Borderlands 4 Vaults explained

In many ways, Borderlands 4 represents an evolution of its predecessors, ensuring the upcoming sci-fi looter-shooter is the most immersive entry yet. One such improvement over the previous versions is the inclusion of new Vault mechanics. This new gauntlet allows players to flex their combat prowess against hordes and unique foes, with great rewards awaiting them at the end.

Here is everything we know about Vaults in Borderlands 4 so far.

Also Read: Is Borderlands 4 coming to Xbox Game Pass?

What are Vaults in Borderlands 4?

No matter which Vault Hunter players pick, the Vaults will pose a challenge (Image via 2K)

Vaults are a new side activity players will find during their open-world adventures across the new planet of Kairos. Lore-wise, Vaults have been a central component of the Borderlands universe as they are forgotten chambers with great rewards that are guarded by powerful alien beings.

While they have been accessible in past games, usually setting up the finale for the campaigns, they function a tad differently here.

To access Vaults, fans will have to jump through a few hoops. This requires tracking down several Vault Fragments scattered around Kairos. Finding all the Fragments will allow the creation of a Vault Key, which will allow players to enter this gauntlet. Interestingly, as recent Borderlands 4 previews suggest, this can be done even at player levels as low as 20.

That does not mean they will be a breeze, as the foes inside can hold their own against the Vault Hunters. This might feel reminiscent of the Maliwan Takedown endgame side content in Borderlands 3. As such, players will need to be prepared when they go in.

This especially rings true for the final Vault boss encountered deep inside the Vault. This powerful enemy boasts various mechanics that make boss fights more dynamic than ever in the series' history while also amping up the sense of action and immersion. Overcoming the boss will not just reward players with new loot, but also new ability upgrades.

The upcoming entry boasts a sandbox environment now, so enhanced abilities should allow for smoother traversal across the world. Furthermore, players can also choose to immediately reset the Vault to farm for the unique gear drops they desire. This should let players adjust progression in the direction they want to be to tackle most other open-world activities.

Borderlands 4 arrives on September 12, 2025, for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. A Nintendo Switch 2 port is also slated for a launch later in 2025.

About the author

Siddharth is an esports and gaming writer at Sportkseeda. With nearly 10 years of experience in the industry, he also contributed to renowned publications like Gameffine (formerly IndianNoob), the British retro FPS magazine E1M1, and Gaming Purists, the latter being a passion project which he founded with friends.

Holding a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Siddharth's journalistic pursuits extend beyond reporting; he throws himself into the heart of gaming communities. His positive exploits in the industry have led him to interviewing Rohit Jain, a prominent Tekken 7 player from India.

Though he currently specializes in Nintendo, Overwatch 2, and RPG coverage, Siddharth's expertise spans a multitude of platforms and genres. He believes in doing extensive research across a mix of official, community-driven and diverse media sources for all of his article categories.

Siddharth has been an avid follower of Pewdiepie, which has also helped him expand his horizons to new gaming genres and titles. Beyond gaming, he indulges his love for literature with a particular fondness for horror and thriller novels. Moreover, Siddharth’s culinary enthusiasm for global cuisine enriches his palate.

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Edited by Siddharth Patil