Borderlands 4: Rafa’s Past May Come Back to Haunt Him in the Best Way

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As the release date for Borderlands 4 approaches, Gearbox Software has been revealing details about the playable Vault Hunters to give players a sneak peek into their histories and gaming styles. Initially, Vex was introduced, followed by Rafa who recently took center stage. While each of these Vault Hunters in Borderlands 4 brings something unique to the table, Rafa’s story might have a closer relationship with his gameplay than fans may anticipate.

Rafa, formerly a Tediore soldier, was born in space and has physical limitations outside that environment. He was given an Exo-Suit by Tediore to survive and travel across the universe. However, he left the military due to harsh treatment by Tediore. Although Rafa wants to distance himself from his past with Tediore, it’s possible that his history with the company will reemerge in Borderlands 4, as players might prefer using Tediore weapons, which could be Rafa’s preferred weapon choice.

Rafa May Not Be Able to Escape His Tediore Past in Borderlands 4

Rafa’s Borderlands 4 Skill Tree Paints a Fast and Aggressive Picture

As a die-hard fan of Rafa’s upcoming creation, Borderlands 4, I can’t help but be thrilled about the unveiling of his skill trees! From what I’ve gathered so far, it seems that Rafa is all about an adrenaline-pumping gameplay experience. The way he’s designed this Vault Hunter suggests a playstyle that rewards boldness and aggression against enemies.

This aggressive nature becomes evident with his Vault Hunter Trait, Overdrive, which kicks in whenever he employs an Action Skill. This trait grants him a speed boost for movement and amplifies the damage he inflicts from all directions. It’s clear that Rafa is gearing us up for some exhilarating, high-speed combat action!

Rafa’s combat style can heavily favor close-quarters fighting, given his This Year’s Gimmick skill tree and its focus on his Arc-Blade weapons. However, he’s also equipped to unleash rapid gunfire in a reckless, carefree manner. Skills from his People Person tree discard caution, enabling players to shoot relentlessly without concern for ammo waste.

  • Las Jaras – Overdrive Skill. Rafa Regenerates Ammo while Overdrive is active.
  • Metal Management – Whenever Rafa activates or retriggers an Action Skill, his gun consumes no Ammo.

This tree additionally offers abilities designed for maximizing damage from Borderlands 4 weapons swiftly. It enhances Rafa’s Fire Rate and Critical Damage for optimal results.

  • El Catrin – Whenever Rafa Slides, his Action Skill deals Bonus Shock Damage, and he also deals increased Critical Hit Damage.
  • Awe – Whenever Rafa Shocks an enemy, all shots fired at that enemy are Critical Hits.
  • The Thrill – Overdrive Skill. Rafa gains increased Fire Rate, which is increased even further while Overdrive is active.

Tediore Weapons Seem Perfectly Suited for Rafa’s Kit

In Borderlands 4, players excel with Rafa when they utilize weapons that have high fire rates, critical damage, and almost unlimited ammo. This approach is particularly beneficial for weapons that already have rapid firing speeds and quick swapping/reloading capabilities, regardless of their overall damage output. Given the characteristics of Tediore weapons – fast firing rates, lightweight bodies for easy weapon switching, rapid reloads, and the unique ability to throw an empty gun as a grenade for explosive damage or digitally construct a new one when the magazine is depleted – they become the optimal choice for Rafa players among the various manufacturers in Borderlands 4.

In spite of Tediore guns being frequently criticized for their subpar construction and low damage, Rafa’s abilities make these shortcomings insignificant because he benefits from a higher rate of fire and critical damage. This means that the sheer volume of bullets fired from Tediore weapons is more advantageous than their questionable build quality. Even though Rafa might hesitate to use weapons from a company he’d rather forget, players in Borderlands 4 may find it beneficial to revisit this past association with Rafa to maximize the Vault Hunter’s build possibilities.

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2025-07-27 22:33