Summary
One could argue thatBorderlandsgames live and die by their roster of playable Vault Hunters and the quality of the loot, as those can be the most appealing bits of new games and what drives the hype - andBorderlands 4is likely to be no different. In fact,Borderlands 4’s Vault Huntersalready received backlash for what some fans described as “bland design,” further showing how iconic the four playable characters (not counting DLC Vault Hunters) can be for the series. With four main games precedingBorderlands 4, now is a good time to look back and see where each of these playable characters is.
Not allBorderlandsVault Hunters survived the events of the series, and those who didn’t are extremely unlikely to return inBorderlands 4, if not in flashbacks or maybe even lookalike NPCs.Borderlandscan be a whacky series when it comes to its story and humor, so it’s not impossible to see familiar faces in some shape or form inBorderlands 4- and some of them have already been confirmed by the recent trailer. So far, the series has amassed a total of 20 playable Vault Hunters divided as follows:
The Whereabouts of Every Playable Borderlands Vault Hunter Explained
Roland
Roland is one of the various playableVault Hunters inBorderlandsgamesthat died. Shot by Handsome Jack inBorderlands 2, Roland’s death was the catalyst for some key events in the series, but he is unlikely to be seen again in the future.
Brick
Alongside other recurring characters within the series, Brick is inBorderlands 3, albeit in a small role mainly dedicated to one story mission and some side quests. Still, he is currently alive and presumably spends time with Mordecai and Tiny Tina.
Mordecai
Similar to Brick, Mordecai returned inBorderlands 3for a short time. He tragically lost his trusted companion, Bloodwing, in the events ofBorderlands 2, and then came back inBL3with a new pet of the same species called Talon. Both Mordecai and Talon are alive.
Lilith
Initially presumed dead after the events ofBorderlands 3,Lilith is alive ahead ofBorderlands 4and will likely still play a huge part in the events of the game. It’s unclear if her human form has been changed after the end ofBL3, but she is bound to make an appearance in the sequel.
The Whereabouts of Every Playable Borderlands 2 Vault Hunter Explained
Axton
Not much is known about Axton after the events ofBorderlands 2, but he does come back inBorderlands 3’s Arms Race DLC as a commentator for the reality show-like game mode. He is alive ahead ofBorderlands 4.
Salvador
In the same spot as Axton isBorderlands 2’s Salvador. Another of the main four Vault Hunters in the game, Salvador shares the stage with Axton inBorderlands 3as an ECHO caster in the Arms Race DLC, and is currently alive.
Zer0
Zer0’s role inBorderlands 3is not as small as other recurring characters, and he is involved with the Maliwan vs. Atlas plotline. Despite the boss fight eerily resembling Zer0 inBL3, he is alive and still serves under Atlas.
Maya
Maya died inBorderlands 3in what some fans label as Ava’s fault. Ava is a Siren in training inBorderlands 3, and she inherits Maya’s powers after the Calipso Twins are defeated. Since Maya met her demise, she most likely won’t be seen in Borderlands 4.
Gaige
The first DLC Vault Hunter inBorderlandsgames alongside Krieg,Gaige came back inBorderlands 3for the Guns, Love, and Tentacles DLC. Like most past Vault Hunters who came back inBL3, she is alive at the end of the DLC.
Krieg
The playable PsychoKrieg got his own DLC inBorderlands 3, which is dedicated to him dealing with the aftermath of Maya’s death. With the sad and yet humorous nature of the DLC, Krieg is still alive at the end of it.
The Whereabouts of Every Playable Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel Vault Hunter Explained
Athena
Though Athena is tied toBorderlands: The Pre-Sequel’s infamous The Watcher’s war, she is never seen again in mainline games. If spin-offs are anything to go by,Athena is a CEO inNew Tales From The Borderlands, and she is presumably alive.
Wilhelm
It may not come as a surprise to fans that Wilhelm died inBorderlands 2, withBorderlands: The Pre-Sequelexplaining his rise to power within Hyperion as a Handsome Jack loyalist. As such, he is likely not returning in the next game.
Nisha
In the same vein as Wilhelm, Nisha is one ofBorderlands 2’s bosses, and she can be killed in an optional mission. As such, her status as aplayable Vault Hunter inBorderlands: The Pre-Sequelwas always meant to be short-lived.
Claptrap
Perhaps the most notoriousBorderlandscharacter is Claptrap, who to many fans' joy became playable inBorderlands: The Pre-Sequel. Much like the cover Psycho, Claptrap isBorderlands' mascot and is very much alive.
Timothy
Known as Jack’s Doppelganger inBorderlands: The Pre-Sequel, Timothy returns inBorderlands 3’s DLC Moxxi’s Heist of the Handsome Jackpot. He is a supportive character in the DLC, and is still alive when it concludes.
Aurelia
Sister toBorderlands' Sir Hammerlock, Aurelia Hammerlock meets her demise in aboss fight inBorderlands 3after siding with the Calipso Twins. She is dead before the events ofBL4and likely won’t return.
The Whereabouts of Every Playable Borderlands 3 Vault Hunter Explained
Zane
Zane is confirmed to be back inBorderlands 4, as he is shown in the recent trailer alive and well, albeit aged up a little. It’s unclear what role he will play in the story, though.
Amara
Not much is known about Amara after the events ofBorderlands 3, and it’s currently impossible to tell if she will be back inBorderlands 4. However, she was alive by the end ofBL3.
FL4K
One of the most beloved Vault Hunters in the series,FL4K is the robot beastmaster fromBorderlands 3. Much like Amara, their whereabouts between the events ofBL3andBL4are unknown, but they are presumed alive.
Moze
Last but not least, Moze shares the same fate as Amara and FL4K, as she was playable inBorderlands 3and her current status is unknown. She is presumably alive, though that doesn’t necessarily mean she will be back for the sequel.
WHERE TO PLAY
Borderlands 4 brings intense action, badass Vault Hunters, and billions of wild and deadly weapons to an all-new planet ruled by a ruthless tyrant.Crash into Kairos as one of four new Vault Hunters seeking wealth and glory. Wield powerful Action Skills, customize your build with deep skill trees, and dominate enemies with dynamic movement abilities.Break free from the oppressive Timekeeper, a ruthless dictator who dominates the masses from on high. Now a world-altering catastrophe threatens his perfect Order, unleashing mayhem across the planet.Ignite a resistance and blast your way through mechanical monstrosities, bloodthirsty bandits, and vicious beasts. Amass an arsenal of death-dealing firepower to wreak havoc as you tear your way across Kairos.Fight solo or in co-op with up to three other players in this immense sci-fi adventure, packed with free-form combat and exploration, pulse-pounding boss fights, infinitely varied loot drops, and an eclectic cast of unforgettable characters new and old.
