After a six-year wait, the Borderlands franchise has returned in bombastic style with the launch of Borderlands 4, offering fans a fresh take on its signature looter-shooter chaos. Released on or before September 12, 2025, Gearbox’s latest entry whisks players away to the fractured planet Kairos, where four brand-new Vault Hunters await those eager to dive into a world brimming with loot, legendary weapons, and endless mayhem.
For veterans and newcomers alike, one of the first questions is simple: what’s the best way to get started, and how do you make the most of your hard-earned loot? According to Mashable, the key to success is picking the right Vault Hunter for your playstyle and mastering the new systems introduced in this entry. The four new Vault Hunters—Vex, Rafa, Amon, and Harlowe—each bring unique abilities and recommended builds that cater to a variety of approaches, from solo play to full co-op squads.
Vex, the Siren, is a hybrid minion and elemental class, summoning ghostly allies to distract enemies while unleashing elemental mayhem. Her best early build, as outlined in Mashable, involves focusing on the "Here Comes Trouble" skill tree and maximizing synergy between her pet Trouble and spectral clones. For those who like to experiment and play solo, Vex offers adaptability and strong survivability.
Rafa, the Exo-Soldier, is the go-to for players who want straightforward, high-octane action. His "Remote Agent" skill tree boosts speed and damage, making him the top pick for raw DPS and an excellent choice for beginners. Meanwhile, Amon, the ForgeKnight, is the tank of the bunch, thriving on soaking up damage and controlling crowds. His "Vengeance" skill tree, combined with heavy cryo weaponry, makes him nearly unbreakable on the frontlines.
Harlowe, the Gravitar, rounds out the team as the ultimate support character. Her "Cosmic Brilliance" skill tree lets her link enemies, spread damage, and shield allies, making her indispensable in co-op scenarios. As Mashable notes, she can completely shut down enemy groups, making every squad better and every fight more manageable.
But as any Borderlands fan knows, the real fun begins once your inventory starts to overflow with loot. That’s where Bank Vaults come into play. According to Polygon, players unlock their first Bank Vault after completing the third main mission, "Down and Outbound." Once unlocked, Bank Vaults are accessible at The Launchpad and in other major towns as you progress. All Bank Vaults share the same inventory, so you can access your stash from any location or character on your account—an absolute lifesaver for those who love to experiment with different builds.
Storing items is a breeze: simply approach a Bank Vault or, if you prefer, use the in-game backpack menu to send items directly to your vault. As you complete objectives, you’ll earn SDU tokens, which can be spent to upgrade your bank space, letting you hoard even more gear. It’s worth noting, though, that lower-level characters can’t use high-level loot stored in the vault, so there’s no bypassing the game’s progression rules.
Once you’ve got your loot secured, the next step is to maximize your arsenal—and that’s where Shift codes come in. Both GamesRadar+ and GameSpot highlight the importance of Shift codes for scoring Golden Keys, which unlock special Golden Chests in locations like Belton’s Bore, The Launchpad, Carcadia, and The Lockaway. These chests are packed with powerful Epic or Legendary gear, and, sometimes, even exclusive cosmetics for your Vault Hunter.
As of September 12, 2025, several active Shift codes are available: "T9RJB-BFKRR-3RBTW-B33TB-KCZB9" and "THRBT-WW6CB-56TB5-3B3BJ-XBW3X" (the latter expires September 30, 2025), according to GamesRadar+. There’s also "WHWJB-XH3SX-39CZW-H3BBB-BTF55," which requires a linked My2K Games account, as reported by GameSpot. To redeem these codes, players must create a Shift account on Gearbox’s website and link it to their game account. The process can be completed either online or via the in-game Social or SHiFT menu. Once linked, simply input the 25-digit code (no need to worry about case sensitivity or hyphens—the game handles that for you), and your Golden Key will appear in your reward history.
Timing is everything with Golden Keys. As GameSpot points out, the gear you receive scales to your current level. That means it’s often wise to wait until you’ve leveled up a bit before cracking open those chests for maximum benefit. But don’t wait too long—many codes are temporary, and once they expire, those rewards are gone for good.
For those eager to keep up with the latest codes, GamesRadar+ recommends following Gearbox’s social media channels and Randy Pitchford’s Twitter, as new codes are often announced there without warning. Keeping an eye on weekly digests and community updates can also help ensure you never miss out on a free Legendary.
Of course, all the loot in the world won’t help if you’re not prepared for the game’s toughest challenges. Mashable advises players to explore every inch of Kairos, master the new movement mechanics (think double-jumps, wall climbs, and grappling hooks), and craft hybrid weapons using the new Licensed Parts system. Farming public events and balancing your squad’s roles are also key strategies, especially as you approach endgame content.
Speaking of endgame, Borderlands 4 ups the ante with the Ultimate Vault Hunter Mode, unlocked after completing the campaign. Here, enemies are smarter, tougher, and drop even better loot. Multi-phase raid bosses—dubbed Invincible Bosses—offer exclusive rewards for those bold enough to take them on. Weekly vendor rotations and seasonal progression tracks keep the grind fresh, offering new gear and cosmetics for dedicated players.
For those looking to jump in, Borderlands 4 is available on all major platforms, with editions ranging from the Standard Edition ($69.99) to the Super Deluxe Edition ($129.99), the latter including major story expansions and exclusive cosmetic packs. The Nintendo Switch 2 edition is set to launch on October 3, 2025, ensuring fans can loot and shoot on the go.
With its blend of new characters, intricate loot systems, and a host of quality-of-life improvements, Borderlands 4 stands as a testament to Gearbox’s commitment to keeping the series fresh, accessible, and as delightfully chaotic as ever. Whether you’re a solo adventurer or a co-op veteran, there’s never been a better time to dive back into the Borderlands universe.
