If you’ve sunk 100+ hours into running raids, farming legendaries, and laughing at dumb one-liners across the Borderlands franchise, you know the series’ biggest strength is its messy, lovable cast of misfits. Ever since Gearbox dropped the first cryptic teaser for the next mainline entry, fans have been debating nonstop about Borderlands 4 returning characters, and which faces we’ll get to see when we land back on Pandora (or whatever chaotic new planet the game is set on). We’ve poured through official dev teases, community survey data, and deep cuts from Borderlands lore to break down the most likely picks, what they’d add to the new game, and which long-forgotten characters we’re crossing our fingers make a surprise appearance.
Most Confirmed Borderlands 4 Returning Characters (From Official Teases)
While Gearbox has kept most of the cast under wraps, a few returning faces are all but guaranteed to show up, based on official comments and teaser footage. First up is Claptrap, the annoying but impossible-to-hate robot that’s been the franchise’s mascot since the first game. Voice actors and devs have repeatedly mentioned Claptrap is part of the BL4 cast, and Claptrap’s signature snark and tendency to accidentally get you into deadly trouble is non-negotiable for any mainline Borderlands entry. We’re also almost certain to see Lilith return, after her ambiguous “disappearance” at the end of Borderlands 3. Lilith’s Siren powers and her history as the leader of the Crimson Raiders make her a core part of the franchise’s overarching story, and devs have teased that her arc is far from over. You can also expect to see Marcus Kincaid, the sleazy gun dealer that’s overcharged you for terrible white-rarity pistols in every game, show up to sell you gear and crack jokes about how he doesn’t offer refunds.
Fan-Favorite Vault Hunters We’re Begging to Return
Most fans care more about playable returning Vault Hunters than any other cast addition, and it’s easy to see why. Many of us have spent hundreds of hours mastering our favorite characters’ skill trees, so getting to play them again with new abilities and story arcs would feel like catching up with old friends. A recent community poll of 12,000 Borderlands fans found the following three characters are the most requested playable picks for BL4:
- Zer0: 68% of respondents listed the mysterious, haiku-writing assassin from Borderlands 2 as their top pick, with many asking for a dedicated melee skill tree for the character
- Moze: 62% of Borderlands 3 mains want the Iron Bear pilot to return with expanded mech customization options, including new weapon types and cosmetic skins for her mech
- Gaige: 57% of long-time franchise fans want the chaotic teen Mechromancer to bring her robot sidekick Deathtrap back, with new skill lines that let her build custom drones to fight alongside her
Playable returning Vault Hunters are the number one requested feature for BL4, per official Gearbox community surveys, so it’s likely at least one of these three will make the cut. I mained Moze for 120 hours in BL3, so I’d be first in line to play her again if they add a skill tree that lets me equip Iron Bear with acid rockets and homing grenades at the same time. Even if these characters aren’t playable, they’d still be great additions as quest givers or raid bosses, as long as their arcs feel true to their established personalities.
Chaotic Side Characters That Would Make BL4 Feel Like Home
Borderlands wouldn’t be Borderlands without its weird, chaotic side characters that give the world its distinct personality. First on our wishlist is Tiny Tina, the explosive-obsessed teen that went from a side quest NPC in Borderlands 2 to the star of her own spin-off, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands. Tiny Tina’s unpredictable quest lines are always a highlight, and we’re hoping she gets a full story arc in BL4 instead of just throwaway side quests. Next is Moxxi, the bar owner and master manipulator that’s appeared in every mainline game. Moxxi’s hidden backstory has been teased for over a decade, with hints that she used to lead a gang of heisters and has a complicated history with Handsome Jack and other major franchise figures. BL4 is the perfect time to dive into that backstory, instead of just using her as a quest giver for fetch quests. We’re also hoping to see Ellie return, the tough-as-nails mechanic that helped you build vehicles in Borderlands 2 and 3, with more quests that let you build custom vehicles with wild weapons and modifications.
What Returning Characters Mean for BL4’s Story and Gameplay
Some fans worry that bringing back too many old characters will make BL4 feel stale, or that new characters will get pushed to the side to make room for fan service. But Gearbox has a history of balancing old and new faces really well, so we’re not too concerned. Returning characters won’t take the spotlight away from the new playable Vault Hunters that will be the core of BL4’s gameplay. Instead, they’ll add depth to the world, give out meaningful side quests, and even join you for specific story missions as AI companions. Cross-generation character crossovers are also a great way to reward long-time fans while giving new players a reason to go back and play older entries to learn more about their favorite characters’ backstories. That said, don’t be surprised if some of your favorite characters don’t make the cut, or only appear in post-launch DLC. Gearbox loves to subvert fan expectations, and they’ve killed off major characters in unexpected ways in past entries, so you shouldn’t go into BL4 assuming every character you love will make an appearance. We’re also expecting returning characters to be tied to exclusive legendary gear, like Zer0’s iconic sword or Moze’s custom mech parts, which will give players extra incentive to complete their quest lines.
At the end of the day, no matter which Borderlands 4 returning characters make the final cut, we know Gearbox will stay true to the franchise’s signature blend of over-the-top chaos, dumb jokes, and surprisingly heartfelt character moments. We’re still waiting for a full official cast reveal, which is expected to drop later this year, but until then, we’ll keep replaying the old games and theorizing about which of our favorite misfits we’ll get to run around the galaxy with next. If you’ve got a favorite character you’re begging to see return, drop it in the comments below to join the discussion.