Borderlands 4 Needs a Shot in the Arm With Its Vault Hunters

Since the launch of the first Borderlands game in 2009, the series has largely stuck with its core Vault Hunter archetypes, but each installment has refined and occasionally expanded upon them. The introduction of the Soldier, Siren, Hunter, and Berserker Vault Hunters in the first game effectively set a precedent for the games that would follow, with each installment after that evolving each archetype’s mechanics to make them feel fresh. Now, Borderlands 4 may find itself at a fork in the road with its Vault Hunter archetypes, as the series is arguably due for something drastic in that area.

Borderlands 4 could do one of two things to really spice up its Vault Hunter archetype selection and essentially start a whole new era for the Borderlands series. Either it could introduce entirely new Vault Hunter archetypes, or it could rework the Vault Hunter archetype system to reduce its rigidity and make it more flexible, as more recent RPGs have been doing lately. This would ensure Borderlands 4 doesn’t just feel like another Borderlands game, which is especially necessary now that the series is 15 years old.

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Borderlands 4 Needs to Surprise With Its Vault Hunter Archetypes

Borderlands 4 Could Introduce Brand-New Vault Hunter Archetypes

The simplest way Borderlands 4 could make its Vault Hunter archetypes feel fresh is by introducing brand-new classes the series has never seen before. This would require Borderlands 4 to go beyond its core Vault Hunter archetypes, but it wouldn’t be impossible. Some examples might include the following:

• An Architect archetype, which would specialize in battlefield construction and area control by building structures and creating traps to hinder and slow enemies.
• A Shapeshifter archetype, which would have the ability to transform into different forms and gain unique abilities based on the form. Similarly to World of Warcraft‘s Druid class, the Shapeshifter could take on different forms that would emphasize a different combat role, like tanking, DPS, or healing and support.
• A Mind-Bender archetype, which would specialize in enemy manipulation by controlling them or turning them on their allies, creating chaos on the battlefield.
• A Chronomancer archetype, which would have the ability to manipulate time for tactical advantage by slowing enemies, speeding up allies, and even reversing damage.

Borderlands 4 Could Rework the Vault Hunter Archetype System It Currently Has

A concept that has become more popular in the RPG genre, especially within the last few years, is the idea of having classes that transcend traditional archetypes by allowing players more control over their character builds. The RPG genre has largely featured a core set of class archetypes since its origins, but more recent games have been going “out of bounds,” so to speak, by giving players near limitless access to the skills and characteristics of multiple classes for increased customization and tailoring to specific playstyles.

Dragon’s Dogma 2, Destiny 2, and Diablo 4‘s Vessel of Hatred expansion are great examples of this concept in action, as the Warfarer vocation, Prismatic subclass, and Spiritborn class, respectively, all specialize in diversity and build customization to allow players more freedom over their gameplay. In the same way, Borderlands 4 could rework its Vault Hunter archetype system to provide more flexibility. For example, a multi-class system similar to Dragon’s Dogma 2‘s, where players select a base archetype and then unlock a secondary class at higher levels to combine their abilities, would be a strong step toward class hybridization and versatility in Borderlands 4.

Whether it introduces brand-new Vault Hunter archetypes that observe principles none of the series’ classes have before or it reworks the franchise’s Vault Hunter system to allow more versatility, Borderlands 4 needs to go the extra mile with its playable classes. For a 15-year-old series, plus however much time there is between now and Borderlands 4‘s release, Borderlands is in need of a makeover in this area, as a new story might not be enough to make a lasting impression.

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