Most Iconic Vault Hunters In Borderlands, Ranked

Summary

Mordecai is an iconic sharpshooter with a strong bond with his bird, Bloodwing.
Athena, a former Crimson Lance operative, is one of the few surviving Vault Hunters from Borderlands: The Pre-sequel.
Zer0, a mysterious assassin known for his use of haiku and enigmatic persona, is a beloved character in the franchise.

As a long-time enthusiast of the Borderlands universe, I must say that my personal favorite iconic character is Lilith. Her journey from a playable Vault Hunter in the original game to the leader of the Crimson Raiders and ultimately saving the universe in Borderlands 3 is truly inspiring.

Lilith’s life experience is something that sets her apart from other characters in the series. She’s been through the fire, faced countless dangers, and still manages to come out on top. Her strength and determination are unmatched, even without her Siren powers.

One of my favorite moments with Lilith was when she took over as leader of the Crimson Raiders in Borderlands 2. It was a testament to her growth as a character and showed that she was more than capable of leading a group of tough-as-nails raiders.

And let’s not forget about her witty banter! Lilith has some of the best one-liners in the series, and her jokes always manage to make me laugh. My personal favorite is when she says “I don’t have time to explain why I’m awesome, I just am.”

In short, Lilith is a staple of the Borderlands franchise, and her iconic status is well-deserved. She’s strong, determined, witty, and has saved the universe more than once. If you haven’t had the pleasure of playing as Lilith yet, I highly recommend giving her a try. And remember, when it comes to Lilith, always keep your guns loaded and your wits about you – you never know when she might need a good joke!

The captivating game series, Borderlands, has drawn in gamers not just by offering intriguing planets to traverse but also by introducing and allowing players to command diverse Vault Hunters within the gameplay.

As a longtime player of the Borderlands franchise, I can attest to the fact that while some Vault Hunters have been officially ranked as the best, there are others who didn’t quite make the cut but still hold a special place in the hearts of fans. These iconic characters may not be the most powerful or impressive, but they are undeniably memorable and beloved by many. Whether it’s due to their unique personalities, memorable moments in the games, or simply because they were fan favorites, these Vault Hunters have left an indelible mark on the Borderlands universe. In my opinion, these iconic characters deserve recognition for their contributions to the franchise and are just as important as their more powerful counterparts.

8. Mordecai

Some Of The Best Content In BG2 Involve Mordecai

First appeared in Borderlands.
A Vault Hunter that only loves his bird more than cash.
An incredible sharpshooter that seems like he never misses.

As a dedicated fan who’s spent countless hours exploring the vibrant world of Borderlands, I can confidently say that Mordecai is undoubtedly one of my all-time favorite Vault Hunters. His sniper skills are unmatched, and his bond with Birdwing, his feathered companion, adds a unique touch to his character that sets him apart from the rest. Playing as Mordecai in Borderlands 2 was an unforgettable experience for me, as I found myself growing attached to both characters throughout my journey. The camaraderie between them felt genuine and added a layer of depth to the game that kept me engaged from start to finish. If you haven’t had the chance to play as Mordecai yet, I highly recommend giving him a try – you won’t be disappointed!

Nevertheless, Mordecai gains significant recognition for his response to his beloved bird being transformed into a monster by Handsome Jack. Fortunately, Mordecai manages to obtain one of Bloodwing’s offspring, vowing to care for it so diligently that he gives up drinking altogether.

7. Athena

One of The Greatest Storytellers In The Franchise

First appeared in Borderlands.
She was originally the top operative of the Crimson Lance.
One of the few remaining Vault Hunters from Borderlands: The Pre-sequel to still be alive.

In the original Borderlands game, Athena, the Vault Hunter, was introduced through downloadable content called “The Secret Armory of General Knoxx”. However, it’s in “Borderlands: The Pre-sequel” where many players became familiar with her, as she was a playable character there.

In this action-packed game, she serves not just as a playable character among the Vault Hunters, but also as the central storyteller, recounting the initial tale of their quest for a Vault while under the control of Handsome Jack, until her untimely demise at the hands of Lilith. In the spin-off series, Tales from the Borderlands, players delve deeper into this legendary heroine’s backstory and even bear witness to the touching romance between her and Janey.

6. Zer0

An Iconic Mystery Of A Character

First appeared in Borderlands 2.
A highly skilled assassin.
Although Zer0 is a mystery, he is well-loved by players.

