Each character in the Borderlands 4 Vault Hunter squad brings something unique to the game. There’s a wide variety of play styles available, so your selection matters as it significantly influences the taste of your gaming adventure. Even though you’ll continue to gather loot and shoot regardless of who you opt for, the character you choose will have a significant impact on your overall experience.
This guide offers a quick overview of the playable characters in Borderlands 4. It details their primary abilities, how they function, and the style of gameplay you can anticipate with each character.
Rafa, the Exo-Soldier
Blades, Bullets, and Overwhelming Firepower
Rafa can be thought of as a blend of every Commando-style character from past games, infused with Zane’s frenetic gameplay style, while also offering the opportunity to engage in Krieg’s aggressive melee tactics. He is equipped with turrets, an explosive cannon, and Arc Knives that are capable of cutting through most objects in the game. Although Rafa shares some thematic connections with Harlowe, they differ significantly in terms of gameplay mechanics.
Rafa’s Action Skills and Playstyles
| Skill | Description and Playstyle |
|---|---|
| Peacebreaker Cannons | Rafa activates twin turrets mounted on his shoulders that automatically shoot at enemies. Peacebreaker Cannons can be a fire-and-forget type of skill that passively helps you deal damage, or they can be turned into specialized weapons meant for dealing with specific targets. |
| APOPHIS Lance | The APOPHIS Lance is an off-hand weapon that fires Shock projectiles by default. It can be augmented to fire different projectile types, including a short-ranged taser, a long-ranged laser, and exploding Corrosive globs. |
| Arc Knives | Whip out Rafa’s arm blades and deal massive melee damage to enemies with every swing. Arc Knives can be augmented to deal Corrosive, Shock, or Incendiary damage, with the latter providing a high risk, high reward playstyle. |
Rafa’s distinctive ability is called “Overdrive,” which boosts his statistics when an Action Skill is activated and for a brief time following their deactivation. This talent, while straightforward, proves to be highly beneficial, and it becomes even more potent with numerous passive abilities supporting it.
Recommended Rafa Starter Build
Instead of using APOPHIS Lance or Peacebreaker Cannons later on, consider employing them early in the game. While Arc Knives might do the job, they can be tricky to handle without the necessary survivability abilities and equipment. Additionally, hitting flying enemies with Arc Knives can sometimes be challenging. On the other hand, APOPHIS Lance, Peacebreaker Cannons, and their counterparts don’t have these issues, and they remain equally enjoyable to wield.
Amon, the Forgeknight
The Master of Elemental Weaponry
In contrast to the usual brutes from past games, Amon stands out as a more articulate and polished character. His arsenal includes drones that metamorphose into diverse melee weapons imbued with elements, allowing players to thrust, slash, and pummel their way to triumph. Interestingly, Amon excels as a tank, yet he is capable of functioning as a one-man force like the other characters as well.
Amon Action Skills and Playstyles
| Skills | Description and Playstyle |
|---|---|
| Onslaughter | Amon charges his Forgefist, giving him constant Shield regen, bonus Incendiary damage, and increased movement speed. While Onslaughter is active, Amon can perform Rocket Punches that launch him towards enemies, making him incredibly mobile. |
| Scourge | Amon summons a shield that absorbs all frontal damage until his Vengeance meter is filled. If he takes more damage at that point, he gains Damage Reduction instead. When Amon has Vengeance, he can use his Action Skill again to drain Vengeance and launch Ice Waves that freeze enemies. |
| Crucible | Amon creates Forgeaxes that he can throw at enemies. Those hit by these axes become Primed, making them explode when hit by a Forgeskill or when they die. |
Amon’s distinctive attribute, known as “Forgeskill,” allows him an extra ability when he has an Action Skill equipped. To activate the Forgeskill, simply press and hold the Action Skill button. The cool-down periods for the Action Skill and Forgeskill operate independently of each other. Some examples of Forgeskills are:
1. The “Ember of Erebus” – It enhances Amon’s flame projectiles with a poisonous effect.
2. The “Storm Cry” – It amplifies Amon’s shockwaves, causing enemies to be stunned and knocked back.
3. The “Vortex of Veracity” – It creates whirlwinds around Amon, damaging nearby enemies.
- Molten Slam (Onslaughter): Lift a great hammer and slam it onto the ground, dealing Incendiary damage over an area.
- Double-Edge (Crucible): Combine your Forgeaxes and throw them at enemies. It deals Cryo Damage when heading toward enemies, and Incendiary damage when flying back to Amon.
