Borderlands 4 introduces an exhilarating lineup of four Vault Hunters, each characterized by distinct archetypes and a plethora of unique skills. With the revamped Firmware system offering enhanced build-crafting options, players may find themselves overwhelmed with choices. If you’re struggling to choose your character amidst the thrilling options, this guide is here to help you navigate the character-select menu with confidence.
Our experience with previous Borderlands titles makes us well-equipped to guide you through which Vault Hunter is best tailored for your playstyle.
1. Best Vault Hunter for Solo Players
The standout choice for solo players in Borderlands 4 is undeniably Vex. Traditionally, Sirens haven’t been known for their solo prowess, but Vex shatters that stereotype. Her playstyle mirrors that of Fl4k from Borderlands 3—she can summon formidable Phase minions to bolster her in combat. These minions can absorb damage, divert attention, and inflict harm, providing Vex the needed flexibility in gameplay.
Vex’s Vault Hunter Trait, Phase Covenant, allows her to change her skill and melee damage type to match that of her equipped weapon, significantly enhancing her adaptability and enabling devastating builds. Her skills are also designed to buff and empower her, making solo gameplay highly rewarding.
Siren Vault Hunter Trait
- Phase Covenant: Vex is attuned to the Elemental Type of her current Gun, modifying all Action Skill and Melee Damage accordingly.
Action Skills
- Dead Ringer: Summons a Phase Clone Minion, either a Specter or Reaper. This clone loses health over time, matching Vex’s damage type upon spawning. It can taunt foes and inflict melee damage or deal gun damage while remaining stationary.
- Incarnate: Creates a Phase Explosion that damages nearby foes while fully restoring Vex’s health. When active, she gains increased movement speed and can utilize Eldritch Blast.
- Phase Phamilar: Accompanied by her Minion, Trouble. Once defeated, Trouble respawns after a cooldown. Triggering this Action Skill teleports Trouble, dealing area damage, and allows Trouble to transform into a stronger version for a limited damage boost.
2. Best Tank in Borderlands 4
If you’re after a hearty brawler reminiscent of Krieg from BL2 or a powerhouse like Moze from BL3, then Amon is your guy. The Forgeknight is a melee-focused character, wielding formidable weapons like a hammer and twinaxes. He stands out with his ability to unleash elemental damage, particularly with the twinaxes alternating between cryo and incendiary attacks.
Amon shines brightest with the Scourge Action Skill, which grants him a Forgeshield that absorbs damage and fills a Vengeance meter. Once filled, the shield provides damage reduction, allowing you to turn the tide of battle while embracing a combination of offense and defense.
Forgeknight Vault Hunter Trait
- Forgeskill: Amon gains special abilities based on his equipped Action Skill, enabling powerful melee attacks and defensive strategies.
Action Skills
- Onslaughter: Amon overloads his Forgefist, receiving continuous shield regeneration and increased damage. He can then deal damage through melee and dash to enemies, causing area damage.
- Scourge: Wields a Forgeshield that absorbs damage, converting it to Vengeance. This meter, while being utilized, provides self-defense and can unleash more powerful attacks.
- Crucible: Amon readies Forgeaxes that can be thrown to deal damage and return, coating foes in damaging effects, enhancing his offensive ability.
3. Best Vault Hunter for Co-op and Crowd Control
If you appreciate the crowd manipulation abilities of Amara from BL3, then Harlowe is the character to choose. The Gravitar, with her background as a former Maliwan scientist, excels in Cryo and Radiation damage while deploying innovative gadgets that isolate and damage enemies.
Her skills extend beyond chaos as they can bolster the abilities of teammates, making Harlowe a key asset in cooperative gameplay. Her Entanglement trait links enemies affected by her skills, forcing them to share damage, creating opportunities for devastating combinations in group settings.
Gravitar Vault Hunter Trait
- Entanglement: Enemies affected by Harlowe’s Action Skills share a portion of both Gun and Skill Damage with each other.
Action Skills
- CHROMA Accelerator: Fires an Unstable Energy Pocket that deals Cryo Damage to enemies, exploding for Radiation Damage upon activation.
- Zero-Point: Places an enemy in Stasis for a brief duration, dealing damage to those immune and slamming down upon reactivation.
- Flux Generator: Tosses an Energy Field that inflicts Cryo Damage and Entangles enemies while providing allies with an Overshield.
4. Best Vault Hunter for High DPS
For those who thrived on crit-focused builds or enjoyed utilizing Zane from BL3, Rafa is a character you will resonate with. Known as the Exo-Soldier, he embodies a race against time, armed with high-tech gadgets to obliterate enemies thanks to his military background with Tediore.
Rafa specializes in dealing Shock and Corrosive damage, with all his skills aimed at maximizing damage output. His APOPHIS Lance enables long-range Shock attacks ideal for targeting bosses, while Peacebreaker Cannons provide up-close firepower by firing kinetic projectiles at enemies. Finally, the Arc-Knives let Rafa get up close and personal with hordes, making him perfect for co-op dynamics.
Exo-Soldier Vault Hunter Trait
- Overdrive: Activating an Action Skill triggers Overdrive, maintaining its duration while boosting movement speed and damage output.
Action Skills
- APOPHIS Lance: A powerful Arm Cannon that unleashes Piercing Shock Blasts.
- Peacebreaker Cannons: Shoulder-mounted cannons dealing kinetic damage in front of Rafa.
- Arc-Knives: Blades dealing melee damage and marking enemies, causing them to take increased damage from further attacks.
Choosing your ideal Vault Hunter in Borderlands 4 can significantly enhance your gameplay experience. Which character resonated with you the most? Share your selection in the comments and dive deeper into the exciting world of Borderlands on Moyens I/O.