Introduction
If you're hyped for Borderlands 4, you're not alone. The recent State of Play has dropped a wave of updates, and one of the most exciting is the introduction of new Vault Hunters, complete with fresh skill trees, combat tweaks, and a much more dynamic movement system. This guide breaks down everything we know so far—character abilities, background lore, gameplay mechanics, and what makes this next entry feel like a real evolution for the series.
Whether you're wondering if Emily Swan is the new Siren, curious about the role of gliding and dashing, or just want a deep look at all the new Vault Hunters, this article has you covered.
Meet the Vault Hunters of Borderlands 4
Vex – The Mysterious Siren with a Dark Past
Despite ongoing speculation, Emily Swan is not confirmed as the Siren in Borderlands 4. Instead, we’re introduced to Vex, a new Siren whose story hints at hardship and complexity. Vex’s background reveals that her powers didn’t come easy—she grew up in tough conditions, and the way she acquired her Siren abilities only made life harder. She’s known for her dry, sarcastic attitude, shaped by years of survival. Yet, beneath that tough persona, Vex is described as an empath who still wants to help others—even if that means blasting enemies who deserve it.
There's speculation that Vex might actually be Emily Swan under a new identity. The theory suggests “Vex” could be a chosen name, while “Emily Swan” might be her past, no longer relevant to who she is now. Fans noted that Vex features wings—a possible nod to the “Swan” name. Whether that’s just a visual design choice or a deeper story tie-in remains to be seen.
Vex’s Abilities and Skill Tree Mechanics
Gameplay footage reveals Vex uses pets as part of her skillset. Her action skill allows her to throw an orb that causes area-of-effect (AoE) damage, giving her crowd control capabilities. But what’s even more exciting is her expansive skill tree. In a screenshot shared during the reveal, we see just one of her trees—but it's loaded with nodes, possibly more than any previous Borderlands character. Developers noted this tree functions like a combination of three separate skill trees, creating nine potential capstones. This setup promises deeper customization and could dramatically affect playstyle choices.
Aemon – The Vengeful Forge Knight
Aemon brings a gritty, tragic flavor to the new Vault Hunter roster. Raised in a cult that worshipped Vault monsters, his world collapsed when the creature they revered turned on the group—leaving Aemon the lone survivor. Since then, he’s taken on the mantle of Forge Knight, dedicating his life to destroying those same beasts. His personality blends stoic resilience with surprising warmth, offering wisdom and stories to allies even in the thick of battle.
From what we've seen, Aemon’s combat style is heavy and aggressive. He wields massive axes and features a Roman-style shield charge, allowing him to close gaps quickly or plow through enemies. While it’s unclear how effective this will be in actual gameplay, his role as a front-line damage dealer seems locked in.
Rafa – The Doomed Exo Soldier
Rafa, a former Tedior military soldier, comes with what might be the most compelling backstory in Borderlands 4. Born in microgravity, his body developed with extreme physical limitations. Unable to survive in normal gravity, Rafa turned to technology—signing up with Tedior to receive a custom exo suit that allowed him to operate outside of low-gravity environments. But once it became clear Tedior never planned to release him from service, he escaped, making him a fugitive with limited time left.
Rafa’s narrative arc introduces a real sense of urgency and mortality. His modified body and reliance on technology shape both his personality and his gameplay. We haven't seen much of his combat yet, but given his backstory, expect a highly tech-driven loadout with potential for speed, agility, or advanced tools.
Harlow – The Gravitar Genius from the Trant Lineage
Harlow rounds out the new Vault Hunter team with a high-tech, high-energy combat style. She’s a former Malawan scientist and a member of the Trant family, which longtime fans will recognize. Unlike her kin, Harlow was more interested in science than status. Her drive to learn and experiment led her to develop innovative gadgets and become a Vault Hunter in her own right. Known for her enthusiasm and brains, Harlow balances intellect with pure combat force, always ready to bring energy and positivity to any fight.
Gameplay hints suggest Harlow has a gravity-based power set, possibly including a phase-grasp-like ability. In early footage, she can pull enemies into the air and slam them down, which may function as a form of crowd control or anti-air tool. This could finally offer Borderlands players a reliable way to deal with airborne enemies, long seen as a frustrating element in the series. If her combat ends up emphasizing melee or close-range control, she could become a standout favorite for players who enjoy aggressive, fast-paced action.
A Closer Look at Borderlands 4's Evolving Skill Tree System
One of the biggest gameplay changes in Borderlands 4 lies in its approach to skill trees. Each Vault Hunter now has access to a massive skill system that’s more flexible and layered than before. Vex’s tree, for example, shows a node-heavy structure combining three branches into one large tree. Multiply that by three separate trees per character, and you’re looking at nine capstones for each Vault Hunter—massively expanding build diversity and replay value.
Additionally, each character now features a swappable passive trait, a new system allowing for real-time changes without having to respec entirely. This opens the door to adaptive gameplay strategies and builds tailored to different challenges, modes, or enemy types.
New Movement Features in Borderlands 4
Movement in Borderlands 4 has taken a major leap forward, delivering mechanics that fans have wanted for years. The most notable addition is gliding, a completely new traversal method. Unlike typical slow-fall mechanics in other games, gliding in Borderlands 4 uses a resource meter, making it a strategic ability rather than just a gimmick. Players can use gliding to cross large gaps, reposition during fights, or access hard-to-reach areas. It’s been confirmed that many map designs will rely on gliding to progress through zones.
The visual detail that Vex has wings ties into this system nicely. While not confirmed as a functional gameplay boost, it raises questions about whether her wings provide enhanced air control or movement options. Sirens have always had visually distinctive designs, but this might be the first time one’s appearance syncs so closely with a core movement mechanic.
