Introduction
If you are choosing between the borderlands 4 characters, there is no wrong answer, only a wrong fit for how you like to play. Borderlands 4 launched with four Vault Hunters, each with three Action Skills and a unique trait, and two more hunters have since joined through paid story packs.
This guide covers all six hunters, what they do best, who they suit, and the key characters on Kairos, keeping spoilers light.
Borderlands 4 Characters at a Glance
Borderlands 4 is a first-person looter shooter developed by Gearbox Software and published by 2K. It launched on 12 September 2025 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and PC, on a brand-new planet, Kairos, ruled by the dictator known as the Timekeeper.
| Fact | Borderlands 4 characters detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Gearbox Software |
| Publisher | 2K |
| Release date | 12 September 2025 |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC |
| Genre | First-person looter shooter |
| Launch Vault Hunters | Vex, Rafa, Amon, Harlowe |
| DLC Vault Hunters | C4SH, Loveless |
| Setting | The planet Kairos |
| Age rating in the UK | PEGI 18 |
Every Vault Hunter can only equip one Action Skill at a time, and each skill has its own skill tree, so two players using the same hunter can still build very differently.
Vex: The Siren
Vex is the new Siren, who channels phase energy into minions and blasts. Her trait, Phase Covenant, makes her Action Skill and melee damage take on the element of her equipped gun, so swapping weapons shifts her whole kit.
Her three Action Skills are Dead Ringer, which summons spectral clones (Reaper for melee tanking, Specter for ranged damage); Incarnate, which lets her explode in phase energy, restore health and unleash Eldritch Blasts; and Phase Familiar, which fights alongside her minion Trouble, a beast who tanks and distracts enemies.
Vex suits solo players and elemental builders best. She is less approachable for newcomers, because summon management adds decisions on top of the shooting.
Rafa: The Exo-Soldier
Rafa is the most straightforward damage dealer of the launch four. Born in microgravity, he survives only thanks to his Tediore Deadframe exo-suit. His trait, Overdrive, boosts his speed and damage whenever he activates an Action Skill.
His three Action Skills are APOPHIS Lance, an arm cannon firing piercing Shock blasts; Peacebreaker Cannons, shoulder guns that fire automatically at targeted enemies; and Arc-Knives, giant melee blades that mark enemies, stacking bonus damage before a Blade Fury finisher.
Rafa suits beginners and experienced players alike. His weakness is defence: he does not tank like Amon, so positioning still matters.
Amon: The Forgeknight
Amon is the tank of the group, raised in a Vault-worshipping cult and now hunting the monsters that destroyed his people. His trait, Forgeskill, gives each Action Skill extra follow-ups, such as a molten hammer slam or a projectile-absorbing firewall.
His three Action Skills are Onslaughter, which overloads his Forgefist for mobility, rocket punches and burn damage; Scourge, a Forgeshield that absorbs damage and launches devastating waves, best for protecting teammates; and Crucible, elemental Forgeaxes thrown for explosive chain reactions.
Amon suits co-op tanks and close-quarters fighters. He trades speed for durability, and melee can struggle against distant enemies.
Harlowe: The Gravitar
Harlowe is the utility mastermind, a former Maliwan combat scientist who mixes Cryo and Radiation damage to control the battlefield. Her trait, Entanglement, links enemies hit by her skills, so damage to one is shared between them.
Her three Action Skills are CHROMA Accelerator, an unstable Cryo pocket that explodes for massive Radiation damage; Zero-Point, which traps an enemy in Stasis then slams them down; and Flux Generator, a field that freezes enemies and grants allies Overshield, the most supportive skill in the launch roster.
Harlowe suits team players and crowd-control fans. Her damage can feel inconsistent alone, so she shines brightest in co-op.
Which Launch Hunter Should You Pick?
