Now that Borderlands 4 is out, it’s time for players to choose the right character from its new Vault Hunters.
Gearbox confirmed that the fourth mainline entry will feature four new playable Vault Hunters at launch.
Each Vault Hunter comes with three action skills and a unique skill tree. With such a wide variety of playstyles within each class, here’s how to pick the right character in Borderlands 4.
Who are the New Vault Hunters in Borderlands 4?
Borderlands 4 introduces a fresh team of Vault Hunters, each representing a unique character class with specific action skills and their own skill trees.
Each Vault Hunter also has a passive ability that enhances their role and enables weapon and skill synergies, though these vary depending on the build.
Here are the four new playable characters in Borderlands 4.
Vex – The Siren
A powerful Siren-type character, Vex can summon allies through her action skills, such as Phase Phamiliar or Dead Ringer.
Her summons deliver consistent damage output and effectively draw enemy aggro, relieving pressure from her.
This makes her strong in solo play, as her summoned allies face enemies while she revives. Her passive skills further boost elemental damage based on the weapon she uses.
However, Vex also has some drawbacks. She struggles against large groups, meaning careful positioning is required to handle strong crowds effectively.
Amon – The Forgeknight
Built as a durable frontline warrior, Amon specializes in melee combat and tanking damage. He has excellent survivability and can deal significant melee and fire/ice ordnance damage.
He’s also the sole survivor of a Vault Monster attack on a cult, which adds lore that complements his tanky playstyle.
However, like any other character, he requires good timing and positioning, as his action skills focus on melee and ordnance. With that being said, he’s considered less suitable for players who prefer a ranged-focused playstyle.
Rafa – The Exo-Soldier
Rafa is equipped with an advanced exoskeleton capable of deploying shoulder-mounted turrets that can function as damage dealers or support.
As a former Tediore soldier, he is the most versatile Vault Hunter, excelling in short- to medium-range combat with high mobility, thanks to his Overdrive ability.
His skill trees allow for diverse builds, ranging from aggressive damage dealers to support-focused setups that replenish ammo or buff allies.
Rafa’s passive abilities complement a wide range of weapon builds, making him ideal for players who like to stay mobile and dodge frequently, as well as for experienced players seeking adaptability and high raw damage output.
Harlowe – The Gravitar
A former Maliwan combat scientist, Harlowe wields advanced tech and crowd-control abilities. Her action skills include area damage, support buffs, and control effects, such as Cryo and Radiation elemental attacks.
She can control groups of enemies while providing team support, with skill trees that specialize in burst damage, crowd control, and team buffs.
However, Harlowe needs Maliwan gear to maximize her potential, and her elemental affinities are mostly limited to Cryo and Radiation, which constrains her weapon choices.
This just means that she’s most ideal for players who prefer a supportive role while still contributing strong offensive capabilities.
How to Choose the Right Vault Hunter in Borderlands 4?
Now that you know the profiles of the new playable Vault Hunters in Borderlands 4, you can choose the character that best suits your playstyle.
If you like summoning allies to help manage tough fights and prefer a solo-friendly character, Vex is the ideal choice.
If you enjoy being a durable frontline warrior who deals significant melee damage, Amon is an excellent pick.
For an adaptable playstyle with high damage potential and turret utility, Rafa is the top-rated choice, helping you stay mobile in combat.
For crowd control, burst damage, and team support, Harlowe offers a balanced yet specialized experience.
With these new Vault Hunters in Borderlands 4, players have the best of both worlds, no matter their preferred playstyle.