Dash, Dodge, and Wall Climb Mechanics Explained
Beyond gliding, Borderlands 4 now includes both dashing and dodging—separate mechanics that bring much more depth to movement and positioning. Dashing is a fast lateral burst, allowing quick evasions or aggressive repositioning, similar to what you’d see in Wonderlands Redux. Unlike Redux, though, players don’t have to jump to trigger it. Dodging, on the other hand, serves as a micro-movement tool, perfect for quick shifts during firefights.
Another exciting addition is wall climbing. Long speculated by fans, this has now been confirmed with gameplay footage showing full vertical traversal. Players can climb tall surfaces, likely supported by dedicated grapple points. This adds layers to level design and suggests a much more vertical exploration system, potentially enhancing both combat and traversal pacing across large environments.
Vehicle Mechanics and On-the-Fly Combat Transitions
In Borderlands 4, vehicles are more than just a travel method—they're now a tool for dynamic movement and combat transitions. One standout feature is the ability to launch yourself from a moving vehicle, giving you a powerful momentum burst as you enter a fight or reach elevated terrain. The animation is slick and appears designed to keep gameplay fast-paced without the clunky stops seen in earlier titles. This also opens up interesting tactical options—imagine launching from a vehicle directly into a glide or a dash, creating seamless flow between ground and air movement.
This mechanic ties into the broader design philosophy Gearbox seems to be pushing: mobility-first gameplay. Everything—from wall climbing to dashing and gliding—is built to give players more control and freedom. Longtime players, especially speedrunners, have asked for this level of movement fidelity for years, and it finally looks like it’s here.
Chyros: The New World and Seamlessness Concerns
Chyros, the new world featured in Borderlands 4, is shaping up to be vast and exploration-heavy. However, one major question remains: how seamless is the game world? During the reveal, there wasn’t a clear confirmation of whether the game eliminates traditional loading zones, or if transitions between areas are masked behind small, hidden loads. This lack of clarity has left fans cautious, especially those hoping for a fully open-world experience without interruptions.
Still, the terrain of Chyros looks promising. Between wall climbing, gliding gaps, and vehicle jumping, the design appears to encourage exploration and creative traversal. With these systems in place, even if there are load zones, the world might feel more cohesive and active than ever before.
Interactive Combat: Barrel Throwing and Grapple Mechanics
One of the smaller but very cool features shown during the gameplay reveal is the ability to pull and throw explosive barrels using a grappling mechanic. Instead of running up to a barrel and pushing it, players can now interact with them from range—pulling them in and hurling them toward enemies for instant environmental damage. This adds an extra layer of strategy to combat, letting players use the battlefield to their advantage without needing to rely only on weapons or skills.
This also ties into what looks like a broader interactivity upgrade across Borderlands 4. Objects in the world now seem more responsive and usable, offering more ways to engage enemies and clear areas creatively. It’s a welcome change from earlier games, where most environmental objects were just set dressing.
Loot System Changes and Legendary Rarity Concerns
Gearbox confirmed a significant shift in how loot rarity is handled in Borderlands 4. Based on feedback from Borderlands 3, where legendary gear dropped too frequently, they’re now focused on making rarity meaningful again. Players can expect legendaries to feel rare and impactful—something that should bring back the thrill of getting a high-tier item. That said, there was no mention of any rarity above legendary being available at launch, which has disappointed parts of the fanbase.
Although it’s great that Gearbox is listening to feedback about loot inflation, many players hoped for an entirely new rarity tier, something that would raise the ceiling for high-end loot. Whether this arrives post-launch in DLC or not, remains to be seen. But for now, the goal appears to be quality over quantity, and restoring the sense of reward in loot grinding.
Conclusion: Borderlands 4 Brings Bold Changes to a Fan-Favorite Formula
Borderlands 4 is shaping up to be a major leap forward for the franchise. With four distinct Vault Hunters—Vex, Aemon, Rafa, and Harlow—each offering unique backstories and gameplay styles, players have more choices and customization than ever before. The expanded skill trees and the introduction of swappable passives mark a meaningful evolution in build diversity, encouraging experimentation and long-term engagement.
Movement mechanics like gliding, dashing, and wall climbing give players more freedom than in any previous Borderlands game. Combined with dynamic vehicle launching and interactive combat elements, gameplay looks faster, smarter, and more immersive. While questions remain about world loading and loot tier expansion, the direction Gearbox is heading feels promising—especially with their focus on community feedback and thoughtful game design.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Who is the Siren in Borderlands 4?
A: The confirmed Siren in Borderlands 4 is Vex, not Emily Swan. However, some fans speculate they could be the same person, with Vex possibly being a new identity adopted by Emily Swan.
Q2: How many skill trees do Vault Hunters have in Borderlands 4?
A: Each Vault Hunter features a highly flexible skill system. What looks like one tree actually includes three branches in one, giving players access to nine potential capstones per character.
Q3: What new movement features are in Borderlands 4?
A: Borderlands 4 introduces several new movement options including gliding, wall climbing, dashing, and vehicle launches—creating a more fluid and exploration-focused experience.
Q4: Will there be a new rarity tier above Legendary in Borderlands 4?
A: As of now, Gearbox has not announced a new tier above Legendary for the game’s launch. However, they aim to make legendary items feel rare and meaningful again.
Q5: Can players throw barrels in Borderlands 4?
A: Yes, players can now interact with the environment by pulling and throwing barrels using a grappling mechanic—adding more tactical choices to combat.
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