Borderlands 4 boasts an expansive world with a vast array of systems to master. From exploring the enigmatic Vault on Kairos with access to countless weapons, players have a lot to unravel. For those feeling overwhelmed, rest assured, not all mechanics are evident from the start. Here’s a guide to 13 essential gameplay elements that the game subtly skips over.
Disappointed with your skill allocations? Fear not, you can reorganise your entire skill tree at any point. Respec Machines, located in major hubs like The Launchpad and Carcadia, allow for a complete reset. Though you’ll need to spend a chunk of your in-game wealth—scaled to your current finances—it’s a small price for optimal customisation. However, choose wisely, as the costs and time involved can escalate.
Go Fishing for Valuable Loot
For a peaceful yet rewarding break, try fishing. Besides rivers and lakes, look out for bubbles and jumping fish. Engage these spots with your grappling hook to potentially secure weapons and gear, though many catches may be mundane. Occasionally, luck might land you a coveted Legendary item.
Your Highest DPS Weapon Isn’t Always Superior
Diversity in your arsenal is key. Equip your four slots with a mix—ranged, close combat, elemental variety, and splash damage weapons are all useful. Early game success, especially on Hard difficulty, often depends on exploiting elemental weaknesses rather than relying solely on raw DPS.
Reap The Rewards of Generosity at Moxxi’s Bar
A noteworthy trick is tipping at Moxxi’s Bottoms Up in Carcadia Burn, where generous tipping can yield a Legendary Weapon. While the amount needed is random, players have seen success after significant investment. Timing can be crucial, as the opportunity isn’t always available.
Enemies Adapt to Your Level
In Borderlands 4, enemies and challenges scale with your level. Focus on advancing the main quests to unlock essential gear and upgrades initially. Afterwards, dive into sidequests and activities without fear of falling behind.
Experiment with Multiple Skill Trees
Don’t confine yourself to one skill set. A robust character build often incorporates passive skills across different trees. For instance, combining Rafa’s Peacebreaker Cannons with the Arc-Knives skill enhances overall effectiveness.
Discover the $1 Legendary Vending Machine.
After completing the Siege and Destroy mission in Carcadia City, embark on the Vend of the Line quest to locate the legendary vending machine. It offers a single Legendary Weapon for just $1—a rare, invaluable opportunity.
Optimise Navigation with the Radar Mini Map
The Radar Display significantly enhances navigation over the standard Compass. Essential for efficient gameplay, it provides clearer reading of enemy locations and surroundings, improving awareness in battles.
Seek Out the Treasure of Red Chests
As you explore, rare red chests filled with valuable loot may appear. Unlock them by completing associated random events, which involve various tasks like enemy elimination or solving puzzles.
Manage Inventory at the Bank Vault
Clear inventory space by using the Bank Vault in key locations to store excess gear. Enable seamless transfer between characters by depositing items, which can be managed directly from your Backpack for convenience.
Get Free Boosts with Class Mods
Reaching higher levels unlocks Class Mods, which boost skills and offer offensive and defensive enhancements. They stack on existing skills for substantial benefits, making them crucial for optimising your Vault Hunter’s build.
Maximise Movement and Aerial Abilities
Discovering manoeuvres like dashing and combining jumps with Digirunner vehicle tricks expands your movement, perfect for evading threats and reaching new platforms efficiently.
Collect Bobbleheads for Extra XP
Find and flick 200 hidden Marcus Bobbleheads scattered across Kairos for easy XP. They emit a unique glow and sound when nearby, and resetting periodically allows for repeated interaction, providing consistent rewards.
For more advanced tips, visit the secrets and references guide on My Lead Games.