- Firewall (Scourge): Deploy a fire wall that blocks enemy projectiles while empowering friendly ones. Any damage it absorbs is turned into Vengeance.
Recommended Amon Starter Build
For those who prefer a swift and aggressive approach, the Onslaught tree is ideal. Conversely, if you’re looking for a more measured pace, the Scourge tree would suit you better. The Crucible tree holds its ground in the early stages of play, but truly excels later in the game once players obtain suitable Class Mods and passive skills.
Vex, the Siren
Things Are About to Get Spooky
Instead of the Sirens in the previous Borderlands, Vex emphasizes on managing minions and personal empowerment. She is capable of summoning either duplicates of herself or a spectral tiger named Trouble. For those who aren’t fond of minions, Vex can utilize Incarnate to transform into a health tank that fires spicy magic from her fingertips.
| Skills | Description and Playstyle |
|---|---|
| Incarnate | Vex transforms, dealing AoE damage, regaining health, and gaining the bonus movement speed and the ability to use Eldritch Blast. Dealing damage reduces the cooldown of Eldritch Blast, giving her a big DPS boost while Incarnate is active. |
| Phase Phamiliar | Trouble joins Vex as an ally on the field. Pressing the Action Skill button teleports Trouble to Vex’s target while transforming them into a badass with increased health and damage. |
| Dead Ringer | Vex can summon either ranged Specter or melee Reaper clones of herself. Specters act like turrets, while Reapers chase enemies down. Clones lose an increasing percentage of health per second, and they deal damage based on Vex’s attunement. |
Vex’s distinctive feature is known as Phase Covenant, which transforms the type of damage for her Special Ability and melee attacks into the same element as the one her weapon is currently using.
Recommended Vex Starter Build
Vex’s minion builds are extremely potent throughout the campaign, and her Fourth Seal tree, coupled with Reapers and Specters, offers exceptional crowd control capabilities. While Vex’s Incarnate skill isn’t insignificant, players might find more advantage with her minion builds rather than this one at the beginning of the game.
Harlowe, the Gravitar
Low Gravity, Maximum Mayhem
In simpler terms, Harlowe is the go-to member in our team for managing crowds, and her specialty lies in immobilizing foes and causing explosions. Players fond of Maya from Borderlands 2 will find a familiar feel when using Harlowe. If you’re seeking a character capable of annihilating large numbers of enemies, then Harlowe should more than suffice for your requirements.
| Skills | Description and Playstyles |
|---|---|
| CHROMA Accelerator | Harlowe fires a large projectile that deals Cryo damage to enemies it passes through. Triggering her Action Skill again while the projectile is mid-air causes it to explode, dealing heavy Radiation damage over a large area. The second half of this skill can cause chain reactions thanks to Radiation, making it excellent for fights with plenty of fodder. |
| Flux Generator | Throw an energy field that deals Cryo damage over time while Entangling enemies caught inside. Allies inside the field also gain Overshields. This ability is great for a support-focused playstyle, though it doesn’t completely disregard Harlowe’s penchant for AoE damage. |
| Zero-Point | Harlowe lifts enemies and places them in Stasis for a duration, rendering them harmless. Triggering the Action Skill again while enemies are suspended slams them down, causing a small explosion on their points of impact. |
Harlowe has a distinctive characteristic known as Entanglement. When Harlowe uses her Action Skills, enemies are ensnared. All entwined adversaries partially share the gunfire and skill damage inflicted upon other entangled foes.
Recommended Harlowe Starter Build
Harlowe’s CHROMA Accelerator ability is powerful and enjoyable to utilize. Give it a go against a Tough guy or a group of foes, and prepare for a spectacle. While her other Skill trees are also commendable, CHROMA Accelerator stands out as the most entertaining, particularly when combined with a build focusing on Radiation.
Which Vault Hunter Should You Pick?
In simpler terms, choose the character in Borderlands 4 that resonates with you the strongest. Each Vault Hunter comes with unique storylines, and it’s recommended to pick the one whose backstory seems the most appealing to you.
If you’re new to the Borderlands series and are looking for a character that’s user-friendly, then I’d suggest going for either Rafa or Vex. Compared to Amon and Harlowe, these two are much more straightforward to play. With just a basic build, they can become incredibly potent in the game, making it enjoyable without adding unnecessary complexity. And yes, they’re just as fun to use as the other characters!
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2025-09-11 18:06