One recurring archetype in the Borderlands games should be up for a significant change of pace once Borderlands 4 comes out. The Borderlands games have a habit of upping the ante and being as over-the-top as possible, which is reflected in its gameplay. Naturally, the character classes available to the player should follow suit. At the same time, there is one that may need to be addressed ahead of Borderlands 4, lest it end up underperforming compared to the others. At the very least, there is one area that cannot be overlooked when it comes to its design.
There are typically four Vault Hunters in every Borderlands game with the exception of Borderlands 2 and The Pre-Sequel, which each had 6 due to DLC. The Vault Hunters are individual characters who all belong to a specific class, which determines their unique ability and the perks they can receive upon leveling up. While each game has had new Vault Hunter classes making an appearance, there is one that has appeared in every main numbered title: the Siren. At this point, it would be a surprise if the Siren of them missed out on Borderlands 4, but another character class also has a near-perfect attendance rate.
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Borderlands 4 Can’t Give its Soldier an Underwhelming Action Skill Again
Borderlands’ First Two Soldiers Had Extremely Similar Action Skills
Early in the series, the main issue with the Soldier class in Borderlands was its unique ability. Roland and Axton, the Soldier and Commando of the first two games, essentially had the same ability in the form of a gun turret. This trend would be broken with Borderlands 3‘s Gunner, Moze, the latest Soldier character. Moze has the Iron Bear, a powerful mech suit that can fight on its own or be directly piloted by Moze. In practice, it’s closer to Gaige’s Deathtrap from Borderlands 2 than the turrets used by the Soldiers. The Iron Bear was definitely a big step up as a skill.
The Soldier’s Gun Turret Ability Was One of Borderlands’ Most Underwhelming
Axton and Roland’s Action Skills held them back compared to Borderlands‘ other Vault Hunters. While their turrets aren’t exact clones, they are still extremely similar. Their similar classes and Action Skills robbed Roland and Axton of their uniqueness compared to the rest of the cast. In addition, most Action Skills in Borderlands are cool and flashy, so a pair of gun turrets can feel rather unimpressive, even when upgraded. Soldiers and Soldier-type classes are capable of much more than reusing the same basic ability type. In Borderlands 4, a Soldier character would need something new and innovative to keep up with the pack.
Borderlands 4’s Soldier Will Need Something Distinctive and Exciting
There is a plethora of potential powers for Borderlands 4‘s Soldier to possess. For an upgrade in Borderlands 4, they could perhaps have the ability to call in an airstrike or hidden artillery. Another option would be for them to have a signature weapon that they can only use for short bursts at a time, similar to Krieg’s Buzz Axe Rampage or Salvador’s Gunzerking. An ability that’s both useful and distinctive is one of the biggest things that Borderlands 4‘s Soldier or its equivalent needs. After Moze’s Iron Bear raised the bar, there’s no going back to something like the old gun turrets.
Their matching classes and Action Skills robbed Roland and Axton of their uniqueness compared to the rest of the cast.
Borderlands 4 will probably have a Soldier or something similar, so they will need a worthy Action Skill as well. Borderlands 4‘s Vault Hunters will have a lot to live up to, particularly any recurring archetypes. While the SIrens have had different powers every game, the first two Soldiers effectively recycled the same ability. Whatever Vault Hunter fills that archetype this time needs to take more from Moze than Roland or Axton in that regard. An excellent Action Skill can ensure that Borderlands 4‘s Soldier-like Vaunt Hunter becomes a solid pick.
See if you have what it takes to go down in history as a legendary Vault Hunter as you search for secret alien treasure, blasting everything in sight.
Looter Shooter
Action
Adventure
RPG
- Franchise
- Borderlands
- Released
- 2025