Among the most enigmatic and memorable figures in the Borderlands series are some of its characters. Interestingly, Zer0, who was playable in Borderlands 2, also made an appearance in the Tales from the Borderlands games. In these spin-offs, Zer0 is portrayed as being equally extraordinary.

Fans were delighted to encounter Zer0 again in Borderlands 3, eagerly anticipating his potential return in future installments. Although not much is known about this character, his distinctive helmet displaying emotions and unique way of speaking in haikus have made Zer0 one of the most iconic Vault Hunters within the series.

5. Krieg

Some Psychos Are More Memorable Than Others

First appeared in Borderlands 2.
A Psycho with some sort of conscience.
Iconic for his chaotic lines and peculiar humor.

In the game Borderlands 2, there were previously multiple Vault Hunters available for the player to select, but later DLCs brought about the introduction of Krieg as the sixth playable character in the Borderlands series. For the first time, players could assume the role of a foulmouthed Psycho – a character that players typically encounter and eliminate rather than control.

Despite Krieg’s quirky catchphrases and bloodthirsty rampages, his trailer hinted at a mind that thinks deeply. Players might primarily recall him for these aspects, but they overlook the fact that Krieg remains one of Borderlands’ most memorable Vault Hunters due to his ability to complete his tasks without harming the other Vault Hunters.

4. Maya

One Of The Most Loved Sirens In Borderlands

First appeared in Borderlands 2.
A Vault Hunter with lethal Siren abilities.
She made an impressive teacher to Ava.

Almost every main Borderlands game features a Siren class Vault Hunter for players to choose from, and Maya stands out as one of the most memorable options. She is not only a playable character in Borderlands 2, but also a significant NPC character in Borderlands 3.

In the world of Borderlands, Sirens are iconic figures, renowned for their unique origins and extraordinary abilities. Maya, with her blue locks, is no exception to this rule; in fact, she stands out as one of the most powerful Sirens. In Borderlands 3, Maya took on an apprentice named Ava, passing down her Siren knowledge to ensure that Ava could harness these powers following Maya’s untimely demise – a turn of events that occurred much sooner than players had anticipated.

3. Roland

Well Known Soldier And Leader Of The Crimson Raiders

First appeared in Borderlands.
The original leader of the Crimson Raiders.
Well-known even after Borderlands 2.

In the original Borderlands game, it’s not just Mordecai who stands out as an iconic character; Roland, the soldier, is another beloved Vault Hunter whose impact lingers and is deeply missed by the gaming community. He remains a significant figure in the series.

In Borderlands 2, I discovered there was more to Roland than just a run-of-the-mill character. As I delved into quests not only with him but also alongside the Crimson Raiders, who safeguarded the townspeople of Sanctuary, his personality truly stood out. What made Roland even more memorable for me was Tiny Tina’s obvious affection towards him. Even after his demise, she still finds ways to incorporate him into her tabletop-style game featured in the Borderlands 2 DLC, Assault on Dragon Keep.

2. Handsome Jack

The Most Remembered Villain Of The Series

First appeared in Borderlands 2.
One of the greatest antagonists in the Borderlands franchise.
He has some of the most well-known and funniest lines.

Undeniably, Handsome Jack remains a quintessential Vault Hunter in every sense, even following the events of Borderlands 2. Many players continue to lament his absence as the series’ primary antagonist, for they deeply miss this charming and cunning Hyperion leader who met an unfortunate demise.

He’s renowned for being so iconic, largely because of his sharp wit. Regularly, Jack communicates with the Vault Hunters from Borderlands 2 by flashing his wealth, discussing the most unexpected topics, but above all, due to his ruthless nature. Yet, fans can’t seem to get enough of him, despite these traits.

1. Lilith

A Staple Of The Franchise And A Savior

First appeared in Borderlands.
Leader of a group of Bandits and the Crimson Raiders.
Strong even without her Siren powers.

It’s not surprising that the most renowned Vault Hunter in the Borderlands series is often considered among the best. After all, Lilith has left an indelible mark not just as a Siren but also as a character within this looter shooter franchise. The Firehawk, her iconic role, played a pivotal part in both Borderlands 2 and 3.

In the game series, Borderlands 2 and Borderlands 3, Lilith steps into the role as leader of the Crimson Raiders following specific events. By the conclusion of Borderlands 3, she is portrayed as a savior, leaving many players delighted with their interactions with her in these titles. Moreover, even without her Siren abilities, Lilith has demonstrated immense strength and growth since being among the original Vault Hunters in Borderlands.

2025-01-04 05:34