Summary
Borderlands 4might havenarrowed down its release window, but fans are still discussing many details about the continuation of the series and the possible antagonists that could (and should) make a comeback. The series has always been known for its colorful villains. Speculation about who could play the part of minor, side, or main ‘baddies’ (besides the already revealed BBEG The Timekeeper), is spreading like wildfire.
Throughout the series, some heroes have returned as NPCs. Other characters are nowhere to be found, so there’s a chance that they could also come back not as allies but as antagonists. By analyzing the clues, the lore, and some of the development of all the previous iterations of the franchise, this list spotlights several villains that should make an appearance in the fourth mainlineBorderlandsgame.
Players meet themysterious and dangerous RoseinBorderlands 3DLC, Bounty Of Blood,as the main antagonist and leader of The Devil Riders. Rose is a particularly complex antagonist. She’s obsessed with revenge, able to control the dangerous bioweapons left by the Jakobs corporation, and an expert gunslinger. Plus, she is a gang leader and notorious outlaw.
The ending of the DLC didn’t quite mark her as dead, since she escaped the confrontation with the Vault Hunters. At the same time, she gained what she was aiming for: proving that her Grandmother’s secret could be weaponized. So, if she returns as an antagonist inBorderlands 4, she could become more dangerous than ever.
The Watcher is a mysterious creature of Eridian origin that warns the Vault Hunters fromBorderlands: The Pre-Sequelabout impending doom in the form of a full-scale war. It might very well be the connecting nexus between the past mainline games and the fourth iteration of the series, and as The Timekeeper seems to be the main antagonist, he could be a rogue lieutenant of the latter.
Thinking about it, their namesakes sound alike, though their designs are quite dissimilar. Be it as it may, he could be there to stop the Vault Hunters from opening yet another Vault and unleashing its horrors upon the universe.
Handsome Jack has to be themost iconic villain in theBorderlandsfranchise. With his charming but zany sense of humor and his psychopathic personality, he has endangered Pandora and all the planets of the System more than once to accomplish his selfish goals. He has even used his own daughter, ‘Angel,’ and her siren powers to attack the Vault Hunters. Even though the ending of Borderlands 2 sees this guy dead (for reals), fans might be aware of Jack’s paranoid attitude and old custom of having several body doubles. One of these doubles (Timothy Lawrence) is actually playable inBorderlands: The Pre-Sequel,and makes a cameo inBorderlands 3as an NPC.
But, there’s yet another detail that is part of the lore and could be a waygate for the original Jack to return: Hyperion’s New-U technology. This is the advanced cloning that all Vault Hunters have used throughout the series, and serves as the main respawning mechanic of the game. So, if the players can use it to survive a certain doom, why not the most handsome of all the villains in the series?
The Tediore Corporation played a less-than-secondary role throughout the series, only appearing in the lore as a Weapon Manufacturer. But, inNew Tales From The Borderlands, its CEO Susan Coldwell wages a one-woman war against the protagonists, becoming a real threat to them and invading Prometea with her army.
Though Susan died at the end, and Rhys openly declared the Tediore corporation as ‘non-functioning,’ fans might find this too farfetched, as corporation wars in theBorderlandsgames have always been the core of the background narrative. Players have already fought Maliwan to the death, and Atlas is in good hands, so Tediore could be the next big evil Corpo to beat. Fans will have to wait and see who is sitting in the CEO’s office.
2Krieg (Borderlands 2)
Exiled Himself To Protect Others From His Rage
Krieg The Psycho was a Vault Hunter introduced as part ofBorderlands 2post-release DLC as an extra playable character alongside Gaige, the Mechromancer. Krieg’s profound lore and intense take on his psychology, alongside his ties to Tiny Tina’s past (alleged Father) and tragic origin story made him into one of the fan-favorite characters of the franchise. It is important to mention that Maya was like his cornerstone, his grounding mechanism. Many dialogues make it seem like something was sparking there.
The Audio Logs found inBorderlands 3reveal that there was indeed some sort of relationship between the two, and Krieg in his lucid moments was able to become more ‘human,’ as he stayed close to the Siren. But Maya had to return to her home planet, and Krieg decided to exile himself and tell her he would wait for her return. Fans know that was never meant to be, as Maya was killed by the Twins inBorderlands 3.
Thissparks an interesting opportunity for Krieg to become an antagonist in the next iteration. Perhaps his isolation and knowing he had lost someone important to him (again) could transform him into a monster. It wouldn’t be the first nor the last time a former Vault Hunter becomes a villain.
Fiona is a mysterious and elusive woman, not particularly affiliated with anyone but her sister, Sasha. Her survival instinct and talent for scamming people have gained her thousands of enemies. She is seen in several Wanted Posters throughout the series, andhas deep ties with Rhys Strongfork, since they used to be ‘partners in crime.’
Though the possibility of her returning as a main antagonist is scarce, there’s a chance for her to become a side antagonist. Perhaps she could even be a part of a DLC or a sub-quest. Many minor antagonists of the series have appeared in said form, and made it into the rankings of most beloved characters (remember Captain Flynt). Fiona would be great as a side villain forBorderlands 4since she has the potential to be very disruptive to inexperienced Vault Hunters, and has some sleek tricks under her sleeves.
