10 Borderlands Deaths That Sting

As a hardcore Borderlands fan, I can say without a shadow of doubt that the most heart-wrenching character death in the series is undoubtedly Scooter’s demise in Tales from the Borderlands. Having played through all the games and spin-offs, I can attest to the profound impact Scooter had on us players, especially for those who didn’t experience his touching storyline in the Telltale game.

Scooter was not just a character; he was a friend we made on Pandora, one of the first allies we encountered in this madcap world. He was always there to lend a helping hand (or a Catch-A-Ride) with his infectious enthusiasm and optimism. His tragic end, delivered with such poignancy and humor, left an indelible mark on anyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.

The joke? Well, I’ll just say this: Scooter may have left us, but he’s still riding shotgun in our hearts… and that’s one Catch-A-Ride we wouldn’t trade for all the Eridium in Pandora!

In the universe of Borderlands, both Pandora and its counterparts maintain an excessively whimsical and humorous tone, yet they skillfully develop characters who can elicit strong emotional responses, often leading to sorrowful conclusions.

From the very first game, Gearbox hasn’t pulled a single punch as the stories of the vaults unfold.

Throughout your gaming journey, you’ll find yourself experiencing the heart-wrenching demise of cherished non-player characters, protagonists, and antagonists in unforgettable scenes. As a new game looms on the horizon, it seems that more beloved characters are at risk.

Here are some of the deaths from the series that I’m still bringing up in therapy.

10. Borderlands 2: Handsome Jack

An Inevitable Conclusion

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but marvel at how perfectly Borderlands 2 concluded. The only way this epic saga could have ended was with me taking down The Eridian Warrior summoned by Handsome Jack for universe domination. But the cherry on top? Lilith offering me the chance to execute him myself or let her do the deed. Either way, it’s a conclusion that leaves me grinning ear-to-ear!

Given all the torment Jack inflicted on Lilith during the game, it seemed fitting that she was given the chance to reciprocate. I always appreciate well-rounded character developments.

Regardless of how inevitable or deserved it was, Handsome Jack’s demise is painful as it signifies the conclusion of his wickedness.

Among all video game villains, he’s truly exceptional, and it’s painful to accept that he’ll no longer appear in most of the games (apart from a few special cases).

9. Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands: Queen Butt Stallion

A (Temporary) Royal Beheading

Initially a mere jest among Handsome Jack’s quips, Queen Butt Stallion ascended to royalty within Tina’s Bunkers & Badasses escapades, eventually starring in Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. She governs the realm of Brighthoof but meets her demise at the hands of the vengeful Dragon Lord.

Or more casually:

From a mere joke by Handsome Jack, Queen Butt Stallion rose to royalty in Tina’s Bunkers & Badasses adventures and became a main character in Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. She reigns over the kingdom of Brighthoof, only to be slain by the vengeful Dragon Lord.

During my initial gameplay, it was incredibly surprising when I saw this almost-eternal character being killed so abruptly. This sudden event left me feeling queasy, and it fueled my determination to defeat the Dragon Lord even more intensely.

Having lost a beloved character before, I can relate to the sentiment expressed. The temporary death of a cherished figure always leaves a profound impact, one that lingers even as we move forward. In this case, knowing she returns at the end offers some solace, but the memory of her initial demise remains etched in my heart. I share the hope for her continued reign in the narrative, yet I cannot help but acknowledge the lasting impression her departure made on me.

8. Borderlands 3: Lilith

The Final Firehawk Phase Shift

In the majority of the games, Lilith served as the central character, and her tale seems to come full circle at the end of Borderlands 3. In a selfless act, she uses her power to phase-shift Pandora’s moon, Elpis, away, thus safeguarding the doomed planet.

If I thought it was a real death, it would rank higher on my list. However, since we didn’t witness a death or a body, I assume that it didn’t occur in reality.

Lilith, the fearless character from Borderlands, is someone who’s simply too crucial to have met her demise. Since Gearbox has revealed that Borderlands 4 will focus on the aftermath of the Elpis phase shift, it’s highly likely we’ll see Lilith back in action, making a powerful comeback.

7. Borderlands 3: Typhon DeLeon

Psychic Siren Patricide

In Borderlands 3, you encounter the renowned figure in vault exploration, Typhon Deleon – often referred to as the original vault hunter. His tales of adventure are documented in audio logs scattered across the cosmos.

Upon discovering the whereabouts of the Eridian homeworld, Nekrotafeyo, I found myself called upon by Typhon to aid in the sealing of the colossal vault on Pandora.

He’s an endearing and charming small character, yet it turns out that he’s actually the father of the wicked Calypso twins.

Tyreen Calypso abruptly halts your quest, and in a tense instant, she strikes a lethal blow against Typhon. Although he doesn’t linger long in the game, he leaves a significant mark. Frankly, I wouldn’t object to a prequel game that lets us explore the life of this legendary figure instead.

6. Boraderlands 3: Maya

A Disintegrating Sacrifice

In Borderlands 2, Maya is introduced as the second character you can control, and she significantly features in Borderlands 3. She now guards her homeland, Athenas, and has adopted a young disciple, Ava, who’s fated to develop siren abilities just like hers.

