Borderlands 4s Villain Shouldnt Be Coming Empty-Handed

Borderlands 4s Villain Shouldnt Be Coming Empty-Handed

Key Takeaways

  • Borderlands 4’s villain is not Handsome Jack; it’s something more dangerous and sinister.
  • Eridian weapons, absent since the first game, could return if the villain turns out to be an Eridian or Guardian.
  • The return of rare and powerful Eridian weapons in Borderlands 4 could signal a revival for the franchise.

As a seasoned Vault Hunter with countless hours spent looting and shooting my way through the colorful wastelands of Pandora, I can’t help but feel a twinge of excitement at the prospect of Eridian weapons making a triumphant return in Borderlands 4. It’s been far too long since we’ve had the pleasure of wielding these alien relics, their strange and otherworldly designs as much a part of the Borderlands universe as Claptraps and bandit raids.


The announcement of Borderlands 4 has ignited a discussion about what the new installment might offer. Most of the talk revolves around the identity of the next game’s antagonist, with some speculating that the villain could be Handsome Jack from Borderlands 2. This speculation heightened when an image at the end of the Borderlands 4 trailer showed a vault symbol over a face, reminiscent of the scar Lilith left on Handsome Jack’s true face. However, Gearbox CEO Randy Pitchford dismissed these theories, stating that the villain for Borderlands 4 is something more ominous and menacing than Handsome Jack.

In the trailer for what appears to be Borderlands 4, the antagonist could possibly not be Handsome Jack, but instead, the hand that retrieves the Psycho mask seems to belong to an Eridian entity. If this depiction is accurate and the villain of Borderlands 4 truly transforms into an Eridian character, it could be a great opportunity to reintroduce the original game’s collection of Eridian weapons in the new installment.

Borderlands 4 Should Bring Back Eridian Weapons

Eridian Weapons Haven’t Been Around Since the First Borderlands Game

Despite the fourth mainline game in the Borderlands series, Eridian weapons continue to be fan favorites within the franchise. Regrettably, they’ve been absent since the initial game, and their lack has noticeably been missed. There was anticipation that Eridian weapons would resurface in Borderlands 3, but the only weapon bearing the name “Eridian” is the Eridian Fabricator, often referred to as the “Gun Gun” due to its capability to shoot weapons instead of ammo. However, apart from its title, the Eridian Fabricator doesn’t resemble typical Eridian weapons in terms of appearance or power.

Among the distinctive traits of an Eridian weapon is its otherworldly design, and though weapons in Borderlands have evolved into various intriguing shapes since the initial release, nothing quite compares to Eridian weapons. Not only are Eridian weapons recognized for their unusual aesthetics, but they are also among the strongest weapons in the first Borderlands game. Instead of using conventional bullets like most firearms, Eridian weapons emit energy blasts, further emphasizing their futuristic vibe. Moreover, these weapons are exceptionally rare within the game, enhancing their allure and making them even more coveted.

If Borderlands 4’s Villain Is Eridian, Eridian Weapons Should Come Back

If Borderlands 4’s antagonist turns out to be Eridian, it’s plausible that Eridian weapons might reappear in the game. The challenge would lie in finding a way to integrate them and deciding whether they’d retain the weapon proficiency system from earlier games, which enhanced their power against formidable enemies. However, considering a contemporary Borderlands game, the weapon proficiency system may not be necessary for Eridian weapons, as they could be reimagined to operate distinctly compared to their previous versions.

Instead, some longtime followers of the series may find it disconcerting that their favorite weapons operate under new rules in this iteration.

It’s intriguing to consider that Borderlands 4 might introduce a fresh assortment of Eridian weapons to the game, adding to the existing ones such as the Eridian Lightning and Eridian Mega Cannon. To make things more exciting, if Borderlands 4 were to unveil weapons that have never been seen before in the series, it would certainly revamp the franchise with a unique flair. Moreover, considering the high-quality graphics hinted at in the teaser trailer for Borderlands 4, these detailed visuals could accentuate the intricate designs of Eridian weapons, showcasing their distinctive features more effectively than the original game did. In essence, there are compelling arguments to reintegrate Eridian weapons in Borderlands 4, provided its antagonist is indeed Eridian.

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2024-09-20 14:04