After years of teases and leaks, the next entry in Gearbox’s chaotic looter-shooter franchise is almost here, and if you’re already planning your playthrough, you’ve probably started looking into Borderlands 4 different editions to figure out which one is worth your cash. I’ve bought every Borderlands special edition since the first game, so I know firsthand how easy it is to overspend on extras you’ll never touch, or miss out on content you’d actually use. I still have the Claptrap statue from Borderlands 2’s Ultimate Loot Chest Edition sitting on my desk right now, so I’ve got plenty of experience weighing the value of these premium packages. This guide breaks down every available version, their perks, and exactly who each one is made for, so you don’t end up with regret after you hit buy.
What Do the Borderlands 4 Different Editions Include?
First, let’s run through the core offerings of each edition, so you have a clear baseline to compare. All versions come with the full base game, of course, but the extras vary wildly from digital bonuses to physical merch you can display on your shelf. None of the paid extras give you a gameplay advantage, so you don’t have to worry about being left behind if you pick the cheapest option.
- Standard Edition: The most affordable option, this only includes the base Borderlands 4 game, no extra digital content or physical items. It’s perfect if you’re on a tight budget, or only care about playing the main campaign and don’t care about cosmetics or early access.
- Deluxe Edition: This adds a pack of exclusive character skins, weapon camos, a bonus class trinket, and 7 days of early access to the full game before the official launch date. You also get a 10% discount on all in-game store purchases for the first 30 days after you launch the game.
- Ultimate Edition: This includes all Deluxe Edition perks, plus the first year of post-launch DLC, two additional playable characters that will release 3 and 6 months after launch, and a lifetime exclusive “Vault Hunter Pioneer” nameplate for your multiplayer profile.
- Collector’s Edition: The priciest option, this includes all Ultimate Edition digital content, plus a 12-inch statue of the new main vault hunter, a steelbook case, a physical copy of the game’s art book, a map of the new planet, and a set of 5 enamel pins of the game’s core characters.
It’s important to note that all post-launch gameplay updates, like balance patches, new endgame events, and cross-play features, are available for free to all players, no matter which edition you buy. You only have to pay for story DLC and cosmetic extras.
How to Pick the Right Edition for Your Playstyle
The biggest mistake I see players make when picking a Borderlands edition is buying the most expensive one just because it seems like a “better deal”, even if they won’t use half the perks. Let’s break down who each option is actually made for, based on how you typically play looter shooters.
If you only play Borderlands for the main campaign and drop off once you beat the final boss, the Standard Edition is more than enough for you. You won’t miss any core story content, and the cosmetic extras won’t matter if you’re only playing for 20 or 30 hours total. I usually recommend this edition for casual players who only pick up Borderlands games once every few years, or who already have a huge backlog of games to get through.
For players who plan to play through the campaign multiple times with different classes, or who play a lot of co-op with friends, the Deluxe Edition is the sweet spot for most people. The early access lets you beat the campaign before your friends so you can help them run through tough missions, and the skins and camos let you customize your character to stand out in multiplayer lobbies. The 10% in-game store discount also adds up if you plan to buy any extra cosmetic packs later on.
If you’re a diehard Borderlands fan who sinks hundreds of hours into endgame content, the Ultimate Edition is worth the extra cost. The post-launch DLC usually adds 10 to 15 hours of new story content each, plus new endgame raids and gear, so you’ll get way more value out of it than if you bought each DLC separately. The extra playable characters also add a ton of replay value, so you won’t get bored even after you beat the base game three or four times.
Hidden Perks and Drawbacks You Might Have Missed
There are a few small details that most pre-order listings don’t highlight, so I wanted to call them out to help you avoid any surprises after you buy. I ran into a lot of these with Borderlands 3’s special editions, so I know how frustrating it is to realize you missed a key detail after you already paid.
One big perk for physical copy buyers is that the Collector’s Edition steelbook is exclusive to that version, and you can’t buy it separately. I’ve seen previous Borderlands steelbooks sell for double their original price on resale sites a few years after launch, so if you’re a collector, that alone makes the Collector’s Edition a good investment, even if you don’t care about the statue or pins.
On the downside, the early access perk that comes with Deluxe and Ultimate editions is only available for digital copies. If you buy a physical copy of the Deluxe Edition, you won’t get to play 7 days early, because the physical discs don’t ship until the official launch date. That’s a common point of confusion for players, so make sure you pick the digital version if early access is a top priority for you. I saw hundreds of players complain about this when Borderlands 3 launched, so it’s not a mistake you want to make.
Another thing to note is that the first year of DLC included with the Ultimate Edition only covers story DLC, not cosmetic microtransactions. You still have to pay for extra skins and camos from the in-game store, even if you buy the most expensive digital edition. Don’t go in expecting to get every piece of extra content for free, because that’s not how it works.
Is Paying Extra for Special Editions Worth It?
I get asked this question every time a new Borderlands game comes out, and the answer is almost always “it depends”. I’ve bought every Collector’s Edition since Borderlands 2, and I’ve never regretted it, but I also display all the merch on my office shelf and play every Borderlands game for at least 200 hours post-launch. If that sounds like you, it’s absolutely worth the extra cash.
If you’re on a budget, don’t stress about skipping the extra perks. The core Borderlands 4 experience is exactly the same no matter which edition you buy. You still get all the same gameplay, same story, same endgame raids, and same co-op features as players who buy the $200 Collector’s Edition. The only difference is the cosmetics and physical extras, which don’t impact how much fun you’ll have playing the game.
If you’re still on the fence, wait a few weeks after launch to see what the DLC is like. Gearbox usually releases details about the first DLC pack within a month of the game’s launch, so if you don’t care about early access, you can wait to see if the post-launch content looks worth paying extra for before you upgrade. You can also upgrade from Standard to Deluxe or Ultimate later on, so you don’t have to make a final decision before the game comes out.
The only exception is the Collector’s Edition, which usually sells out within a week of pre-orders going live. If you know you want the physical merch, buy it as soon as pre-orders open, because you won’t be able to get it later for retail price. I missed out on the Borderlands 3 Diamond Loot Chest Collector’s Edition because I waited two days to pre-order, and I still regret it.
At the end of the day, the Borderlands 4 different editions are designed to fit every type of player, from casual fans who just want to play the story to diehard collectors who want every piece of merch and extra content. Don’t let anyone pressure you into buying a more expensive edition than you need, and prioritize the perks that actually matter to you, whether that’s early access, extra story content, or a cool statue for your shelf. No matter which one you pick, you’re in for the same chaotic, hilarious looter-shooter fun that the Borderlands franchise is known for.