As a long-time fan of Star Wars and its rich mythology, I must say that one aspect of the game’s narrative that truly resonated with me was the Obi-Wan-esque relationship between the two main characters. Having grown up watching the original trilogy, I vividly remember the profound bond between Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker, and the sacrifice Obi-Wan made to ensure Luke’s survival. In this game, a similar dynamic unfolded between the two protagonists, making me feel a sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the storytelling.

The selfless act at the end of the game, where one character sacrifices herself to save Ava from the Calypso twins, was a poignant reminder of Obi-Wan’s sacrifice in Star Wars. It was a powerful moment that left a lasting impression on me and highlighted the depth of their connection. The parallel between these two stories is not lost on me, and I believe it adds another layer to the game’s narrative that makes it even more engaging and impactful.

Despite my pain from her passing, the ongoing ridicule about it from the Calypsos during the remainder of the game only intensified my sorrow.

Her death had left me wounded, and their persistent jibes about it throughout the game made my hurt even worse.

In a tale that touched my heart, the downloadable content (DLC) featuring characters Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck delves into the aftermath of her demise, revealing its impact on the world.

5. Borderlands: TK Baha

Blind Bandit Slaughter

In Borderlands, TK Baha is the second character who assigns quests to you. His demise is among the most somber moments throughout the series. He’s a charming, blind, country-bumpkin type, doling out missions and rewarding you with one of my favorite weapons in the game – TK’s Wave.

After Dr. Zed departs Firestone, you are given a mission to retrace your steps and locate TK Baha. Upon reaching TK’s cliff-edge dwelling and entering it, you discover him suspended from the ceiling by his neck, seemingly slain by a treacherous gang of marauders.

The shocking revelation serves as a stark wake-up call about the senseless brutality that pervades Pandora. This journey continues to linger in my mind, and given that Borderlands 4 is rumored to adopt a darker tone than its predecessor, it’s likely to be filled with such harrowing scenes.

4. Borderlands 2: Bloodwing

A Feathered Friend Made Foe

It’s not right to simply eliminate the pets without any consequences. Bloodwing, who has been a loyal companion to Mordecai from the start, unfortunately falls prey to Handsome Jack’s schemes in Borderlands 2.

At the conclusion of the mission aimed at rescuing her, you’re compelled to engage in combat with her from a facility where sinister Eridium experiments were being conducted on animals. In what seems like a chance to save her, Jack detonates an explosive device attached to her neck, thereby tragically concluding her tale forever.

After this incident, I took a break from playing, but it was then that I made up my mind: Jack must perish. The pain Mordecai endured in losing his cherished creature, I fear, is a hurt I’ll carry forever.

3. Borderlands 2: Angel

Ally, Traitor, Tragedy

In the series, Angel plays a deeply moving role, particularly in Borderlands 2, where she initially appears as a guiding AI voice during your quest for the Vault in the first two installments.

As I uncover her deception in playing for both teams, I learn it was all orchestrated by her ruthless father, Handsome Jack – a man who held her captive and drained her energy to power up his Vault key.

In a last bold move, she confronts her oppressive guardian, marking the end of her life. Despite her kind nature, which made her a helpful companion on your journey, her sad tale leaves a profound impact.

2. Borderlands 2: Roland

Revenge on the Rebel

In the thrilling realm of Borderlands, I found myself deeply connected with Roland, the charismatic head of the Crimson Raiders and a key figure in the initial adventure. This was my inaugural character, serving as my personal guide into the captivating universe that Borderlands offered me.

I was delighted to witness his incredible success in Borderlands 2, and I admired him as the leader of the rebellion. When Handsome Jack ended his life following Angel’s demise, it felt like a hard blow to my stomach.

In every corner of Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands and Borderlands 3, I can sense the lingering spirit of Roland. Though he might be physically absent, he remains deeply engraved in our gaming memories.

1. Tales From The Borderlands: Scooter

Catch-A-Ride for the last time

Among all the deaths portrayed in the series, Scouter’s stands out as particularly poignant, not only due to its emotional impact but also because of the way it was presented.

In Tales From The Borderlands, Scooter makes the ultimate sacrifice for his recently formed companions when his hand becomes trapped in a rocket. Before he leaves, he conveys a touching message to be forwarded to his family and Moxxy, as well as utters his final words, “CATCH A RIIIIIIIIDE.

Similar to many other players, I hadn’t encountered the Telltale game prior to playing Borderlands 3. Upon experiencing it for the first time, I was disheartened by the lack of a cherished feature. However, just recently, I revisited the game and felt the poignant moment myself.

Scooter is charming and quickly becomes an ally you grow fond of in Pandora. Playing Tales From The Borderlands without experiencing his death in the primary games makes his demise even more poignant.

Scooter is a delightful character who befriends you on Pandora during Tales From The Borderlands. Not knowing about his fate in the main series makes his passing feel much more impactful.

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2024-12-31 19:10