Use the table below to match a hunter to your habits, not to a tier list: all four can finish the game, and all four change dramatically with their skill trees.
| Vault Hunter | Class | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vex | Siren | Solo play, elemental builds, summoning | Summon management, steeper learning curve |
| Rafa | Exo-Soldier | Aggressive damage, beginners, boss fights | Lower defence, needs good positioning |
| Amon | Forgeknight | Tanking, melee, co-op frontline | Slower pace, weaker at long range |
| Harlowe | Gravitar | Crowd control, team support, area damage | Inconsistent solo damage |
If you play solo, Vex or Rafa are the safest first picks. If you play with friends, Amon or Harlowe will make the whole group stronger. Try a second skill tree before giving up on a hunter, since each tree plays very differently.
DLC Characters: C4SH and Loveless
Two more borderlands 4 characters have joined through paid story packs, and both can be played across the base game once owned. Neither is included with the standard edition, so check whether a Vault Hunter Pack already includes them.
C4SH, pronounced Cash, is the first DLC Vault Hunter, a robotic gunslinger and former casino dealer turned drifter who chases eldritch artefacts. He arrived with Story Pack 1, Mad Ellie and the Vault of the Damned, in the first quarter of 2026, and his playstyle is built around luck and risk: card flips and dice rolls can buff allies, sap enemy strength, or backfire spectacularly. Like every hunter, he has three Action Skills and three skill trees.
Loveless the Hacker is the second DLC Vault Hunter, an ex-Anshin assassin turned cybernetic hacker who shares her head with a digital virus of her own creation. She arrived on 10 September 2026 with Story Pack 2, FL4K and the Last Resort, and she is built around critical hits, status effects and a RAM bar: critical hits and status effects fill RAM, and a full bar empowers her melee attack. Her three Action Skills are Plague Star, a piercing Corrosive shuriken that spreads Contagion; Visual Paradox Nexus, which boosts movement speed and critical damage while creating stealth and clones; and Malignant Construct, which summons her Wyrm companion to attack with tail whips and toxic breath.
The Timekeeper and the People of Kairos
The Vault Hunters are not the only borderlands 4 characters worth knowing. The story is driven by the Timekeeper, a dictator who controls almost everyone on Kairos through mind-controlling bolts, enforcing his perfect Order from Dominion City. The Vault Hunters crash-land, are arrested and bolted themselves, and must unite Kairos against him to find the Vault and escape.
Around him sit returning faces and new allies: Claptrap, claiming a role in the Crimson Resistance, plus Mad Moxxi and Zane as familiar contacts. New figures include Zadra, a Kairos native who sees through the flaws of the Timekeeper’s Order, and Levaine, a leader from Carcadia who steps up when Kairos falls. You do not need to know the earlier games to follow them.
Conclusion
The borderlands 4 characters give every kind of player a home: Vex for summoners, Rafa for pure damage, Amon for tanks, Harlowe for controllers, C4SH for gamblers, and Loveless for technical assassins. Start with the hunter that matches how you already play, learn one skill tree properly, then branch out.
For more guides, visit Game Horizon.
FAQs
How many characters are in Borderlands 4?
There are six Vault Hunters in total: four at launch, Vex, Rafa, Amon and Harlowe, plus two DLC hunters, C4SH and Loveless. Each hunter has three Action Skills, but only one can be equipped at a time.
Who is the best Borderlands 4 character for beginners?
Rafa is the easiest first pick, because his Overdrive trait and straightforward skills reward aggressive play. Vex is a strong second choice for solo players.
Who is the best Borderlands 4 character for co-op?
Amon and Harlowe make the biggest difference to a team: Amon tanks and protects teammates, while Harlowe groups, freezes and buffs. Rafa and Vex contribute damage more than control.
Are C4SH and Loveless free in Borderlands 4?
No. C4SH arrived with Story Pack 1, and Loveless with Story Pack 2. Both are included in the Vault Hunter Pack and the Super Deluxe Edition, and can also be bought separately, with the base game required.
Can you change your Vault Hunter after starting Borderlands 4?
No, a playthrough is tied to the hunter you choose at the start, although you can start a new playthrough with a different hunter.
Do you need to play earlier Borderlands games first?
No. Borderlands 4 follows a new cast on a new planet, Kairos, and its story works on its own. Returning characters add flavour for long-term fans, but are not required knowledge.