for players who enjoy close combat. His Forgeskill adapts based on your active skill, granting him adjustable defense and attack capabilities.

Best Initial Build:

Skill Tree: Vengeance
Key Skills: Fuel the Forge (restores armor), Unbreakable Will (damage resistance), Cryo Shatter (enhanced cryo AoE).
Weapons: Cryo shotguns, rocket launchers, heavy melee tools.
Playstyle: Absorb damage, accumulate armor, then deliver AoE knockbacks with Cryo skills. His Rocket Punch is excellent for clearing space in co-op play.
Why choose Amon: Incredibly resilient and one of the toughest solo Hunters. Ideal for players who want to endure anything and keep the frontline secure.

Harlowe — The Gravitar (Support / AoE Disruptor)
Harlowe controls gravity to connect enemies and protect allies. She epitomizes a co-op Vault Hunter while still being effective with AoE disruption.

Best Initial Build:

Skill Tree: Cosmic Brilliance
Key Skills: Entangled Resonance (damage transfers across linked foes), Flux Generator (overshields + Cryo damage), Zero Point (enemy stasis trap).
Weapons: Radiation pistols and Cryo SMGs.
Playstyle: Start with Entanglement, restrain key enemies with Zero Point, and provide overshields to allies with Flux Generator. Always have a Radiation sidearm for AoE synergy.
Why choose Harlowe: The ultimate team player. She enhances any squad and can completely neutralize enemy groups.

Top picks based on playstyle

Solo play: Vex or Amon
Co-op: Harlowe
Highest DPS: Rafa
Most adaptable: Vex

Prime playthrough advice for Borderlands 4

The initial journey through Kairos can feel